Page 12 of Trickster King

“How much extra?”

“Enough Her Majesty might praise you,” Randy replied. “And it might mean a few extra bulls the next time you make a purchase.”

“My rescues can’t be worth that much,” I muttered.

“If they were just rescues, that would be the case, but you have been training these horses from the day you got them. While you are a good rider, you’re a better trainer. If you have me negotiate for Stall Blight on your behalf, I can get a better price for you. I will make it clear you have a new ranch to purchase and would put him up on auction. Add in his breed’s rarity, his exemplary training, and some willingness on your part to give lessons, and you will get an excellent offer. His sale could likely pay for the entirety of the ranch, and that’s after taxes. He is young, he is spirited, and he is smart.”

I grumbled but nodded. “You sell horses while I drive. Geoff, help him sell horses. If you sell all the horses on the list, I have a second list, but they’re young and untrained. If the price is right, I’ll train them once they’re old enough to be ridden.”

“You could easily get a significant amount for each of them if you agree to teach younger children to ride while training their first horse. We can pitch that to some of the elite families I know you like more than the others. They can also join your herd for lessons. After twenty group lessons with you, they’ll have the fundamentals, and you can give a set number of private lessons.”

“Does my schedule have enough space for that?”

“It will when I inform Her Majesty you are clearing out a great deal of stable space. It’s good for you, too. It means you are less likely to whine you don’t have enough children yet.”

“I don’t whine that we don’t have enough children.”

“You sigh, rather dramatically, whenever you see a baby that is not yours,” the head of my detail retorted.

I thought about it, realized he was right, and grunted. “Do you think twins will cure me of that habit?”

“Not a chance in hell, Your Majesty.”

“How much time will this idea cost me?”

“Five hours a week, approximately—or an entire Saturday each week if you make the lessons an all-day affair at your new ranch. If you’re working your ranch because you must give lessons, you can’t be dragged into politics.”

“Make it so, Randy.” He would, although if I gave him any leeway, he would rearrange my schedule to his liking. His liking tended to benefit me as long as I kept my objections to his restrictions to myself. “Do you think you can push through the sales of the horses in time to grab both ranches?”

“I don’t think so,” Randy replied. “I know so. You worry about driving, we’ll worry about selling the horses, making sure you have enough for your taxes and are otherwise prepared for your acquisitions. Remember, you also have the option to sell future foals. There have been requests.”

“More requests?” I complained. “They can’t take my babies.”

“What’s the Story, Morning Glory is in high demand, especially now that the naysayers have gotten a good look at how her conformity, despite her birth defect, turned into a strength rather than a weakness. One or two of her foals would allow you to set up the ranches.”

“People pay ridiculous amounts of money for horses. I feel I’m heavily contributing to this problem.”

Randy laughed. “You are. Would it appease you if I told you I have a line on another Akhal-Teke?”

“Appease? No. Intrigue? Absolutely. What Akhal-Teke? Texas currently has five in the entire kingdom, and I only own two of them.”

“I located Chocolate Cupcake’s dam and sire, and they’re available.”

“Sold,” I informed him.

“I haven’t told you their price or their location.”

“Not interested. Sold.”

“Your Majesty.”

Geoff snickered. “Give up, Randy. He’s already decided. He’ll turn his entire operations upside down to rescue those horses.”

“They aren’t in need of rescue. The mare is fifteen and likely has only one or two breedings left. The stallion is thirteen. They might have some of Chocolate Cupcake’s siblings available.”

“Sold,” I repeated.

“You can’t buy every Akhal-Teke on the planet, Your Majesty.”

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