Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:38:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Joe Collins Subject: Cabin by the Lake Part 2 Chapter 13 If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you won't find it here. This story is fictional and so are the characters. However, the setting is a real and is located in Central Oregon. It does sit on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Please feel free to email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line. Now just sit back and enjoy! The Cabin by the Lake part II Chapter 13 After a big breakfast of waffles, ham, and eggs, everyone loaded into the small bus and headed for Bend. Terry and Jim arrived at Nancy's office a few minutes ahead of the bus. Once all the paperwork was completed, everyone, including Terry and Jim, jumped into the bus and headed for the Richardson Ranch. Excitement filled the air and the boys were trying very hard to contain themselves, so Mom decided to teach them a new song---`99 bottles of beer`. So the miles began to slip by and everyone was singing. When they finished singing the song, Jeremy wanted to sing it again. Mom asked him if he would rather learn a new one and he said yes. So `the ants go marching one by one' was sung by everyone, at least 4 times. All that was left was `row, row your boat' and that was saved for on the way home. The bus pulled into the Richardson Ranch. Earl and Martha Richardson were sitting on the front porch waiting for the group to arrive. "Hey boys, I have a hutch of baby rabbits would you like to see them. The rest of you can go in and have a cup of coffee and a homemade cinnamon roll. We well be back in a few minutes." The each boy came back cradling a cute little bunny in his arms. One had a pure white bunny and the other had a jet black one. "I know what that means," said Mom. "Mr. Richardson, you gave them a bunny. Didn't you?" "Now, would I do something like that?" "Yes, Mr. Richardson, you would. One of these days, you'll get into trouble for not asking first," scolded Martha. "Not only did I give them two bunnies, but also a cage and some food and a water bottle. I made sure that they had two females. Can't have a whole bunch of little bunnies running around, now can we? I showed the boys how to pick them up and told them never to pick them up by the ears. They promised not to hurt the bunnies by doing so. What are you going to name your bunnies," asked Mr. Richardson. "Jeremy, I bet you are going to call yours `Blackie' because he is all black." "Nope, she is Roberta. I can't call a girl bunny Roger Rabbit. Who ever heard of a girl called Roger." "I guess he told you, Mr. Smarty Pants," said Martha laughing so had she had tears in her eyes. "Kyle and Dennis, did you come out to get some more hinnies? Do you kids still like the hinnies that I sold to you? By the way what did you name them?" asked Mr. Richardson. "I love my hinny. I named her Mooch because she is always mooching something to eat," said Joel. "I named mine Carrot. Do you know why?" asked Jeremy. "I bet it is because she is orange and looks like a carrot but she doesn't have a green top like a carrot. So why?" "Mr. Richardson, you're funny. She likes carrots, so I just call her Carrot," laughed Jeremy. "Actually, Mr. Richardson, we came out here to buy all the hinnies that you have, along with all the rabbits, chickens, cows, pigs, horses and any other animal that you may have. We have sold our place to Jerry. If you are still considering selling Richardson Ranch, we would like to buy it." Dennis said. "By the way, how many acres do you own? "I have 300 acres and Yes, we are going to sell out. Martha and I were just getting ready to call you. We are going to ask $1,200,000. In case you are interested, the place next door is going to be put on the market soon. The owners are in the same boat as we are. They want to retire and move closer to their children and grandchildren. Do some traveling and see the world. It has 250 acres and Taylor grazing rights. There are 150 acres in alfalfa all of which is irrigated by a sprinkler system. They have a large herd of black angus cattle. They are asking $900,000. Cattle and livestock will be extra. If you want, I can have Martha give them a call and invite them over," said Mr. Richardson. "What do you think?" asked Terry "That sounds like a good deal to me." "Should we give them a call?" asked Kyle. "Yes, Martha, make you call, please. Thanks!" replied Dennis. "Now, let's talk business on your place." "Would you like to take a ride and look it over. I have a hay wagon loaded with bales of hay on which to sit, I bet Mom is the only one who remembers a good old fashion hay ride. I pull it behind the tractor so we can all ride on the wagon at one time. I'll have the foreman drive it for us," said Mr. Richardson. "I remember it very well. Only we had a wagon piled with loose hay. The boys and girls paired up and dug a hole in the hay and did a lot of smooching. That is how I got my boyfriend to propose to me," chuckle Mom. "Mom, you didn't?" giggled Joel. "Sure did! I loved going on a hayride and always looked forward to the next one." "A hayride sounds good and I don't think we will get an argument from the boys." said Kyle. So we took a guided tour of the ranch and some of the adjoining BLM land which was a nice surprise for everyone. A little stream ran through the area and fed a small lake making a perfect place to camp and fish. There were several trails for hiking and riding. Some of the trails were on flat land and easy to travel. Others went into the hills and offered a little more of a challenge. This was a nature lover's paradise with a large abundance of wildlife in the meadows and adjoining forest. One couldn`t ask for a better setting for a dude ranch, a primitive campground, youth camp, or a small pack station like the one at Elk Lake. There were plenty of opportunities and just had to be developed. "We had better leave for the house. We have a meeting with the next door neighbors and only 15 minutes to get there. We had better beat a hasty retreat and not let any grass grow under our wheels," said Mr. Richardson. Larry and Sheila Larson arrived and suggested that we take a tour of farm before we did anything. So we piled back on the hay wagon and we were off again. We were surprised to find a large, ultra-modern 4 bedroom house with a very large enclose swimming pool, a small 3 bedroom house, a bunk house with cook's house and dinning hall next door. Of course there were several out buildings(not outhouses either), two very large barns, two very large covered pole buildings for storing hay, several corrals/feed lots and all types of farm equipment. Kyle and Dennis agreed to purchase both parcels of land, buildings, equipment, and animals, They had formal offer papers from Nancy in anticipation of this endeavor. All they had to was fill in the purchase price and sign it. Kyle and Dennis had another set of blank ones just in case they made an error. They use these for the Larson property. When both sets of paperwork had been completed, the signed and witnessed papers were presented to each of the owners along with papers for the owners to accept, counteroffer or reject. Of course the two owners agreed to accept the offer as it was presented since Dennis and Kyle were accepting their terms and price. The foreman from each ranch was called to be the witnesses. All that was left was to put earnest money down on each piece of property. Kyle wrote one check and Dennis wrote the other. Nancy had agreed to handle all the paper work for them at a very reasonable fee. Joel and Jeremy had the bunnies with them in the porch swing and were talking to them. It was very plain to any of the adults listening that the boys were very excited about moving and they wanted to move now but decided to wait until Jerry had been trained. Both the Larsons and Richardsons had a full work crew for the summer plus the full time employees. The workers all agreed to stay and operate the ranches. Dennis and Kyle wanted to spend the time remaining before school started helping Jerry get established and trained to run the Wilderness Experience. Terry and Jim would come out and show him the ropes for the winter operation. ***** On the way home, Everyone was in the talking mood. The boys were listening to everything being said and occasionally would join in. They had their portable games and were having a lot of fun. "I am glad that we bought this ranch. I loved the one at Elk Lake but this one will be just as good and as much fun. There are a lot of trails and we can still go riding," said Joel. "I liked all the baby calves and all the other baby animals. Baboon, Can we still come and see you?" asked Jeremy. "Screamer, of course you can. All of you are always welcome," said Jerry. "When you two decided to do something, you do it up big time and in a hurry," said Terry. "If you had not purchased both places today, Jim and I were going to buy them. I think you got a real good deal. You will be able to pay cash and still have operating expenses left over. Way to go Guys." "I am starting to get scared. I have never done anything like I'll have to do with running the Wilderness Experience. I've talked it over with Mom and Dad and they want to come in as partners. I wanted to get your feelings before I said yes." said Jerry. "Jerry, I was in the same boat as you are when I took over our operation. I was thankful that Terry was there to take me under his wing and trained me. Kyle came into my life shortly after I took over. We learned together. Sure we had our ups and down but we survived. Your have Luke and Carol, our managers, to show you the way as Terry did for us. Loretta and Richard are going to stay until you get your roots down. Then they want to retire and live the life of leisure. So what do you have to worry about? Nothing, it will all fall into place and you will become an expert." said Dennis. "Sure you are going to make a little booboo now and then. Don't let it throw you for a loop. Learn from it so as not to repeat it again." "You make it sound so easy. I still have big butterflies flying around in my stomach. What do you think about Mom and Dad joining me?" asked Jerry. Jerry, that is your decision. It doesn't matter what I think. The important thing is what do you think?" asked Dennis. "I knew you were going to say that! I have already made my decision. I talked with them the day of the barbeque. They said yes!" Now, I am all excited about becoming a family," said Jerry. "You see, Jerry, you made a decision on your own and I must say a very, very good one. Trust yourself and then you won't go wrong. Jerry, you have grown up and became your own person. So how does that feel?" asked Dennis. "Dennis, for the very first time in my life, I feel absolutely marvelous all over. In fact I get all tingly inside." Jerry replied. "Hey, Jerry! I love you." said Joel and he went back to his game. "I didn't even know you were listening. I assumed that you were involved in your game." "Huh, did you say something to me, Jerry?" Joel said laughing. "Hey, Baboon, I have been listening too and you haven't even said one nasty word." said Jeremy. "Screamer, do you want me to say a nasty word?" "No, and you had better not because you will get your mouth washed with soap!" Now everyone in the bus were laughing. When they pulled into the driveway at home, Jerry noticed his dad's car parked in the driveway and no one was around. He took off toward the Bed and Breakfast. Dennis and Kyle were right behind him. "Dad, is everything all right. Why are you out here?" yelled Jerry as he went flying through the door. "Hey, relax! Can't a guy even visit his sister with out getting permission. The bank called and the money transfer has gone through. Now all we have to do is sign the final papers and this place will be ours." said his dad. "Jerry, your mom and I have been doing a lot of thinking and talking. We want to let you make your own decisions and we'll need our own space. Here is the plan that we have come up with. Your Mom and I will take over the Bed and Breakfast and let Loretta and Richard retire. They will take two weeks and then they are gone. She is going to leave all her recipes and all the things needed for the B and B. Loretta has written a manual of do's and don'ts on running the bed and breakfast. We are moving out tomorrow. Our manager is going to take over run the ranch and will get a big raise. You will need a place to winter all the livestock and to grow hay. We can use my place. So how does that sound so far?" "I think that is absolutely great. Don't you think, Guys? I am sorry, I know what your reply will be. I have to make my own decisions. Right!" "Right you are! I must say, however, that I like what I have heard so far." Kyle said. "Go ahead, Lonnie, I want to hear the rest of what you have to say." "Jerry, you will have the big house and will be in charge of running the pack trips and that end of the operation. You might say, that is your baby and the B and B is ours. So how does that grab you?" "Dad, you don't know how happy this makes me. I will be my own man. You and Mom will be close by. We can become a family." Jerry said with tears running down his face. "I told myself that I wasn't going to cry but I don't care, it feels so good." "Jerry, look around you. There is not a dry eye in this whole room. So go ahead and have a good one," said Dennis. Jerry's mom and dad grabbed him and was just standing there hugging and kissing him. "Jerry, My first piece of advice for you is to hire some one to do all the office work, scheduling, and accounting for you. That is one head-ache you don't need and will free you up full time. Dennis and I were going to do it but never got around to getting it done. We have some good friends who may be able to help find someone and that way we won't have to go through the employment agency or advertise in the paper. This will cut the interviews way down and we won't have to deal with all the kooks out there. I say `we' because Dennis and I will help you find someone." suggest Kyle. "Thanks, I appreciate that. I am glad that you are going to help because I don't know the first thing about interviewing and all that other stuff." said Jerry. TBC