Page 7 of Beauden & Yelena

After one ten-minute encounter, Miss Yelena has me questioning my rule.

My last relationship lasted for two years. Jordyn grew up in Miller’s Pointe like me. We knew of each other as kids but didn’t get together until I returned home five years ago. Three years into ranching, I ran into her at the town’s Annual Christmas Jubilee. We reconnected and things heated up.

Jordyn said all the right things but during our second year together, it became obvious ranch life wasn’t for her. She pretended she loved my country boy lifestyle but she hated it deep down. While I loved and longed for the way I grew up, she despised it and wanted out.

Our demise happened when I converted the main lodge to the bed and breakfast. She refused to live in the ranch house with me. Her dream was to occupy the mansion. We took a break to figure things out but never resolved anything. The last time I heard, she was in Crescent Falls, dating an ex-NFL player and selling clothes online.

I need a woman that can accept my lifestyle and grow to appreciate it. From the way that Yelena was yelling at a little ass goat, I doubt it’s her. However, when she brushed against me, I felt something…a pure calm.

Maybe I’m wrong about her.

Because I have more pressing issues to handle before the ranch activities start for the retreat, I push the thought of fine ass Yelena out of my mind and hop on my ATV. I head to my cattle barns. Yesterday, the vet was here vaccinating my horses. Today, my cattle need attention.

My herd consists of Black Angus and Red Angus. Both produce quality beef and the female Red Angus have excellent milk production. They sell for great prices. Since I have a fall calving herd, we breed during the winter season and it’s that time.

I have about one hundred Red Angus in heat; they are primed and ready for artificial insemination today. I have skilled ranch hands who will conduct the manual process. It’s not something I like to do. Most of my hands-on activity is with my horses. They are my pride and joy.

My presence today in the cattle barns is merely to make sure the semen I ordered is ready and my ranch hands are all set. My focus today is cutting down the trees. I don’t want to disappoint the families.

When I pull my Can-Am Outlander up to the barn, my lead ranch hand, Malik, meets me. “I was wondering if you were coming,” he says.

“Got held up at the lodge.”By a beautiful woman.

“Well, we are all set. It’s all thawed and they are filling the injectors now.”

“Let’s hope we get good results; just hit my cell when it’s done,” I say, pleased at his report. “I’m headed to the horses.”

“Will do.”

Malik walks into the barn and I restart my ride. The horse stables are on the opposite side of the ranch. They are my babies. We breed pure Oldenburgs and Thoroughbreds then sell them. They are great competition horses and can sell for substantial amounts. Yesterday, they were given their injections so I need to check on them.

When I make it to the stables, I spot Travis, my horse manager, in the pen. He’s walking my black beauty, Midnight Love, on a loose rein. Midnight Love is a magnificent and rare true black Thoroughbred stallion. He’s my prize show and competition horse; he’s not for sale.

After parking my ATV, I trek over to the pen and watch Travis and Midnight for a while. When he de-mounts him, he walks Midnight over to me for a treat. There’s a bucket filled with apples and persimmons. After brushing my hand across his silky black hair, I grab an apple out of the bucket and feed him.

“His legs are good,” Travis says.

“He does look good.”

“Did they include horseback riding in their package?” he asks, referring to the leadership group. We offer a wide variety of ranch activities for the retreats: cow milking, horseback riding, axe throwing, scavenger hunts, trail rides, and ice fishing in our lake.

“Yes. Cow milking Wednesday, riding Friday, and ice fishing on Saturday morning. There are only nine of them though.”

“What time Friday?”

“After lunch. I think two but double check with Liberty.”

“I will. All of the horses are ready. The injections went well and they all walked fine today.”

“Bet. That’s what I like to hear,” I say as I give Midnight another apple.

“Do you need help cutting down the trees?”

“No. Mitch, Lawrence and Reg are out in the woods. With the three of them, it shouldn’t take too much time. Besides, the truck isn’t scheduled to be here until four to pick them up. You’re good over here, just take care of Midnight,” I say then leave.

* * *

Before headingout to the ranch, I trek to the lodge for some breakfast. Some mornings I cook for myself, but when we have a large party booking, I raid the kitchen in the bed and breakfast. It’s early so I have time to eat and take my morning ride on the ranch. It’s seven so I should be able to bypass the guests. They are being served at eight.

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