If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you won't find it here. This story is fictional and so are the characters. However, the setting is a real and is located in Central Oregon. It does sit on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Please feel free to email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line.
Now just sit back and enjoy!
The Cabin by the Lake part II Chapter 7
The next morning, every one was sitting around the breakfast table just visiting.
"Dad, one of the horse ranches near Madras that supplies stock to some of the packing operations in Eastern Oregon is going to have a sale and they are giving us first choice before the sale even starts. We have a 1:00 appointment. Would you and Terry like to follow us over? Not only do they have a large amount of packing animals but also some good quarter horses for breeding stock," said Dennis.
"Sounds like fun, don't you think, Terry?" asked Jim.
"I am game. You'll have to give us directions," said Terry.
"Not a problem. Terry, you know the place very well because I have been with you on a couple of trips. It is the Richardson's Ranch," said Kyle.
"You're right. I know how to get there. I agree they have some real good animals and I think they will offer you a fair price. I have always been satisfied with my dealing with them in the past." Terry remarked.
"Mom, are you and the boys going with us?" asked Kyle.
"That is a silly question. You know that I have never turned down a go. I guess we'll just send the boys down to Loretta's, since there will be no one here to take care of them," Chuckled Mom.
"Oh, no you don't! We will leave you here and we will go. I have a different plan, Why don't we all go," responded Joel
"Good idea. Boys, you had better get some shoes on. Around the Madras area there are a lot of sticker weeds. I stepped in a patch of goat-heads once and that was enough for me!" agreed Mom.
"Why do they call them goat-heads? That is a funny name for a sticker weed," said Jeremy.
"This is a weed that creeps along the ground and there can be hundreds of seeds on each bush. Each individual sticker is oval shaped and has two very sharp pointed thorns on each side, thus making a shape like a goat's head," explained Mom. "They ruin more bicycle tires and cause a lot of sore feet. I will look for some when we get the Richardson's.
The boys ran and got their shoes. Everyone piled into the cars and away they went. Of course, Joel and Jeremy rode in the car with their granddads.
When they arrived at the Richardson ranch, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Richardson were sitting on the front porch the swing. "May I offer you something cold to drink and some chocolate cake with home made ice cream on top?" asked Mrs. Richardson. The boys immediately accepted and we all went into the house and had a most delightful treat and visit.
When every one had finished their treat, Mr. Richardson went to the frig and took out two, big carrots and broke them in half. He handed a half to each boy. "Take this and put it in your shirt pocket and leave the end sticking out. You'll find out later why." He put the other carrots in his own jeans pocket.
Mr. Richardson had previously corralled the horses, mules and donkeys that he had for sale. He broke a bale of hay open and had the adults take an arm load and opened the gate and told every one to follow him. "Scatter the hay out here in a line and you will get a good close-up view of all the animals except for the two hinnies over by the gate. Boys, you can come in now. Don't be afraid because those animals are like big cuddly teddy bears."
The animals came right up to boys and startled nuzzling them. The next thing the boys knew, they had taken the carrots out of boys' pocket and had eaten them. Both boys were squealing and giggling with delight. Mr. Richardson walked over to the boys and handed each another carrot half which were eaten right out of the boys hands. Mr. Richardson had made a day that they boys would remember a long time.
"Boys, Do you know what a hinny is?" asked Mr. Richardson.
"No, sir, we don't," said Joel.
"First of all get rid of that Sir business. That is for old people and I don't see any one here old enough to be called Sir. These two hinnies are twins. Their mother was a donkey and the father was a horse. They are just the opposite of mule which has a horse mother and a donkey father. Go ahead and walk around the feed lot. They will be by your side any where you go now. Why dont the rest of you go ahead and look the stock over and well talk business later."
The boys walked away and sure enough the hinnies were right by their sides. Of course the boys were still squealing with delight. Finally, Mr. Richardson walked up and asked the boys if they wanted to go for a ride. "I am going to lift you up and when I do, hang on the mane so you won't fall off. To make them move, lightly touch your heel to their side and use your tongue and cluck like a chicken. Mr. Richardson made the sound and the boys imitated him. To make them turn touch them with you hand on the neck on which ever way you want to go. To stop just holler Whoa!"
Out came the cameras and needless to say no one was looking at the rest of the horses and pack animals. After 20 minutes or so. The little show was stopped and the horse trading began in earnest. " I have separated my animals into different age groups. The ones in this lot where we are is probably the preferred group. I based this on my conversation with you Dennis. All of these animals are 8 years of age or less. They are all up for sale with the exceptions of the two hinnies that the boys have been riding," said Mr. Richardson. "The pen on the right has a bunch of yearlings that are not completely trained yet. Those in the pen on the left are the older horses and would be great with children and inexperienced riders."
"If you see an animal you like, we'll put a bridle on it and lead it over for a much closer look and I can give you information on it. I had one my men move a lap top out to a table by the gate. It has every thing you would want to know about each animal stored in its memory. If you decide you want an animal, then we'll move it into a holding pen over there, the others will be turned back into the pasture if you decide not to take the animal."
Finally, a total of 25 animals was selected, 10 horses and 15 mules. Mr. Richardson had each animal already priced and entered in the computer. All he had to do was hit the enter button and a total figure was displayed on the screen, Dennis and Kyle agree with the purchase price and the deal was complete.
Mr. Richardson said, "Joel and Jeremy, do both of you have any money in your pockets?"
"Yes, we have a little," said Joel reaching into his pocket and took out 47 cents. Jeremy did the same but he only had 16 cents.
"Now, boys would you like to buy the two hinnies. No, don't look to your dads for approval. This deal is only good between you two boys and me. I am asking a nickel from each of you but if you want to offer less, I will consider the offer. What do you say?" Jeremy quickly took a nickel and handed it to Mister Richardson. "One hinny belongs to you. You get first pick." Jeremy took off on the run and threw his arms around his hinny's neck.
"Here's the nickel for my hinny. Thanks Mr. Richardson,' said Joel and he took off on a fast run.
"Mr. Richardson, we will add the real purchase price to our total," said Dennis with Kyle shaking his head `yes'.
"The boys paid my asking price and they will get a bill of sale of their own. Martha and I love those two animals. They are like part of the family. We didn't know what we were going to do with them. We were not going to sell them to be used by a big commercial operation. When we saw you drive up and saw the kids get out of the car, we looked at each and grinned . We knew right away what we were going to do and we did it."
"Thanks, Mr. Richardson. The boys will be given the complete responsibility for the care and treatment of their animals. I saw the look of love that each boy gave to his animal. I think I know two animals that will become completely spoiled. I can foresee a huge carrot bill in the future," said Kyle.
"They also like apples. Martha and I hate to see them go. It will be like loosing a love one. However, we know they will have a good home and lots of love. All that we ask is that they never be sold and under no circumstance will they be sold to a slaughter house or rendering plant."
"Kyle and I can promise that will never happen. If something should happen to one or both of them, then we have a burial sight at the ranch and they will have a place of honor," said Dennis
"Mom, you want to come over here for moment and we'll go into the barn. We have a small mule in the barn. She is too small to be a pack animal or to carry a man. She is just the right size for a petite woman.. Martha rode her all the time and you'll just love her when you see her. You can have her for the same deal that we gave the boys.' said Mr. Richardson.
Inside the barn, Mom saw a beautiful little appaloosa mule and fell in love at once. Mr. Richardson slipped a carrot into Mom's hand . She didn't have to be told what to do. Mom walked over to the mule and held out her hand and the mule very gently reached over and took the carrot from Mom's hand. Mom let out a squeal of delight.
Mom started digging in her purse for a nickel but without any luck. "Mr. Richardson, I could only find a dime and I will not accept any change."
"Thank you. Kelly Jo now belongs to you."
Tears formed in Mom's eyes. "I have never had a pet before, no dogs or cats or anything. I lived in the city until I lost my husband and moved to Bend. Now, I have the prettiest animal on earth!"
"No, you don't! Maybe you should say, we have the prettiest animals on earth," said Joel who had come into the barn with Jeremy and the two hinnies following close behind.
"I stand corrected." said Mom.
"Now that all three owners are all together, I have another deal to make with each of you. Do any of you have your own saddle and riding gear?" asked Mr. Richardson. All three shook their head no. "I have three tailor made saddles. Two were made for small children and the other for a small sized woman and the three of you would feel right at home in your very own saddle which is on sale for only one penny each. Do I have any takers?"
Mom, Joel, and Jeremy all dug out a penny and handed it to Mr. Richardson, who opened a door and took out the three saddles. Mom could not believe her eyes and started to cry. "That is a real piece of art. I may just put it on display in my room. It is too pretty to use for riding. However, I bought it sight unseen to be used for ridding and that is just what I am going to do."
"Just think Jeremy, now we won't have to use saddles which are way too big for us and we have an animal that would very proud to have it upon its back. Thank you very much!" Joel said and ran over and gave Mr. Richardson a very big hug. Mom and Jeremy did the same.
"Boys, let's go to the house and give Mrs. Richardson a great big thank you kiss!" said Mom. All three left the barn and headed for the house.
"Dennis and Kyle, you know there was another reason that we wanted Mom and the boys to have those animals. Mules and hinnies are a lot more comfortable to ride than a horse. They are a lot safer in rough terrain because they are really sure-footed. Did you notice that the hinnies are a little larger than a pony but a lot smaller than a horse. This fact makes it a lot easier and safer for kids. In this case Mom's mule is also a lot smaller than most horses but still large enough to carry her with no problems. Martha rode her all the time."
"Thanks again. I am sure all three will enjoy their riding a lot more." said Jim. "Terry, maybe I should get me a mule, if they are that comfortable to ride."
"Look, Jim, you sleep enough in the saddle now. What would it be like if you were ridding a mule," laughed Terry.
"Mr. Richardson, I have called home and I have two trucks headed this way. So we might as well go to the house and complete our deal. I know that you are just waiting to get your hands on some of our money. You will just have to wait until you cash our check." said Kyle.
"You know, Guys, Martha and I are selling out lock, stock and barrel. Our sons have moved their families to Alaska and we want to be close to them. We will spend summers up there and will travel to warmer spots like some tropical island to spend most of the winter there. We have some friends who go to New Zealand to spend the winter. They want us to go with them and we may just do that this year."
"We will definitely be back and see what else we can find to buy, maybe the whole ranch We'll talk it over and see what direction we want to go. So we'll be in touch," said Dennis
"Not a bad idea. I would almost guarantee that the income from your place and mine would be almost the same. There is good money to be made breeding and selling good horses. People with money are always looking for some way to spend their money. A good line of quarter horses would be hard to beat," Mr. Richardson mentioned.
TBC