Page 28 of Caleb’s Cause (Broken Wheel Ranch #12)

“We’re going to need barns, bunkhouses, bunktels, cabins, and an arena built.

Once the building is complete and signed off by the powers that be here on Broken Two, then Clark is going to break ground over there.

As we speak, we have gone to our engineer and he’s drawing up the plans to take to the town.

Once we get approval, we’ll be able to officially break ground.

I was thinking that until the buildings are complete, then Clem can go out to rodeos, like Cole and Lois did, and recruit people to work that ranch.

I have yet to come up with a name for it, but I figured if he could catch people at the tail end of the rodeo season, maybe by spring, we can have a whole new crew to come in and help.

” She looked around and nodded once. “Like the Montgomery twins, they’ll be here in the next month, then be with us all winter.

They too will be working over at New Double until the new ranch is operational. ”

“If it were me,” Pru spoke as she sipped her wine, then looked at Erin. “I would have Clem talk to the people about the animals, and have the Montgomery twins talk to the rodeo riders.”

“Why?” Erin and Naomi asked at the same time.

“From conversations I’ve had with Clem, Cole, and you, Naomi, I got the impression that Cole was the man behind the scenes. He ran The Double A, while you, your grandpa, and Clem went to the rodeos. Correct?”

“Correct.”

“Then have Cole stay here, and no offense to anyone, but with him now dating Lois, would he want to leave her so often? I’m not saying he couldn’t do his job because he was dating someone, but what if he’s gone for weeks or months on end?

If Clem was behind the scenes with you when you did the rodeo, he would know the animals.

He could go to the people that own them, or breed them, or whatever they do.

In the meantime, why not send the Montgomery twins out to talk to the riders?

I really liked them when they were here, and who knows, maybe they can get the right people for the job.

Again, I’m not saying this to belittle anyone, but would young people down on their luck at the rodeo really talk with Clem.

” She turned to Lois. “Did the Montgomery twins talk to Cole?”

“No, I was the one that approached Kade. I thought Cole was standing beside me when I asked a question. I don’t know if he answered because I look like a grandmother, but there was something in his eyes that made me invite him to breakfast the next morning. That’s when Cole first met them.”

“See, Kade and Lane know the rodeo, they know the people. Maybe they have friends that are trying to make it, but just can’t do it.

If my faulty memory is correct, then Kade and Lane came from a dairy farm and wanted to make it in the rodeo.

They had family to return to. What if there are some young bucks out there that don’t have that?

” She sipped her wine again and shook her head as she turned back to Erin.

“You took all of us in on a recommendation of someone else. I don’t know how you got my name, and I don’t care because you saved me by bringing me to Broken.

Why can’t Clem go to the ranches that breed the stock, while the twins go to the rodeos and recruit people.

” She shrugged. “I don’t know about breeding any livestock, but if it’s going to take a couple of years to get the actual buildings built, then maybe you can start breeding the livestock now so that when the time comes, they will be ready for the rodeo. ”

“I like that idea,” Naomi spoke with a nod. “However, we’ll have to come up with a list of requirements. I don’t expect them to tell every Joe Schmoe to come work here.”

“I can come up with a list,” Katherine said.

“Good, because the first thing would be that they would have to pass a background check. Then I want to make sure they’re not here for the winter and leave again in the spring.

I have no problem that the twins go back to their farm in Kansas for family matters, or go to the rodeo to recruit, but I don’t want to be left high and dry in the spring when the rodeo starts up again. ”

“I’ll get with Katherine for the list.” Naomi nodded. The women were silent for several minutes before Katherine turned to Pru.

“Pru, are you ready for the wedding?”

“I am, I’ll just need someone to go over the check list with me again.” She shook her head sadly. “I have six days before the wedding, and I’ll probably have to have someone tell me every day.”

“We can do that,” Adele said as she reached over and took Pru’s hand in hers. “I only have one question for you, and one for Erin?”

“What’s that?” they both asked.

“Pru, are your parents coming? Erin, will the outside guests be coming to Broken for the reception?”

“No.” both answered.

“Mom and Dad said they would try, but Dad got the opportunity to do a function for his job. Don’t ask, I have no clue.

All I know is that he’s a professor at a college in Chicago, and whatever he’s doing, it was fully funded with a grant.

” She reached up and did her signature of tapping the side of her head.

“I have enough trouble remembering my own stuff, I don’t need to have theirs up here.

I do know that they said they were sorry, and will send a gift, and when they return, they’ll come to visit.

However, it might not be for another couple of years.

The grant was for two years, they left last month.

He’s taken time off of work, and Mom went with him.

All I know is that it’s on the other side of the world.

” She shrugged. They all turned to Erin.

“Per Pru and Ryan’s request, only employees of mine are invited to the wedding.

I’m talking everyone who works at Erin’s Way, Broken, New Double, along with Tom, and the Gibsons.

The wedding will be at Broken. However, there are some others that will be at the reception.

As we women are sitting here gabbing, Ryan’s bachelor party will consist of the men clearing out a barn for the reception.

Others from town will be coming to that event, and it will be held over at Erin’s Way.

I’m not being mean, but I don’t want just anyone to be at Broken. ”

“Will you have security other than Duane?” Laurie asked.

“Yes, Jake said he would bring some people in. Ryan and Pru invited everyone and their partners from Brotherhood Protectors, and they will be taking turns manning the front.” She shook her head when Pru started to say something. “Jake’s treat. He volunteered.”

“Oh, then I guess that’s okay.” They all smiled at her and changed the subject to what Pru would do on the morning of her wedding.