Page 12 of Cowboy in Colorado
“This just seems a little…left field, for someone like you,” Eileen says.
“Someone like me? Meaning what?” I ask.
“Big city, big money,” she answers, forthrightly. “You seem like the type to put up condos and high-rises, not investing in quaint little historical villages way off the beaten track in the wilderness of Colorado.”
I smile at her. “You’ve estimated me correctly, Mrs. Auden—that’s precisely who I am, or rather, who I have been. But recently I’ve been tasked with expanding and broadening the scope of my company’s holdings. Which are, as you’ve guessed, mostly urban developments, high-rises, condos, malls, office buildings, restaurants, things like that. This idea, this deal we’re talking about right now, represents a shift away from that—intentionally. Diversification into unknown and therefore potentially risky territory.”
“So you’ve never done anything like this before,” Theo says.
“Not at all,” I say, knowing my best chance is to just be honest—these seem like the type of people who’ll smell bullshit from a mile away, and bolt at the first hint of it. “But I know my capabilities, and that of my team, and I know we can make this work…if you and your family are on board. Because this won’t work without your family’s vision and input.”
Henry glances at Eileen, and then at Theo. Finally, he nods, and turns to me. “I’ve been retired for going on six years. But I’m still well informed when it comes to the well-being of my family’s ranch, and I can tell you that, through no fault of my son’s, things have been tough lately. We’ve lost a few contracts, a few long-term clients—again, not due to anything we could’ve done differently, just the inevitable march of progress. We’ve had to downsize, which in turn means losing people, which means Auden Town just has less of everything.”
He glances again at Theo. “And like she said, typically it’s the eldest daughter who runs the town, solves the problems and sees that it has everything it needs. It’s not incorporated, it’s just a little place we pay for out of our own pockets to keep up for the good and convenience of the folks who work for us and live in the area. But it’s getting expensive, and Theo…well, this more private family business, but she’s been wanting to spread her wings a little bit, but that’d leave running Auden Town to Eileen and me, and we’ve been thinking of taking the motorhome south for the winter.”
Theo rolls her eyes and sighs. “You were right when you said that was private family business, Dad.”
He just narrows his eyes at her. “Theo—it’s relevant. We ain’t gettin’ any younger, and you’ve been chomping at the bit to get out on your own, maybe not forever, but for a time, at least. Will and Clint have the ranch operations locked down tight, and I think without the expense of running the town to worry about, it’d free up resources so he can focus more on the horses, and even give you the space you’ve been wanting. His herd of mounted police horses is coming along nicely, and I know he’s got several outfits interested, but things are tight.”
“So you’re interested—maybe even inclined go for it?” Theo says to him.
He nods. “It makes sense to me, but we need to talk about this in greater detail. This has come at us out of the blue and it is a big step. We need to make sure it is the right thing for our family, our ranch, our legacy.” He eyes me. “But I can tell you one thing. You’ll have your work cut out for you with Will, though. He won’t like the idea. I can almost guarantee that.”
“But you’re his father, and the patriarch,” I point out.
He snorts. “My dad is ninety-five, sharp as a razor and still walks three to four miles every single day.He’sthe patriarch of the Auden family. And yeah, I’m Will’s father, but I’m retired, and Will is running this operation. My word and my input carry a lot of weight, but if Will feels it’s not in the best interests of the ranch and the family, he won’t go for it. He has a very black-and-white sense of things, and this idea is outside his field of view.”
I shift uncomfortably. “You make him sound almost unreasonable.”
Theo chuckles, and it’s a sound that doesn’t seem to bode well for me. “It has been said of my dear brother that he is as immovable as the mountains themselves, once his mind is made up.”
I let out a long sigh. “Oh boy.”
Henry nods. “He took over and immediately started doing things his own way—had to get out from under the shadow of the way I did things, and the way my dad did things. He wants to leave his own mark on this ranch, and not just coast along on what his ancestors have created.” He indicates me. “And that’s why I think, if you can get him to listen, he may go for your little idea.”
Theo groans. “Dad. Little idea?”
Henry waves her off. “Don’t go charging at windmills, Theo. Didn’t mean it like that. Just a phrase.”
I look from one face to another, ending with Henry. “So, we’re all in agreement?”
Henry nods. “Yep. If I were still in charge, I’d sign right now. But I ain’t, and it’s Will you’ve got to talk to.”
“But I have your blessing? And I can tell him you think this is the best thing for the family and for the ranch and for the community?”
Henry nods again. “Sure do, sweetheart.” He frowns at Theo. “Sorry, I mean, Miss Bellanger.” He jerks a thumb at his daughter. “She’s forever trying to get me to think, act, and talk with more tact and less sexism.”
“He’s a product of the era in which he was raised,” Theo says. “He’s very open-minded, all things considered, but some things just stick, you know?”
I think of my own father who is, in many ways, very much like Henry Auden. “Yes, I think I do know what you mean.” I smile at Henry. “Don’t worry about any of that around me, Mr. Auden. I can see through it to the man you are.”
He slaps his knees and stands up. “Well, I promised Eileen we’d ride up to Talkabout Ridge for a picnic, so we best be gettin’.” He reaches out and shakes my hand. “I’ll get Will in for a talk, and we’ll be in touch.”
When they’re gone, it’s just me and Theo again.
"Best if you just let it go. A good idea, but you won’t get anywhere.”
I chew on this for a moment. “I don’t give up easily, Theo.”