He waited until several men joined them, and asked, “Do you have military training, because from what you just described, you run a tight ship.”
The men laughed, and Clark joked, “I’m the one with military experience, I was the Lieutenant of SEAL team Delta, with most of the guys over on Broken Wheel, but what we did preparing and executing a mission is child’s play to how tight of a ship Erin runs.” He gave her a side hug, and kissed the side of her head. “Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”
“Thank you,” she said, then waited five seconds before she looked at everyone. “Back to work. Shay, head on over to New Double, check in with Cole, and take it from there.”
“See, tight ship,” Clark laughed, but there was no malice behind it. Shay left the barn and had to pause when the cold biting wind took his breath away. Once he could breathe without feeling like his lungs had frozen, he went to his truck and in minutes he was leaving Erin’s Way to head over to New Double,and his new life. He looked up into the sky, and smiled when he saw a rainbow off in the distance.
“My life is going to be great,” he said into the empty truck, and settled in for the twenty-minute drive.
CHAPTER 2
Naomi lookedup and sighed heavily as she called out, “Hey, Katherine.”
“What’s up?”
“How are we doing on the applications for the spring clients for Broken?”
“Good, I have thirty lined up until the end of the year. I’m not saying they’ll be here all day, every day, but they are here for what their doctors recommend for their rehabilitation. I broke it up.”
“How?”
“Older adults in the Spring and Fall, younger children from late Spring to early Fall.”
“Why?”
“They may need our rehabilitation services, but they are still in school. I felt that giving the kids the time in the summer, they won’t be hindered by their schooling.” She shrugged. “If this works the way I plan it, then Erin won’t have to hire tutors to be on staff.”
“Ah, got it.”
“Why? Was there something else you wanted?” Katherine had been given the task of reaching out to the applicants that had applied to Broken Wheel Rehabilitation Center.
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“Naomi, give me something to do. I’ve been pushing papers around for the last two days to make myself look busy. I may only work here in the mornings, but there’s really nothing more for me to do. Caleb’s business is picking up, but I’m still not needed full-time over there yet. If you have a project for me, please tell me. I’m begging you, give me something to do.”
Naomi studied the other woman, then slowly grinned. She pushed her chair back, and came over to her with a wide smile, carrying a thick folder with her. She took the seat beside the card table that Katherine used as a desk, the same one Clark had used when he planned his building of Broken Two. She laid the folder on the table, then covered it with her hands.
“First, I want to say thank you for your organization skills and your ability to dig into the applicants. Also, how you take the initiative to reach out to Duane for background checks, and to work with the parents of the children, and the adult applicants.”
Katherine laughed, “Naomi, you don’t have to butter me up. What do you have?”
“Something totally different. But I need help.”
“Different how?”
Naomi drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “How much do you know about New Double?”
“Nothing really. I know it’s your ranch brought over from Wyoming, and the horses are different from what’s on Erin’s Way, or here at Broken.”
“Correct. I have racehorses at New Double. Clem and Cole have been with them since before I was even born. Clark was able to put in a medium sized track last year, but I’m facing a problem right now.”
“What’s that?”
“I need jockeys.”
“They’re the people the ride the horses in the races, right?”
“Yes, and I’m not being mean or nasty, but the people we have working on every aspect of Erin’s ranches aren’t qualified.” She turned to the computer and brought up a program and pointed. “This is the best website that describes what jockeys do. Their specifications, and believe you me, those rules are strictly enforced.” She pointed to one area. “I’m referring to the height and weight requirements. If you don’t believe me, there are several websites listed in this folder for you to read, watch videos, and research. There is an actual scale that the jockeys have to stand on, fully clothed in their racing gear to see if they qualify to race that day. I never saw it myself, because I was into the rodeo, but back in Wyoming, my grandfather would tell me about the fights that would break out when a jockey didn’t make weight.”
