Page 124 of My Cowboy Trouble
"What's she trying to sell us now?" he asks, climbing the steps.
"Guest ranch experience," I explain. "Wants to charge people to do our jobs."
"Fifty bucks a day to shovel horse shit?"
"Sixty for the premium package," Kenzie says. "That includes breakfast and a sunset cattle drive."
"A what now?"
"Sunset cattle drive. Very romantic. Perfect for couples looking to reconnect with nature."
All three of us stare at her.
"You want us to move cattle at sunset because it's romantic?" Trent asks slowly.
"I want us to optimize our existing operations for maximum tourist appeal."
"Princess, we move cattle when they need moving, not when it makes for a good Instagram photo."
"But think about?—"
"I'm thinking about explaining to some investment banker from Denver why his wife can't pet the bull," Asher says.
"Or why we don't actually lasso things for fun," I add.
"Or why the horses don't always cooperate with the sunset schedule," Trent finishes.
She looks between the three of us, clearly realizing she's outnumbered but not ready to give up. "You're all being very close-minded about this," she sniffs.
"We're being realistic about this," Trent corrects.
"Fine. But when the next ranch over starts offering trail rides and making twice what we do, don't come crying to me."
"The Morrison ranch has gentle horses and flat trails," I point out. "We've got Whiskey and rocky terrain and a psychotic rooster."
"Sir Clucks-a-Lot could be a selling point. Authentic ranch wildlife experience."
"He'd probably attack the guests."
"Even better. Adventure tourism."
We all just stare at her.
"I'm putting together a full presentation," she says finally. "With charts."
"'Course you are," I say. "Can't wait to see it."
"Mock me all you want, but when I'm right, I expect apologies."
"When you're right about people paying to get up at five a.m. to feed cattle, I'll personally apologize."
"Deal."
She kisses me quick and heads back toward the barn, probably to work on more charts or figure out how to teach Sir Clucks-a-Lot tricks.
"Think she's serious about this?" Asher asks.
"Dead serious," Trent says. "She's already priced out new mattresses for the bunkhouse."
