“The Marines was a way of getting away from my father, I hate to say. In truth, this ranch hasalwaysbeen my dream. I’m only concerned about one thing, Ladd. A sporting goods store? Here? In River Falls? Do you really think you can make it a success?”
“Do you think I’ll fail?”
My father glanced over to my mother, who simply raised those eyebrows again. She was the only woman I knew who could convey her thoughts through her facial expressions.
“No, I know you won’t fail. But what if it isn’t successful…at least right away? I don’t want to see you struggle, son.”
I shrugged. “Then it wasn’t meant to be, and I’ll return to the ranch full time, if you’ll have me back, that is.”
He huffed. “You know I would never turn any ofmy kids away.”
Leaning forward, I looked between both of my parents. “I just want to have something that I love as much as you love this ranch, Dad. Give me two years after I graduate. If I don’t have my store up and running…a successful store…then I’ll be the first one up every morning and the last one to bed as I work this ranch with the same energy and passion that you have.”
Dad pushed off the windowsill and walked my way. When he got closer to me, I stood and held my breath.
This is it.
He nodded and held out his hand.
“Two years, Ladd. From this day forward, you’ve got six years. If I know my own blood, I know you’ll make a success out of it, though.”
I smiled and reached for his hand. After a firm shake, I looked between my parents. “I promise you, I won’t let you down, either of you.”
My mother smiled, then stood. She made her way over to us and hugged me. “You’ll make both of us proud just like you always do, I know it.”
When she let me go, my father winked. “Just do me one favor.”
“Anything,” I replied.
“For the love of all things, donotfall in love while you’re at college.”
I laughed. “Trust me, Dad, I have no intention of falling in love during college.”
Three years later – Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Junior Year
“If you stare at her any harder, she’s going to think you’re stalking her,” my brother David laughed. He was a freshman this year and had fit right in with my friends, even though they were all juniors.
“Have you ever seen a woman so beautiful in your life?” I asked.
My brother, along with my best friend, Gary, both turned in the direction I was staring.
“The blonde?” Gary asked.
I resisted the urge to sigh. “Yeah. She’s sitting next to Kim W. I can’t ever remember her last name.”
“That’s Vivianne Pennington,” Gary replied. “She was in one of my classes; I don’t remember which one. Nice girl, but I think she has a boyfriend.”
“Can you introduce me to her?” I asked.
My brother gave me a look. “Are you serious right now? Did you not hear the part about a boyfriend?”
I glanced his way and nodded. “Why wouldn’t I be serious? And he said hethinks. That means the window of opportunity hasn’t closed on me just yet.”
Gary stared at me for a minute. “You haven’t been interested in any girl here for the last three years.”
“Three years? No wonder you’re desperate. Not that she isn’t beautiful, because she is,” David stated.
