The next morning everyone awoke to a skift of snow on the ground. Ginger hurriedly dressed and went out to take care of her beloved horses.
Somehow I must find the money to build a large indoor ring to be used in cold, windy weather or during the hot summer. The animals will appreciate it and I know I sure will.
She was dressed so thickly that she had difficulty mounting the horses for a training session. Four hours later she went in the house to a scolding from Juanita for not eating before she went out. She was so thankful for Juanita and her care and concern that she just sat down quietly and ate what was placed in front of her.
Ginger went back out and found Jack working with a horse she did not recognize. She stood quietly so that she wouldn’t frighten the horse and watched carefully. She was so impressed with the gentle but firm way Jack was handling the young horse that she wanted to get closer and ask him questions about his training techniques.
Before she could go into the ring with Jack, Ginger turned when she heard her name called. Frank came walking toward her so bundled up that she smiled at him. “Hey, Frank. The way you’re dressed one would think you’re cold.”
With chattering teeth he answered. “It’s winter for sure in case no one has informed you. What are you doing out here?”
“I really came out to see if you’ve directed some hands to go cut trees and chop them into fireplace lengths. We’ll need lots of wood before the winter is over even with the heating system. You know, of course, that sometimes the electricity goes off and we’ll need the fireplaces for warmth and to cook over.”
“Yes, I just got three of the men started with a flatbed and a tractor to cut trees. They’ll bring them here and several of us will help cut them into usable pieces. Did you want anything else?
“No. thank you. Just don’t forget to tell them I want new little trees planted to make sure we keep a crop of trees.”
“I’ll remind them. Adam Whitefeather came by early this morning to tell us that another raid was made on the Campbell property last night. No person was hurt, but some of the horses must have spooked and got caught in barb wire. They called the veterinarian to take care of them.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about that. We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had any dire needs for a vet except for inoculations and general servicing.”
“We’re lucky, yes, but Jack is as good as a vet. In extreme emergencies. I’m thankful that he’s with us.”
Ginger went back into the house and looked over her notes again for the guest ranch sessions. This is the first year and I’m sure we’ll make mistakes and learn from them. I need to have an assistant to help me keep records.
Juanita stepped into the office to speak to Ginger just as she said aloud,
“Oh, how stupid of me.”
“What, Ginger? What now?”
“I forgot to tell in the brochure what clothes people should bring with them. They’ll need jeans, boots and possibly a cardigan. If they don’t want to invest in boots they’ll need a hard sole shoe that ties securely. New riders don’t understand how the feet need to be protected. If they’re going out on trail rides they’ll sure need jeans. I prefer that people have their legs covered to take lessons. It protects their skin.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of everything and take care of it all. Have the men given you their ideas yet?”
“Not yet, but I’m encouraged.”
“What would you like for dinner? I have sandwiches for you for lunch since you ate a late breakfast. I took it upon myself to take Gimpy some steaks and a roast to be cooked in the bunkhouse.”
“That’s fine, Juanita. I want my employees to be fed well. By the way, please remember to not call him Gimpy. It was a sneering nickname that was given to him where he worked after he was injured so badly. Call him Will. I’ll remind myself of that, also. Can we have lasagna for dinner?”
Juanita patted Ginger’s shoulder and left. Ginger sat back in her chair and tried to visualize the sessions for next year’s guest ranch.