Dallas, Texas

Pulling up next to a pond, Bobby parked, got out of the car and waited for him and his daddy to join him outside in the grass before asking for opinions.

"So, what do you think?"

"It's land."

Looking around, JR could appreciate that it was nice land with trees and pastures as well as not being far from Lake Ray Hubbard, but still, unless Bobby gave him an indication of what he was supposed to be seeing, he couldn't offer much of a comment.

"I know."

"Well, you're going to have to tell me what this new business is so I can give you an opinion."

"Equine; training, boarding stables, riding lessons, day access, guided group trail rides, that sort of thing."

Appearing enthusiastic, he understood why; Bobby's idea wasn't the worst he'd ever heard, although their daddy seemed to disagree.

"We have horses at Southfork."

Nodding, Bobby didn't seem shaken by the gruff dismissiveness Jock brought to the conversation. He'd probably been expecting to hear some pushback and was prepared for it.

"We do, but this is different. Southfork has mostly working horses, I don't intend to raise cattle on this land; I intend to offer a similar service to what we offer our wives and children, equestrian facilities for leisure."

"Hm." Unable to deny that he had a point, Jock looked around again, taking in the greenery that stretched as far as they eye could see. "Tell me more."

"Something Jenna said gave me the idea. The suburbs are full of people who'd love a little more land, I've got that land and I plan to offer a service to let people experience what we do living on the ranch."

Listening, he didn't personally understand why anyone would take time out of their day to get on horseback, but he knew he was in the minority within the family as far as that opinion went. Sue Ellen and John Ross adored horses and had they not already had the facilities available to them at Southfork he could imagine his wife thinking such an activity would be an excellent way to pass a few hours.

"You think you can make it work?"

Asking the important question himself, needing to know how confident Bobby was in his abilities, he wasn't really sure why he expected anything other than the answer he received.

"I do."

Looking at him, then at their daddy, Bobby's comment was heartfelt, although he knew that there was only so far a good idea and self-confidence could get a person.

Unlike him, seemingly completely satisfied with the answer, Jock held his hand out to Bobby to shake.

"Well son, I'm happy to see you doing something of your own. I'd like to read through the paperwork before I agree to anything, but provided all is well on that end I think we can reach a deal."

"Thank you daddy." Shaking their daddy's hand, Bobby then looked at him, "JR?"

"I'm with daddy, this all sounds fine but you understand I'll have to look over your proposed business plan before committing to anything."

He had the funds and was always looking for places to diversify his investments, plus, giving Bobby his own company ensured he'd never return to Ewing Oil, so the opportunity did interest him, however he wasn't desperate and he wouldn't put family ahead of profits where it wasn't necessary, which Bobby's proposed hobby business wasn't.

"I understand."

"Right, well you do that and I'll get back to you with any changes and we'll go from there."

Thinking they'd been on the same page, the look Bobby gave him and his confused, "changes?" indicated that there was definitely more to discuss before any contracts were signed and money changed hands.

"If I'm investing it won't be in a silent capacity, I don't doubt your ability to work wonders with horses and customers but business administration isn't your strength."

"JR."

Whining, indicating he didn't like not immediately getting his way, his brother's reaction wasn't surprising. Married to Jenna or not, at his core he was still immature and spoiled; he wanted what he wanted and he wanted it how he wanted, no questions or negotiation. He'd always been handed things and this was another he expected to have given to him; he imagined that Bobby would be excellent out on the grounds with the horses and the customers, but in the office making decisions he'd flounder, which was where he needed the input of the partners he was asking to join him.

"Daddy?"

Looking to Jock for support, Bobby didn't necessarily get it; his daddy loved them, Bobby more than him, but he wasn't a fool and hadn't built his legacy doling out funds without thinking about where they were going.

"How badly do you need family investment?"

"Not badly enough to have JR controlling my every move."

Making it a personal issue, he wasn't offended, he knew Bobby couldn't stand being told where he was making mistakes; he was the same, except of course he rarely made mistakes.

"And me?"

"Is that what you intend to do?"

Looking at their daddy, Bobby refrained from stamping his feet however if he had it wouldn't have surprised him. It was clear now that he wanted their money and only their money, not their input, but that wasn't what he'd originally indicated to them, so he only had himself to blame for the misunderstanding.

"I might have a few ideas."

"I'll listen to ideas, what I won't do is implement them just because you say so."

Making eye contact with his daddy, JR was sure they shared a common thought; that wasn't how they did business. When they disagreed on things, they debated them at length before making decisions, of course, there were times when his daddy simply made a decision and it was final, but soon enough there would come a time when it was his turn to lead. What Bobby was suggesting was running things all by himself, ignoring completely valid recommendations that came from a place of experience in contrast with his inexperience.

"You don't think you can deal with that?"

"Look Bob, if I'm investing in a project so close to home I want a little say."

Explaining for himself, he couldn't imagine his daddy disagreed.

"No deal."

"I can take it, can you?"

He didn't need to invest in Bobby's project, but whether Bobby needed his funds to get started was unclear. He shouldn't need the money, he had an income from profits in Ewing Oil and the ranch, a salary from the ranch, savings and investments of his own, as well as property to put up as collateral if he really needed to ask the bank for a loan.

"I'll have to, won't I?"

Stubborn, he stuck with his decision, leaving them in no different place to where they'd started.

To be continued…