Authors Note: This is the introduction of a new ranch hand who will be coming to work at my ranch soon. He will be a voluntary participant in our family games. The lifestyle is accepted by the five of us. I miss the boys being away at college so much, but Angel and I are keeping busy!
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I was again sitting outside, reclining on my chaise lounger, wearing only my famous terrycloth bathrobe, which wasn't tied or closed. My coffee again had Baileys in it, and I was extremely relaxed.
My wife Tammy walked out with a cup of coffee in her hand she would not finish but instead leave on the patio table, sat down beside me, dressed to the nines for her day of volunteering at the hospital's gift shop, and said, "Dean, our board meeting at the University went well last night. I would like to talk to you about something serious, please."
The University in question is a branch of a major Texas University four hours away outside of the Metroplex. Still, our local attendance is very high, primarily due to the beautiful scenery around Sterling Rock, the County Seat and the largest city of Rock County. We have beautiful blue lakes, exceptional shopping, excellent eating establishments, hiking trails, and a State Park. We are home to a Recognized Trauma Hospital, and we have a Regional Airport. Our area is a desired place to live and raise a family in a small city setting, with a few high-end neighborhoods and Country Clubs. Several ranches, like ours, occupy thousands of acres on the city's outskirts. Our ranch is in an unincorporated area northwest of the city limits.
The entire area is an oil-based industry, making the population wealthy and the economy remarkably prosperous, even on already aspiring ranch land.
"Ok.", I replied.
"Well, we have accepted an exchange student. But not just any exchange student. A very unique one. He is a brilliant young man. He is 26 years old and resigned from The International Affairs Internship Program at the University of Hustonhas last year. It turns out that he doesn't like Politics after all. So, after staying involved with the program and continuing to work, he applied to our university. He maintained a 4.0 every semester before quitting. He completed all his studies in record time! He's an exceptional young man, but he couldn't agree with the Politics. He also tested positive on the genius level. He's an exceptional young man."
"Ok.", again I replied, uninterested.
"Well, that's not exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. He wants to study in Texas because his new major will be Agricultural Science. Exactly what you studied forty years ago; he doesn't have any actual ranch experience, and he really knows nothing about country living, but he is eager to learn. So I was thinking.."
"Tammy. No."
"No to what? You haven't let me finish. So hear me out, Dean Daniels!"
I knew I had to sit here and listen to her, so I leaned back, pulled my knee up, let my robe open slightly more, which allowed my gentiles to be exposed to the fresh morning breeze, and refilled my coffee cup with Baileys.
"You know, with Angel and Michelle moving next door soon, you will need to keep that robe tied. With the littles so close, they could show up quickly. And since Angel works for you, I'm sure he will be over in the mornings before you dress. It will most definitely embarrass Angel if he accidentally sees you disrobed, with that ding dong of yours flopping around."
