Page 26 of Kevin's Destiny

“Yes?”

“That’s Katie. When she came here, she was literally all skin and bones. She barely lifted her head. One day, Reid, my fiancé, was standing in the barn and she threw a ball at his back. He picked it up and threw it back to her. They now play catch every single day, even in the winter. If he’s working over at Erin’s Way, he makes an effort to come over and still play with her.”

“Fascinating,” Yvonne said as she watched man and horse play catch. They exited the vehicle, and Erin gave her the entire tour of the barn, introduced the horses, and the human workers that were there.

They climbed back into the vehicle and she directed her back to Erin’s Way. “There is no way to get to Broken Wheel from the road. You either have to go through Broken Two, like we did, or the way I’m taking you back to Erin’s Way.”

“Is there a reason for that?”

“At first, no, it was a spot on the ranch that I never used. Then when Katie’s former owner got out of jail, he tried to come and steal her back.” When Yvonne whipped her head around to stare at her, Erin held up her good hand. “He’s in jail. It took some time because he had buddies that tried to steal the horses from Broken Wheel. They have been sitting in jail for almost two years, and Jason Black and Ilsa Miller are about ready to take them to court. Our case is ready, we’re waiting for the guys sitting in jail, because they keep firing their court appointed lawyers. They have six months to find someone, or it goes before a judge, with or without counsel for them.”

“Wow, okay. Not having access from the road is a good thing.”

“It is now. Back when I started Broken, that’s how we refer to it, it was a logistical aspect. Quicker to go over land than out on the road. A hassle to put in a driveway and all that stuff.”

“Got it,” Yvonne said with a nod, and followed her directions and grinned when she came in the ‘back way’ to Erin’s Way. But she continued out onto the road, following Erin’s directions.

“It’s twenty minutes because you have to go around Erin’s Way to get to New Double. It would be too expensive to make a road between the two properties. Trust me, I’ve looked into it. Also, the only entrance to New Double is from the road we’ll take. The rest of the ranch is landlocked along with mine, and there is federal land to the north.”

“Ah, so anyone coming to New Double would have to go by the security shack.”

“Correct. With it being a Saturday, and no one is expected, I don’t imagine anyone will be there. That’s okay. Once you meet Kevin, the two of you can come up with a schedule. You’ll also be coordinating with Cole and Naomi.” She launched into the logistics of her owning the land, and Naomi owning the animals. Yvonne was fascinated by the tale and the big heart Erin had by helping others.

“Turn here,” Erin said as she pointed, and Yvonne slowed down and saw several men further down. She stopped and looked when Erin grinned and laughed. “It came!” She hopped out, ran up to someone and gave them a quick hug. Yvonne threw her truck into park, exited, and walked up to them. She watched as the men used their hands and equipment to erect an arch going over the driveway that spelled out New Double. The same way that Erin’s Way had one.

No one said a word as she watched them, and when they were done, and the guy driving the heavy lifter loaded it onto the back of a flatbed trailer, and drove away, they all turned to Erin.

“Thanks, guys, it looks great. Let me introduce you to our new security woman. Yvonne Wilson, former FBI. This is Naomi Alcott, owner of New Double. You’ll be working with her about doing background checks on the people she invites here. Next is Cole Mercury. He’s the ranch manager. Patrick Clemmons, he’s been with these guys for a long, long time. He’s leaving within the week to go back out to rodeos to look for hands for RRR. He will be calling you and Kevin with information on people he thinks would be a good hire.”

“Let me guess, to do background checks on them?”

“Yes. You know Myrna and Pedro. Then there is Shay and Faith. Pedro is a horse trainer, Faith is the jockey who rides all the horses. Next is Tony and Staci.”

“Dr. Hardt?”

“Yes, they live on New Double because Tony is a hand here at the ranch. Then we have Ann and Manny. Ann is also a hand here, and Manny floats between working here and over at Broken.”

During all the introductions, Yvonne had shaken their hands and nodded, committing names and faces to her memory. Then a single man stepped forward and he stuck out his hand, full of confidence.

“Kevin Lassiter. I’m the other security guy here.”

“Yvonne Wilson,” she said, and as they shook hands, they both jerked at the spark it evoked.

They all paused as a vehicle pulled in, and Reid walked up to them, threw his arm around Erin, and grinned. “It looks great.”

“Thanks.”

They all laughed when a golf cart came barreling down the drive, and stopped suddenly. Yvonne looked in shock at the old man sitting there with a wide grin.

“Ducky,” Erin said with loving affection. “This is Yvonne Wilson, the other new security guard.”

Yvonne walked over to him and held out her hand to shake. It shocked her as to how strong his grip was.

Erin nodded, then turned back to the others. “Which cabins are available? Not that it matters, but I’ve given Yvonne the tour of everything and she has groceries in her vehicle. I’m sure she wants to get settled.” She turned to Yvonne. “I’m going to leave you now, not because I don’t want to show you around, but I don’t want to step on Naomi’s toes. She might be my ranch manager for Broken, but this is her ranch to run.”

“I understand.” Yvonne shook her hand and gave it an extra squeeze as she looked directly at Erin. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.” Erin grinned, then hugged her, only to whisper in her ear, “I’ll take the test in the morning.”