Calliope "Callie" Torres was down on her luck, she had left home, actually you were kicked out, the voice sounding a lot like herself was heard through her mind, rolling her eyes and huffing at herself she took another swig of the cold beer that was in her hand. Seriously who kicks there own daughter out of the family just because she happens to find women attractive as well as men? she questioned herself in her mind. Apparently your parents do, dumbass she scolded herself yet again in her mind, great and now I'm talking to myself; rolling her eyes again she sighed, she had been kicked out of her parents house about 6 months ago, lost her job 2 months ago, and for the last 4 months had been searching all over her hometown for a new place to work. Turning on the barstool that she had been sitting on and people watching she caught a glimpse of a flyer hanging on a cork board. Motioning to the bartender she asked him if she could see the pink help wanted flyer with black writing. Taking the flyer fom the bartenders hand, she read the words:
Help Wanted: Robbins Nest Ranch/Farm
The Robbins Nest ranch/farm is a solely female run ranch and farm, if you are a male please put this back from wherever you got it and continue on about your day, thank you.
Callie chuckled lightly reading the onpening words of the flyer, picking up her beer she took another sip and continued to read.
We are currently looking for a few more hands around the ranch, seeing that the Spring/Summer crops and produce are about ready to be harvested. There are already a few women that have come to us in the last few weeks and have been hired and as it turns out we are still in great need of more helping hands.
The hours are long and the days are hot, but you will be provided with accommodations and home cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You'll need to be up early and awake late finishing up whatever is needed done around the place, everyone will be assigned different things that need to be taken care of before the dinner bells rings at exactly 7:00 PM sharp. If the job that you are working is not completed there is no need to worry, just remember that you will need to finish it up first thing in the morning after breakfast.
Callie's eyes bulged reading the flyer, she couldn't believe her luck, she had been looking for some work and someplace to stay for 4 months and this flyer looked like it was exactly what she needed in her life right now. She had grown up in Texas all of her life, and her parents owned one of the most successful cattle ranches in the state, so she was used to the early hour mornings, even though she did complain about them, and the hard work that came along with taking care of such things as this flyer seemed to be laying out in front of her. Picking up her beer and finishing it off she placed it back down and excited eyes began to read from where she had left off.
Here is the timeline that you'll be following, yes we know that this a lot to ask of someone but if you where the right women for the job you won't mind this crazy schedule:
5:30 AM- wake up call
6:00 AM- breakfast in the main house (everyone is required to attend)
7:00 AM- chore hand-out
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM- working on your chores
12:00 PM- lunch in the main house (everyone is to attend unless your working on the range or in the fields, someone will bring the lunch to you instead)
1:00 PM- resume working on chores
3:00 PM- 30 minute break from whatever you're doing (you may do whatever you please in this amount of time)
3:30 PM- finishing up whatever chores you have left
6:00 PM- everyone returns to their own cabins to get cleaned up and changed
7:00 PM- dinner in the main house (everyone is to attend)
8:00 PM- meeting in the living area to discuss what was accomplished and what wasn't of the chores
8:30 PM- meeting ends and everyone is to go do whatever they would like
10:00 PM- everyone returns to the own cabins for bed
Yes we know that this may sound strict, but there is a lot that needs to be done in the next few weeks to make sure that we have a successful harvesting season and that the cattle will be properly ready for shows or to be sold.
You will be provided a cell phone, this comes with the pay, whatever is owed on the bill will be coming out of your pay before you receive it, you will also be provided your own horse. You may name him/her whatever you like and there will be free stables, food, and water for them. No need to worry about that. Your pay will come at the end of every other week (Friday to be exact) $650 every two weeks. We will take care of everything that you need, the cabins come fully furnished, a stocked kitchen, toiletries as well as working lights and water, again no need to worry. The only things that you will be paying for her is your cell phones and if you take one of the provided vehicles into town you fill it up on your return to the ranch/farm.
If you've read this and are interested in applying for a job please come to the ranch/farm (address will be listed on the bottom of the flyer) and ask to speak to Naomi Robbins, she owns the place.
Thank You for taking your time to read this, we hope to see you soon.
The Robbins Nest Farm/Ranch members
After reading the rest of the flyer and taking note of the address Callie folded up the bright pink paper and slid into the back pocket of her jeans. After laying some cash down on the bartop to pay for her beer Callie stood and headed towards the door, once stepping outside she pulled her aviators down from on top of her head and began making her way towards the hotel that she was currently staying in. The Robbins Nest is way on the outskirts of town, how the hell am I supposed to get out there? I don't have a vehicle anymore. She thought to herself as she stepped into the hotel and then head for the stairs and up to her room. The small hotel that she was staying was in the center of the town and very popular when something was going on in the area. All of the fairs, carnivals, and cattle/horse shows where thrown in the small part of town when you first came in, the area a huge grassy field with a high top tent standing in the middle. The tent was always up no matter if it was being used of not, a lot of the townsfolk liked to take their kids out to the big open area and let them just run and play to their hearts content.
Finally sitting in one of the oversized chairs in her room Callie looked over at the clock on the wall and sighed, it was noon and she still wasn't any closer to being able to make it out to the farm, sighing she got up and headed back to the front desk and smiled softly at the middle-aged womem behind the desk, " how can I help you ma'am?" she asked with a twinge to her voice. Callie smiled even wider hearing this, she loved the southern twang in anyone's voice, it reminded her of her grandmother, the only one who even remotely tried to get her parents to ease up on her and try to rationalize the situation and make it alright for her to be who she was. "Um, Yes, I was wondering if there was a way that I could find a ride or rent a vehicle to drive to The Robbins Nest?" she asked sweetly while pulling out the flyer from her back pocket. Smiling and nodding the lady behind the desk motioned towards the paper, "Naomi has bought a few new trucks from the dealership just across the street, she had informed us that if anyone asking about going there to let them know to go there and just drive one to the farm. You're going for a job there right?" the lady asked smiling softly. "Yes I am, and I think that working there will be the prefect thing for me." Callie said and smiled brightly, thinking that this was something that couldn't have gotten any better if she said so herself.
"Naomi also told everyone to tell anyone going for a job that they might as well bring there things because you won't be coming back to town, usually your hired on the spot, it'll save you the trouble of having to go all the way there and back twice" she chuckled and handed over the bill to Callie's room, "your bill has already been taken of by Naomi, anyone who is looking for work that stays here is paid for." Callie's mouth dropped open in shock,she couldn't believe this, her room was taken care of so she didn't have to spend what little money she did have on it, and now she had a way to get to the ranch and not have to worry about that as well. She couldn't believe her luck, "Thank You so much! I had a wonderful stay, this place is beautiful" she smiled before giving a small wave and heading back up to her room to pack her bags. After everything was packed and sitting on the bed she smiled, alright Callie, time to man up and go get this job she encouraged herself as she closed the door to the room and headed out into the mid-afternoon sun.
Once across the street Callie enformed one of the employers that she was looking to go to The Robbins Nest looking for a job and was told by the hotel employee that she should ask him for one of the trucks that Naomi had purchased. After showing the man the flyer, he escorted her out to the back where a line of trucks where sat waiting with the, "The Robbins Nest" logo on either side of he door, and across the back window. Callie smiled at him when he handed the keys over and threw her bags into the back, the trucks where nice, a bench seat and working A/C and radio. After turning on the truck Callie began to make her way to the farm, it was going to be about a 30 minute drive there and she didn't want to waste anymore time.
30 minutes later Callie was pulling into a gravel driveway, alright Cal you've got this, just because you haven't been around this kind of work before doesn't mean you can't do it, just because daddy said that you couldn't doesn't mean he was right, it can't be to hard right? You're used to being up at the ass crack of dawn to help your mother cook for all the ranch hands that lived on the ranch they owned, it shouldn't be any different here, get up and do the work you need to do, you've got this she tried to encourage herself before taking a deep breath as she began the journey down the gravel road. What felt like hours later, which was really only 15 minutes, a big white farmhouse came into view. The two story building loomed larger and larger as she drove closer to it, she could see the shutters were painted a soft green color, as well as a big wrap around porch with different sized rocking chairs scattered around the area. Looking out past the house, she saw women walking and some even running in different directions, some going into a huge red barn, someone going into what looked like a chicken coop, horses being lead saddled and ready to ride to the edge of a trail towards the back of the house, as well as some women going in and out of the big house. Taking a deep breath Callie pulled up next to some more work trucks and parked, shutting the engine off and grabbing the keys she finally stepped out to head towards the house and hopefully make a good first impression on Naomi Robbins.
As she walked up towards the steps of the house a beautiful red-head with greens eyes stepped out while pulling on a pair of worn out work gloves, she was wearing a white tank top that looked to be stained in a soft brown color from the dirt, as well as a worn pair of blue jeans and cowboy boots. Looking up from slipping on her left glove she smiled brightly towards Callie and pulled the glove back off extending her hand towards the new comer. "Hey there, I'm Addison, anything I can help you with?" she asked her smile still firmly in place.
Callie smiled at the friendly women and took her hand giving it a firm shake, "Hey, I'm Calliope Torres, but you can just call me Callie.." she trailed off when she noticed Addison's eyes go wide...
"Callie Torres? As in The Torres Cattle Ranch? THAT Callie Torres?" Addison asked incredulously, she still had a soft smile but something flashed behind her green eyes that didn't seem to friendly to Callie.
Slowly pulling her hand back, Callie tried to read the expression on the other women's face, she just couldn't place it, she was sure she'd never met this women before, "ummm yeah? That's my dads operation, do I know you?" she tilted her head and squinted her eyes looking at the women intently, she was trying to see if she recognized her, but she couldn't place her in any of her memories of going out onto the ranch with her father.
Addison shook her head smiled, "No you don't know me, I'm sorry about that, but and I'm just assuming here, you've come looking for a job, because you drove in one of the new work trucks, and Naomi only left instruction that if someone was looking for a job, and didn't have a way out here, that they could pick up one of the work trucks. I'm just a little surprised is all, I figured you'd be working for your father or something, since he owns one of the top cattle ranches here in the county." she explained with a soft smile towards Callie.
Callie tensed slightly at the mentioning of her fathers name and the ranch that she had grown up on, biting the inside of her lip she looked down at her shoes then back up to Addison, "Umm, I am not really on speaking terms with my father" she explained, her voice soft with a hint of pain edging in. "He, uh, he kicked me out about 6 months ago" she continued on sighing and shaking her head, "took my trustfund back and threw me on my ass...but its not about the money that has me so upset ya know?" she asked rhetorically shaking her head, "I just wanted him to accept me for me, all of me, even the lesbian side of me" she whispered more to herself then to Addison as tears began to gather behind her eyes, she quickly shook her head and wiped her eyes.
Addison had been listening intently to what was being told to her, she could by the way the Latina women in front of her really needed to just talk to someone about what had just so recently happened in her life, and she was more then willing to listen and be there for her if need be. The country woman in her wouldn't allow herself to be anything but friendly when someone seemed to be in need of a friend, but it was just that for her, she knew how hard it was to be working out here and how many men were going to try and take them down more then once because they didn't believe women should be running a farm, so she wanted to be a friend to this women, even if they just met, she could tell that they could become great friends. "Oh wow, honey I am so sorry" she said softly, she couldn't believe someone would do that to their own daughter, "well if there is anything that you need, make sure you come find me and if you get the job the cells come with everyone's number pre-programmed into them. Send me a text or call and I'll be there" she placed a reassuring hand on Callie's shoulder then smiled widely, "come on, I'll take you up to see MaMa Robbins" she nodded and dropped her hand before leading the way into the big farm house.
"Thanks Addison, I really appreciate everything, I think I might take you up on that offer to talk sometime in the near future" she smiled and then followed the redhead into the house. Walking up a flight of stairs that where situated to the left of the front door she took a deep breath, alright Cal, you've got this, no need to be worried, be yourself and she'll love you she encouraged herself and bit the inside of her lip again.
"Anytime, I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of each other" she gave a playful smile over her shoulder before turning and leading Callie down a long hallway coming to stop in front of a half opened door, "don't worry MaMa Robbins is a gentle loving women, she'll love you" she tried to calm the obviously nervous women. Raising her hand and knocking on the door Addison smiled reassuringly towards Callie.
Smiling and nodding her head, Callie prepared herself for her fate, she would either walk out of the front door with a job, or she would be trying to find a way back to town jobless.
"Addison, how many times do I have to tell you that you don't gotta knock on the door to see me" came a calming voice from behind the door, there was a playful edge to it as well, which made Callie smile and let out the breath that she hadn't even realized that she'd been holding.
Rolling her eyes Addison pushed on the door letting it swing open all the way, "yeah yeah MaMa Robbins, I know" Addison said as she lead the way into the big spacious office.
"I swear Ads, is there anyway I can convince you to become my head ranch hand? I know you keep saying no but good lord, these new women we've got don't know a horses ass from there nose" the older women said as she read over some paper that was on the desk in front of her. She had fading blonde hair, and wrinkles adorning her still beautiful face. "You're the only original I've got left other then Zona and lord knows that girl could run this ranch by herself if she was allowed" the women chuckled while shaking her head.
Nodding in agreement Addison smiled towards Callie, "yeah MaMa I know...and no their ain't no way I'm gonna be head hand, I love you and Zona, but I don't want y'all to have to call the law when one of them girls out there messes up and I get mad, you know my temper MaMa, I don't want to put y'all through that..." Addison trailed off and laughed, clearing her throat Addison smiled again towards Callie before clearing her throat again, "actually MaMa, there is someone here to see you, she's looking for a job, and maybe you can convince her to be your new head" she laughed before patting Callie on the shoulder.
Naomi Robbins quickly looked up at the mentioning of someone looking for a job, she hadn't raised her eyes from the paperwork she had been reading, now she felt bad for not doing so, "oh my, I am so sorry, I didn't realize someone else was here with Addison" she gave the other women a pointed look "and you didn't think to tell me someone was with you young lady?" she scolded playfully rolling her eyes, "lord now she's going to think I ain't got no manners" the women joked with a big smile before standing up and rounding the desk. "Please excuse Addison here, I swear that girl got manners somewhere inside of her" she rolled her eyes again playfully towards Addison, "Naomi Robbins" she said extending her hand out.
"MaMa!" Addison chuckled shaking her head, "you know what, I've got work to do, I can't just stay inside all day and order people around" she joked laughing and giving Naomi a kiss on her cheek before turning to head through the door, stopping next to Callie she placed her hand on her shoulder and winked, "ill see you outside after you speak with MaMa, I'll show you around your new home" Addison said smiling before heading out the door.
Callie nodded her head with a smile, "thanks Addison" she replied softly before turning her attention back to Naomi Robbins, taking the offered hand she gave it a firm shake with a nervous smile, "I'm Calliope Torres, but please call me Callie" she smiled softly, reaching her hand back she pulled out the flyer, "I saw this at the bar in town, and I was wondering if I could maybe work here?" she asked softly as she unfolded the paper and then looked up towards Naomi again.
Naomi smiled at Callie and then leaned back against the edge of her desk as she listened to the women introduce herself, when she heard the last name her eyes got wide, "wait, Torres as in The Torres Cattle Ranch?" she questioned wondering what this young women was doing inside her home looking for a job when her parents owned one of the top cattle ranches in the county.
"Umm...yes ma'am, that's my fathers place" she nodded her head nervously, hoping that because her father was who he was didn't mean that she wouldn't get the job here, "he uh, he kicked me out about 6 months ago, took my life savings away and said that I was no daughter of his" she explained quietly looking down towards her shoes, "I've been looking for a job and a place to stay for four months now, then I came across this flyer" she said holding the paper up "and I was hoping that I could come and work here " Callie added quietly before looking up to meet Naomi's gaze once again.
Naomi listened silently as Callie explained herself, she couldn't believe that someone would do that to the girl, she was a beautiful women and she wondered exactly why Callie had been kicked out, that's a story for another day, but I see sadness in her eyes so I'll keep an eye out on her and if she needs to talk I'll be there to listen she vowed to herself in side of her head before smiling, "well Callie, welcome to the family" she said and walked closer to the Latina women and pulled her into a hug.
Callie smiled brightly when she head Naomi welcome her to the family, to say she was beyond excited was an understatement, she was ecstatic, "thank you so much ma'am" she said with a mega-watt smile plastered to her face.
"Oh hey, none of that ma'am stuff around here, it's Mama now dear" she smiled softly before letting Callie go. "Here.." she said before walking around her desk and unlocking a drawer, she pulled out an iPhone and handed her box over to Callie, "your phone that we promised you" she smiled again "everyone's number is programmed into the phone already, the charger and case is in the box" she explained and closed the drawer, she opened another and pulled out a set of keys on a purple keychain and handed them over to Callie with another gentle smile, "I have you bunking with Addison, it seems like y'all will get along perfectly, and I can already see there will be a great friendship between the two of you" Naomi kept smiling as she came out from behind her desk again and pulled Callie into a warm hug.
Callie hadn't been expecting the hug, but she gladly returned it, "Thank You so much" she whispered quietly, feeling safe and protected for the first time in what felt like forever to her, "You have no idea how much this means to me, I will do my best to make ou proud and not regret taking me in" she added with a smile as she slowly pulled away from the embrace.
"There is no problem what-so-ever dear, I am glad that you are here, and I can't wait to see how well you do around here, I have a great feeling about you" Naomi smiled once again before stepping back around her desk and taking a seat."I'm sure Addison is outside on the front porch waiting for you to come so she can show you around, why don't you head on out and take a look around and settle in? I'll come by in a little while to make sure everything is going smoothly with you settleing in" the older women suggested with a sparkle in her eye, she was very excited about this new women that came to work for her, she could just feel that once she got the hang of things that she's going to be a force to reckoned with, and she was surely going to give her granddaughter, Arizona, a run for her money as well.
"Thank You again so much MaMa Robbins, you seriously have no idea how much this means to me" Callie said with another bright smile towards the women, "I'll go find Addison and let her know the good news" she giggled softly, before putting the box with her phone in her back pocket, and then hooking the keychain to her belt loop she turned to head towards the office door and down the stairs to let her new friend know that she would be staying as well as be her new roommate.