“How would you feel about living on the Ranch full time?”
“Full time?” Beau asked. “T-That would be a dream.”
Derek grinned. “Good. I would like to offer you a job. Many of my members are searching for a place to belong while dealing with the trauma of their past. Your seminars are beautiful and Ibelieve they can bring a lot of hurting hearts to closure. I want to make them a permanent part of Rawhide’s curriculum.”
Opening and closing his mouth much like the fish in one of the Ranch’s ponds, Beau finally found his words, “I would be honored to work for Rawhide.”
“Perfect. Welcome home, Beau,” Derek answered, looking relieved.
A chuckle burst from Beau. “I’m sorry to laugh, it's just that you look so relieved when I’m over here trying not to scream like a schoolgirl gifted Taylor Swift tickets.”
Derek laughed this time. “I am very relieved. I had no idea where to find another one of you if you declined and I do worry about my wife’s wrath.”
Snorting, Beau stuck out his hand. “They exist, I promise, but I accept your offer. Thank you.”
Derek shook his hand. “I'll start drafting your contract today.”
“Thank you, Derek. Really. Not to sound whimsical, but this is a dream come true.”
“No, thank you. Like I said, we needed this. How long do you need to gather all of your belongings? We have storage on site and we can change your space around anyway you need. I will make sure to speak to Erika and let her know you’re welcome to use one of the business offices for your podcasts, I do just ask you not to disclose your location on your channels. I would never ask you to only work for Rawhide as I applaud your platform, but I have a commitment to the Ranch’s privacy,” Derek said, walking around to the front of his desk and propping his hip on it.
“I totally understand. I will uphold its privacy with the utmost respect. I’ll just need a week to get everything moved.”
“There’s no rush. You take as much time as you need.”
“I’ll probably list my home as an AirBNB as I do that when I’m on tour, and I can do it from here. I would just like to grab some personal things.”
“Excellent. Would starting May 18th work for you?”
“That’s perfect.” Despite his argument that he only needed a week, Derek had given him two. Another small act of kindness that reflected the hearts at Rawhide Ranch.
“Do you have any questions?”
“No, none at the moment.”
“Well, if you think of any, I’m sure Sam can answer them or you’re welcome to email me.”
At the mention of Sam, Beau felt a familiar fondness fill his chest. Sam Denton and his wife Catherine were some of Beau’s closest friends. The couple had actually played a large part in Beau being able to bring his seminars to Rawhide—along with Sadie, Derek’s wife. Sam and Catherine were also the proud Mommy and Daddy to Pippi, his pseudo niece.
“I’m really excited. Being a part of the Rawhide family is such an honor.”
“That’s what I love to hear.” Derek studied him for a minute. “Before you go, I do want to bounce an idea off of you first.”
“Sure.”
“Palmer Presley has taken your classes. Have you engaged with her much?”
“I have. She is darlin’.” The timid redhead crossed his mind much more than he should allow. She’d paid perfect attention and thanked him after his lecture. She’d hesitated before she left and Beau had spent many hours wondering what she’d wanted to say.
“She is the absolute sweetest and between the two of us, I’m worried about her,” Derek said.
“Oh?” Derek’s words put a damper on Beau’s happy mood. He hated the idea of anything bothering the sweet Little girl.
“She came from an abusive foster home after losing her mother. Of all people, I know you understand the pain of her past.”
Beau nodded. He did. Intimately.
“During her intake, she said she identified at about eight. She is doing wonderfully with her peers that age and she hasn’t been in any trouble since starting eight weeks ago, but I don’t believe she’s being completely honest with us. I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but I don’t feel like she is happy. She often seems tired and tearful. Overly compliant. Very quick to volunteer. Obedient to a fault, but I don’t think she’s happy. I think she is terrified of upsetting us so she won’t tell us what she really needs. I suspect it has something to do with the headspace she is playing at. I’m almost positive she is younger than she told me. Her mannerisms are very little. I don’t believe she maliciously lied, but again, I think she is scared of being a burden.”
