“I know I might seem like an outsider, but trust me, I know this ranch. I worked with Verne in high school here backwhen it was the place to be, and that’s my goal. To bring it back to what it used to be.”
Sam stands tall in the back, with Joey and Reenie flanking his sides, giving me a confident nod.
“I’ll be meeting with everyone today to get an idea of what you do here and see how I can help you do your job. Until then, business as usual.”
Looking around, I spot some unfamiliar faces. Maybe dealing with them will be easier before talking to Joey. I point at Sam and head back to my office.
It’s not the tidiest of spaces, but that can come later. Papers are bursting out of the filing cabinet. I can’t decide if I want to trash them all or spend the time going through them.
Considering this space used to be Verne’s, it’s hard to want to get rid of anything, even the worn frames hanging crooked on the walls. Something about changing this feels like I’m erasing him.
“That seemed to go well.”
The door shuts and Sam drops into a rickety chair across from the old, wooden desk. It’s the only solid thing in this room.
I shrug a shoulder and sit in the black, dusty office chair. “Definitely could have gone worse.”
“If it helps, I talked to all the guys this morning and they’re on board. They like their jobs, so if they can help and stick around longer, they’ll do what they can.”
“Thanks. I have a feeling not everyone is going to be that amenable.”
“Really?” Sam asks, pulling off his cowboy hat and resting it on his knee. “Why do you think that?”
I think back to the two faces in that crowd of people that are going to cause me grief.
“I have a history with a few people here.”
“What kind of history?” Sam asks.
“We knew each other back in high school.”
“Did you dump them?” He guffaws.
I shake my head. “Nothing like that. But I haven’t seen them in a few years and I don’t want them to hinder my plans.”
“You tell me if anyone tries anything and I’ll be sure to talk to them.”
I study the older man in front of me. He has the air about him that people trust him. That he’s a leader around here. If there’s anyone that I think I’ll be able to count on, it’s him.
“You ever think about doing more than just working in the barn?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t say that I have. Verne was a stubborn ass.”
“You got that right. Never let anyone help him with anything.”
“Probably why he let this place get away from him.” Sam looks around. “You need anything from me? Or do you want me to send in the next victim?”
I wince. “Do they really think it’s going to be that bad?”
“No. I’m giving you grief, kid.”
“Seriously, I’m not that much younger than you.”
He pops his hat back on his head. “Still young enough to be my kid. I’ll see you later, boss.”
I cross Sam off the list of people I’ve spoken to. My goal is to make it through everyone on the ranch today so I can hopefully get out and go for a ride. It’s something I haven’t done in years.
Back when I used to work here, I loved taking Lady out for a ride. Roaming the acres of land with her was fun.
