Just Some Good Ol' Texan Love

Chapter 1: Branching Out

The next morning came around and Bobcat was hard at work on the shoulder mount, she had just skinned and salted the hide and needed to wait a while before she can do much else. Thus, she began working on the mold for the animal.

Her mother and father were working the front of the shop and they were discussing a the possibility of branching out the business to other states. They received an invitation from a hunting and fishing convention for them to have a booth there and possibly get some attention.

"I don't know honey," Papa said, "Seems rather risky if you ask me."

"Well can we at least consider giving it a chance?" Mama asked.

"We can, I just don't think we can manage an expansion of the business. Especially if we're talking out of the state."

"Texas isn't that far from Arizona dear. Just cross through one state and boom, you're in the Lone Star state."

Papa sighed, "Maybe you're right. But it still would be a hassle managing two different locations. We don't have many working, mostly me and our eldest daughter. Our youngest has her own career plans and their cousins don't seem to give a damn about this kind of work what so ever."

The pair went silent after Papa's rant, thinking about what to do. Mama remembered a major important detail, Papa has family in Texas and maybe they can help.

"Don't you have an uncle who still works in taxidermy? And if I'm correct, he resides in Texas still." Mama asked.

"Yeah," Papa said, nodding, "I do actually. And I believe he's still there, he always did love the warmer climate there."

"Maybe you can talk to him and see what can be done. If anything, maybe you two can merge into a single company and expand from there."

What Mama suggested wasn't a bad idea, but the real question now is who should go? Neither of them can make the trip, so for a while they were stuck on the plan after discussing the major details. However, they think of someone to go; that someone was their daughter Bobcat.

They called Bobcat to the register and she came to see her parents. 

"Hey Mama, hey Papa, something going on?" Bobcat asked.

"Well," Mama began, "We've been talking about it but we've been briefly discussing who should go ..."

"Go where? Talk about what?" Bobcat asked, not getting a clue of what they have been talking about.

"We've received an invitation from a hunting and fishing convention in Texas, they want us to show up and we may expand our work outside the state," Papa explained, "Thing is, neither me nor your mother can make the trip. So we're thinking maybe you can go in our place."

Bobcat went silent, taking in what was said. She never been too far from the Arizona forests most of her life and Texas seemed rather far from what she understands. But it seems like this will be very beneficial to the business.

"You mean it?" She asked.

"Absolutely"

"Well I would be honored to go," Bobcat said, "But wait ... What about the work here? Who's gonna help you out, Papa?"

"Oh don't worry," Papa said, calming his daughter down, "I'll take care of the taxidermy work and your mom can handle the front desk."

The blonde calmed down and nodded after hearing that.

"So, you still wanna go?" Mama asked.

"You bet I do!" Bobcat said, grinning.

"Then it's all settled then. Once you finish your work for the day, get packing and ready. I'll call your granduncle and see how we can work the travel plans out." Papa explained.

With that, she nodded and hugged her folks before heading back to finish her tasks. The couple sighed and Papa went over to the phone.

"Well I think this'll go good," Papa said, dialing the numbers, "We'll see about getting another location and our daughter will experience Texas."

"Yeah, but I am a bit worried about her," Mama said, "You know how much of a worrier she can be and Texas ... I know I said it's just a state away but it's still pretty far. I just don't want her to get into a horrible predicament nor have her stress out to an extreme degree."

"Darling, she's 23. She hasn't had an issue with stress for the past several weeks and she'll have her granduncle with her if something does happen. I can talk to her and make sure she'll contact us while she's away if that helps." 

"Alright," Mama said, "I just know you can be the same at times."

"I do not stress that much!" Papa replied defensively.

"How about that one time with the skull mounts?" Mama asked, "You were scared shitless that you won't have the promised number for the show."

"Well I um ...."

"How about that one time where there was a slight paint error on the mountain goat?"

"That was ..."

"How about the antlers that-"

"Okay I get it!" Papa interrupted. "Like I said, I'll talk to her before the trip and make sure she's alright. Well, maybe make sure she can come back if it's all too much. Oh man, do you think my uncle will be of any help?"

Mama chuckled, "She truly is your daughter."