Page 13 of Fated to the Wolf Cowboy
“I have extra granola bars,” Will said, causing them all to grown.
I should have felt bad about stealing from them, but I knew they could go home and get more food while I was stuck here. Sucked to be them, but out here on the range I supposed it really was every wolf for herself, just like the streets back home.
Brady
Chapter 4
“It’s beautiful,” Kenneth praised as we walked into the greenhouse for the first time and looked around.
It was a nice building, but I didn’t feel the connection or appreciate it the way he did.
I stood back and watched as my brothers excitedly talked and planned out the interior. Truth was, they were both more capable in this department than I was. All I really had to do was ensure the work got done in a timely manner. I was quickly learning that management may not be for me. It was boring. I’d much rather be actively working.
I was pretty certain I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t get my hands dirty soon. And not the gardening kind of dirty. I needed to fix a fence or wrangle a stray cow. Something that would make my muscles burn.
“The hydroponics system will start going in tomorrow. And Ollie is bringing over the first raised beds this evening,” Tim informed me.
“Great. Sounds like it’s all coming together.”
I wished I could get excited about this project. I knew I needed to change my attitude. I just couldn’t seem to get hyped about plants. No doubt it was a me problem because all of my brothers were thrilled to have the family working together.
“Brady? Are you listening?” Kenneth asked.
“Huh? What?”
He rolled his eyes. “While Ollie and Tim are setting up in here, can I take the rest of the team out to the tomato patch for picking and then to the fields to start plowing? We need to get the seeds in the ground quickly if we’re going to get a later summer and fall harvest this year.”
I scowled. “While I agreed to the tomatoes, we already discussed delaying any further planting, Kenneth. The gardens can be plowed to start preparing the land, for next year’s harvest, but otherwise we’re focusing only on greenhouse foods for the winter and then the outdoor gardens for produce next summer.”
“But there’s still time for this year,” he argued.
“Kenneth, it’s too much. We have priorities and we missed spring planting already.”
“Spring, yes, but not fall planting. I can do it.”
I sighed, understanding why Thomas thought it was a better idea for me to oversee this project. My baby brother would work himself to death if it were left to him. He’d burn out my crew quickly too.
My crew? Huffing, I let that reality sink in. I’d been wanting an opportunity for leadership for a long time. Now I had it. It may not be what I expected, but if I didn’t get my head out of my ass soon, I may never have the opportunity to lead anyone again.
With that thought and fear fresh in my mind, I clapped my hands and gathered everyone together. In total I have twenty-four men under me for this project. That was significant and I knew I had to make the most of this opportunity.
“Listen up, everyone. I just wanted to let you all know how proud I am of the work you’ve put in. The greenhouse is complete and ready for us to move in.” I paused as theyall cheered. “Now the real work begins. Our shelving, planter tables, and raised beds will start arriving this evening. Anyone willing to stick around and help unload is more than welcome.
“Tomorrow the hydroponic tanks will be set up and piping run. Tim will be overseeing that since that’s more his area of expertise. While Kenneth has requested we begin plowing the fields as soon as the tomatoes are finished being harvested. I’ll be splitting everyone up into two groups to assist them. See me first thing in the morning for your assignments.”
“And then the fun really begins!” Kenneth announced, excitedly.
“What he said,” I added.
This caused several chuckles. Everyone in the Pack knows this is Kenneth’s passion. Surprisingly the structural and design aspect of it is what Tim became passionate about.
When he left for school, he was pre-med, studying to be a doctor. He’d started out at a local college so he could still help out at home. Just like Kenneth, Peyton had picked up Tim to help out in the small greenhouse at Kate’s Diner in town where she works. The two of them provided fresh produce year-round. And that is where both of my brothers found their passion in gardening. So much so, that when Tim mated Jessie, he switched schools to attend Archibald Reynolds, an all-shifter college, with her. That’s when he decided that being on-call all the time and possibly having to switch Packs to find a need as a Pack physician wasn’t really the life he wanted for them. So instead he switched his major to agricultural engineering and never looked back.
Seeing the prosperity at Kate’s Diner combined with having Tim back home played a huge role in Thomas’s decisionto invest in farming. And I was the one he chose to put it altogether.
I stood in a superman pose, legs spread, fists on my hips, and I puffed my chest out. I should feel proud of this, but it still fell short. I was trying, though I couldn’t help but feel something was missing. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Okay, let’s get to work,” I told my team.
