Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“There are some wooden bunk bed frames in the storage barn. Some other pieces of furniture, tables, chairs, and such.” She grinned. “Even some light fixtures that might fall into the western slash outdoor theme you’re going for.”
“Great. Paint and elbow grease are always cheaper than buying new.”
“There are a couple of great thrift stores in a town not far from here.”
“Awesome. We could do some filming, looking for stuff.”
When I mentioned my dad coming out to help, her eyes widened. “Really?” she breathed out. “He’d do that?”
I nodded. “I spoke with him last night and mentioned it. He got quite excited and told me to figure out dates. He was gonna talk to Hunter and a few cousins.”
“And they want to come as guests?”
“I thought you could use them as trial guests. Get their honest feedback, and you can tweak or add to the experience before actual paying guests show up.”
“That would be incredible.”
“Luke didn’t seem to like the idea.”
“Luke doesn’t like owing people.”
“But he wouldn’t,” I insisted. “My mom and her crew want to come sometime for a girls’ weekend. They’ll fill the big cabin at least. We can trade.”
“I like it. I’ll get Luke on board.”
“On board with what?” Luke asked as he walked in. He removed his hat, dragging a hand through his hair.
“With whatever I say,” Rachel responded.
I tried not to stare as he rolled his eyes, shrugged off his denim jacket and walked to the sink to wash his hands. His jeans hugged his ass, and his T-shirt was stretched tight over his broad back. He glanced over his shoulder, catching me ogling him. A half smirk pulled on his lips, then he addressed Rachel. “Not so fast, sister.”
She huffed and went over to the oven, pulling a pan from it. I could suddenly smell something savory and delicious, making my stomach rumble. A few moments later, I was tucking into a breakfast casserole Rachel had put on my plate. The sausage was spicy, the hash browns lining the pan crispy and golden. The eggs, peppers, mushrooms, and more hash browns made it filling and tasty.
“Add this to the menu,” I instructed. “The guests will love it.”
Rachel laughed. “Already is. Callie makes this a lot. I grabbed one from the fridge in the cookhouse this morning.”
Luke didn’t say much, but he ate two huge platefuls. Every time our eyes met, I saw something flare in his stare—something that made me quiver a little. Made the desire I felt for him burn a little hotter. Every time, I was the one to look away. I was afraid I might spontaneously combust if I didn’t.
After breakfast, we talked more. Rachel was, without a doubt, far more enthusiastic about the project. Keen on all the ideas. Luke was accepting but reticent, even with my assurances of making sure the work on the ranch was met with little disruption.
“You’ll be over at the farm, playing wife. I’ll have to deal with this,” he groused.
Rachel shook her head. “Stop it. You know as well as I do, Tyler and his family have the farm well in hand. They’re a well-oiled machine over there. He knows I’ve been dying to get this up and going for a long time and that I’ll be here overseeing this until it’s operating smoothly. And I built a manager into the budget, so there’ll be a second person if I have something else to do.”
He hmphed, and she shook her head. “Callie wants to step up as well. Be part of this. So does Rob’s wife. They’ll all be great at pitching in. It gives them something else to do—something different. And the hands we trust are on board. The bottom line is, if the ranch is a success, they have a job. A place they love to work. It’s a win-win for everyone, Luke.” She paused and tapped the table. “Tyler’s willing to let people come on his farm and play gardener. The hands will guide them on some rides and camping. I’ll oversee it all. You should be willing to let them bunk here, eat some cowboy food, and ride a damn horse.”
“I’m willing,” Luke sighed. “I’m just not happy about it.”
Rachel began to laugh. “I give up.”
“But you’re still going full steam ahead.”
She nodded. “Yep.”
I watched with amusement. “I think what needs to happen is we agree on the levels of guest involvement, then I’ll try them out. What might seem easy to you could be too hard for someone who has never ridden a horse before.”
Rachel nodded. “Good idea.”
“So, we agree on the basics. Sleeping in the bunkhouse. Three meals a day. Access to the swimming hole. There’ll be nightly campfires. Horse rides. They can choose their level of involvement. Some will want to participate in everything—herding the cows, mending the fences, helping with other tasks. Some might want to help collect eggs and nothing else. And some might want nothing but to have their meals prepared and sit by the fire at night.”