In years past, once the cattle had been hauled away, it was time to see to a few chores before winter came howling in with snow and ice. This year was different because Hannah had so many projects underway. Some days, she just wanted to ride off into the great blue yonder and not have to deal with another invoice, decision, person or anything else. Yes, she’d helped her gramps, but she’d never been solely in charge before. Then there were the new plans she was trying to bring to fruition, not to mention her growing belly.
Hannah had realized shortly after the cattle sale she needed someone
to assist her with a wide variety of things, from decorating the little abodes
to keeping track of invoices, orders, marketing plans, building a web site to
working with Dale to figure out just how much food he’d want to order when the
time came.
She posted a notice in town and was surprised when Anita Valdez who’d
been a few years ahead of her applied. Anita had gone off to college and
received a degree in accounting and computer technology. Hannah didn’t really
understand what kind of computer technology, but when Anita showed her examples
of web sites, she’d either helped develop or developed herself, Hannah was
ready to hire her on the spot. When Anita’s resume indicated she also had some
experience in marketing, Hannah just knew she’d found her assistant. Now, if it
looked as though they would be compatible, she could cross one more thing off
her list.
Hannah met Anita at the local café for their interview. She was hungry
all the time and barely went more than a couple of hours before stuffing her
face, so she could do two things at once. Anita arrived in a business suit and
heels and Hannah felt horribly underdressed in her ranch clothing. They had a
very good talk and by the time Hannah had finished a hamburger and fries,
followed by a chocolate milkshake, she was ready to offer Anita the job.
In addition to the salary Hannah offered, she also offered mileage
since Anita would have to drive out to the ranch to get to work each day. She
also offered the possibility of Anita working from her own home if she chose after
they’d established a routine. Once the business was up and running, there was
also the potential for benefits if they made any money. So, Hannah offered and
Anita accepted.
Hannah realized she’d been exceptionally smart to look at hiring
someone to be her assistant because each project seemed to grow exponentially
and become a lot bigger and more demanding than she’d expected. Finally, by the
end of November, the concrete pads for the various little houses were in place.
Not only that, but Anita had worked with Hannah long enough at that point for
Hannah to trust her and delegate. Since Hannah had chosen several different
styles for the tiny houses, she left it to Anita to work with the vendor to get
all of them to the ranch and in place. Fortunately, it wasn’t that difficult
and her contractor took care of making sure each had power and plumbing.
An offshoot of these little homes was the fact she and Dale had
discussed and implemented the building of a dining room and kitchen that was
closer to what had been the open pasture. They’d decided that if all ten of the
spaces were rented and they planned to provide meals, then Dale would
definitely need more space, not to mention some place for the guests to eat.
Hannah also handed off the spring planting to Anita. She’d already
chosen a landscape company and drawn up a plan, so all Anita had to do was
liaison when the time came. They could both imagine how the grounds would look
come spring when the landscaping would be done. Small gravel paths would wind
throughout and flowerbeds would surround the dwellings. Sod would be brought in
for the areas not planted with flowers. Hannah had also chosen several
fast-growing trees that would provide shade for the buildings and grassy places.
It would be beautiful once it was finished.
Dale pretty much took on the building of the dining room and
kitchen because he knew just what he wanted. He still talked major decisions
over with Hannah, but she trusted he knew what he was doing, so rarely, if
ever, said no to one of his ideas. She even consulted Dale when it came to
purchasing furniture for the dining room. There would be at least ten tables
that could be combined in whatever combination was required. A honeymoon couple
could be alone at a table for two while a family of six or more could push
tables together so they could all dine simultaneously.
Furniture for the small residences also had to be ordered,
received and placed. Hannah did almost all the ordering from companies online.
That was the cheapest and easiest way to get it. Once it arrived, it was up to
Anita to move and place it in each of the tiny houses. Hannah would follow up
with some decorations and/or ideas for decorations that Anita would pursue.
Anita also soon had the paperwork in hand. It wasn’t that Hannah
wasn’t organized because she was. She just didn’t have enough time to do much
beyond shove papers into files. Once dinner was over, she barely had enough
energy to wash her face and brush her teeth before falling into bed. Hannah was
so grateful to Anita and felt they were become not just employer/employee, but
friends who worked well together.
By the end of November, Hannah was also showing, her tummy pooching
out. She had to begin wearing maternity jeans, and they were actually quite
comfortable. The fact she’d always worn shirts, sweatshirts and coats that were
bigger than she needed had helped disguise her condition for a bit, but not
long. Now, when she had to go into town which wasn’t often because she tried to
give those errands to Anita, Dale, Joe or anyone who happened to be heading there.
Unfortunately, there were things like her OB appointments, financial meetings
with her advisor, attorney and bankers to keep the cash flowing, or as she often
thought, gushing.
Still, even though Miz. Lionel had paved the way and the majority
of the town folk were kind and sincere with their congratulations, there were
others, especially her old classmates, who looked at Hannah, lowered their eyes
to her belly and then returned to her face with eyebrows raised. No one came
right out and called her a slut, but she could practically see what they were
thinking. Rather than shrink away from any of them as she had done all during
her school years, she looked right back at them, her one eyebrow raised in
return and practically dared them to say anything. She had already decided she wasn’t
going to be ashamed or feel bad and she wasn’t going to let any of them make
her so. She’d conceived her baby because she was in love, and she’d love this
baby no matter what. Hannah now wished she’d been strong enough in high school
to give those nasty kids the stink eye.
Something else that came up Hannah hadn’t thought about was the
name for her new venture. It was already known as the Wakefield Ranch, but her
advisors all thought she should come up with a new name that would encompass
all she was planning to offer. To quote Anita, she needed a new “brand,” and
didn’t mean the piece of iron you heated up to put on your cattle’s hide.
Hannah fiddled around with the idea of actually making a new
brand. The old one was WF for Wakefield. What if she added an R, so the brand
would be WFR, but all linked together. She talked to Anita about it and saw
Anita become a bit excited. “You know, Hannah, that might work out just great. Besides
a new brand, you need some kind of a tag line. Why not use WFR—Be wild, have fun,
as you roam the hills and canyons of Wakefield Ranch.”
“Anita, what quick thinking. Do you really think that would work?”
“I don’t see why not. You want people to come here and have
different experiences than what they’ve had in other places. You’re going to
offer trail rides, rides alone for those who have experience, hikes, play at the
waterfall, as well as teach your guests how to care for their mounts. I like
it. Let me see what I can whip up as far as design. I’ll play around with it
and email you some ideas.”
“That would be great,” Hannah said, giving Anita a quick hug. “One
more thing I can cross of that damned list. Ooooh!” she added with a quick huff
of breath. “I think he’s moving around in there.”
“Well, it’s about time that Little Mite did something. Let me
feel.”
Hannah took Anita’s hand and placed it low on her belly. “I’ve
felt him for a long time, but the movements never seemed strong enough for anyone
else to feel. There, did you feel that kick?”
Anita laughed and said, “I sure did. And, you’re positive it’s a
boy?”
“Yes, when Dr. Harvey did the ultrasound, there was definitely an
extra appendage which he said was a penis. I couldn’t really tell so I had to
take his word for it. It was hard for me to tell it was actually a baby. I was
expecting something that looked like a baby and that picture on the fridge sure
doesn’t look like one to me.”
“I’ve seen my sisters’ photos and agree that it’s hard to imagine
those various blobs and segments to be a baby. The only thing I’ve ever really
been able to find is the head and I think that’s only because it’s so big. Have
you thought of a name since we were just talking about the company name?”
“Well, I know for sure his middle name will be Thomas after
gramps, but I haven’t decided on a first name. His last name will, of course, be
Wakefield. I figure I’ll have something thought up in time for his birth.”
Everything was moving along perfectly, or at least Hannah thought
so, plus she was positive that Anita, Dale, Joe or Dave wouldn’t hold back
when to came letting her know if things weren’t going well.
Until the new dining room and kitchen were ready for use, Dale continued
to cook in Hannah’s kitchen and everyone who was there at dinner time came
through the mudroom to the kitchen. Fortunately, the table was just large
enough so everyone had a place. Anita didn’t usually stay for dinner, but
Hannah asked her to stay the second Saturday in December.
There was lots of talk and laughter around the table as everyone
chowed down on Dale’s delicious dinner. Once dessert was served, Hannah stood
up and requested everyone’s attention. “I’ve been over WFR TREK;S finances and
discussed this with my advisor and have decided to give each and every one of
you ten days off with pay, beginning December 23rd. You’ve all
worked so hard to help me move ahead with my new plans while keeping track and
taking care of everything else that needs doing. So, some time off with pay is
my thank you. Of course, if you want to stay here for those ten days and simply
loll about, that’s fine too. You’ll all get your check before you leave or stay
on December 23rd.
“Of course, come January 2nd, I expect every single one of you to be here, and ready to work your asses off so we can open WFR TREKS Memorial
Day weekend. There’s going to be a lot to do between the beginning of the year
and opening day.
“I’m also going to have to rely on many of you about the middle of
February when the Little Mite arrives. I have no idea if he’ll be early or late
or just how difficult he’ll make my or our lives, but I promise I’ll do the
absolute best I can. And, I know without asking, that you’ll all do the best
you can for me. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year a bit early. “
Hannah sat down to applause and Dale stood up. “I know I’m
speaking on behalf of everyone sitting around this table. We know it hasn’t
been easy for you, but we appreciate the fact you’ve worked just as hard as any
one of us. We also appreciate the fact your first thoughts and renovations had
to do with our comfort. You may be doing this for the first time all on your
own, Hannah, but you’re doing a mighty fine job. You’ve made us all feel like
your family.”
As everyone got up to go their separate ways, each person came by
and either hugged Hannah or took her hand, murmuring words of appreciation or
approbation. When only Dale was left, Hannah laid her head on the table and
let the tears come. “Hey, hey, let’s not have any of that. No reason to be sad
Hannah,” Dale said as he patted her back.
Hannah sat up and scrubbed at her eyes, rubbed her nose on her
shirtsleeve and said, “They’re not sad tears, they’re happy ones. I felt so
alone after gramps died and now, after just a few months, I have a brand-new
family. Dale, I’m so very grateful. Thank you for your kind words.”
Dale gave her one more pat and headed for the sink. “Now you get
on out of here and get your butt in bed. There’s no way I’m strong enough to
carry you down the hall if you fall asleep right there, and I know how fast sleep
can overtake you. Don’t think you’ve seen one TV program in the last month
without my having to shake you awake.”
Hannah smiled and laughed a bit. “I’m sure it’s just the Little
Mite who’s sopping up all my energy, but you’re right. I need to head for my
bed. Good night Dale.”