The Doctor Gets a Visitor V
by: E Walk

(© 2007 by the Author)
Editor Radio Rancher

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...


Chapter 17

This Is Private Property

There was a knock on the door about 6:00, and Beau got up and answered.  Rick came in and said “Mr. and Mrs. Little are fit to be tied.   I think you need to go tell them were the boys are.”

Beau let Ranger out and got dressed and went next door.  He knocked lightly and Mr. Little threw open the door and yelled, “What do you want?”

“Sir, I just wanted to tell you that your sons are asleep in our bunkhouse.  They came over last night very upset because you and your wife were yelling at each other and left them alone.  They are still asleep and we’ll bring them home when they wake up.  Quite frankly, you look like s___ but you shouldn’t let the guys know you are having problems.  Now is the time in their lives when they need a lot of love.” 

Beau went back to the bunkhouse and got Rick and they went for a short run.  The other guys were still in the same position as when they left except that Spencer had two young boys in bed with him now.

Beau woke Spencer and Jeremy and they took a shower with him.  He woke the other five guys and Beau took the two Little boys back to their bunkhouse.  He had them wrapped in towels and no one could tell that they were only dressed in their briefs.  He went back and made sure his guys were okay and they were getting ready for breakfast when Will came in.

“Benson, you have caused me so much grief.  I’ll to talk you later.  I guess you guys need your sheets changed since the others are on a pile.” Will said.

“Yeah, we had a party last night.  Just leave the clean sheets and we can make our beds later.  I trust your parents didn’t disown you.”  Beau said.

“No, but they laid down some rather strict guidelines or I don’t get any help with college from them.”  Will said.

The guys went to the dining room and as they were finishing, Beau stood and said, “There will be swimming lessons for anyone under the age of nine at 9:30 and then at 10:00 there will be a scavenger hunt for anyone from the ages of 9-12.  At 11:00 there will be a scavenger hunt for the younger group.

At 1:00 there will be horseback riding or a nature walk for those of you who would prefer that and of course the pool will be open and there will be a snack and drink available from 3:30 to 4:00.  At four o’clock there will be a story time under the tree by the Chow Hall.  Now everyone have a good day.”

Beau sat down and said, “Carole Anne and Dylan, I want you to take Rick to the nearest piano/organ store and try to buy an electric piano for the church.  Here, take my card and don’t give me any lip.  This is important to me.”

Dylan said, “Yes sir.  Is there anything else your majesty desires?  We’ll leave right after lunch.”

Beau excused himself and he and Rick went to get ready for the morning.  He came back and got Carole Anne, Dylan and Mr. Stephens and Cookie.  Beau explained that meals needed to be simpler with fewer choices.  There should only be two or three choices at each meal.  “This will save on the waste.”

Beau laid out what he had in his mind for the three meals.  He concluded his presentation by saying, “Golly, if this were a real ranch there wouldn’t be any choices.  The cowboys ate what they were served and were thankful for it.  I have an idea incubating that might be the highlight of the week for everyone.  Now I’ll leave you to discuss what’s going to happen while I help with the swim lessons.”

Finally at 2:30, Beau went to the stables. He was going to take a ride and announced that he would be back at 4:00.  Beau jumped on Midnight and they took off and went up into the hills.

They came upon a small lake and Beau went skinny dipping while Midnight walked around and drank.  Midnight went to graze on the grass and Beau was laying on the ground.  He started to get warm, so he put his bikini briefs on so he wouldn’t burn his essentials parts.

He was just about asleep when two riders came up.  He looked up and waved.  The gentleman asked, “What are you doing on private property?”

Beau got up and said, “I’m sorry sir.  My name is Beau.  I’ll get dressed and we’ll leave and head back to the ranch.”

The man asked, “What ranch?”

Beau said as he was dressing, “The nude dude ranch that C. A. owns.”  Beau whistled and Midnight came trotting up with his reigns in his mouth.”

“Midnight, we need to go.  These people are upset because we’re on private property.  We need to get to Carole Anne’s so they don’t report us to Sheriff Champion.”  Beau said, as he jumped on Midnight.

The gentleman said, “Wait, I’m Gordie and this is my other daughter S.Z.Q.  I apologize.  You two are indeed on Carole Anne’s property.”

That’s okay Senator.  Come on, let’s get back to the ranch. I have a story time to do.”  Beau said, as he and Midnight took off.  S.Z.Q. and her dad took off after them.  Beau was standing in the corral grooming Midnight when they arrived.  Beau gave their horses a treat.  S.Z.Q and Beau made sure the horses were okay when they took off to find Carole Anne and Dylan and the Senator.

They ran into Rick who was excited.  “Beau, we got the most beautiful electric piano that sounds like an organ.  I’m so excited.  It’s going to be delivered on Thursday.  We need to make sure the church is ready.”

Beau said, “Don’t worry fat boy, we’ll be ready.  Now I would like you to meet Carole Anne’s sister S.Z.Q.  Now I have to go do story time.”

Rick stopped and shook hands and Beau said, “Go tell Kit to get cleaned up and that he is eating at our table tonight.  Suze, you call your mother and tell her to get here now and to bring your swim suits.  This is going to be a family swim night.”

Everybody moved to comply and Beau went to the story time after which he took his guys to get ready for dinner.  Just as they were going to their bunkhouse a lady came tooling up on a motorcycle.  Beau went to her and said, “I guess you must be Mrs. Gordon.  Your husband is in the main house with Carole Anne and Dylan and S.Z.Q. was with Rick the last time I saw her.”

Beau quickly showered and went to the Chow Hall and started to greet everyone as they arrived.  Rick joined him and the place was alive.  The head table had room for 14 tonight since Carole Anne’s family would be joining them along with Kit.

When Kit came in, Beau whispered something and Kit sat beside S.Z.Q. and saved a spot for the two guys.  At six o’clock Beau motioned for Carole Anne’s table to go through the line and the other tables were reversed from the previous night.  When everyone was served, Beau and Rick went through the line and as people were finishing Beau stood and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have some distinguished guests joining us tonight.  I would like to introduce Carole Anne’s parents, Senator and Mrs. Gordie Gordon.  He came galloping in on his horse and Mrs. Gordon came tooling in on her motorcycle.”

The Gordon’s stood and waved and Beau continued, “They are being chaperoned by Carole Anne’s younger sister who is visiting from Texas where she owns her own ranch.  Now I have some more announcements before I get to the schedule.

Effective immediately Mr. Kit Carson is assuming the role of Assistant Ranch Coordinator so that Mr. Stephens can devote more time to managing the Ranch because Carole Anne will be spending a lot of time in Fremont and Des Moines.  Kit will still be the Stable Manager.”  Beau had Kit stand.

After the applause, Beau said, “I have two more job changes.  Rick Stephens will be the head Activities Director as well as Mr. Carson’s assistant at the stables. Will Champion will be serving as the Assistant Activities Director and still be responsible for several bunkhouses.”  Beau had Rick and Will stand. 

After the applause stopped Beau said, “Now the important stuff.  “Tonight is family swim night and a snack of brownies and ice cream will be served in the Chow Hall at 8:30.  Tomorrow night is movies under the stars weather permitting and Cookie will have lots of popcorn and Chex Mix with juice and tea.”

“Now here’s the most exciting thing, we’re having an old fashioned Chuck Wagon Meal at the church down the road on Wednesday.  We will be leaving at 4:00 and we will be painting and cleaning the church to get it ready for the electric piano that is going to be delivered on Thursday.  We’ll let you know more about the Ranch happenings at breakfast tomorrow.” 

Carole Anne and Dylan and the rest of the table got up and took their dishes to the containers and started to circulate.  The guests had all cleared out and Carole Anne, Mr. Stephens, Kit and Will started to pounce on Beau.

Beau said, “Everyone just back off.  I had a purpose for everything I did, now let me finish eating.  Will, go call your Father and Mother and ask them to spread the word bout Wednesday.  The Ranch will provide the main course, and the bread and drinks.  The local people could bring salads and desserts.  Also, we’re going to need some ladders.”

“Now, I have to go to the pool and make sure everything is ready.”  Beau said as he got up and cleaned the table and left.

The Senator said, “Why do I get the feeling that Beau’s mind is four jumps ahead of everyone else’s.  I could use some one like him on my staff.”

Beau and his entourage went to the pool.  The families arrived and everyone was visiting and swimming when all of a sudden a young boy about seven dove into the pool and started to struggle.  Beau and Ranger reacted immediately and went to help him out.  Beau squeezed him tight and got the water out of his lungs.

The young man leaned back against Beau and Beau said, “It’s not your fault, but until you learn to swim better you need to stay in the shallow end.”  Beau held him until he calmed down.  The boy’s parents came over and Beau assured them that he was fine.

Chip came and took the boy with him and they joined the other five year olds and two Little boys one of whom just happened to be seven.  They took Ranger and were playing Frisbee.

Beau went to the lifeguards and asked, “Who is supposed to be on duty now?”

A guy and girl raised their hands.  Beau said, “Then I suggest you get in your chairs now.  There is no way that a guest and a dog should be saving another guest.  Now who is the head lifeguard?”

The same young man raised his hand and the two life guards got in their chairs and Beau said, “Rick, go get your Dad, Mr. Carson and Will and you had better tell Carole Anne to be here also.”

S.Z.Q. and Beau were swimming.  At 8:30, Beau got out and looked at he head lifeguard who blew his whistle and announced, “Pool’s closed.  Dessert awaits in the Chow Hall.”

The lifeguards closed the pool and started to clean the area when Rick returned with the requested people plus Dylan and Senator Gordon.

Beau went into the attack and was relentless.  “Carole Anne, we almost had a young man drown tonight because the two lifeguards who were supposed to be on duty were standing talking to each other rather than in their chairs.  It so happens one of them is the head lifeguard.”

“Mr. Stephens, I’m sure that the lifeguards receive an adequate compensation for the time they spend on the ranch.  Am I correct?”  Beau asked.

“Beau, we pay at least twenty cents more than the minimum and they get free meals while they are here.  The head lifeguard gets 30 cents an hour additional for scheduling and making sure that the pool is operational.”  Mr. Stephens said,

“So it wouldn’t be too difficult to find replacements if we had to?  I hope you seven people were listening.  If you are scheduled to be on duty then you'd better be in the appropriate chairs as scheduled.  Will, you make sure that there are no boyfriends or girlfriends or special friends scheduled to be on duty at the same time.”

“There will not be a repeat of tonight where you were standing around with your thumbs you know where.  Now is there anything that you do not understand.  We expect you to do the job you are paid to do.”

Beau turned and walked away.  Everyone but the lifeguards was following.  He sent them to the Chow Hall but he went to his bunkhouse and started to cry.  Dylan came in and held Beau.  Beau collapsed against Dylan and neither of them said a word.

Beau had finally started to relax when the other five guys came bounding in.  Chip announced, “Beau, Cookie’s brownies are almost as good as Mrs. Madison’s.   I brought you one.  Beau, are you okay?  Everyone is worried about you.”

“Guys, I’m fine.  I’m just a little tired.  Why don’t you three younguns get your shower and make sure you brush your teeth.  Then us old men will shower and I will read everyone a story for a short time.  I think we are just tired.”  Beau said as he hugged Dylan who left.

Beau read and everyone crawled into bed.  Everyone was asleep except Beau when there was a light knock on the door.  Beau opened it and there stood the Little’s two sons.  Beau let them in and he put the youngest son in bed with Spencer and had the older get in his bed.  He left the door unlocked in case their parents came to look for them.  He left the bathroom light on in case anyone had to go to bathroom.  

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

Editor's Notes:

Does anyone else besides me think there is something very unpleasant going on with the parents of those two young guys?  Something is definitely wrong, in my opinion.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/01/08