“Uncle Logan, what’s pr… pr… prospective?” Micah asked.
“Howdy, Mrs. Fontaine!” A barrel-shaped man tipped his hat in Betty’s direction as he stopped by her patio table at Bubba’s Burgers. Knowing it was Jill’s favorite burger place, she had volunteered to take Jill and the kids out for root beer floats and burgers on Saturday night. Aunt Meredith had joined them after a particularly long day of work.
“Well, Chuck Evans! Hello there!” Betty Anne smiled at their neighbor. “Nice to see you! How’s Frances? I haven’t bumped into her in a while.”
“Frances is a little under the weather this evening,” Chuck replied. A quiet, disinterested, teenage boy with punked out hair hung around uncomfortably behind him. “Thought I’d take our son Jared here out for a bite tuh eat so we don’t starve. She’s been feelin’ a might poorly this week and dinner’s been scarce as a mouse around a cat.”
Jill hadn’t recognized him until her mother mentioned his name. She nearly choked on the bite of hamburger going down when she realized how much he had changed. He seemed much larger than the last time she’d seen him. He certainly did not look in any danger of starving, but then again keeping weight off could be a tremendous challenge or the result of some sort of medical condition. Wasn’t he the neighbor Daddy had called a difficult, sometimes treacherous, modern day Cattle Baron?
“I’m real sorry to hear that, Chuck,” Mama replied. “Please tell her we’ll be prayin’ for her recovery.”
“Sure will! Nice seeing you out with your family. Good to have you back in Wyoming, Jill,” Chuck said pointedly. Jill nodded and did her best to muster a pleasant smile.
“It’s nice seeing you two out, also.” Always with a kind word for everyone, Mama answered for her. “Will we see you and Jared at the rodeo in October?”
“You mean when The Sweetwater River Ranch Resort opens?” he asked. The way he said those words gave Jill a bit of a chill down her spine.
Betty nodded, sipping her root beer float and looking cool as a cucumber on a hot June day. Aunt Meredith gave Jill one of her eye rolls from her seat at the opposite end of the table from Grandma Betty. None of it was lost on Miss Jackie O. She took everything in like a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a slice of Mama’s old-fashioned sponge cake with berries on top.
“Naw! As much as I like a good rodeo, I ain’t no fan of puttin’ a dude ranch in the middle of our neck o’ the woods. Tourists trespassin’ and wanderin’ over onto my property… why it just burns me right up when I think about it. I gotta cattle ranch to run and I like things the way they are out here in the country… nice ‘n quiet!” Chuck Evans tipped his hat in Jill’s direction and nodded at Aunt Meredith. He glanced at the children making Jill even more uncomfortable. “Good seein’ ya’ll! C’mon Jared! Best we git on home afore dark.”
When he and his son had vacated the premises, Jill was so relieved. It almost felt like another Lander, Wyoming springtime had blossomed right there on the patio of Bubba’s Burgers, even as the sun began to set on the majestic Wind River Mountain Range in the distance.
“Who was that?” Zach asked inquisitively.
“Oh, just someone your gran-daddy Maxwell Fontaine didn’t…” Jill stopped because Mama was staring at her. Choosing her words carefully, she finished with, “uh, didn’t particularly enjoy very much.”
Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them… Jeremiah 29:5
Chapter 13.
Saddle Up
“We’ve got a problem, boss.” Buck stopped brushing Mia from inside her stall and stepped up to the gate as Logan and Jack Haven wandered into the barn one morning in early September.
“What’s up?” Logan asked, leaning on the top rail of the stall gate to give his hip a rest. His limp had become more prominent after the rain from the night before. Jack, with his travel coffee mug in hand, joined his son and Buck at the gate of Mia’s stall, turning sideways so he could observe the ranch hands at work. It was feeding time and the horses knew it.
“You know it pains me to admit this, but we’ve got a problem with Flash I can’t fix.” Buck looked positively befuddled.
“Still not able to break him in, huh?” Logan asked.
“Stubborn horse!” Buck muttered, tossing the brush aside. “We’ve tried everything we know. Jed tried. McGuire thought he could break ‘im. Then Bronson gave it a try. I’ve tried. Nothing works with that stubborn beast!” Buck looked downright frustrated. “We’ve tried every trick in the book and then some. Bronson ‘bout got his self killed!”
“We’ve got to have that horse ready for opening day, but I don’t want anybody hurt.” Logan shook his head, remembering the danger of his rodeo days and being trampled. For a moment, visions of a guest being maimed or one of his loyal wranglers sustaining a severe injury loomed in his mind. His business sense forced him to push aside the fears. He needed Flash broken in. Lots of male clients were bound to want to ride a stallion. “We’re gonna need every horse we’ve got once we officially open. What do you suggest we do in a case like this?”
“Well, there’s only one remedy I know of,” Buck said, “but it ain’t gonna be cheap and there’s no guarantees.”
“Whaddya have in mind?” Jack asked as he swirled the coffee around in his sealed mug. Jack Haven had been ranching all of his life and he wasn’t fool enough to think he or Logan could break in a horse if Buck and all his wranglers couldn’t do it. Buck was the best Wyoming cowboy rancher he knew. He just didn’t want the hassle of owning his own ranch anymore.
Buck liked being free he always said, but Jack and Logan both knew he had sold his ranch to help pay for his wife’s expensive medical bills. She’d gone into a coma after a particularly difficult surgery and needed round the clock care in one of those pricey medical facilities in Cheyenne. Once a week, Buck faithfully drove into Cheyenne to read to his wife, brush her hair, hold her hand, bring her fresh flowers, and tell her how much he still loved and needed his sweet Ella. He would sit by her side for hours just talking to her about everything going on in his life, catching her up on the news of their grandchildren. As far as Jack and Logan were concerned, if Buck had an idea it would be well worth at least a listen.
“I’m listening,” Logan encouraged, eager to hear of any possible solution to Flash’s current disposition.
“There’s a ‘eee-quine’ fella I know who deals special-like with this kinda stuff.” Buck reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He fished around and found a worn business card. He slid it onto the top rail of the stall gate toward Jack and Logan. “He’s down Tipton way. He’s got a reputation of being sorta like a horse whisperer kind of a guy. Name’s Trevor.”
Logan looked at his dad. “Whaddya think Dad?”
Jack tilted his head to one side. He was proud of his son’s hard work and wanted to see him continue to succeed. “Worth a try, son. I’ve heard of horse whisperers before. Ain’t never met one though, but I’d like tuh.”
“Go ahead and give him a call, Buck. See if you can arrange something real quick-like. I’m real backed up getting ready for the Grand Opening if you wouldn’t mind being the main contact on this. I’d like tuh put this mostly in your hands to give ‘im whatever he needs an’ we’ll foot the bill. What’d you say his name was?” Logan glanced at the card again. “Trevor… hmm, Trevor Morgan, the horse whisperer… Ask him how soon he can get here. See if he can do it in less than two weeks. You can even offer him a room in the main barn house and meals as part o’ the deal. Knowing Flash the way we do…” Logan shook his head. “Hard to say how long it might take. Hopefully no more’n a week or two if he’s any good…”
The plans for the Grand Opening were coming along nicely as they headed into the last few weeks of September. The Sweetwater would officially open October 2nd, the first Monday in October. Saturday, October 7th would be the big rodeo Grand Opening event open to members of the Lander community and the very first ranch guests. Logan had
arranged for a rodeo team to arrive the day before from his contacts during his rodeo days. He’d managed to secure two big name rodeo riders, but the rest were somewhat obscure due to budget and time restraints.
While Jill focused on putting the advertising in place for the local community amongst her other marketing activities, Logan followed a checklist to prepare, which included among other things, being certain of ample parking and attendants; interviewing and hiring to ensure having extra staff on hand; marking out the location for the rodeo on the ranch and ensuring bleachers to be installed beforehand; ordering red lanyards and purple plaid shirts for all staff; and ordering restroom facilities. Like Philomena had said, opening the rodeo to folks from Lander would garner plenty of community support so Jill arranged for plenty of internet, radio, and newspaper advertising. The first week in November had been reserved for the investors. She had no trouble booking the ranch through Christmas once she added Logan’s name to the website as the owner of The Sweetwater. Apparently, like Cousin Chase, Logan Haven had quite a following of fans from his days as a wrangler riding the rodeo circuit.
They also made arrangements for a popular, country western, Christian band to perform a concert after the rodeo for the Grand Opening. Logan made sure plenty of western-style food vendors would be present. Of course, Corky’s chuck wagon had been painted using the red and purple theme colors to paint the words The Sweetwater onto the cream colored background… and he and Mrs. Wright would have a chuck wagon dinner available during the rodeo, but Logan didn’t want to overwhelm them. In addition, every single cabin and three of the five rooms had been booked. He had finally located a wagon and a team of mules set to be delivered before the end of the week. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Except Jill, who seemed quieter and busier than ever. September had been a blur to all of them. Things would slow down to a manageable pace and a normal routine after the Grand Opening.
Buck didn’t know it when he climbed the steps and crossed the front porch of the main barn house, but he was about to go on a critical mission into town to run one of the last but most important errands for Logan. “Stay here, Harley. I’ll be back.” Harley usually followed Buck just about everywhere. He sat down and looked at his master, his tail wagging.
“Stay right here, Harley. Lay down. Got to see what Logan needs.”
Harley blinked and laid down on the porch to wait for his master’s return.
Once inside the front corner office of the main barn house, Logan thanked him for coming in and began telling him what he needed:
“Be sure to get those fancy new colorful saddles for the teens like the ones we saw at The Broken J… and I trust you to get the best deal possible on everything, Buck. Just do your best to make sure we can saddle every possible riding horse on the ranch if needed… some new good lookin’ show saddles for the ponies, too.” Logan opened a black leather desk size checkbook and scrawled his signature on the top check in the book. He handed Buck the check. “Any word on when Trevor can get here?”
“Tomorrow afternoon and he’ll need a room.” Buck looked down at the check. “You’re trustin’ me with a blank check?”
“Of course I am. I’ve known ya since I was a kid. Do me a favor. Make a shopping list suitable for the kinds of horses we’ve got and all the tack you think we can handle. We need something for the mules pulling the wagon around The Sweetwater that’s real showy like… the very best! Pop spent a lifetime fillin’ those stalls up so I could have a dream and an inheritance besides just this here land. Let’s do ‘im proud so when Investor’s Week rolls around and the clients start pouring in we’ve got something to give them so they can make some of the best memories in a lifetime when they hit those riding trails. Something that will make them remember The Sweetwater with a smile. Think of all the moms and dads who’ll be takin’ photos of their kids on our horses.”
“Gotcha! You want me tuh get the most bang for every buck.”
“Right on, bro!” Logan grinned with one of his winning smiles from behind the large desk.
“Got ya covered boss!” Buck nodded as he slid his cowboy hat back on his graying hair and sauntered out of the office on cloud nine, glad Logan trusted him with one of the most critical shopping trips the ranch would ever make. He strode out onto the front porch. “C’mon, Harley! We’re goin’ shoppin!’”
Buck returned to The Sweetwater from the only tack shop in Lander with a pick-up truck chocked full of everything they might need in the tack department. He brought back traditional black saddles, brown saddles, chestnut saddles, and even a few reddish-brown saddles… all with adjustable stirrups. In addition, he had purchased two each of lime green, hot pink, purple, and teal saddles Chase had advised were popular with the teens. He couldn’t pass up the great prices for two fancy studded saddles or the crystal inlay western patterned saddle in the used section either. He also purchased additional youth saddles and a few saddles for handicapped riders. There were three saddles advertising extra comfort on sale, so he added those along with plenty of blankets and padding.
The tack shop offered three styles of halters in purple, white, and teal so Buck had loaded up on those. The tack shop owner was happy to give Buck a generous discount on tack sets. These included bridles, reins, and breast collars. He also purchased two new driving harnesses for the new team of mules who would pull the wagon around to pick folks up and transport them at regular intervals to various activities. These included show bridle with blinders, crupper, slotted traces, and more… The only thing left to do now was find a place in the barn to store the items in some sort of display so folks could choose their riding gear and be attended by a wrangler.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5, NIV
Chapter 14.
September
September flew by in a flurry of activity and preparations for opening day. Between adapting to their new surroundings and the school year, writing her column on Mondays during her extra day off, and four days at The Sweetwater, Jill was busier than ever. Tuesday through Friday, she worked hard listing the ranch on all the sites Philomena had recommended, perfecting the official Sweetwater website and scheduling activities for October. The phone in her office rang off the hook as reservations began pouring in. When she had completed the first full month of ranch activities and penciled them onto a calendar, she sat down across from Logan’s desk to discuss the plans for his approval.
“Let’s hear what you’ve got so far,” he said in his serious business tone. There was so much on his plate with preparation for opening day; she wasn’t a bit surprised his business demeanor had become more prominent in recent weeks. It even spilled over into the few dinner dates they’d managed to fit in with the kids in tow.
“It’s a lot, but here goes.” Jill opened her notes and handed him a copy to follow along. “Okay, every Monday in October we’ve got check in time beginning at ten, followed by lunch and plenty of free time for trail rides and pony rides on the first day. I mean, it’s a dude ranch. People will want to ride horses right off the bat and explore as much as they of the four trails we offer.”
“Exactly,” Logan nodded.
“Then, in the evenings, we have hayrides and wagon rides picking folks up to take them to the cookout site near the covered bridge for a chuck wagon dinner of barbecued brisket or chicken since that’s the day of the week most guests begin their stay with us.” She glanced up to see if he approved.
“Excellent main course choice for the menu on the first night,” he agreed.
Jill continued on, listing off activities and menus for the remaining days of the week while Logan took notes and commented on her plans. There were so many fun activities for the guests, Jill could hardly contain her excitement. They would have a petting zoo, a pumpkin carving contest, wagon rides, campfires, even a charter bus offering to transport folks up to Yellowstone for an overnight excursion each week. “I worked out a deal for a five star hotel ne
ar Yellowstone at a great rate for our guests for the one night,” she explained. “It offers our guests two days of amazing sight-seeing.”
“I like that. They’re going to love the Yellowstone trip. When people visit Wyoming, they want to ride horses and see Yellowstone. It gives our staff a couple of days where it’s slow during the week,” he commented.
“I thought you’d like that.” Jill continued, barely pausing to catch her breath. “That brings us to Friday mornings in October. We’re also offering Chuck Wagon breakfasts to break up the monotony of indoor buffet breakfasts, and a van shuttle to transport guests to view the Fremont County Pioneer Museum and the Museum of the American West right here in Lander. Guest can have lunch and even enjoy a bit of shopping in Lander. Let folks enjoy the area. It will make our community happy to have a few extra shoppers coming into town.”
“Good thinking!” Logan made a note on the paper to send a note out to a few of the restaurants and retailers in Lander to keep them apprised and garner community support for the ranch.
“On Friday afternoons, folks have the option of remaining here at the ranch to go horseback riding and continue to explore one of our four trails; exploring the Popo Agie Falls Trail on a nature hike; or experience world class rock climbing in Sinks Canyon on the Wind River Range with a climbing guide. We’ve worded it so guests know they can encounter a waterfall on the Agie River during the nature hike… or if they choose to explore the range of mountains and scenic hiking trails in the mountains they may encounter glaciers, lakes for fishing, and lush wilderness.”
Dreams of Sweetwater River (Whispers In Wyoming Book 3) Page 11
