No copyright infringement intended.

There is another slight time jump. We have a lot going on for the summer months trying to finish a lot of the building, harvesting things, & setting up for the coming winter.

We are coming down to the wire, so bear with me while I try to get everything taken care of.

LIFE

Chapter 48

Things were settling down for another long winter, and we had managed to get a lot done on the ranch. We finally got the medical, and veterinarian offices built, along with all their equipment. I think Carlisle, Sean, and Paul tied one on that night celebrating all the new 'toys' they had to play with.

Alistair was also in his own 'heaven' once we got his blacksmith shop built I don't think we saw him for a couple days. He was in there along with a couple other men building a fireplace at the back of the shop to heat the place in the winter, and to be able to fire the different metals. I was just thrilled to see he was happy, and was taking care of the horses, and cattle. I was looking into getting him more help as we had about one hundred fifty head of cattle, along with the seventy five horses it was going to be to much for just one person.

The labor board in Fairbanks was sending me more people in a couple weeks as soon as I called them letting them know what I needed. We had made a good bond with the town of Fairbanks, and I was very pleased with that, too.

The greenhouse was doing wonderfully, and we were looking into putting some small electric heaters over the doorways with fans to blow the heat throughout. We were also looking into putting just one in the chicken coop, and we were wrapping the coop with plastic sheeting on the side near the water. Alice assured me they didn't need a whole lot, but a small amount of heat will keep them comfortable. Their egg production might be downbut that should be expected during the winter months.

The cabins were done up on the ridge, and we had a small building on the end cabin where we were going to store two snow mobiles, and an ATV with a sled to be used when the weather was bad. We had a road running down to the longhouse, and I had moved a bunch of the cots, and blankets into a small storage room off the kitchen. That was just in case of power outages, and we had to bring people down to bunk in the longhouse. There was plenty of room, and now the stuff for them to be comfortable.

I had managed to get our son's nursery done, except for a present from Alistair. It was going to be a plaque with his name burnt into it, and fancy carving. I knew he would put a lot of work into it.

Paul and Angela were now a solid item, and living in the apartment over the garage. He talked to Edward about proposing to her. Now Sean and Maggie were living in one of the cabins, along with Seth and Leah.

I had a few more females that had come to work, but it was a slow process to 'feel' the men out. Jake and his men left, as they had a job right outside of Anchorage, but a few of them had expressed an interest in coming back to work on the ranch. I told them they were very welcome, as I felt we were far from being finished building.

Rachael is working with Alexander the Great, and he has come a long way. I see a lot of Frederik in him. I think he's going to turn out to be a marvelous show horse. I've also had her working with my Dragon Kiss dapple. I didn't have it planned to show her, but I just wanted to see what Rachael could get her to do. She is also magnificient.

We also ventured out a little bit on Alice's recommendations, and tried to artificially inseminate one of my females that came into heat. She would be giving birth come next spring. I was anxious to witness that, as Alice say's it's beautiful. Sean and Paul are keeping a close eye on her, as she is just now reached three years old.

I ended up buying a damn bull. We were collecting sperm, and keeping it frozen until the coming spring. I was not wrong in thinking they were hard headed, as this bull needed a swift kick in the ass. Dang, he was tempermental.

Anyway, we were going to have to get another feed silo for the cattle. I had plenty of feed for the chickens, and I was just worried about them not surviving the winter.

We had another trip coming up to go into Fairbanks, and load up on clothes, boots, coats, jeans, underclothes, more food, and just some odds and ends. It was just a trip to get us prepared, and to let loose some steam.

I was now almost seven months pregnant, and it was killing me. I felt to be as big as a house...or one of those cows. Ughhhh, and to think I am willingly looking forward to going through this as many times as my body will let me. I'm hoping for at least four in all. I think that's a nice round number.

I'm looking at Edward out there riding a horse keeping watch over the horses in the pasture, and making a round down to the pasture full of cattle. We got another pasture opened, and fenced in. We got about two trees deep in the trees cut down. We still need to take them about another two to three deep back from the pasture for the cattle to be safe.

We got a heavy spring coming up on us. I bought a load of farming equipment to plant about five acres of hay this coming spring. They came out bringing the equipment, and along with Emmett's backhoe they went out marking out the five acres, and started removing the trees. They got the land cleared, and there are still huge amounts of trees Jasper and Peter are wanting to bring into the saw mills.

We ended up building a shed for them to put both saw mills under, and an area to stack the wood as they get it cut. We have used huge amounts of it to build the cabins, and looking to use a bunch of it to build some houses for people setting up homes. Emmett and Rose got married one weekend they disappeared off to Anchorage, and came back from tying the knot.

They want to get about five acres, and build their home as part of the ranch. I told Emmett it would be considered his bonus for the work he done. I also ended up paying him a hefty bunch of money for doing his job. I think two million dollars would cover it. I also gave the men two hundred fifty thousand a piece. I have never seen so many shocked faces. To me it was worth every penny.

A lot of them were staying on to either just work, or working towards having a piece of the ranch, and make their homes. I was all for it for all of them. We had about fifty employees at the present, and I had about twenty more coming from Fairbanks, and Anchorage to fill the openings we had left.

Things were settling down, and you could feel the change in the seasons blowing through the air. We got our other dog, an Australian Sheperd named Aussie Peak. Between Baxter, Neve, and Aussie they worked the cattle very smoothly. We have not had a problem with them. Sasha works bringing in the horses. She's very gentle, and smaller built than the other dogs. I was happy with the dogs we had. I was thinking of one more smaller dog like Lise. She really doesn't have anyone to play with without being run over.

I pulled my laptop over, and started looking for another westie. I figured I got so much love, and enjoyment with Lise I would just expand it. Not for puppies, as Lise was fixed before I brought her home. I looked around Fairbanks, and Anchorage as I got two of my dogs from that area. I found a lady that had three westies from her last litter. I told her I wanted a male, as I had a female. This one would be her companion. She had one male left, and he was coming up on being two months old. I told her I wanted him, and would work something out to get him here.

I went outside looking for Edward, and possibly Sean. If possible I would send Sean to pick him up. I also needed to look into ordering some more hay especially for the cattle. We had plenty of hay bales for the horses. With the snow we got it would be hard for the cattle to find anything to eat unless it was hay, or feed.

I was fixing to have to order more feed, silage, and hay just for the cattle. I also needed to fix their sheds with putting up wind breakers around them. I was going to talk to Edward and Emmett about using the metal sheeting on the side with the most wind coming in.

We ended up finding sheeting to cover the sheds. They would tie down to the existing framing, and still provide them air flow. We were going to have to have people to go in there mucking at least once a day. I told them I was in the process of ordering more hay, as we were going to need it especially for the cattle this winter.

During dinner we discussed with everyone going into Fairbanks this weekend, and then next weekend going into Anchorage. I wanted everyone to get clothing, and supplies for the coming winter. I was NOT going through what we did last time.

I told everyone to start making their shopping list, and make sure it would hold them over the winter months. To get lots of jeans, long sleeved shirts, and plenty of underclothes.

I knew I was fixing to call Jenks after both trips to bring in the supplies we just couold not get in town, or not enough. I also talked to Carlisle, Sean and Paul about any medical supplies we might need. We needed to get them ordered, and if need be brought in on an air delivery.

Slight jump of two weeks...

I had quite a few people coming in from Fairbanks, and Anchorage looking for winter employment. I told them what I was needing, and I would supply them room, and board. I was hiring people to take care of the heifer sheds, which meant mucking the sheds, spreading hay, getting feed for them. I might also need someone to help out in the horse barns.

I told them about the rooms open in the horse barn, which was essentially just a bedroom. There were bathrooms set up with two stalls in each one for men, and women. I also told them if they came to a point they needed to move on, to let one of us know. I also told them for the ones wanting to make this their home the benefits I was offering. I then got a few people pulled to show them around the ranch, and the different places they would be working. I then wanted them shown to a room in the horse barn, the showers, the lounge area in there, the longhouse where they would eat, socialize, and just enjoy everything.

We ended up with eight people helping out. I was hoping a few of them would stay, and I could see a few of them looking just for temporary work.

Tonight they were cooking fried chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, and cake. Edward's ears perked up at the mention of dessert. I was ready for dinner, and so was our son. Edward made me sit down while he went to get our plates. He first brought us some iced tea, and then came back with our plates. I just jumped right in, and Edward looking at me like I had lost it.

"Don't look at me like that. Our son is hungry. Get over it," and I just kept right on eating. He just looked at me shaking his head, and leaned over giving me a kiss. We enjoyed dinner, and edward enjoyed two pieces of cake. Talk about eating...dang, my mandoes love his chocolate cake. LOL

We went off to bed after making sure everyone was settled in their new places, and had everything they needed. I would check with them about their supplies of clothes, and stuff they would need for this coming winter tomorrow. If needed I would get some people together to take them into Fairbanks for supplies. They would learn I was not one to let anyone go without what they needed.

It was decided Sean, and Edward would go into Anchorage to get my new dog, and to order some hay to be delivered as soon as possible. It was coming up on October, and the beginning of looking for our first snow fall. I was already in contact with the weather center as to incoming storms.

We were expecting an air delivery of some hay, food, and medical supplies this weekend. I wanted everyone to be here, and ready.

We had another ultrasound, and I thought Edward was going to come out of his chair. The baby was in such detail, and lying there sucking it's thumb. It was so cute.

Lise, and Ashton were getting along wonderfully. We called him Ash for short. They would lie beside each other, and play like there was no tomorrow. I was happy for her to have an 'equal' playmate. I knew she still loved Baxter above all, but the other dogs tended to run all over her.

Now, I got another nurses aide to help out when Carlisle, and Esme needed her. She came with wonderful recommendations. Her name was Jessica Stanley, blonde, about my height, and very pretty. I do believe we already have a couple men interested. Gianna and Charlie Parker were making the move to be together full time. I liked the match; they made a cute couple, and really seemed to get along quite well.

Peter and Charlotte were also working towards a more permanent situation. We already had Jasper, and Alice together with Carlisle, Esme and Edward's blessing. He was a very hard worker, and one of those wanting a permanent home here on the ranch.

We had just hired a few other women to work the cattle, and horses. There were also a couple hired as vet assists, to work with Sean, and Paul when needed.

Like I said, things were finally coming together. I was watching, and planning future projects. We still had a lot of land to expand on, and more things I wanted to do. Right now I just wanted to sit, and 'bake' this baby. LOL

I spent some time every day the weather permitted to sit on my back porch watching things going on on the ranch. I loved to watch the horses prancing around their pasture, and watching Edward the best I could working all over the ranch.

Halloween was coming up, and I wanted to have the place decorated with pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales, ghosts, and lots of candy. I wanted it to be festive.

We got our delivery of hay, and the storage building was almost packed. With a couple farm vehicles it would definitely be packed. I was glad to see it. No worries about feed for the animals.

Our airdrop was coming in this weekend, and we should be set for the winter. I had Paul, Angela, and a couple more people wanting to go into town for a few things, and they were taking some of the new people for supplies for the winter. There would be about two, or three trucks going, and about eight people.

The new snowmobiles, ATV's, and sled were coming in on the airdrop to go up to the shed on the ridge. We had Emmett put a kind of extended cover on our storage building with it closed in on the sides for snow mobiles, and ATV's down here. The additional generators for all the other buildings were housed in their own little sheds, and someone would go around either daily, or every other day depending on their use to check the gasoline. I also had another fuel tank brought out, and put down near the incinerator, and blacksmith shop.

I am tired, and I think I'm headed for a nap. I'll get with everyone in the next couple days to see if we got everything covered. I just want to rest my body, and my mind.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Alright everyone, we are wrapping up on this story. I know I'm going to cry my eyes out when I sign it complete. This has been the journey I wish I had lived in my life.

I hope ya'll have enjoyed it. Please let me know what ya'll thought.

Don't forget to go to group page for new pics.

Thanks muches...