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What is left?

Chapter 8.

Written by Wolfie Steel.

Four trucks come to a stop outside the main ranch house, I can see that the rest of the guys have already returned from their shopping trip, Tyler and I exit the truck and are met by our newcomers who are now looking around the ranch, Buck is the first to speak.

"Well boss I must say that so far you have what looks like a decent sized ranch, although I will want to check it out fully of course, and I see that you have a good eye when it comes to working horses"

Suddenly I can hear slightly raised voices coming from the paddock; I walk over to the paddock and see that Chester has come face to face with Taylor, or rather Taylor is trying to rip Chester a new hole, I split them apart before they beat up on each other.

"Chester back down, you told me that having Taylor as your supervisor wouldn't cause too much tension"

Taylor looks at me in disbelief.

"Boss, why didn't ya tell me that this mountain of brainless muscle was working here?"

It is now time for me to cut Taylor an ugly look.

"Taylor, you might be the head ranch hand here, but keep a civil tongue in your head or I will ask Chester here to do some rearranging, now apologize"

Taylor lets out a sigh but does as I ask, he then holds his paw out to Chester in the hopes that the horse will let what has been said go over his head, fortunately for Taylor Chester takes his paw and shakes it.

"Actually Mr. Miles, it is me that should be apologizing to Taylor, I walked into the paddock without permission so that I could get a better look at the horses, I mean I could have been a rustler or something, scoping out the area to see how easy it was to relieve you of your stock"

I hear Taylor give a slight snort but another shitty look from me is enough to calm him down. I suddenly get a really evil idea, why don't I make Taylor and Chester roomies, you know, kind of light the blue touch paper and stand well back.

I ask everyone to follow me into the kitchen so that I can pair everyone up for duties. I stand at the head of the kitchen table, I clear my throat so that I can make sure that I have their full attention.

"Okay everyone, living space here is at a premium, and so I am going to pair you all up, Makeria, you get Buck Daniels, now Buck, Makeria is the ranch manager so try not to piss him off...too much anyway, Blake and Gregory as you are brothers already I see no reason not to put you together, and that just leaves Chester and Taylor, now then you two, I have already had to separate you once, if I have to come between you again you will both be in trouble, do I make myself clear?"

Both Chester and Taylor blush a little but nod their agreement, with the living arrangements sorted out I allow the new comers to head home so that they can pick up some of their personal stuff, however, Buck decided against that.

"Thanks for the offer mate, but my truck IS my home, my complete life is packed up in the back"

I lay a gentle and caring hand on his shoulder.

"Tell ya what Buck, why don't you and me go out and check out one of the trails, and then when we come back I'll give you a hand moving your stuff into your new home?"

For the second time today I see a slight glint in his eyes, almost like he wasn't expecting to find anyone who cared about him without it being in anyway sexual.

"Come on Mr. Miles, as much as I appreciate the offer, you have a ranch to organise"

I snigger a little.

"And you and the Wolves have trails to blaze, so why don't we get a head start, it will also give you chance to get used to riding again, and besides, I'm the boss so I ain't taking no as an answer"

Buck lets out a good natured snort and then tips his head slightly in defeat.

"Well yes you are the boss, so I guess we go for a ride, but I will pick my own mount"

I smile a little.

"You can pick your own mount, and once you have found the one to ride he will be yours whenever you want to go for a ride and so I guess now you are all out of excuses"

We both enter the paddock and Buck heads over to the grazing horses, and he checks each one out, finally he settles on a dapple grey stallion and I give him a knowing nod, Buck stands next to his mount and they look so well suited for each other.

I head over to the new tack room and collect two saddles and bits; I carry Buck's saddle and bit over to where he is standing.

"Well Buck, I would like you to meet Silver Shank, at least that is what the guy who sold him to me called him, but now he is your horse I guess you can give him a name of your own if you wish"

Buck looks at me with a slight smile on his face.

"Nah mate, Silver Shank will do just fine, at the end of the day he was broken in while using that name so he is probably use to it now"

I nod gently and head over to my own mount for the ride, a snow white stallion named Chase, both Buck and I saddle up our mounts and then we lead them out onto the ranch court yard making sure to close the paddock gate behind us.

I mount my steed and Buck is not far behind, once we are both settled in our saddles I lead the way onto the trail with Buck following close behind. We ride out for about two hours and then we come to a stop, Buck pulls up alongside me.

"Well Mr. Miles, I will say this for you bud, you have quite a lot of land to trail over, I take it that your land ends at the fence that is just in the distance?"

I look towards Buck and I make my reply.

"Buck first of all, just call me Christian, that is the name my sire and dam gave me, as for the grounds, yes you're right, the fence does demark the end of my property, however there is a gate in that fence that opens out onto the plains beyond, and so the opportunities for massive trail riding are endless"

Buck whistles through his teeth.

"I think that you are gonna need more trail riders and horses"

I laugh a little at that.

"Oh don't worry Buck, once I start getting an income from the ranch I will be getting more of everything, from horses to riders, to more rooms for riders and customers, this is what I hope will be an expanding business"

Buck looks up towards the sky.

"Well bos...I mean Christian, looks like it is time to head back to the ranch"

I look at the sky too and I can see that the sun is starting to go down, and so we both turn our horses and head back towards the ranch.

We arrive back at the ranch court yard and are met by both Chester and Taylor, both Buck and I dismount and Chase and Silver Shank are led back to their stables so that they can be groomed, fed and watered and made ready to be bedded down for the night. With all of the chores done for the day we all head into the ranch house and are met by the smells of a wonderful meal that is being prepared by Tyler.

I stand at the table.

"Right guys I want everyone except Tyler to gather around the table"

There is a dull rumble as the guys do as I have asked, once everyone is in place I continue.

"Okay for those of you who are joining us fresh today I would like to welcome you to Miles To Go, I also want to officially introduce you all to the fine Doberman that is currently cooking us up one hell of a feast, he is Tyler Mills and for any of you who enjoy a bit of male company I say this, paws or hands off because he is a mated dog and it is my body that keeps him warm at night"

There is a quiet ripple of laughter that travels around the table just as Tyler speaks up.

"You better fuckin' believe it stud"

Again there is another round of giggles and then Tyler continues.

"Okay everyone, grub is up, now I will be responsible for your breakfast and evening meal, if you want a sandwich at lunch then that will be down to you, but I will warn you now, if you use the last of something and don't tell me, then I will be lunching on yo ass, you have been warned"

I walk over to where Tyler is standing and help to dish the meal up; well I felt that it was only right after he has slaved over a hot range cooking for eight.

After an hour and a half the meal is finally finished and to my surprise Chester stands from his seat and clears his throat.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I haven't eaten a meal as good as that in many a long day, and so to show our appreciation I think that we should let Christian and Tyler head off into their room for the night while the rest of us clear up"

Both Tyler and I nod gently in thanks and make our way into the snug, where we snuggle down to watch a movie before we head off to our bed.

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