Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I was astonished, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. “Thank you.” This was all above my head, and I crossed my arms over my chest. I’d never seen an actual set of blueprints.
“Slade explained that your current barn’s close to your home. If you move forward, you should consider pulling it farther away and let it create its own functional environment. Have the two structures separate. Let your current barn be your office or your private horse barn.”
I followed along as he pointed out the various areas on the blueprints.
“I didn’t have access to a lot of land. I own almost ten acres,” I explained.
He slowly turned the pages. If I understood what I was seeing, the plans included fences, additional barns and several paddocks. I took over the turn of each page, wanting to see it all.
“The plans are rough but were built taking into account the state’s animal welfare laws. No barbed wire, lots of shade trees, additional run-in structures to get the animals out of the elements. These plans include a biosecurity center in your original barn for easier access to veterinary care. I’m licensed to handle many things myself, that’ll help with money and cash flow to make it all happen. My sister’s my vet. She has room in her practice to take your ranch on too. She’s fairly priced.”
“Biosecurity like infectious diseases?” I asked, impressed by the thought that had gone into these plans.
“Yes, exactly,” Kitt answered.
We stood in silence as I rolled the original plans and opened the other ones. They kept me captivated until the final page.
“Can I take these home?” I finally lifted my gaze back to his. “Thank you for doin’ this.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll have these gathered and ready for you before you leave. My architect’s information’s on each plan. He’s waitin’ for your call,” Kitt said as he rolled the final set of plans back together. “You’ll also need a business plan to help get your funding started. I can help you with that too, no problem.”
A business plan? I had no idea what that entailed. I just wanted to take in as many horses and other animals as needed my help.
Kitt chuckled at the confusion that must have been on my face. “Unfortunately, the state doesn’t make it easy to get licensed. You’ll need one.”
Hmm. I was behind the curve in making this happen in Wildflower’s memory.
“Come on. There’s more to see.”
We left the plans on the table and we went through a door to a small hall. The next door required a code to enter. After a series of beeps, the door unlatched and opened. We entered a fully functioning laboratory. With the beakers, test tubes, people in white coats, it couldn’t have been anything else. The several staff members inside never stopped working, seemingly ignoring our arrival.
In the furthest corner of the room were several large drum barrels. Kitt guided me that way. “We’re on the leadin’ edge of embryo transfer technology. We can now detect critical genetic, developmental, and biological characteristics as long as we get the egg seven or eight days after ovulation. This is what I’m the proudest of.” He ran his hand the length of one barrel’s lid. “Wildflower’s eggs are stored here. Maybe think about lettin’ me pair her with Hooch. From what I understand, they had a lot of the same traits. Only a suggestion.”
Again, the pain of losing her wasn’t my first reaction, but it did show up this time as a slight pang in my gut. “Let’s talk about that in the future.” I managed a nod, and Kitt followed with another as if he understood.
“Sure. The offer’s here if you want it,” Kitt said, leading us out a back door into another small barn with a large treatment area and examining bays. No animals were present, but from the setup it was likely the place Kitt handled inseminations. “It’s lunchtime. My stepmother still provides my hands with food. I usually eat there.”
“What about Slade and Austin?” I asked, keeping pace with Kitt’s long stride through a Dutch door next to a large sliding stall door for the animals when they arrive. We walked around the building, back to the waiting horses.
“They might be there, but probably not. Austin’s in salesman mode, so he’ll be pullin’ out all the stops. The restaurant on the studio grounds has a Michelin star chef. They make anything from a ham sandwich to a gourmet meal at any given moment. I like eatin’ with the hands. Their unguarded words are somethin’ I need to hear to help make better decisions.”
I mounted at the same time he did. This time, I recognized the feel of the animal underneath me. It had been a long time since I’d been back in a saddle, but it still felt right as rain.