Page 3 of Beauden & Yelena

“Good morning.” Liberty, my bed and breakfast manager, greets me when I walk through the great room.

“Good morning.”

“Are you welcoming the team when they arrive tomorrow or me?”

“You got that. I’ll be with Doc Smalls in the morning. It’s time for horses’ PHF and Flu/Rhino vaccines. I’ll be with him in the stables. I’ll meet with the group on their third day for the cow milking,” I say and walk off.

As soon as I open the back door, Billy—the ranch’s pet goat—rushes to it. He wandered here from my parents’ ranch six months ago. They have a small goat farm but since my team has developed a fondness for him, he’s now our ranch’s pet. He’s here for his morning feed so I grab his food bag and pour some in his bowl before heading out to the barn.

ChapterThree

How is this possible?

Why is it so damn cold!

It’s fifty degrees colder here.

When I boarded my plane this morning at Orlando International Airport it was seventy-one degrees. Seventy-one! It’s twenty-one degrees here and I’m freezing. My entire body is an icicle but my hands are the worst. Thanks to last minute additions to my wardrobe by Eddie, I’m technically prepared for this winter; I just didn’t think it would be this damn cold.

My jeans, turtleneck, stockings, boots, and coat are doing little or nothing to warm me up and my gloves are packed in my luggage. After rubbing my palms together, I blow into them for some warmth. It doesn’t work either. My hands are still extremely cold so I place them in the pockets of my coat.

“Can you please turn the heater up?” I ask our driver, Rufus.

The Phoxes Den’s Sprinter was waiting for us at the Crescent Falls Airport when we landed a few minutes ago. Since I’m the only one without a guest, I’m sitting up front with the driver.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, then adjusts the temp. He also adjusts the volume on the radio and The Temptations “Silent Night” plays. All I can do is smile.

Rufus is dressed in full cowboy gear. He’s actually the first Black cowboy I’ve seen in person. I’ve only seen them on television. His belly pokes out of his thick plaid shirt. His jeans look worn and his boots have spurs. His hat is off and situated on the dash in the middle.He’s an authentic cowboy for sure.

“How far is the ranch?” Steve, our Chief Financial Officer, asks and his question surprises me. This ranch location is his brainchild. I mentioned a northern location with snow, he wanted a ranch, and his assistant, Dawn, found The Phoxes Den for him.

While Rufus responds to him, I pull my hands out of my pockets. I grab my cell out of my bag. I’d forgotten to call my mom before I boarded the plane. Although I am twenty-nine and a whole grown ass woman, Malinda still expects a call or text anytime I travel. So, I send her a text.

I made it to Crescent Falls.

Good but what time did you leave?

Seven.

My phone didn’t ring.

After rolling my eyes, I respond.Sorry. I was rushing.

What’s your final stop again?

A ranch in Miller’s Pointe.

Call me, not text when you are settled in your room.

Will do. Ily.

I love you too.

The conversations have picked up in the Sprinter. The most distinct one is between Monalisa, the other senior account manager, and her husband, Todd. Every one of their interactions is cringy as hell. She has no respect for her husband and she talks to him like he’s a little ass boy.

“Just be quiet, Todd. No one was talking to you,” she snaps loudly and a hush fills the van. It’s like this every year. Even Rufus shakes his head in disgust.Poor Todd.

The rest of the ride pretty much remains silent and about twenty minutes later, we pull onto a private road. There’s a huge iron gate at the end. Embedded on the right side of the gate is the name, The Phoxes Den, with a fox tail at the end of the n. On the left side, there’s a larger-than-life Christmas wreath.

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