No copyright infringement intended.

We got a bit of a time jump, and a lot is going on. So, hold on & watch things develop.

LIFE

Chapter 38

OMG, I could just about go out there, and hug me some mens necks. We got my...our house just about done. They are working on the inside as I speak. I guess I need to spend some time on the computer ordering the furniture we picked out.

We were coming up on the middle of April, and things were moving along smoothly. As I said, they were morking on the inside of our house. Another team was working on the horse barn. well, the first part of it. I have a feeling it is going to need to be extended. The way I understand it Emmett took the plans I had, and added on to them three times to come up with the seventy five stalls. But, there was also going to be an arena in the middle of one of the barns, so a trainer would have this area to work with a horse even in bad weather.

Jake, and his crew were working on the other ten cabins. Then their next project was going to be the longhouse for the employees. This was going to contain a big kitchen, dining room, a small library in the front with a fire place. Then upstairs there would be a game room, and a television room. A room running along the side of this building would house a laundry facility for the employees. It would contain five washers, and dryers.

They had got the rest of the foundations poured for everything, including a small blacksmith shop, the veterinarian shop, small medical office, and the heifer sheds. Now, all they had to do was get the framing to them up, and move to the work inside.

The materials specifically needed for the heifer sheds were coming in by truck in the next week. I already know Emmett is going to have to get them out to pour another foundation as long as the one already out there. The more research I do on the raising, and handling of cattle is not as hard as I first imagined. Besides, I'll hire enough people to handle whatever I decide to bring to the ranch.

It was coming up on the last week in April, and we now had ten of the cabins done. Jake, and his crew were working on the last five. Emmett, and his crew were just about done with the house. They were putting in the last bathroom fixtures; tubs, showers, toilets,& sinks. I had different ones for each bedroom. The master bedroom had an ensuite to rival all the rest.

I had been on line for the last week and a half ordering furniture. The furniture for the cabins was due in an day now. I got different sets for the mens, and womens. What? I wanted it to be different for them.

I had sat down with Carlisle and Esme the other day to discuss the small medical office I was having built for them. I was also having a small house built; one bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, and dining room. I was giving them two acres land to go with it, too.

Things' are finally starting to come together, and it would soon be our ranch. I was expecting the sign, and branding iron to be here soon. The Swan-Masen Ranch sign was wood carved to go across the driveway. The branding iron I discussed with Edward, and it had altered between combining the S and M of our name. We decided on going with an abstract swan outline design. It would be very unusual, and no mistaking our cattle.

I had also talked to Edward about increasing the cattle from one hundred fifty to three hundred, and he suggested we stick with the one hundred fifty, and get a feel for the handling of them. If it ran smoothly, then we could buy some more. I liked his idea, and agreed to do it that way.

We were going to be in big demand for more employees. So, I contacted the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development to inform them of my need for employees to work my ranch. They took down some information, and then pointed me to different agencies that could be of some help, also.

I gave them all calls, and told them what I was needing, and to start sending them about the end of May. I should have some horses, and cattle by then.

I started checking out distributors of hay, and feed for horses, and cattle. I found one named Alaska Feed Company, but they didn't look to be able to handle what I would need. I also checked out a couple more options, and just knew I was going to have to find an outside source for my needs. I started looking into sources in Seattle, and found quite a few more, and able to ship to me. I would still get a large amount airlifted in at first if possible.

So much to do, and I so needed to get my butt on the ball. I called Max next, and asked him about the horses he was working on getting for me. I told him about the progress they were making on the ranch, and told him about the horse barn. I also told him about my going with one hundred fifty head of cattle to start out. I was hoping he would be able to help me out with the lot of it. He said he had me about thirty horses; twenty friesians, and ten dapple vanner.

The cattle he would sell me from his ranch. I told him I was only interested in heifers no older than four years, and about ten calves. I was more interested in females, and not a tempermental bull. That I was thinking of artificial inseminating them when I was wanting to increase the number of head. I told him I had two people with degrees in Animal Husbandry, and they were going to help me with impregnating horses, and cattle.

I could hear him shaking his head at me, but I had done a lot of research on it, and this is the way I wanted to go. Max said he would continue to work on the horses, and I also told him I was wanting about ten horses for just general use around the ranch. He said he would work on it.

I woke up to a wonderful surprise. I got three 18-wheelers out here full of furniture. It looks like from the invoice the bedroom suits for the cabins, and there was some furniture for the house. I was having a hard time calming down. Edward was standing off to the side laughing at me. So no cool, Mister, giving him a deadly look. He shut up right quick, and came over looking to help me.

I told Edward to go round up some men to help unload, and take this furniture into the cabins. He went and got Jasper, Peter, Paul, Felix, Patrick, and Laurent. They came, and started taking the bedroom sets into the cabins. The furniture for the house we went ahead, and took it, sitting it in the kitchen area.

I had my appliances coming out from the Home Depot in Fairbanks.I had everything, including a big freezer for the longhouse. I had pretty much every appliance for our house. I got it all in black, and I think it will look good.

They ran into a problem with the horse barn. I went and settled it right quick. I told them to take the plans I had, and just to make it end up with one hundred stalls. The last building would be for storing the hay, feed, and horses that the employees would use on the ranch. Which meant I was going to end up with twenty five horses for the employees, and seventy five friesians, and dapple vanners. That's fine with me.

I had all the appliances installed in our house, the furniture was pretty much arrived, except for a few more pieces. Specifically the Steinway & Sons Baby Grand piano I had coming for our music room. I also had a very nice piece coming for our bedroom. I hoped to have a lot of fun with it.

Jake and his crew finished the last cabin, and the furniture was moved in. I think it turned out very well. I also got a small setting group for right in the front of the cabin. They managed to get small fireplaces installed. This was just a precaution in case of power outages. There would at least be heat.

They were working on the framing in of the longhouse. I had the exterior materials coming in in the next couple of days.

With the changing of the horse barn we were having to wait for them to bring a cement truck out to pour another section for it. I told Emmett to get them to go ahead, and pour another one down for double the heifer sheds. I was going to go ahead, and have everything built for three hundred head of cattle.

Standing back looking at everything that had been built, then imagining all that was left to be built...I can't imagine it being done before we have another winter on us. I just need some down time...peace from all this...with my babies. I go looking for Baxter, Lise, and Sasha. Baxter is in the truck with Edward, which is fine. I get Lise, and Sasha, and head out to our trailer.

I set them up on their couch, walk into our bedroom making the bed. I go into the bathroom rounding up dirty laundry knowing I need to get my ass to washing them. I set the basket in the front room, and do some wiping things down, doing dishes, and clean the bathroom. I fill the water up for our bathroom. I check the water in the kitchen filling everything up. I then check our refrigerator for drinks, and such. Everything is alright.

I grab me a glass of tea, and set down in the kitchen. Threw my legs up on the seat, closed my eyes, and just let everything go. I was just tired...of trying to get everything done. Just tired...before I knew it I felt someone pulling me off the seat into their arms. I then felt the bed, and I just rolled over going back to sleep.

A few hours later I woke up, turning over noticing the sun very low on the windows. I stretch out getting up walking into the front. My babies are still laying on their couch sound asleep. I walk back into the bathroom for a few minutes washing my face,and brushing my hair. I walk back into the kitchen sitting down putting my boots back on. I walk out to the building with my babies, and find everyone getting ready for dinner.

I walked over, and sat down by Edward. He leaned over giving me a kiss, and asking me if I was alright. He said he came in the trailer earlier, and found me slumped over at the table. He said he put me to bed, and I slept a good couple hours. He had been driving the dump truck all day, and had Baxter as his riding buddy. It was kind of fun for them both.

The ladies had made seafood gumbo, and jumbalaya with polish sausage, and chicken served on white rice. They also made potato salad, grilled ears of corn, cornbread, and Maggie made peach cobbler. It sounded, and smelled wonderful. I was definitely hungry, too. They had fixed chicken, and sausage for my babies. I went and fixed them their bowls, sitting them down for them, with fresh water. I went back, and fixed a bowl of jambalaya with rice, corn bread, potato salad, and some corn for Edward. I sat it down, and then went to fix me some gumbo with rice, potato salad, and some cornbread. I sat down with Edward, and he had got us both a big glass of sweet tea.

There were moans, and praise all around. The men were definitely enjoying dinner. I talked to Gianna and Leah about making a couple big pots of bear roast, with potatoes, carrots, and onions for dinner tomorrow. Also make some crescent rolls, and Maggie make us some layered cakes. Maybe a chocolate, and carrot cake? It sounded yummy. Of course Edward's ears perked up at the mention of chocolate cake, and begged Maggie to make one. We couldn't help but laugh. He was to cute!

It was the beginning of another week, and lots of things were going on. We woke up to about six cement trucks pulling in. They were here to pour the additional foundation for the horse barn, and the other foundation for the heifer shed. They were figuring on probably needing about four more truck loads of cement, and they were working on filling them now in Fairbanks. They would radio in when three of them was headed back into town, to go ahead, and start out this way.

Edward was still bringing in trees as they were cut down to the saw mills. Jasper was running one with Peter's help, and Paul along with Laurent were running the other one. They were not losing any steam putting out the lumber either. We had pallets of it piled up every where.

They had managed to get the storage building we had been living in moved near the present fuel tank. It had not taken much to take it apart, and move it. It was going to need some additional work inside, but for still holding supplies, and such it was just fine. Most of the people out here had already moved into the cabins. There were still about ten of them living in the building, but that was only temporary. They were also going to build bedrooms in part of the loft of the horse barn.

Everything was moving along smoothly when Jared Lee let loose a horrid scream. You could hear it everywhere. We all went running out to where they were cutting down the trees. Edward was out there, along with Jake's crew, and a few other men.

We finally reached the site, and Edward had his hand on Jared's leg. The chainsaw had kicked back, and hit his leg. There was blood everywhere, and Edward had both his hands clamped down on it. Baxter was in the truck howling, so I went to get a hold of him. Carlisle ran up with a leather bag full of supplies. Esme was right behind him with more supplies. She had a backboard to carry him back to the building.

Carlisle got down accessing the injury, and started pulling out supplies. The first thing he did was hand a bunch of gauze to Edward to put on the wound to press down. Carlisle worked on fixing a shot of morphine to help Jared with the pain. The next thing he did was put on gloves, and asked Edward to move over so he could get a look at the injury. Esme was on the other side with the bag she brought pulling out stuff he might need.

Carlisle removed the gauze, and got to looking at the site. It was bad, but not as bad as we thought. He applied more gauze, and wrapped a temporary bandage to hold it in place. He got a few of the men to help move him to the backboard so they could take him back to the building. This was our best bet being free of building dust, whatever.

They toted him inside, setting him up on one of the tables. Carlisle set to work getting the stuff he would need. Esme was on the other side, setting up sutures, cleaning solution to flush out the wound, another syringe of morphine. She also set to inserting an IV to keep him hydrated. He was coming in, and out of the first shot Carlisle administered.

The rest of the guys were standing around, so I mentioned to Edward to tell the men to go shut everything down. We were calling it a day. They started to disperse to gather equipment, and to bringing things back to the storage building. They shut everything down as if they were ending a work day, and headed back to wait on the outcome of Jared's injury. They came back, took turns getting cleaned up, while a few built a fire outside in the fire pit. The ladies had made fresh pots of coffee, sweet tea, and asked if any of them were hungry. They all said they were fine, and stood around drinking coffee, and just talking.

About forty five minutes later Carlisle called for some help moving Jared to one of the cots inside. We got him moved, and covered up. Esme had cleaned him up, and they had put clean sheets on the bed. They covered him up, and left him to rest.

Carlisle came outside telling us he was fine. That the cut had not been as deep as we first thought. He did receive a cut about ten inches long, and about an inch, and a half deep. There were no major vessels involved, muscles, or nerves. He felt he should make a good, and quick recovery with no lasting effects, but it was going to be a while.

There was nothing wrong with the chainsaw; just a wrong move when he was cutting the log of a tree. The tip of the blade hit a piece of wood, causing it to jump back hitting Jared. It was a quite common accident. The fact Edward jumped out with a rag in hand, and applied pressure to the wound helped a lot.

I told everyone we were all taking a break today from it all, and just spend it thanking God it wasn't as bad as we thought. I would give Jared a few days to rest up, and then see if he wanted to go some where while he recuperated. If he did, I would see to his transportation, and his care. I pulled a chair up beside his bed, and just sat. I was thankful it was not too bad, and we could take care of him here. I was thanking God for sending Carlisle, and Esme our way.

I felt Edward come sit down beside me, and draped his arm around my shoulders. I was definitely tired. Emmett had sent the cement trucks back to Fairbanks, and said to give them a few days to recover from this accident. They were quite amendable as they were still getting paid.

I was just tired, and thankful. Edward pulled me close kissing me on the temple, and telling me everything would be alright.

I loved my life, I loved my husband, and I was so greatful everything would be alright.

A little bit of drama, but things are going to be alright. Things are moving along with the building, and we are getting ready for...HORSES. Finally...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what ya'll think.

Thanks muches...