Wayne Gray

Thanks for taking the time to comment and read the chapter. Yep. Bill has spoken, and he had messages for both Taggert and Zane. Both loving. But one bearing the weight of judgment and disappointment. The auction is coming. And... we'll see how Taggert translates his own sense of justice into action. We'll find out which door is opened. I hope you like how it ends up.

Taggert doesn't have quite enough if Flemming goes as high as it's likely to go. Part of what Rebecca had been quietly doing over the last few weeks was, at Taggert's request, slowly liquidating everything apart from the "non-liquid" holdings. In other words, the parcels within Yoder Ranch itself. So... at the time of the signing at the bank with Rebecca, Taggert had access to about $63 million dollars. And cashing in on those assets was very intentional. Because Taggert has a plan. Ash has been the person most important to Taggert's slow recovery. He's still in that process, but Ash has made it possible. Without Ash, none of this would be. None of it. Rebecca would still be searching for him, because Taggert would have moved on shortly after starting at Nasser. And he'd have slipped away. But Ash created a safe place to be for him. And that's worth a huge amount. Bill loved Zane. But he understood him. And he despaired for how he treated Taggert. So... he set things up through the trust the way he did to protect his grandson. I think he did a pretty good job there. Thanks for reading and for the comments. I appreciate them.

The Google-Fu is strong with this one. But yes. You got it. Well. Except now, Taggert has named Ash as his beneficiary (off-camera, so to speak). And as stipulated in the trust, this satisfies the requirement for either an heir or a beneficiary set down by Bill. Ash would probably have a conniption if he knew, and that's why Taggert didn't tell him. Ye haw. LOL

I actually don't know what I added. I have tinkered with all of the chapters a LOT. So... it could be anything. No deception intended, just my addled brain finding edits needed after reading a chapter a dozen times.

Thanks for reading and for the comments. It's great that you'll miss these guys. We've been through a lot with them, so I get it. If something happened to Taggert, all trust assets would immediately become the property of one Mister Ashton Penn. Though he doesn't know that. But, on the off chance something happened to them both. Yes, Nasser Ranch would then own bits and pieces of Yoder Ranch. Little dots of acreage critical to the operations of Yoder Ranch, but almost useless to Nasser. They don't have the right to access any of that land. They just own it. So all they could do would be to charge fees for its use, or forbid Yoder from using it. So... literally, all it can do for the owner is gift the capacity to screw Yoder over. Bill knew this. It would never serve Nasser in any real capacity if it went to them. Not operationally. But they could certainly use it as a deterrent. Zane would know this. A single phone call could evict him and all of his cowboys off of the Yoder Homestead. Leverage. Incredible, undeniable leverage.

@kbois are weiners always this pedantic? 😛

The last few chapters were quite the juggling act in terms of order. I pulled and rearranged various scenes multiple times and rewrote portions until I found the best "flow" for the information and character progression. You know the struggle, I'm sure. So I'm glad it landed well. And yes. Zane will be frothing mad. But part of that is because, if he cannot challenge the trust, he will be utterly impotent against Taggert. Purple is likely a shade anyone around him will see when the trust details are revealed. Another Google-Fu trained reader already answered the portion about the trust and ownership. Yeah, the trust will STILL fire if anything happens to Taggert. Something he did while with Rebecca, though, was quietly make Ash his beneficiary for all trust assets. Ash doesn't know this, but if anything happens to Taggert, he gets it all. Thanks for the comment and for taking the time reading this one. I appreciate it.

I'm glad they're worth missing. I like them quite a bit myself. Taggert has made up his mind. The shape of what that looks like is yet to be seen, but see it we shall. And yes, Bill's message was pretty clear. Both of them were, actually. You're right about Taggert's capabilities and responsibilities. He could bury his head in the sand and stay a cowboy forever. But... that's not all of who he is. He's an heir. Chosen by Bill Yoder to carry on his family tradition of owning and running a ranch. And we'll see what Taggert does with that. Related to the above is Flemming Ranch, of course. And the final disposition of the place is coming. Thanks for reading and for the great comments. See you Friday!

Thank you for the compliment and for the read of the chapter. No, it'd have to be Bert and not James. While James serves a lot of critical functions for the ranch, he is not the owner. Not yet. And Taggert needed the owner. We'll see what Taggert has decided to do, and yes, it likely involves the trust he has been gifted. We will see Zane again. As for your wish, we'll have to see about that. However it goes, it will be Taggert's choice. The story returns for the final time on Friday. See you then.

Chapter 17: Pillars The bank sat in downtown Enid between a law office and a feed supply storefront that had probably looked exactly the same for the last forty years. Brick. Tinted windows. The American flag snapping lazily in the Oklahoma heat. It was the following day, and finally time for Taggert to gain full access to the trust's funds. Ash stared up at the bank from the backseat of Rebecca’s SUV as she parked. “You sure this isn’t gonna somehow end with me accidentally owing

Instinct will not be denied, and Prince Candir tests the conviction of his guardian, the Knight Xan. Once the royal's intention is known, and the momentum of the awakening irresistible, doubt is sown for a man who'd had none. When awareness of such a tryst could be their undoing, what will a knight risk for a moment with his prince? https://gayauthors.org/story/wayne-gray/story-promptsideas/6

You know what this chapter made me think of? Solarpunk. The idea that technology can and should be used in lockstep with ecological principles. Solar panels providing shade for canals to decrease evaporation. Ferns and bushes growing on the sides of buildings, helping the structure shed heat through their respiration. Walkable, bikable cities running on clean energy. This chapter really shows a humanity that has learned from its mistakes. And that alone made me happy. Mateo and James make a great pair of non-violent desperados. I really look forward to chapter 3.

I'm glad to see this one here. Thanks for the early look at it, tim. I appreciate the connection between Silas and James. It certainly mirrors the connection between men - two individuals who society may not approve of together. Nice start.

I know this isn't the answer to everything, but... I love overnight oats made this way. And I don't wait after I make them. you COULD, and it'd thicken up into a pudding. But as it is, you can just make them and eat them. They're tasty. I use flax seed instead of chia, but you can also sub in your favorite nut (walnuts!) instead, too. And maybe you'd dread eating just a little bit less. 💚 https://youtu.be/uJy0oLYdPSs

tim. Tell those teeth to just settle down.

Wowzer. I guess I should have expected that branding could be a kink, but I didn't. I can say with certainty that it's not one Taggert shares either. And no, he didn't choose the brand. That's a really insightful statement - concerning if he was afraid to show it due to shame for himself or was it for his family. And... yeah. It was probably a bit of both. No. Ash knew already. But seeing it bare beneath the sun is different. Yet hearing Taggert tell the tale is far worse. But Ash would bear that burden again if Taggert needed him to do so. It's what people who love us do. And we'll see what Taggert does about his father. That's coming. Thanks for reading and for the comment, tim. I appreciate it. xoxo

Thanks for the read and for the comment, Parker. Taggert finally shared the most awful thing that has ever happened to him with the man he trusts and loves. And then Ash's support gave him the strength to do so with Branford. He is loved and respected. And now, he has people who would protect him at any cost. Importantly, he knows that. More to come soon. We're getting close to the end of this one.

Oh, if only!

You know, you're not wrong about a fate worse than death when it comes to Zane and his reputation. Right now, he's a respected but feared rancher. And should he wish it, Taggert could erase that respect. He did for Branford in a single moment without having to say a word. Yes, Bill Yoder knew what kind of man his son had become. And he knew he had to protect Taggert from him. And... he did. Yes, it was from the grave, but he did what needed to be done. Tony was a part of the plot with Zane. Randy... was pressured into doing what he did. Again, his sin, really, was cowardice. He could have done what was right, and he chose not to. Does it absolve him? No. But it does mean he was used as a weapon against someone he had called a friend. Ash doesn't get the financial situation apart from the broad strokes. But you're right - he loves Taggert. He would do just about anything for him. That happened fast, but Ash fell hard. Taggert feels that. He sees it. And being worth the love of someone as pure as Ash... it does something to him. Branford is such a man's man. He really is. He doesn't posture or pose. He doesn't coddle or pretend. So what he said in the shower, he meant. Taggert knows that about him. Hearing it from someone Tag respected that much... it meant a lot to him. Thank you for the nice comment. More is coming.

I'm glad you feel so protective of Taggert. Taggert is in the process of healing. And we don't know if he tried leveling charges at Zane and others, but probably not. Frankly... he wasn't ready. He was reeling from multiple losses and stressors, and he wasn't ready. Is he now? He's closer. And the time with Nasser means he's getting closer every day. There will come a time when he's able to stand up to Zane. And when he's ready for others to know what kind of violation he has been through in the pursuit of justice. That day is coming down the line. But... to your other points. The bank will certainly lend $ to Zane against property he can prove he owns. And he does own most of Yoder Ranch. About 95% of it. It's just that 5% he doesn't own is veeeery important to operations. And if Zane can't pay his debt due to that? Well. The bank just got some land, didn't they? So, they'd still lend to him. He already has to provide proof of ownership for any land used as collateral, and he has likely already done that. And he has yet to find out about what Granddad Yoder did concerning the trust. Which means... Bill Yoder's plan worked exactly as he'd hoped. So far. I don't know for sure, but I think you will enjoy the rest of the story. Thanks for reading and for the comment. More to come on Monday.

Does anybody know? Can kbois climb redwoods?

Yes. I was worried about how technical the first section was. And... that was partially why the second scene, with Ash and Taggert, existed. I hope that worked how I wanted. Taggert has been through something terrible. And it was something engineered by someone who was supposed to love and protect him. A person doesn't just get over something like that. It takes time and support. He's getting that support. But it'll probably be a bit longer before he's truly free of the fear, shame, and trauma. We'll see how Yoder Ranch fares. Because the auction is coming. And both Nasser and Yoder will need to pull out all the stops to win it. I'll update this on Monday. Till then, thanks for reading and for the comment.

Really sorry to hear of the family emergency. Thanks for letting us know, @Valkyrie.

*looks around* "What?" * reassesses* "Who? Me?" *scoffs* "Surely you jest, madam!" *smiles slyly*

You absolutely nailed it. 100%, A+, Excellent.