Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2020 19:21:21 -0800
From: Backwoods Boy . <backwoodsnatureboy@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ranch Boy Next Door - Part 24

Hobby Farm Plans

"What if you put the barn on your current lot?  It would require a little
clearing in the back corner next to the thirty acres, but it would leave
the six five-acre lots free of buildings.  Down the road, it could make
them easier to sell.  It's closer to the pump house, and it would also
allow you to get electricity by extending your current utility connection.
It would also make permitting easier.  You would need a forty-foot setback
from the adjacent lot, but the removal of thirty feet of the current fence
and construction of two sections of new fence will connect the barn to your
pasture area."

Dad reflected on what Pete had just suggested.  "What about vehicle access?"

"The main doors for vehicle entry will be on the end facing your house,
although you should put sliding doors on the side facing the thirty acres
too for animal and work entry.  You can use the dirt road that's next to
the pasture fence on your current lot to get direct access to the main barn
entry door.  The sliding doors on the side will provide direct access to
your pasture.  A gate in the fence nearby will provide additional access
from your current lot."

Dad thought a little more.  "I like that approach.  Let's set it up that
way.  What are your thoughts on size?  I was thinking about twenty-four
feet by thirty-two feet."

"If you have the funds, I would make that thirty-two by forty-eight.  And
it should be an open design to give you versatility in how you use it.
Compared to other types, pole barns aren't that expensive.  At first you're
going to feel like you've overdone it, but with a handful of cattle to
shelter in bad weather, some hay and grain stored, a tractor and other
equipment, it will fill up fast.  I would start thinking now about a
separate smaller equipment shed combined with a workshop."

"What about siding and roofing material?  There seems to be a choice
between plywood and metal."

"Metal for the roof, definitely.  For the siding, there are pros and cons.
If you like the wood look, HardiPanels are becoming popular.  They cost
more than plywood, but they're very durable and don't require a vapor
barrier."

"And what about the floor?  I was thinking of going with dirt and gravel to
start with.  Should we put in a concrete floor?"

"I would start out with dirt and gravel, unless you're going to use it a
lot for cattle.  If it's primarily equipment and feed storage, that will be
adequate.  You can add a concrete floor later if you need to."

Pete turned to Rusty and me.  "Boys, will you please grab the stakes,
five-pound sledge, and long tape measure from the truck?  And bring the bow
saw, too.  We may have to cut a little brush to lay out the barn site."

Rusty grumbled as we headed for the truck.  "I wish he wouldn't call us
'boys'.  We can do as much work as he does."

I grinned.  "Don't worry about it.  Pete's just tryin' to show Dad he's an
adult.  Tonight, you can prove to me that yer not a boy any more."

Rusty's laughed as his good humor came back.  "I don't gotta prove that.
I've done that already."

I grabbed the stakes and sledge.  "Well, maybe you could demonstrate it
once more."

Rusty grabbed the saw and tape measure and grinned back.  "Yeah, I could do
that if you insist.  By the way, I overheard Austin and Andy talkin', and
it sounds like they demonstrated last night that they're not boys either."

I smiled reminiscently.  "Yeah, we'll talk about that later, too.  I
learned a new trick to share, but it requires one more participant."

Rusty's eyes lit up.  "I wondered if you'd done something like that.  I
can't wait to hear about it."

It didn't take long to set some preliminary stakes for the barn.  Pete was
right.  Yes, there would be some clearing and leveling to do.

As we stood and considered the results, Pete had more observations.  "One
thing I like about this building site is that it slopes gently away in all
directions, and that the general slope is towards your house and the road.
We only get moderate precipitation here, and the ground absorbs water well,
so you shouldn't have any drainage problems."

Dad had another thought.  "Should we plan for any rain gutters, at least
over the doors?"

Pete smiled slightly.  "Don't bother.  The snow sliding off the metal roof
would take them out the first winter."

"I've got a lot to learn, I can see.  Thanks so much for helping me get
started."

"I'm glad to help.  And keep in mind that kid of yours has learned a lot
this summer.  He can tell you a few things, too."

I frowned slightly at the demeaning term.  "Hot kid", yes.  "That kid",
no.  Rusty grinned and poked me in the ribs with his elbow.

Dad put a hand on my shoulder.  "Toby and I have already discussed that
aspect of things.  I'll take full advantage of his experience.  One more
thing I'd like to discuss.  Let's look at how to make water available to
the thirty acres."

Pete had answers.  "We had a basic plan when we put in the well and pump
house, and that's why it's at the back of the property.  If you run a
four-inch line down the back of the lots ten feet from the property line,
you can put in risers for what pasture irrigation you need, as well as
other use.  In the future, that same line will serve the domestic needs of
the individual five-acre properties."

Dad smiled.  "Thanks, Pete.  That sounds like a good plan.  I've looked at
pole barn sites online, and I plan to go with a package with
pre-constructed trusses.  Do you have a suggestion for a local contractor
to clear the site and put it up?  And perhaps a plumbing contractor to put
in the water system?"

"I'll email you some links to a couple of local guys that I've dealt with.
I think you'll be pleased.  And one more thought.  If Toby wants to learn
how to build a pole barn, you might get the contractor to let him help out
informally.  Toby can't work for pay because you have to be sixteen to work
in construction, as you undoubtedly know.  However, as you also know, there
are no constraints on doing agricultural work for your parents.  I consider
putting up a pole barn to be agricultural work.  Or maybe you could call it
an 'internship'."

Dad and Pete grinned at each other.  "I like the way you think, Pete.
Thanks so much for your guidance.  And you too, Rusty.  I'll go ahead and
order the materials and line up the contractors you suggest.  I've already
hired a fence contractor, and Toby would like to discuss that."

Now I could demonstrate that I wasn't a kid.  "Dad put me in charge of
restoring the fence around the thirty acres.  Then we'll have to put in
some corral fence and the connecting fence you talked about, and split the
thirty acres into two working sections.  I plan to do the work myself at
first, but Dad said I can hire my friends if I want to.  Do you have any
wisdom to share for that project?"

Pete had advice.  "I'm happy to see your dad making use of your knowledge
and skills.  The fence around the thirty acres is in fairly good shape.  We
were using that part for spring pasture as recently as a year ago.  A
couple of posts may need to be replaced, but other than that, it's just a
matter of simple wire repair, and perhaps a little more work with the
gates.  You should be able to do that yourself or with your friends."

Pete paused to think and then continued.  "For putting in new fence, I
suggest more experienced help getting it on the lot lines and putting in
the posts.  After that, I have no doubt that you can do it as you've
planned.  Keep in mind that your friends, and you too, may be busy with
other work for the next month or two, so that part may come later.  For the
corrals, you may want to use the same contractor who puts up the barn.  We
can plan the details of that later, but it's a job best left to the
professionals."

"Thanks, Pete.  I hope Rusty will help me.  I've been watchin' him repair
fence a lot lately, and he knows just what to do."

Rusty smiled.  "I'll be happy to do that, of course, but I'll be busy for
the next several weeks with harvest on our family ranch."

Pete added to that.  "Toby, remember that Rusty, and anyone else who is
twelve or thirteen, needs written permission from a parent to work in
agriculture, other than on the family ranch.  And what Rusty said about
being busy in the near future applies to Andy, Austin and Nate, too.  If
you want to get started, you might consider Jason.  I'm sure his dads would
give him permission to work here.  It would give him an opportunity to get
started with a part-time job, and you would have an opportunity to teach
him what you learned from Logan and Gramps."

I liked the idea.  "Thanks for all that information, Pete.  I'll talk with
Jason and his dads and see what we can work out.  If that won't work, I can
just get started on my own and get help later on."

Dad's cell phone indicated a text message.  "Ellen says dinner is ready.  I
hope you're all as hungry as I am."

************

The menu was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob -
very fresh, Pete and Rusty had brought it with them.  They had also
supplied the fresh peaches that went into the pie.  Mom didn't have her own
garden yet, and the fruit trees Dad had planted were in their infancy, but
she was becoming resourceful about making use of local produce, both
purchased and shared by neighbors.

There was some further conversation about barn construction, but then Dad
had another subject.

"Pete, with your experience in the law enforcement field, have you
considered a law degree?"

Pete thought a moment.  "I've always felt that working for the county
sheriff was a way to stay in the community and maintain my connection with
the ranch.  Among other things, they let me take my vacation during the
wheat harvest, which is helpful to the family.  And now that I've been
promoted to deputy sheriff, my position is more secure.  I wouldn't want to
look at any career that would take me away from here."

Dad considered a moment.  "Well, I think you would do well if you chose to
pursue a law degree.  You have the right kind of mind and thinking
process.  Keep in mind that you can do a lot of the preliminary studies
online.  Unfortunately, the University of Idaho in Moscow has the state
program, but the newer law school at Concordia University in Boise is good,
and you could commute for the classes you need to take in person.  There
could be opportunities to practice law right here if you wished.  It's a
career that can be pursued almost anywhere."

Pete reflected for a few moments.  "Thanks for the idea, and the
information about how to go about it.  I'll consider it."

After we finished dinner, Pete took me aside.  "Toby, we'll be starting
wheat harvest this week.  Dad said he'd talked to you about helping us.
Are you still available?"

I tried to keep my excitement controlled, since I wasn't a kid any more.
 "Sure, how would you like me to help?"

"I'd like you to drive the wheat truck.  You can't drive on public roads
yet, but just like working for Gramps, you can on private property.  We
have two trucks, one borrowed from Gramps.  What we did last year was have
Dad run the combine, Rusty drive the truck to the public road, and then I
would drive it to the grain elevator in town.  This year, Dad wants to
teach Rusty to run the combine.  If you could take Rusty's place a few
hours each day driving the truck, it would help."

I was pumped, but tried to be casual.  "Sure, I would like to do that."

Pete grinned, and I knew I'd failed at being casual.  "Gramps and Dad share
equipment and labor.  I've already talked to Gramps, and you might be asked
to help there the same way."

"Okay.  When does this start, and how long will it all take?"

"We'll start this Tuesday.  Our crop will only take a week or so.  So will
Gramps', but he planted later so he won't harvest for a few weeks yet.  In
preparation, could you come over for truck driving lessons tomorrow
morning, say about nine o'clock?"

"No problem."

"Good!  I'll see you then."

************

Rusty and I were lying in bed looking at the ceiling.  He was recovering
from demonstrating that he wasn't a boy, and I was basking in the afterglow
of great sex.

Rusty opened the topic.  "So, what about last night?"

"The short story is that I was the filling in a twin sandwich."

"They did double penetration on ya?"

"So, ya know about double penetration.  I had to be educated."

"I've heard about it, but I don't know exactly how it's done."

I jumped out of bed and sat down at my computer.  "Come here a minute."

Rusty looked over my shoulder as I started a video I'd found earlier.
 "They did that to you?"

"Uh huh.  It was the wildest thing I've ever done."

Rusty pulled up the other chair and watched for a while.  "Holy shit!  Ya
wouldn't get me to do that. Not in the middle anyway."

"Two beers helped."

"I thought ya looked rather mellow when Nate and I got our sleeping bags."

"Yeah, I was.  And you could do the top part if ya wanted."

"Would you do the middle part again?"

"Yeah, or the bottom part, whichever worked best."

"Who's gonna be the third person?  Never mind, I just figured that out."

Rusty flopped down on the bed again, hard as a rock.  I got out the ruler
and quickly checked.

I flopped down beside him and turned towards him.  "Okay, it is seven and a
half inches.  I gotta find someone smaller to do DP with."

Rusty stroked his boner and grinned.  "I can be gentle, ya know.  Here, let
me demonstrate."

"You can demonstrate again a little later.  How did yer night go with Nate?"

Rusty looked at the ceiling again, tears in his eyes.  "He told me
everything he told you.  And I bet you saw some of it on video too, but we
won't go there."

I leaned over and kissed him.  "We don't need to talk about it if it's too
painful."

"I need to share it with ya.  After he filled me in, I just held him tight
for a long time until he stopped cryin'.  Then we talked about all the
years we've known each other and we shared the good times we've had.  We'd
never talked about sexuality.  It was a surprise to me that he considered
Logan his boyfriend.  He'd never talked about it, and then once the abuse
started, he didn't talk about anything."

Rusty paused to get his emotions under control.  "We made love together for
the first time.  It was really beautiful.  He's very special to me.
Afterwards, I felt guilty, like I was cheatin' on ya.  I didn't feel that
way when I did it with Jace or Andy.  Then I thought about what you and
Nate and yer mom said about lovin' more than one person, and different
kinds of love.  It's confusing, but I think I'll figure it out."

I pulled Rusty close and stroked his hair.  "You weren't cheatin' on me any
more than I was cheatin' on you.  We'll all figure it out together.  All
three of us.  Actually all six of us in the ranch boy club will figure it
out together.  Did he say any more about how his counseling is goin'?"

"No, but he did say he's participating in a support group for the abuse
victims that's bein' sponsored by yer dad's law firm."

"I didn't know about that group, but I'm glad he's involved.  It's another
source of help besides you and me and the ranch boy club."

Rusty wiped the tears from his eyes.  "I'm ready for another
demonstration.  Are you?"

Rusty was usually gentle, but this time he brought gentle to a new level.
For a half hour or more, he brought a feeling to lovemaking that neither of
us had ever experienced.  There was no hurry.  We had all the time in the
world to enjoy each other's bodies and souls to the fullest extent.  When
we finally reached the climax, we carefully held on to it as long as we
could, and then fell asleep without moving.

************

I woke up early in the morning.  Rusty had rolled over beside me.  I needed
to clear my head.  I got up, grabbed a bathrobe, and walked out into the
back yard.  In the country darkness with no moon, millions of stars were
visible overhead.  A meteor flashed as it entered the atmosphere, and then
it was gone.  I realized once more how much I loved living in the country.

I reflected on love, and realized I was now in love with three guys.  Nate
had a special place in my heart, along with Rusty and Logan.  I loved
Austin, Andy, and Jason too - to a lesser degree, but each in his own
special way.  All of these guys were far more than friends now.

The other part of love was how it changed over time.  I was sure I would
always be in love with Rusty, but would I?  Would he always be in love with
me?  How was Nate going to fit into this?  I would have to be open to
change, because it had already happened and was going to happen again
whether I was open to it or not.  All I could do was to love others, and
enjoy whatever came back to me.

A faint glow began to show in the east, and the stars began to fade.  A new
day, with new opportunities.  New opportunities to show love and caring...

The door behind me opened and closed quietly.  I looked around and found
Dad walking towards me, and then standing beside me.

Dad broke the silence.  "It's beautiful at this time of day, isn't it?"

I smiled at him.  "Yes, it is.  I gotta get up and watch the sunrise more
often."

... new opportunities to show love and caring.  I put an arm around Dad's
waist and gave him a hug.

"Thanks for everything, Dad."

He put a hand on my shoulder.  "You're welcome, Son."

Dad went back into the house, and I soon followed.  Crawling back into bed
beside a still-sleeping Rusty, I soon dozed off.


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