Teagan couldn’t believe how happy she was. Avery and Renee were turning into the best girlfriends. Both women were smart and funny. They knew their stuff and Teagan found herself wrapped up in the project they were working on, helping with the budget tweaks, the accounting foundations, and the projections program.
“God, you are a savant with numbers, aren’t you?” asked Renee.
“I don’t know about that,” said Teagan, “But numbers make sense to me. And I’m so excited about your new family lodge. I think, with some success and someone to work on the marketing, you’ll make this a profitable endeavor by the end of the first year.”
“Do you think so? I hope you’re right. I really don’t want Stryker to regret letting us go with our idea. I mean, he checked the numbers dozens of times, and we had to explain every step of the process multiple times, but I don’t want him to lose money or trust in our thinking,” said Renee.
“But if Teagan will help us, I think the one area we are weak in, the numbers tracking, we will be covered. So if it’s something you could do for us, the numbers part, then pick a salary we can afford, and let’s present it to Stryker.”
“While I’m here, I’ll do it for free. When I get back to the apartment, I’ll do it for something reasonable that you can afford.”
“Oh, I don’t think Stryker or Declan will go for that and it isn’t right.”
“It is perfectly right. I’m staying here and not paying for my upkeep so this is my payment. Please don’t fight me on this because it will make me feel so much better about being here.”
The girls agreed. That settled, Teagan spent time with Wilder in between his tagging along with Declan, Seamus, Carson, and Stryker looking over the ranch operation. It was good to reconnect after nearly six months between visits. The night before Wilder left to go home, the whole family, including Callen that Wilder had met the second night he was on the ranch, was in attendance.
“Carson wasn’t on the ranch the other day when you explained the Beefalo market. Could you give him a rundown?” asked Seamus. “He’s great at seeing the potential on the ranch. What’s feasible and what isn’t.”
“And I want to have that option if we have the pastureland for it,” said Stryker.
“Right, as I said earlier, I have about 50 acres for 20 head of cows and easily double that for Beefalo and bison. My ratio is 100 acres for 20 bison. I don’t keep many bison, twenty being my average because I just need them for breeding. We don’t often sell our bison for slaughter. Then, of course, we have to have rotation pastures. So, they can devour the available land if you aren’t careful,” said Wilder.
Carson scratched his head. “Yeah, but I can see where just the available variety will open our markets up more. The more diverse our production, the more likely we become a one-stop for cattle. I think we can fence in a portion of that far acreage we haven’t put into use. It is definitely worth looking into and giving your dad a call.”
Stryker nodded. “Yep, just what I was thinking. Not the housing acreage at the far end, but the rest. Good visit, Wilder. I’d like to come to see your operation after our parents return from Ireland.”
“Anytime,” said Wilder. “Bring this girl with you. She tends to forget where her brother lives.”
Teagan sniffed dramatically. “I’m busy, Wilder.”
“I’ll make sure she takes at least two trips a year,” said Declan as he kissed her temple.
“If I’m still here.”
Renee and Avery looked up quickly. Renee said, “But you’re committed to our project.”
“I can do that from anywhere,” said Teagan.
Stryker said in his characteristic way, “Oh, darlin’, you are already embedded in the fabric of this ranch. There isn’t any question that you’re here for the long haul.”
Teagan shook her head and said, “You never know.”
Declan leaned into Teagan. “I know.” He leaned closer to her ear. “Stop trying to upset the apple cart on purpose, little girl. Remember not all spankings are sexy.”
Teagan turned to answer him when the characteristic whole body tingle happened at the mention of his hand on her bottom. She shivered. Damn, the man was too perceptive. The heat rushed into her face and Teagan prayed no one else noticed and if they did, they said nothing. That one quietly spoken sentence settled any argument she may have used. She was so screwed.
A USA Today best-selling author, Alyssa Bailey, loves writing about consensual power exchanges between strong, intelligent, sassy women who are not afraid to make a stand and men confident enough to give his woman space but alpha enough to keep her safe.
If she can throw a little mystery, humor, and suspense in her stories, it’s even better. Alyssa writes Regency historicals sure to make you swoon and contemporary military and cowboy love stories devised to leave you with that
we crave.
