Chapter 1 (partial)

I had to hit the ground running Monday, well, not hit the ground, but I had a busy day ahead and had to get moving. Up at five, I still did not beat Ben Carpenter to the stables. Bob had been told of Ben’s coming on board, so there was no surprise.

Bob acted relieved to be going back to the ranch. I think all the socializing he had to do was getting to him. Though I must say, his nods were more at ease than they had been. I don’t think he was quite the introvert he thought he was. Why he had a three-second nod last night, and it had a little side-ways bob to it. Neat, Bob was bobbing his head.

I hate Mondays!

Anyway, before I even started my run, I oversaw the handover from Bob to Ben. Bob explained the daily routine to Ben. I found out Bob had been holding out. He could speak full sentences. Last night Dad had tipped Bob one hundred dollars for his efforts, which might have helped his mood.

Ben and Bob had a good conversation about each of the horses. I understood about half of that and learned a few things along the way. The horses had been vaccinated for strangles last month, so they should be good for a year with the usual precautions. They had been dewormed before leaving the ranch so that they would be due next month, and none of them had the laminitis stance.

I pretended to know what they were talking about, but I don’t think I fooled anyone. I finally broke down and asked questions. Turned out strangles is distemper. All horses need deworming regularly depending on the climate and laminitis, which results in sore feet and hunching of the back was from too much grain. Good to know.

The last instruction was to watch out that Mary didn’t overfeed Misty. Misty would let Mary get her so fat her belly would drag on the ground.

After that short education, Bob and I helped Ben move his things into the apartment above the stable. Bob had his truck all packed and ready to go. With a sharp nod, he headed out. It was a nice nod, saying, “Hey, I enjoyed this, you aren’t too bad for a bunch of city slickers. Let’s do this again sometime, and if you’re out my way, look me up.”

Well, at least that is what I thought it meant. At long last, I was able to go on my morning run. I saw the sprained ankle couple and waved. I couldn’t remember their names.

Breakfast was busy. First, Dad reminded me that we had a full business review at the office on Thursday. Then Mum informed us that Sybil and Popeye would be arriving tomorrow and staying through Saturday. They will be going to Boeing with them on Wednesday.

Next was Susan Wallace, who had joined us in response to the beach party news, but I had to talk to her about Dennis anyway.

Our first discussion was about the tabloids and Alice. Pictures were everywhere. I loved the one that identified her as a Hungarian Princess that was incognito. I wondered if Hungary had Princesses anymore.

Susan told me that I would pay for that. The tabloids were a vengeful bunch. I wasn’t too worried. It wasn’t as though I were courting public opinion as though I were running for office.

Cast in Time Book 6 Available in June 2024!

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More details coming soon.

Earl E. (Ed) Nelson

I have always wanted to be an author. I had my first rejection slip in about 1965. Wish I had saved it. For many years the only writing I did was technical as pesky things like three children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren came along.

My technical writing was in the field of quality in several different journals. I worked in the field of quality for over fifty years, starting as a line inspector and ending up as a Vice-President of Quality and elected a Fellow of the American Society for Quality.

Then a wonderful thing happened. I lost my job and was out of work for almost eight months. To keep from going crazy I wrote. I posted my stories on an online site, and lo and behold people read them and said nice things. Fast forward about eight years and I am retired and writing for the fun of it.

A lot of what is in my stories is based on my life experiences, gasp! Give or take a lie or two that is. The one fortunate thing in my career is that I got to travel worldwide and have been to most of the locations I write about.

In my younger days, I tried hot air ballooning, sky diving, white water rafting, spelunking, and target shooting. I have collected stamps, drove in road rallies, lowly rated by the US Chess federation. I built a Kentucky long rifle and a dueling pistol. I am a licensed HAM radio operator. My hobby is having hobbies.

My true passion is reading. Trapped in a hotel room I would read the telephone book. The TV would not be turned on. I have averaged 200 books a year for the last sixty years. I knew those long flights were good for something.

BTW I was born in the middle of an air raid in England during World War II, the house next door was destroyed and our windows were blown out. That is probably the most interesting thing I have been involved with. Mum never forgave me. Happily married for 56 years I hope my wife doesn’t catch on to what a goof I am.