A Family Business
“Hey, why don’t we head over to talk to Mr. Harrison, Ez? That way you can find out exactly what you gettin’ yourself into,” JD suggested.
Ezra and Chris looked at each of their co-works and saw matching expressions of support and encouragement.
“All right, let’s head over there,” Chris agreed after receiving a nod from Ezra. Without thinking, they slipped into the same comfortable silent communication that Chris and Vin had shared since the forming of the team.
All seven men piled into their vehicles and drove in convoy over to the neighboring ranch. Mr. Harrison was thrilled to hear that Chris and Ezra were going to be able to purchase the land; he had hated the idea that the land was going to be sold to developers, but the situation would have been out of his hands as of the fifteenth. Three hours later, the three men agreed to meet a lawyer in the city the next day to sign papers and hand over a check. After asking permission, Ezra investigated the house, grounds, and facilities on the property. Ezra loved it, the view was fantastic, the buildings in good repair, and his imagination filled in the rest of the details.
“It’s beautiful, Chris,” he murmured to the man standing by his side as he gave the land one last look before heading back to Chris’s house.
“That it is, Ezra,” Chris agreed. Chris joined in the silent reverie for a few minutes, but his curiosity was piqued and he had to ask. “Ez, why are you doing this? From what you’ve said, you’ve got enough money to own a ranch on your own, why are you going partners with me?”
Ezra looked up at the taller man, deciding how much to tell him. Shrugging, he went for the whole truth, “When I was thirteen, I stayed on an uncle’s ranch for the summer, and loved working with the horses. I was a good rider and stable hand, but I never got into the technical and business side of it. I’ve studied what I could about the business through the years since then, but that’s a lot different from actually hands on experience. I want…no, I need that experience and your guidance. I love horses; their beauty, grace, and power. I know some about breeding and blood lines, but not enough. I need your help, Chris.”
Chris nodded. That he understood. Most of his knowledge he had learned from his father over many years of working beside him. Reading books could never teach you everything you need to know to raise horses, he was glad that Ezra understood that. It meant that he would be more likely to listen to Chris when he made suggestions and explained what would and would not work.
“My father raised horses, and taught be me the business. He always told me that he wanted me to pass along that knowledge. When Adam and Sarah were killed,” Chris stopped and swallowed the lump that formed in his throat before continuing. “When they died, I thought I wouldn’t have the chance to teach someone else the business.” Chris smiled as he put an arm around Ezra shoulders and lead him back towards where the others were waiting by the cars for the trip back to his house.
“’Course, I’m going to have a ball gettin’ you up at five in the morning to feed the animals. And teachin’ you to muck stalls is goin’ to be fun,” Chris continued to list the more disgusting chores and duties associated with horses while Ezra laughingly sputtered and protested.
Inside, Ezra was smiling and jumping for joy. Chris really was planning on him having an active part in this ranch. Chris want going to relegate him to watching from the sidelines, like he was afraid he might. This was almost too good to be true.
