because I got a weird email and I wanted to clarify it.”
“A weird email?” I asked. “From me?”
“It was from your email,” he said. “It said something about how every location should have drumming yoga and there would be a follow-up?”
“Oh God,” I put my head in my hands. “I don’t know what the hell kind of deal Frances is making with some investors, but my guess is that they’ve latched onto that.”
“Why do you guys have that, even?” Braden asked. “It’s not very ranch like.”
“Yeah, you’d be surprised how many people will try to do yoga with cowboy hats on,” I said. “Anyway, don’t worry about it. I’m waiting for Johnathan to call and I’m sure everything will be explained when he gets back.”
“Sure,” Braden said. “How are you?”
I loved that he always asked. Despite the fact that he was the head of the locations, he always seemed to take the time to care about everyone else. I was told that he had changed a lot since he did something to almost cause mutiny between the ranches. Braden had got married to a human and thought it was the greatest thing ever, so he had, at one point, demanded everyone get married and produce heirs, or he would revoke their location licenses. I heard that it almost split the family, but luckily, he had walked back on that particular directive.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Do you want to see the new graphic design for drumming yoga?”
I sent him a very outrageous gif, and he laughed.
“OK, I'm sorry I asked,” he said. “Do you guys have plans for tonight?”
“Go out and get some tail,” I responded. “And I’ve already been corrected on my language, so don’t assume I am going to go out and get a wolf shifter. I am going to go out and find a mate and spawn a whole new line of bear shifters and make you all so happy.”
He chuckled at that.
“Oh, you are, are you?” he asked. “Well, that sounds very...interesting, given that you didn’t have a mate or believe in the idea of mates last time we talked.”
I smirked.
“That is true,” I said. “And I admit, I’m guilty about not believing in things. It’s just that…it seems like every bear has a mate somewhere, and the older I get, the more I believe that is the case.”
“I’m sure that you have a mate somewhere,” he said. “It’s just that she is probably on the other side of the world.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve heard the stories of the others and how they met their mates. It’s quite the, uh...smorgasbord of stories.”
“That is one way to say it,” he said. “I feel like out of everyone, I met my mate the easiest way. At work.”
“Ha,” I said. “Well, maybe we’ll hire a hot cowgirl soon and everything will be fine.”
“I’m sure it will,” he said. “Anyway, let me know what that drumming yoga message is about when you get it. Other than that, you're good?”
“I’m good,” I said with a smile. “Thanks, brother.”
“No problem,” he said and hung up.
Brother. It felt so weird to say that multiple times a day. I was pretty lucky when it came to so much in life. The fact that I felt a little empty about some things made me feel guilty. Like, I came from a place where I had never had new clothes. Now, I was able to log in and buy them whenever I wanted.
By the time Frances came home, I was done with the poster and I had a ton of questions.
“What deal did you make with the drumming yoga?” I blurted out, and he laughed.
“Oh my God,” he replied. “How did that get to you so fast? I emailed—”
“I know, but you sent it from our info account,” I replied. “So big brother called and was confused.”
“Yeah, the investors really liked the aspect,” he replied. “Dunno what to tell you, except I see a lot of sleepless nights in the future. But I’m pretty sure I’ve secured at least ten million in investments just today.”
“Eh, I can deal with sleepless nights for that,” I said. “Anything else interesting happen today?”
“Not really,” he said. “What about you?”
I was about to say no when Jacob suddenly burst in the door.
“Guys, come quick,” he said, and we both moved towards the door in alarm.
I thought something was wrong; something was on fire or something. I didn’t realize that all he wanted us to see was one of the tourists in