42. Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Sutton
I ’m on the front porch of The Big House, rocking in one of the chairs, when the ranch hands head my way for breakfast.
“Morning boss.” Cody smiles. He’s the morning person of the group.
“Morning, Cody.” I grin and stand. “Kelly, hang back a minute?”
Kelly nods in acknowledgment while Jason and Cody slip inside. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, no problems here.” I shove my hands into my pockets. I could have this conversation inside or in any office around here, but there’s no reason to. We’re not that formal now, and I’m not about to change that. “Anything you guys need?”
He shakes his head. “No, we’re good.”
“Good. Well, I spoke with Dad and Terrence separately this morning. We’re still a go for paperwork in January, and I’m going to be meeting with a few people from Terrence’s team who want to stay on if it’s a fit. I think we look good on our side. I also know that this expansion is going to come right around when we’re turning bulls out.”
“Yep, that’s true. We’ll manage. Don’t worry.”
“I feel better knowing you’re confident with everything. That’s why I wanted to talk with you. I told you guys that I needed to be looking at who could take on a bigger role. I’d like to extend a formal offer for you to manage the cattle operation. It’ll come with a salary increase and additional perks. I recognize the headache it is, and I haven’t taken the decision lightly. That’s if you want it.”
Kelly bobs his head in an exaggerated fashion. “Yes, sir. I appreciate it. Strickland Ranch has become home to me, and I’m eager to see it grow.”
“You deserve it. And I think it’ll make Jason and Cody more comfortable that way, too.”
“I agree.”
“I’ll write up everything and have it to you this afternoon. I want you to take the time to look it over and get back to me with any counteroffers.”
Kelly’s eyebrows scrunch. “I don’t know what you plan to offer, but I’ve known you long enough to know you’re not going to screw me.”
My mouth tugs into a wide smile. “Still. This is my legacy, and we’re in a period of transition. I want you to grow with us and be compensated for the additional work and hours.”
“You got it.”
I motion to the door. “Sorry to keep you from breakfast.”
“No apologies necessary. Thank you.” He extends a hand that I shake willingly.
“I’ll meet you guys out there in just a bit.”
I’ve just finished drafting paperwork for Kelly when my cell rings on the desk. It’s Jason, which is odd because the guys hardly ever call me when I’m not around.
“Hey, Jason. Everything ok?”
“Uh, yeah,” he says, sounding confused. “Were you serious about pigs? Because some guy is here with two big-ass hogs in a truck.”
I grin. “Yep. Might add more, too.”
“Uh. Ok. Cool. So…” He lets the last word trail off instead of asking a question.
“Have him pull up to the enclosure. Shouldn’t take more than the four of you to get them in there.” I laugh at their expense.
His confusion turns to concern. “You got it, boss.” As he pulls the phone from his ear, I hear, “Just when I feel like I’m getting somewhere with the cattle,” and the call cuts off.
Deep into the afternoon, I decide to take Maci on a short tour of Terrence’s property. We cut through the gate on the west side of Strickland Ranch, which enters near the front corral.
Terrence waves from the back end of a long trailer attached to a truck. They’re loading horses. “Hey there,” he says with a smile.
I pull the Defender up alongside him and we climb out. As Maci rounds the front of the vehicle, I wrap an arm around her and tuck my face into her hair. “You’re getting punished for that later. You know better than to touch the door.”
Her face reddens before she can hide it.
“Terrence, this is Maci. Maci, Terrence.”
Terrence extends a gloved hand, which she shakes. “Nice to meet ya,” he says, grinning again. “You two getting ready for the big move?”
Maci smiles pleasantly.
I nod. “We are. I’m just giving Maci a quick tour over here, like I mentioned, and we’ll be out of the way.”
“You’re no bother to us.” He waves a dismissive hand. “The main house is open if you want to take a peek.” He bounces an eyebrow at Maci. “You’re welcome to check anything else.”
“Thanks.” She smiles, and her eyes fall to the horses.
Terrence and I exchange a few more words before we wish him well and head off. This time, Maci waits for me to open the door for her.
“Good girl,” I say into her ear before she sits.
She exhales audibly and falls into the seat.
Today, I focus on showing her the buildings. Corrals and stables up front, along with two large open arenas. Kelly previously mentioned using them for events, and I agree it’s a good use of what’s already here.
“I love these.” Maci gestures to the first arena, raising her voice over the yell of the engine. “Didn’t you say Kelly thought they could be repurposed?” Her green eyes meet mine, and I’m captivated by the spark there. When she’s brainstorming and creative, there’s so much life in her. I want to see it all the time.
“Yeah. Actually, I’ve decided to have him take my role on.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
“I’d love for you to sit down with me and the ranch hands, especially Kelly, and talk about some ideas. I think you and Kelly would be a great team.”
She smiles widely, but I don’t miss the hint of surprise cross her face. “I’d love to.”
A strong satisfaction coats my insides. Building this legacy with Maci is immensely gratifying, and I’m excited to see where it all goes.
After the buildings toward the front of the property, I drive Maci to the main house. Unlike The Big House, which is a painted blue wood, the main house here has a limestone facade, complimented by thick, sealed cedar posts, giving it the feel of a lodge.
“It’s like a lodge, isn’t it?” she asks, echoing my thoughts.
I grin. “Yeah.”
“The Big House, and the Lodge.” She smiles as I pull the Defender to a stop. I open the door and take her hand, leading her up the front steps to the massive, wooden double doors. The handles are made of intertwined antlers.
Inside, the foyer leads into an open-concept floor plan. The lodge atmosphere carries, with lots of wood and taxidermy animals. There’s an industrial undertone to contrast it, mainly in the expansive kitchen with stainless-steel features.
“Wow, this would be great for entertaining!” Maci turns to me brightly. “You wouldn’t need to build small houses here if you use this space for lodging. This is gorgeous.”
Once again, I’m enamored with her glow. I can only smile in return.
“Is that your plan for it?” she asks.
I nod. “We haven’t finalized anything, but that makes the most sense to me, too.”
She releases my hand, making her way deeper into the kitchen. “Can you imagine cooking in here? Would your mom cook in here?”
I shrug. “Maybe? I think she likes her setup, but if we take on something with guests, she’s going to need a bigger setup. And this would be closer. So, either she’d need to come here, or we’d need to hire someone.”
We meander through the rooms, many of them themed, all of them complete with rustic decor. Then we make our way back out to the Defender and I head to the smaller house on the property.
“This is pretty,” Maci says. Unlike the massive lodge, this home has the look of a secluded cabin. “What’s this for?”
“Actually, I plan to offer it to Kelly.”
Maci looks proudly at me. “I think that’s great.”
Our boots echo on the stairs as we ascend, and the scent of honeysuckle invades my nose from a large bush on the far end of the porch. I shove open the front door, which leads into a cozy living room, complete with full-grain leather couches and a massive built-in television. There are three moderately-sized bedrooms and an updated kitchen.
Once we’ve walked through the rooms, Maci smiles at me in the living room again. “I think this is perfect for a Ranch Manager house. It’s a great perk to the role, and it will give him some privacy.” As an afterthought, she asks, “Is he seeing anyone?”
I shake my head. “No. But those are the same thoughts I have. He deserves some space to himself, especially as he takes on more responsibility. We won’t be able to increase his salary significantly right away, so I’m hoping some additional perks will offset it.”
Maci threads her fingers with mine and leans up on her toes to kiss me. “I think he’ll appreciate it.”