Chapter 156
"Okay, so we're going to head out. I'll talk to Jodi and Tess and show them my plan and see what they think about it. I think we probably need at least five oe six people to do this, because we might need to leave the horses at some point, and people will need to stay behind to care for them if that happens." Kate said.
"Well I'm in. I'm in town and off work for the rest of the week regardless, and I have missed being here and the open space and the bush." Grace declared.
"I'm obviously in. I'm the one who actually knows what to look for and knows how to ride. Plus I'm on holiday for the rest of the week," said Regan.
"Regan said she would do some riding exercises with me tomorrow and we can evaluate from there. We will be in wilderness and I can't afford to ruin the mission with a dumb injury because I'm not a good rider." Dylan said "I think I want to learn to ride regardless though, I mean my sister-in-law is an Olympic rider, and my wife is a partial owner of a giant horse property,"
"Well I talked to my staff, and I have three days, but no more. I had tomorrow off, but I'm going to work it instead. I loaded up my schedule for tomorrow, so I won't be neglecting my athletes. I have three days after that free, but if it goes longer than that, I'll be in trouble." Jaz said.
"I'm staying. If Jaz goes, somebody needs to stay with Kelly." said Ben.
"Okay, so we are looking at two-three days gone from Drovers, in the wilderness, with the chance that if we don't find any evidence, we have to do another two-three days to get back out. There will be rough terrain and hard rides. We have one day to prepare?" asked Jodi "I dunno Kate. This is a hard ask. Matt is still hobbling around, Tess is still sore too, the kids are still off from school another week, and Meg and Terry are supposed to leave in two days."
"Well, I'm not going. Russell and I don't think it's a good idea with the babies. I want to go, but I would never forgive myself if something happened and I was unable to get help because I was far out in the woods. Russell and I can step up with the chores to help in that way though."
"Hey guys, what's going on?" asked Charlotte as she walked in the front door. Her hair was wet from her swim with her cousin.
"Kate is trying to live vicariously through me because she is pregnant and can't go on a two-three day ride out in the bush herself."
"Like a camping and horseback riding trip? Sounds fun! I'd go. Who else is going?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes a camping and horseback riding trip in the remotest section of the national park to go investigate an illegal mine with Regan, Grace, Jaz, and maybe Dylan, but I don't think he's a strong enough rider for what this trip will entail." Kate explained.
"That sounds awesome, can I go?" Charlotte asked.
"I don't see why not." Kate said "We need five or six people, and you're a great rider."
"I'll tell you why not, this could be a dangerous trip. It's a strenuous ride in remote wilderness to investigate criminals." Jodi piped in. "I can't stop you from going because you're eighteen and I'm not your parent, but I'm not going to encourage you to do something so dangerous."
"Oh loosen up honey." Meg said as she came into the room. "The girls are both done with their baths by the way."
"Mom, you're kidding me? Kate is trying to recruit us to do a treacherous two-three day riding trip with our cousins through the national park to gather evidence against an illegal mining operation."
"In that case, I think you should go with her. Then you'll know she's safe."
"I can't go, Matt can't really walk or ride, Tess may not be back in action for days. You and Terry are set to leave in two days. Who will do the chores, who will take care of the girls? Who will do everything?"
"Jodi, you should go. You don't spend enough time with your cousins and you can get to know Charlotte better. Terry and I can stay a few more days. I can handle your girls, and he can help with the chores," Meg said.