Love Begins with Fate (15 page)

There was only seconds that happened between her falling and one of the guys pulling her out to safety but Hannah had already accrued a cut just below her left eye.

“Break it up!” The coach yelled. He gripped Ryder by the back of the shirt and tugged him back tossing him to the guys to hold while he pushed
Parker
to the other side of the group. They were in deep now.

“Do you to
Neanderthals want to explain yourselves?” the coach asked.

“He’s trying to sleep with my sister!” Ryder yelled.

“I am interested in her not just for sex!”
Parker
hollered back, for the first time he was admitting it out loud to himself and his friend.

Ryder looked shocked for a moment then withdrew the expression adding “She’s too good for you!”

“That does it!”
Parker
snarled as he launched himself at Ryder once again.

“In my office NOW!” the coach yelled. “
PJ
hit the shower I will talk to you after I am done with Mister Lodge!”

The coach was pissed. He finally noticed Hannah on the ground a few feet away within Sam’s arms nursing the cut on her face. “Crap.” He sighed. “Sam
, help her into my office. I’ll get that fixed up.”

“But coach that’s …” Sam argued.

“Tell them to keep their pants on, a girl’s in the lockers.” The coach barked.

After the coach had attended to Hannah’s wounds he had Sam escort her to the office to get a pass to class. He sat down at his desk his head in his hands, shaking
it in disbelief.

“Ryder, I am ashamed of you. What were you thinking? No wait
, I don’t even want to know what you were thinking. I heard what you were thinking when you yelled at PJ about your sister. I know it’s new for you to have your sister here but you’ll have to figure it out eventually. She’s a big girl. She’s going to be interested in guys at some point. If this happens again, I will be forced to bench you. I know you and PJ can work this out. You two have been friends for a very long time. Make up and don’t let this happen again.” The coach demanded.

Ryder looked down at his hands in his lap. He had smudges of blood on them and he wondered if it was his or
PJ’s
. He really didn’t want to hurt his friend. He was just angered by him. “Get out of my office and take a shower, you stink. Class has already started and don’t think for a moment that I won’t make you work off that extra energy at practice.” The coach told him.

Mindlessly Ryder stood, slowly walking from the coach’s office to the showers. He dropped his practice clothes as he went. Standing naked in the showers he let the cool water refresh his mind.

Parker
took his turn in the coach’s office. He got practically the same scolding. Yet the coach added “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, son. So you better learn to get along with your friend if you’re interested in the girl. Don’t let the girl ruin your friendship with Ryder and loose both of them. I know you didn’t start it but I want you to be the bigger man and finish it. Now go get to class.”

P
arker
had already showered so he stood, offered his apologies to the coach and made his way to class.

Chapter 22

The next morning after Kelsey ate her breakfast she
walked toward the main barn. It was the one that housed the horses. She entered through the main doors which were open past the office and her trophies. Sweetie, Tornado, and Morning Star were inside. She peaked into each horse’s stall patting them as she passed and continued toward the back.

“Hello?” She called out. The large outdoor arena was where she found the
person she was searching for.

“Hey there,
” Nick called before yelling “whoa.” The horse he had been training came to a slow walk but continued to move. “Whoa.” He called again this time tugging the rope until the horse shook its head.

Kelsey watched. Nick had been breaking the horses, and preparing them for riding for a long time. He really was good at what he did. He tugged the horse toward him “Come here boy.”

The horse tossed its head tugging against him for a moment before making its way forward. “How do you like the newest member of the ranch?”

“He’s beautiful.” Kelsey held out her hand and let the beautiful sorrel and white paint
nuzzle her hand.

“His whole name is
Stormbringer, I was planning on studding him with…” Nick told her.

“No way!”
Kelsey screeched, making the horse yank his head back away from the humans. “You finally convinced them to sell!” She pushed herself through the wooden frame of the arena and began examining the beautiful beast. “I can’t believe you got the legendary Stormbringer…”

“Well, he’s still only three years old but he did
fetch a good deal in the Janders’ case.” Nick admitted. The Janders was the family who originally owned the horse. Stormbringer’s father was an amazing high quality stud, which had won many a race for his high speed and shows for his beauty. Both the mother and the father and Storm himself were all registered paints. Stormbringer’s fees had been rising higher and higher the older he got. Starting at nearly ten thousand when he was only a yearling. The Janders’ had never been satisfied with the price, but now something happened and they had finally agreed.

“What was the deal?” Kelsey asked anxiously. She was hoping it was something reasonable at least.

“We are going to stud with whatever of our horses we want, obviously, but then he will also stud with two of the Janders’ horses. I also offered them two cattle and two pig, one this year and one next of each. Do you want to know the price?”

“Do I?” Kelsey cringed.

“Fifteen and free grazing of the western range for the summer.” Nick said quickly.

“The western range?”
Kelsey groaned. “What about our cattle and horses?”

“They understand that, and it is okay as long as both families have their animals
tagged. We will just share it for the summer. If luck is on our side the animals won’t even cross paths.”

Kelsey simply nodded. “You did well.” She smiled. She had wanted the
horse for a while and she knew that if he got to be much older she would have lost him to someone else or the Janders’ wouldn’t have sold. “Do you mind taking a time out?” She asked.

“Yeah, I knew you were coming
to talk…” Nick shrugged “Let’s just set this fella out to pasture.”

Nick walked with Kelsey toward the home pasture. Kelsey opened the gate and Nick walked in with the horse. As soon as they were in he took the halter off and patted the horse’s haunches let him run into the free range.

Chapter 23

Kelsey and Nick had watched the beautiful horse run into the field. He would be bringing them some hefty price in foals for sure. Kelsey and Nick returned to the stable office. “Soda?” Nick asked reaching into the fridge behind him and pulled out a coke.

“Sure, thanks.” Kelsey nodded.

Nick passed her the drink and sat down opposite her. “So what happened with Julio?” she asked without holding back anything.

“His training methods were getting extreme. One of the two year olds was ready to begin training and Julio couldn’t handle it. He took out the whip and began beating the poor thing trying to beat it into submission.” Nick sighed. “Luckily
, I caught him before things got too far out of hand. I told him to get lost, he was fired. Your mother instantly sided with me and I knew you would as well.”

“Oh my goodness, what about the foal?”
Kelsey asked.

“Riddles.”
Nick stated.

“No…” Kelsey gasped.
Riddles was the smaller filly that would grow into the perfect size for her little cousin, Toby. She had given Riddles to Toby and thus the name was provided by Toby. Riddles was sired by one of the smallest mares the ranch had and so they were all hoping the horse would remain small for her cousin’s sake.

“She’s alright. She only received two cuts from the whip but she doesn’t even show any signs of abuse, which is great.” Nick made sure to explain. “Your mom made sure the cuts were cleaned and cared for.”

“I’ll have to remember to thank her.” Kelsey nodded. “So how many workers are needed?”

“Well I would like another
three here, but for the cattle and the hogs; I think you should speak to Mark. He’s been taking care of both of them. I’ve had Penny and Toby take care of the chickens.” Most of the cattle had been sent out to the pastures with the exception of those who were about to calf, so most the work was with the hogs, and the chickens weren’t much work.

“I’ll do that.” Kelsey nodded. “Would you be interested in managing the stable?” Nick had been the trainer but never had the opportunity to manage everyone. Julio had done that job.

“That would be great…” Nick grinned.

“Lovely.” Kelsey beamed. “I have wanted to promote you for a while.
Do you have anyone in mind, for the other positions?” She asked.

“I was hoping that you would allow me to bring in my nephew and a good friend of mine. Both are in need of jobs and I know they will work hard.” Nick admitted.

“Well I would like to meet them first but I don’t think that would be a problem.” Kelsey shrugged. “Has anyone put up an ad?”

“Yeah, there are some guys coming in tomorrow for an interview. I would meet them with you if you would like.” Nick told her.

“That sounds good. Do you know where I can find Mark at?” She asked standing up and walking toward the door.

“He might be out by the barns but it’s getting late. He might be out checking on the pregnant cows.”
Kelsey looked up at the clock and noticed how they had spent a lot of time talking, it was nearly noon now.

Kelsey made her way out
after thanking Nick for his time. She made a note that there were a possible three positions needed for the horse barn and then set to find Mark. It was getting dim outside and she knew he probably would be out working somewhere. Sure enough, Mark wasn’t in the hog barn. The hogs were fed and watered.

Kelsey continued to the cattle barn. The barn was much smaller than that for the hogs and the horses. There
were only six major stalls in the barn and most of the time they weren’t used. The cattle barn was more for holding feed and hay. Most of the cattle stayed out in the pasture behind the barn or in the open ranges.

“Mark you out here?” Kelsey called.

“Sure thing,” Mark called stepping up toward the barn. He had been up to his knees in feed and cattle. The nearly hundred and fifty females which were soon to birth were surrounding him trying to get some food.

“Back!” he yelled out
.

“Looks like
you’re getting some action finally.” Kelsey laughed. The young man chuckled. Mark was in his early twenties with blond hair and dull grey eyes. He had been looking to get Kelsey’s attention for a while and she knew it. She just wasn’t quite ready yet and she knew most of the guys here were after her for her land.

“Not exactly the type of action I was looking for.” He swatted at the cows which tried to dig their heads into the feed bucket. “Mind giving me a hand?” He asked.

Kelsey laughed and stepped into the fenced area. “Hey cow… here cow, here cow.” She called holding up a half empty bucket which she rattled back and forth.

Several cows turned their heads in her direction freeing up the space Mark needed to dump the remainder of his bucket into the
trough. “Thanks” Mark called as he pushed his way back through the cows toward the edge of the fence. “I have been debating on moving the trough’s to the fence again.”

“Go ahead. I’ll help you tomorrow afternoon if you would like.” Kelsey told him.

“I think it would be best. So you came to talk about the hands am I correct.” Mark stated. He had hoped someday she would come and talk with him about something else but he knew better.

“Yeah, Nick said I would need to talk to you about how many hands are needed out here. I guess you have been taking on the cattle and hogs.” Kelsey said.

“I guess you caught me. I think one person for the hogs and chickens, and another three for the cattle would be nice. The rest of the guys here can do a good job at caring for the fields and such. But I really need a few good ropers and riders for moving the cattle to the summer pasture later on and another few to watch over the cattle here and the rest of the animals while we’re out.” Mark told her.

“Okay. Well then at least four am I correct?” Kelsey asked.

“Yep. I think that would do, you can ask around the house but I think that’s the best. Even if the guys are seasonal I would like another two that are full time.”

“Well you’re welcome to sit in on the interviews if you would like. Nick is planning on it. I guess there are guys coming around tomorrow.” Kelsey told him. “I’m heading in for
lunch.”