Page 5 of Cowboy Jeopardy

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Big foot. Dylan chuckled and grabbed his black Stetson from the hook near the front door.What will my boys think of next? Knowing the men would be wrapping up for the day, he rang the bell next to the barn. They’d all gather within fifteen minutes.

How would they take the news? With some grumbling, most likely. Most of them had come to the Rocking W for peace and solitude. But, if he were to keep them on the payroll, he needed a way to pay them.

Dylan leaned against the barn, leg bent and boot flat against the wall behind him. The screen door to the kitchen banged as his boys barged out, Monster on their heels. Some would say that a house as grand as his didn’t need a back screen door, but he liked the sound of it. Lauren would’ve loved it, and it let him know when someone left or entered.

Dani followed close on the boys’ heels, stopping the door from banging behind her, then hopped off the deck and took off at a sprint after the rascals. This was the main reason he hadn’t hired an older, more inexperienced nanny. They would never have been able to keep up.

Colt Dawson was the first hand to arrive. “Trouble, Boss?”

“No, changes.” Dylan tipped his hat further on his head. “More work for everyone.”

“No one will mind. We’re grateful to be here.”

“You might mind this. It involves women and children. Possibly lots of children.”

“Heaven forbid.” Colt laughed. “Again, no one will mind. We’ll do whatever it takes to help.” He narrowed his eyes. “You left the ledger open the other day. I snuck a peek. Sorry.”

Dylan quirked his mouth. “As foreman, you have a right to know. We’ll be fine next year, but we need funds now.”

He nodded. “Can’t wait to hear what you’re thinking.”

Hopefully, he wouldn’t change his mind after hearing his plan. One by one the others gathered in front of him. Dylan met each of their gazes, then repeated what he’d told the women. “We have two weeks to get ready. Any objections?”

“Who’s going to take care of the livestock?” His hand, Maverick, asked.

“We are, same as now. The only change will be that during the camps, the campers will help out. It’s part of the package, the experience.”

“So, we’ll be slowed down by folks who don’t know a lick about what they’re doing?”

“Yep, that pretty much sums it up.”

Maverick took a deep breath, then released it slowly. “Okay.”

“That’s it?” Dylan glanced around the group. “No objections? No more questions?”

“No, sir.” Ryder shook his head. “We trust you. If you feel the need to do this, then we’re all for it. I do have one concern, though.”

“What is it?”

“Opening up the ranch lets in all types of characters. Not all of them will have good intentions. Have you thought about the boys? The women?”

“I have. Dani Cooper has been in the midst of hell, same as we have, only…different. She’ll have good instincts about trouble.”God, please let me be right.

“What do you want us to do now?” Colt tugged his hat firmly on his head.

“I’ll post duties by morning.” He cleared his throat, emotion surging at how willing these men were to help him. “I thank every one of you.”

“It’s us who thank you.” Colt nodded and marched off as the others peeled away to finish their tasks before supper.

Dylan glanced to where Dani and the boys had gone, tempted to follow, but he shrugged off the idea. He had a lot to do in the next couple of weeks. Pricing, advertising, getting the remaining outbuildings in shape. Work that would lie on his shoulders. His men were already working the maximum number of hours.

His boots kicked up dust as he headed for the storage shed. The area hadn’t seen rain in weeks, but the forecast predicted that would change. The empty bunkhouse roof needed patching before then. Once that danger was past, he’d check each room on the inside.

What about families? The overnight camping trips would be open to both children and accompanying adults. Day and week camps would be for youth ten to eighteen-years-old. Great. Dylan had added a monumental task to his list. He needed places for families to stay.

He eyed the main house. There was space in the turrets. It would be the simplest fix, and he could have stairs built leading to them from the outside in order to keep the guests out of the main house. It could work. As funds allowed, he’d expand.

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