Page 16 of Beauden & Yelena

“Probably more like fifteen years. You aren’t slowing down no time soon.”

“Don’t make me wait that long,” she scoffs.

“We’ll see,” I say and Yelena’s beautiful face flashes in my mind. “Finish with the presents and let me get the trees.”

After ending the call, I grab and down a bottle of water. Then, I get in my truck, drive to the tool shed, and grab the large chainsaw. Since it’s only two trees, I don’t bother my ranch hands; I can tackle the project alone. I actually have two perfect trees in mind. They were in the last batch of trees when Yelena and I were riding out of the woods by the lake so I head straight there.

It takes me almost thirty minutes to cut and place both trees on the bed of my truck. When I make it back to my house, Kit’s truck is parked in my driveway. He’s chilling on my porch, smoking.

“What took yo’ ass so long?” he quips as soon as I step out of my ride.

“Your momma said an hour.”

“I was already at The Peters’ Ranch when she called you. I was dropping off their protein order,” he says, then stands. We dap each other then hug. “I can handle this shit and take it to CF. You don’t have to go.”

“I got it. You don’t need to be high around the children.”

“Nigga, I’m not high, just chill. Don’t fucking try me, Beau,” he scoffs. “I do this shit. Plus, I gotta go to the auction. I can stop on my way.”

“Auction? For what?” I ask, concerned. My parents don’t need any livestock on their ranch and this isn’t a good month to sell any cows. There’s no reason for him to be going to an auction.

“Goats.”

“I thought they were selling the goat farm.”

“They did. I’m helping the girl that bought it. She needs some goats.”

“She must be pretty,” I say. Although Kit manages our parents’ ranch, he doesn’t do shit with the goats.

“She’s bad as fuck so I’m trying to be all up on her.”

“Be careful with that. Don’t interfere with the business.”

“Ain’t no interference. The farm is hers. I’m just helping her out. She don’t know shit about goats or farms. But I got this,” he assures then hits his blunt. “What’s up with yo’ private ass though? I hollered at Trav on my way in. I heard about you all up in the stables.”

“Travis needs to keep his mouth shut,” I grit then let up. He and Kit are friends and I’ve known him all of his life. Besides to my brother, he won’t speak on me and Yelena to anyone else.

“Nigga, who was it?”

“Yelena. She’s with the leadership group.”

“And? I know she’s bad as hell if you broke your rule for her.”

“She’s right in every way,” I say and he nods in understanding. “I’m bringing her to brunch.”

“Bet. Victoria will be there too. But let me get the trees so I can be out,” he says, then stands.

He walks to his truck and lowers the back and I walk to mine. We load the trees onto his bed and he pulls off. When he leaves, I trek into my house. I’m hungry and need to eat something before I do anything else.

Kit taking the trees actually works out because I forgot about my link up with my bruh Wilde. He’s a horse rancher like me and does ranch tours during the winter months. He has three horses I need to look at. His ranch is not too far from me.

After I wash up and take a steak out of the fridge, I give him a quick call to see if he’s still up. This nigga goes to bed early as hell. He has ranch hands but he’s super hands on with his horses and gets up hours before I do.

“Wilde speaking,” he answers.

“Bruh, it’s Beau. I’m just making sure you aren’t asleep.”

“It’s only five,” he scoffs. “You got about three more hours before I go though.”

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