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“I hope you’re not upset, but Rhett mentioned that Buddy’s way of doing things isn’t working like it used to, and Rhett’s been looking for another way to bring in money.”
Her eyes narrow, but not because she’s upset. It’s like she wants to follow my line of thinking, but she can’t see it yet. “And?”
“And I have an idea.” I swallow back my nerves, though I’m sure I’m overstepping. “All the way up here, I kept seeing signs for ranches that do day rides on the beach. Your ranch would be perfect for that. You have the leftover stock with your horses. They’re well-trained, and we could find others if it works well. I know of at least one girl in town who rides, and she said she has friends who ride…” My voice trails off, unsure if she’ll be upset.
She stares at me, unsure, processing, making my heart race with anxiety and fear. It would be my luck to finally get her to like me and then lose it all.
“I love it. I’ve been bugging Buddy for years to do something like that, but he’s always claimed no one would want to take rides with our wranglers, but I hadn’t thought about you being our first day ride gal. This could really work.”
My mind starts working faster than my mouth. “Two of us could share this cabin easily, if not four. We could do our own cooking too. That way we wouldn’t tax Cookie and make his job more difficult. It could be built in that we’re all grooms and could get the horses ready and keep the yard clean. I’ll make the schedule and—”
“And let me try to sell it to Buddy first, okay?” She smiles and shakes her head at my enthusiasm. “Goodness, you have an idea and you really run with it don’t you?”
“I may have been accused of that once or twice in my life.” I return to the view, my view, from the window. I know Clara is still skeptical, but considering everything Rhett has done for me, I want to make this happen for him, so they won’t have to sell any more land.
Rhett
Uphill battle would be an understatement for what it takes for Dad to even consider making a transition into having beach trail rides look like a possibility at the ranch. Between liability insurance, advertising, and other incidentals, not to mention the hours of work to get Mom’s horses safe enough for anyone to ride, it’s not as simple as opening up for rides within a week. I have to admit, it might not pay off, but we have to try something, and this is by far the best idea we’ve had yet. Far better than Dad’s idea of stumbling through with the same broken system. Sunny won’t let go either, the second she knew I was on board, she seemed determined to make it happen. Knowing the horses would be the first obstacle, she started riding every day after a full day’s work. If I ever had doubts about her equestrian abilities, watching her ride and work in the saddle has put them to rest. She moves with the horse, corrects movement with a gentle approach, and refines their training in ways I doubt they’ve ever experienced at our ranch. Where I’ve learned to ride on the job, it’s clear she had proper training.
With calving season in full swing, I’m not much help to her, usually coming in late and leaving early. Whenever I can manage it, I saddle up and join her on a sunset ride along the ocean. We don’t talk much, the painted sky speaks volumes without us saying anything to spoil it. We usually dismount on the beach to let the horses practice being tied up and waiting for riders. She spreads a blanket on the wet sand. I sit and she leans on me to watch the rest of the sun fade. I’m glad she doesn’t try to fill the air with words that don’t mean anything. We just enjoy the moment, listen to the ocean waves and the horses impatiently pawing and snorting behind us, and relax. I’ve never been one who liked to switch horses, but I find myself trying to make time for those rides even if it means I don’t get to ride Chance.
Once we have the horses ready, Dad takes the leap into making sure we have the necessary paperwork and insurance. It takes three more weeks to get it all in order, but once it is, Sunny’s ready to go. The day rides fall on her to schedule, run, and develop. I can’t spare the time away from everything I have to do. But since I rarely use my office, I get Sunny set up in that dusty rat trap, with at least a few apologies for the mess. Much to my surprise, within twenty-four hours, she’s got it looking as good as new. With the voicemail set up, reservations for rides begin to trickle in. With only five horses in reserve and one wrangler to lead them, it’s not like we want a flood of folks. As much as I’ve loved having Sunny as the groom, watching her step into a role like this, it’s almost breathtaking. Like watching someone realize their full potential, though I have to wonder if I’ve even scratched the surface.
Best of all, the work seems to put her demons to rest. The feelings that were plaguing her fade with every day she spends in the saddle. I’ve always known riding was therapeutic, but she proves it. I smile as I ride away from the yard. She’s got a full crew today, a family of three and a couple on their honeymoon. This afternoon she’s taking a family of four out. It’s working. Our plan is actually coming together. Over the last month, we’ve brought in enough to supplement what was missing. I glance at Dad riding Chief to my right. He hasn’t said anything yet, too stubborn to tell me I was right, but he’d be crazy to tell me I was wrong. But it might hurt too much for him to admit that Sunny was a blessing for us.
“What’s the count now?”
I figure he’s asking about the final count on calving season.
“We have a few heifers still—”
“The rides,” he interjects. “How many is she averaging a week?”
“Oh.” His interest surprises me. I take a minute to calculate my answer. “Last week she had twelve groups. I think as far as rides go, she had forty-seven riders. Saturday and Sunday, she took an extra because Austin wanted to pitch in.”
“Two hour rides, right?”
“Two and a half with the lunch on the beach.” I don’t want to say too much if he’s not looking for the information, but at the same time, it’s the most interest he’s shown so far. “She charges one hundred dollars a rider.”
His head snaps around to face me. “Then she cleared almost five thousand dollars.”
I resist the urge to say, “Duh.” It won’t help me. Instead, we ride in silence behind the others. Sometimes it’s best to let him chew on the information like one of the cows. By the time we get to the north pasture, he still hasn’t said another word. In fact, that old stubborn cow keeps chewing that cud all day, not saying a word through an entire day’s work.
It’s not until we’re almost back to the barn at the end of the day that he finally finishes his thought.
“Seems to me, Everett,” he speaks like we’re still having the same conversation, “if we could add another wrangler, and maybe a few more horses, we might make some real money.”
Again, I feel the need to point out that money was our goal all along, but I keep my mouth shut.
“I came to the same conclusion. Do you want me to work with Sunny and get that going, sir?”
“Your mother said if we added another female, she could stay in the cabin as well, correct?”
It’s almost comical the way he avoids saying Sunny’s name, like it might construe approval on his part.
“Yes, that’s my understanding as well.”
He nods, looking over the yard on our approach. We’re the last ones in. The sun has almost fully disappeared, the animals are fed, the stable is clean and ready. It’d be hard to deny that she’s been good for the ranch. Dad nods, thoughtful. “Go ahead, expand.”
