Ginger, you can’t continue working so many hours with so little rest and not eating most of the time. You gobble a breakfast and then you’re gone all day. When you come home you’re too tired to eat and just shower and crawl into bed. The human body can’t take that punishment long.”
“I’m fine, Juanita. Please don’t worry about me. I have to keep an eye on everything that’s going on. Frank does a great job, but he can’t be everywhere.”
“That‘s why the hands have been hired. They need to be assigned tasks and you just supervise. Learn to delegate.”
“That’s the ideal situation, but we must be realistic. Of the hands, six of them have been with us for a long time and I’m sure Grandfather trusted them. The others have been hired in the last couple of years as someone got too old or too sick to continue working, or just plain wanted to leave and go somewhere else. I’m telling only you, Juanita, I’m not sure I can trust all of the comparatively new hands.”
“Goodness, is there one you are suspicious of for sure?”
“No. I haven’t nailed anyone, yet. The invaders are getting information from someone who tells them where they should work and when it is going to be safe for them. If I had not ridden out the other night to see why someone was messing around my barn, those hoodlums would have gotten away with stealing thirty or forty head of mustangs. That reminds me. I need to go to the summer grazing ground and see if my cattle are still safe.”
“There are four men staying there in a line shack for the summer. Don’t you think they’ll keep careful watch over the cattle?”
“I don’t know. I am the owner and I need to see for myself.”
“Okay. I see you’re determined. I will pray every day and hope and pray the men can be trusted. It would kill me if anything happened to you. Do me a favor. Call the ranch attorney and write your will. I wouldn’t want this ranch, my home, to go to someone who wouldn’t love it as we have.”
“That’s morbid, but I understand what you’re saying. I’ll call tomorrow. There’s some other changes I want made.”
The next morning, Ginger worked four of the horses and then came in to make her call. She contacted the attorneys of Mark Shortt, Brian Mullins and David Red Fox who had represented her family for years. Mark Shortt’s father and Brian Mullins’ uncle had first opened the law office.
Both men had been very old when Mark and Brian graduated from law school and came into the business. They had been working less than a year when the elder Mr. Shortt died and Charles Mullins retired for good. Mark and Brian hired David to come in with them.
Grandfather Proudfoot had been friends with the elders and stayed with the new staff. One of grandfather’s goddaughters had been hired as receptionist and two other young women had been hired as secretaries. The ladies, who had been working with the original owners, had been with the firm for many years and were ready to retire.
David arrived on the Majestic Ranch the next morning. He had never met Ginger, but immediately ascertained that she was knowledgeable and a hard worker. After talking, he made the decision that she was going to be an excellent administrator of the estate. He was sure when he heard her suggestions.
“David, I want to deed ten acres to Hank and build him a house at the front of my property. He can continue to keep his horse in the barn. He’ll raise cane, but he’s worked long enough. Having him close will mean I can always count on him for advice and guidance.”
“Ginger, your grandfather would be so proud of you. It’s something he would have done for an old friend and a valued employee.”
“I think he would approve. Now for Juanita Yellow Bird. I want her to have this house and ten acres. She was born here and has lived in this house her entire life. She has been a loyal, faithful worker and deserves to know she’ll always have a home and be cared for. I’ll include, at a later date, how much money can be set aside for Hank and Juanita.”
“My partners are going to be impressed and pleased for you. I know that isn’t all. There’s hundreds of acres yet as well as horses and cattle.”
“I know and I want the land left for the mustangs. I’ll have to get with you later after I see what hands have been working several years. I’d like to establish a fund for any who are injured or too old to work longer.”
“You can add to or change the will at any time. Are you going to tell Hank and Juanita what you’ve done?”
“I didn’t intend to, but I’d better. Hank will splutter and argue, but it’ll do him no good. Juanita will also object, but will be relieved.”
“Good enough. Call on us at any time. I need to be going. I have other appointments later this afternoon and I need to prepare. Please call anytime.”
Ginger walked him to the door and then went to the kitchen to tell Juanita what she had done. Juanita was in her room adjacent to the kitchen. Her room was actually a suite. There was a sitting room with a sleep sofa, a plush lounge chair, a television, a table beside the chair with a telephone on it, and a small bookcase. In one corner was a tower of DVDs and a player.
In the next room was a lovely bedroom. A full-sized bed, a chest of drawers, a dresser and a small bookcase. There was a full bath with a glass enclosed walk-in shower and a shower spray. Carpeting was a soft beige with tan swirls and a deep nap on both rooms.
The windows, in both rooms, were four feet tall and six feet wide covered by cream vertical blinds. In the sitting room, there was a padded bench built in under the window. The top could be raised for storage or it could be used for a low seat to relax on and look out of the window. There were ceiling fans with lights in both rooms.
Ginger knocked at the door and waited to be told to enter. There was no answer, so she assumed that Juanita was taking a much needed rest before preparing for dinner.
Helen and Irene could be seen walking around the barn and looking over the property. Ginger was glad they had settled in so well. They shared a large room, twenty-five by twenty-seven, behind the living room. It had a full bath, twin beds, two chests of drawers and a large dresser. The same carpet and cream vertical blinds were on their two windows. They were thrilled with the privacy of their room. They had been so crowded at home and no way to keep anything of theirs private. This was pure bliss for them.
Bozo and Corker, her Border Collies, came to her wagging tails so hard they looked as if the back half of the body was curving. They were loving dogs and good guard dogs for the house.
Continuing to look out the kitchen window toward the barn, Ginger determined that she must take a couple of hands and ride up to the summer camp. She’d take a few of Juanita’s pies and some homemade bread to the working men staying up there.
Ginger was pleased to have a letter from BLM giving her permission to place a brand on the mustangs. It would be a freeze brand on the left side of the neck. The first numbers would be the date they were branded and then a number assigned to the horse with a MP to show it was the Proudfoot Majestic Ranch. This would be registered with BLM.
Inspectors had been good to look over horses brought in for sale for dog food. If they found a freeze brand, they notified BLM and the ranch where the horse had been. If the horse was stolen, there would be in investigation.
If the rancher was selling them, he or she would have to face charges. It was surprising the small
