Page 123 of My Cowboy Trouble
"It's experiential tourism. Very different."
"Right. What's the difference?"
"About fifty bucks a day per person."
She climbs the porch steps and settles onto the rail next to my chair, still clutching her business plan like it's gonna make us rich.
"Let me guess," I say. "You've got another brilliant idea about how to improve the ranch."
"Actually, yes. I've been thinking about that old bunkhouse?—"
"The one with the leaky roof and the mice?"
"The one with character and rustic charm. We couldfix it up, create an authentic cowboy experience package. City folks love that stuff."
"City folks love a lot of stupid things. Doesn't mean we should sell it to them."
"Think about it, though. We've got the space, we've got the expertise, and we've got more cattle than we know what to do with. Why not monetize the whole operation?"
"Because then we'd have to deal with people."
"People with money," she sing-songs.
"The worst kind of people."
She rolls her eyes. "You're impossible."
"Good thing you like impossible."
"Good thing I love impossible," she corrects, then waves her business plan at me. "But seriously, look at these numbers. If we could get even ten guests a month?—"
"Ten city people. On our ranch. For a whole week."
"Think of the revenue stream."
"Think of the liability insurance."
She starts to launch into what's probably a very detailed explanation of her latest scheme, but the sound of Trent's boots on the porch steps cuts her off.
"Irrigation's all set," he says, wiping his hands on a rag. "Lines are clear, pressure's good."
"’Course it is. Everything's running perfect these days."
"Yeah, well, that's what happens when people stick to what they know instead of trying to turn everythinginto a business opportunity." He gives Kenzie a look that's part amusement, part warning.
"I heard that," she says. "And for your information, diversifying revenue streams is basic business strategy."
"So is not fixing what ain't broke."
"But think of the potential?—"
"I'm thinking of ten strangers asking me to explain why we castrate bulls while I'm trying to work."
"That's actually a great educational component?—"
"No."
She opens her mouth to argue, but Asher appears around the corner of the equipment shed, looking like he's been eavesdropping.
