I’ll be in Ember Falls next week with some information. We are tracking down a lead and it’ll take a little more time to verify if it’s Travis.
Good. At least we’re finally going in the right direction.
fifteen
Tessa
The auction was a bust.
Killian came back home and was only able to sell two horses, but at such a terrible rate that it’s clear that we’re going to have to use plan B. Thankfully, I already had it in the works. He also informed me of the conversation he had about the rumors of Travis doping the horses here. All of it has forced me to change gears.
Tonight, we have our first bachelorette party. They rented the guest house that Travis used to live in as well as a two-hour trail ride out to the falls, a campfire setup, and a second trail ride tomorrow.
I just haven’t broken the news to Killian yet.
I spoke with Brynlee, and she and I agreed that since he was resistant to any and all of my ideas, I needed to step in and do what my job is. Which is to get some income flowing, and this was the easiest and most viable option.
Now, I’m out in the front porch area of the guest house, stringing up some lights and decorations so that they can have a fun place to hang out after their ride and take pictures.
Gary walks over. “Tessa, I have the four horses chosen. When do you want me to saddle them?”
“The girls should be here in about an hour, so maybe two hours from now? I think we’ll let them settle in, eat for a bit, and then we’ll do the horseback ride before they start drinking.”
He chuckles. “That’s a good plan. And you want me to lead them out there?”
I nod. “You know how to get to the falls—I would probably get lost.”
Since I’ve only been out there once, it’s definitely not a good idea for me to be in charge.
“And Killian wants me to wear these?” He lifts up the pink shirt and baseball hat that says “Buck Wild”.
The lovely little embroidery shop in town was able to make me a few things this afternoon. It’s going to go over—terribly, but I don’t care.
“Yup,” I lie.
He glances over at the main house and sighs. “The shit I have to do on this ranch.”
Gary walks off, and I go back to it. The maid of honor for the party asked if I could decorate with pinks and beiges in a very tasteful way. No streamers or dick-shaped stemware, which was a shame if you ask me, but probably for the best because if Killian saw it, he might kill me.
It’s still a possibility anyway, but maybe this way, there’s less of a chance. I did let the bridal party know there’d be no outside people allowed, meaning no male strippers since everyone has to be buzzed in through the gate.
Another hurdle I felt was eliminated.
I have my music going as I continue to do my best decorating skills with the budget I have.
“Tessa?” I hear Killian’s voice, which has a very strong echo of frustration in it.
Well, here goes nothing.
“Over here!” I call out with all the charm and joy I can muster.
I can do this with a smile and keep my spirit up.
“What the hell is going on?” Killian asks, looking around at the very tasteful decorations, if I say so myself.
“What do you mean?”
His eyes narrow. “What is this?” He picks up the pink cowboy boot cups I ordered.
