On Our Side of the Forest (Short Story Compilation)

A Ranch in the Hills

A Ranch in the Hills

It is impressive sometimes how a perfectly normal day can take a turn. Now better or worse, the outcome is all up to you. On this particular Friday afternoon, I was given the exact same choice. The phone rang while I enjoyed a ham sandwich I had made for lunch. An ol dog like myself didn't think too much of it.

"Hello, this Thane!" My grandpa had always answered the phone similarly, so over the years I worked on the ranch with him I adopted it as my own.

"Thane? This is your Aunt Kelly! Do you have a minute baby?" Her sweet southern drawl laced the phone in silk.

"Perfect timing Auntie! How's everything?" The line went silent, I assumed maybe the call dropped, "Hello?"

"Your grandpa passed last night...I really hate to have to call about these matters shug, but we really need you back down here in Texas," I understood. I hadn't been back home in a few years, I moved away to Colorado to see a new scene.

"How soon do I need to be there?"

"Hopefully tomorrow or the next, the funeral is in a few days, so as soon as possible,"

"I'll be there Auntie! I promise," We shared our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. My job was the first place I called, I had no idea how long I would be gone. They were very understanding of the situation, but I didn't know I would never be coming back.

I was packed and on a flight the next day. The family was eager to see me, especially my cousins. The pack was back! The funeral was not a sad one. My grandpa was a very old man and he was well loved by everyone. Instead, we cooked and celebrated the life he led and left behind!

The Will was what changed everything really.

"And to Thane," I looked up from my chair at the official reading his final words, "I leave my ranch, farm, and two million dollars. Thank you for helping an old man out in his dreams," I stared in awe. I had nothing to say, and within a week everything was mine.

The old Ranch I had worked on for all those years was worn down to say the least. The house needed major fixing, the soil had been forgotten and had dried out, and the animal pens really had no business holding animals. I had no idea where to begin. I could do it, but this was a lot of work for one shepherd.

Luckily, I wasn't alone. My cousins were quick to come to my rescue! Over the weeks it took us to fix it, more people showed up to help. Some people came back just to repay a favor from when my Grandfather helped them without asking for a thing, and others showed up and we all had a beer together while we worked. By the end of the month, the ranch was something I know Grandpa would've loved! The soil was tilled and ready for an amazing harvest next season, the animals roamed and grazed in new pens and stables, and the house was beautiful! I stood back and looked at everything when we finished, my cousins and the few that chose to stick around went inside to watch the game and enjoy the company after a long day. I was amazed at how well we all came together. This was in better condition than I remembered it.

This month, I thought of Colorado and everything I left behind. I do not think I could change the decisions I made though. I got an amazing farm and family again! I have more friends down here than I ever had back in the city! Call me simple but this dog prefers the country living. I looked up at the sky, watching the clouds roll by in the vast Texas sky.

"Now Grandpa, you gotta watch over me now! I sprused the place up, and I'll make sure nothing ever happens to it! I know you worked hard...now rest easy," I smiled, walking inside to catch up on the conversation and the last half of the Cowboys playing!