Page 47 of Trickster King

“The bank is going to get mad at me,” I predicted.

Randy snickered. “I’d be more worried about the royal accountants, especially if you authorize what is below the official budget. They can’t stop you if you stick to beneath the budget.”

“They’re also going to be mad at me,” I predicted. “And then my wife is going to be mad at me, and then the kids will be mad at me solely because the wife is mad at me. You might be the only one not mad at me by the time this is over.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

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.”

“This is going to be a disaster,” Randy predicted.

“Oh, yes,” I agreed, rubbing my hands together. “And I’m not going to tell my wife I’m doing it until it’s too late for her to stop me. I will trick her into believing I want to go to the Grand Prix to watch. And then there I will be, riding.”

“You do have to qualify, Your Majesty,” Randy reminded me.

“And when I’m qualifying for the Grand Prix, Her Most Royal and Beautiful Majesty will be working a different circuit. I’ll plan trips for around the circuits and handle the diplomacy she hates, and I’ll cover my tracks by offering to take the kids to the competitions. A few bribes will hopefully keep them all playing the game my way. I’ll even sneak the purchases of trained horses so I can practice for this while she’s not looking my way.”

Eddie clucked his tongue and shook his head. “She’s going to catch you, Dad.”

“And that’s half the fun. Do you know what she’s going to do when she catches me?”

“She’s going to call you the Trickster King. Then you’ll have even more kids.”

As the boy had gotten it in one, I shrugged and replied, “I’m not seeing the problem.”

Randy snickered. “Just let your dad have it this time, Eddie. When the fireworks go off, just pop some corn and enjoy the show. There’s nothing else you can do once he’s gotten it into his head he’s doing something. He’s decided he’s going all the way, so we can either get out of the way, try to stop him and fail, or help him along. Helping him along has the most benefits, although we might face the queen’s wrath when he finally is caught.”

“You might face Mom’s wrath, but I’ll be fine,” Eddie replied in a solemn tone.

I loved when the kids understood their place in the world and made certain us adults knew it. “For that, he gets to pick dinner. I ain’t ever heard truer words spoken.”

While I’d heard about the equestrian center, I’d never been to the place, and on the outside, it oozed wealth and regality, featuring pristine, manicured lawns, pastures as far as the eye could see, and a plethora of young horses watching us over the fence, their ears pricked forward in equine curiosity. Rather than meet the three men waiting at the entry to the center’s office building, I went to the fence to introduce myself to the horses, mostly yearlings. A sorrel mare came up, thrust her head in my direction, and rather than aim for my outstretched hand, she decided she needed cuddles, pressing against my chest. I settled into the important work of giving her the attention she craved.

“Dad?” Eddie came over and tugged on my elbow. “I think the owner is waiting.”

---