Trickster King by Susan Copperfield

Author:Susan Copperfield
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen & Page Publishing

As the equestrian center would eat up the most time, we saved that property for last. The other two were oddities, and while the listing had red flags, one proved suitable for renovations into a royal retreat, falling ten thousand below the budget. I considered negotiating harder for a discount, but the three hundred acres of good land at a pittance decided me; I’d accept I wouldn’t be doing any more than sneaking it in right under budget.

The second property redefined what it meant to be decrepit, and I questioned my ability to salvage it. However, thanks to the acreage, the deterioration of the buildings, and the owner’s reluctance to keep the deed any longer than necessary, I talked him down to a piddly thousand dollars per acre. Any horses, cattle, or other livestock running wild on the land would be my problem.

He thought there might be a herd or three running loose, but he’d turned out his animals a few years back and let them run free. The neighboring ranches maintained their fences, and he’d kept up only on the one section that skirted the road to remain legal. If there were living animals on the range, I’d have to go take a hike to find them.

Rather than move on, I expected to set up shop at the equestrian center for the next few days, either sending for, buying, or renting a few horses to do a personal ride to wrangle whatever animals might be out there.

With the money issues sorted away, I dealt with the precautions to keep from getting sick again, which involved spraying off my shoes and dealing with damp feet.

Once in the SUV and on the way to the equestrian center, I asked, “Eddie, how do you feel about riding the range tomorrow to check out the new wild herds? Hopefully, we’ve got healthy stock, but it’s always an uncertainty when animals are set loose to be wild.”

“Really, Dad? We can do that?”

Judging from the glares from the RPS agents, I’d angered the protection.

Unfortunately for them, I wouldn’t be changing my mind. “We can. I’ll call in a few favors to get some helicopter coverage to see if there are any herds out there, but we’ll get a look at them from a distance if there are. If there are any in obvious need of help, we’ll go retrieve those animals, wrangle them, and send them to the equestrian center.”

“Your Majesty,” Randy complained.

“I won’t be roping any of the wild animals personally,” I promised.

Geoff heaved a sigh. “All right. It’s not an unreasonable request, but you get to decide between playing at this new ranch versus exploring other parts of Texas. If you want to ride the range, your shopping activities end after the equestrian center.”

“After the equestrian center, I’m going to be picking the cream of the crop and planning how to take over the Grand Prix circuit by storm. And I will be riding, Geoff. You mark my words—I will get my ribbons because I went the distance with my horses.

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