“I’ll get the cups,” Kay replied, returning to the kitchen and retrieving a full sleeve of red solo cups she had spotted in the pantry.
Bradley seemed greatly relieved by the laughter as they settled down with the pizza and beer, everyone laughing and talking energetically. It was hours later before they all cleared out, several staying behind to help clean up before leaving.
“We need to do more of that,” Bradley said as they sat on the sofa and watched TV, enjoying what was left of the second keg of beer that had eventually been retrieved.
“I agree.”
“These guys work hard for the common good. They deserve some niceties in return, something other than just mere survival. I pay them as well as I can and they are afforded food from the crops we grow, but I want to do better by them.”
“You will. We will,” Kay observed.
Bradley nodded and they zoned out for a while in front of the tube. It was nice to just sit together like this, not sharing a single word, just being together and being happy.CHAPTER THIRTY“What’s this?” Bradley asked as he approached Kay standing with a pair of men in jeans and work shirts a few days later.
“Bradley, this is Fred Pruitt and Don Jasper. They are giving me an estimate on a pavilion.”
“A pavilion?”
“Yes. You got time to listen to their ideas?”
“Sure. I guess so. Whatcha got?” he said, looking toward the men now.
“Well, your wife said she is looking at building an open pavilion on this stretch of property that runs along the side of the house, away from the stables and such. It’s a pretty simple structure, really. No walls, just posts and an A frame roof with gutters that will dispel any rain away from the foundation beneath,” Fred told them.
Kay nodded approvingly while Bradley continued to look a bit puzzled by it all. Don picked up the lull and continued.
“We’d put a triple bay of long picnic style tables with benches beneath it, running the length of the structure. At one end would be a pit for barbecue and grilling. Behind that, a very small set of bathrooms. One with two stalls for women and the other with a trough style urinal and a single stall for men. Plumbing and ventilation would be state of the art, driving any, um, unpleasant noises or odors away from the inner space.”
“Sounds fantastic!” Kay replied.
“It does, but what’s it for?” Bradley finally asked.
“Your little pizza party the other night inspired me. What you said about doing more for the people. I thought it would be great if we could maybe, I don’t know, once a month or so, have a family barbecue for everyone. The house is okay for smaller gatherings, but this would give us enough space for all.”
“It does sound good, but I’m not sure we can afford it,” Bradley said with a groan.
“That’s the beauty of it. I want to build it with my money and gift it to the ranch. So, all that it would ever cost is the fixings for the meal. I think we could swing that once a month, or once a quarter, if that is too often.”
“Sounds like a lot of money out of your pocket, Kay,” Bradley replied.
“That money used to mean a lot to me, but I don’t need it now. I’ve got everything I need here. Let me do this for my new family.”
Bradley looked at her, his eyes fixed on hers. Finally, he sighed and nodded before turning back to the two men.
“Women, huh? You guys got a woman at home that wraps you around her little finger and just melts you with everything she does?”
“We have each other,” Fred replied with a knowing smile.
“Oh. Well, then, you do understand,” Bradley replied, seeming a little embarrassed that he hadn’t considered the two brawny men might be a couple, though there was really no reason for him to think about it one way or another. “All right, I’m going to get back to the stables. Just do whatever she tells you to do and we’ll all continue to be happy men.”
“Will do,” Don chimed in.
Bradley made his exit, leaving the three of them to discuss the details while he returned to his work in the stables. They hashed out the final details standing out in the yard and they left, returning the following week with final plans for approval. Their rendition looked flawless.
Kay was incredibly excited as they broke ground and began building it. Though the members of the clan were curious, neither she nor Bradley revealed the true nature of what they were building, referencing it as an addition to the house. It was close enough that it could be adjoined to the kitchen at a later date, if they chose to do so, but for now, it would be a stand-alone structure.