How to reinforce a fence to ensure cows stay in? Apparently I don’t have the first clue on how to manage that.
“Next week is the final paperwork to sign for the last of the acquisitions before you left, and I think that’s everything.”
“Damn. Do you even need me?”
“Jake has been helping me out. It’s made it a lot easier.” Kelly waves me off. “How’s the ranch looking?”
Rocking back in my chair, I take in the office around me. I haven’t done much in here besides a fresh coat of paint and cleaning everything up. That and a new desk, which I’m sorely regretting after all the new issues that are popping up.
“If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
She’s still typing away on her keyboard. “Anything I can do to help? Do you need new contractors? It looks like there are some in Thistle Creek. Is that close?”
I shake my head. “Not all that far. It’s just a matter of cost at this point.”
“Remember what you always say when issues come up here?”
I nod. “Focus on one thing at a time.”
“That’s right. Don’t blow things out of proportion and it’ll be okay.”
“Easier said than done.”
A beep goes off on Kelly’s end of the screen. “I’ve got another call. I’ll get you the paperwork to review and set themeetings once you look everything over. And if you need help out there, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
The screen goes blank as the call ends, twisting my insides.
Focus on one thing at a time. Well, the one thing that I need to focus on so we can try and drum up some revenue is going to wipe me out.
When I decided to fix up the ranch—whether to keep or sell, I still don’t know—I didn’t think it’d be this much of a drain on me.
Verne wasn’t keeping up with things, and it seems the further I get into this project, the worse it’s turning out to be.
I can barely swing a hammer to save my life. Putting up wallpaper in guest rooms? I don’t have the eye to keep it straight, something that Reenie keeps telling me is important to make it aesthetically pleasing.
On top of that, we haven’t even worked in the cost of the furniture that has to be replaced.
Fuck.
The office walls start to close in around me. Grabbing my hat, I plop it on my head and walk outside. The cool breeze and sun are exactly what I need right now.
The pine trees rustle as a group of guests wander past. I tip my hat and smile as they go on their nature hike. There’s been an uptick in reservations, but with half the lodge under renovation, we’re still not making ends meet.
Between repairs, salaries, and everything else, it seems like it’d be easier to set money on fire.
Maybe I’m not cut out to own a ranch. I’m fighting tooth and nail to make things work here because I want to get to know my daughter. But my life is still in Seattle. The part of my life where things are easy.
Maybe Pinecrest and The Lost Spur—and Presley and Poppy—are better off without me.
Chapter Thirty-One
KADE
It’s been a stressful few days. Between things going wrong at the ranch and work picking back up, I’m ready for an easy day.
But of course, when running a ranch, there’s no such thing as an easy day. Which is why I’m two towns over—in Thistle Creek—buying all the chicken coop wire I can as a temporary fix.
