by Bella Knight
“True,” said Joran.
“What about grazing rights?” asked Marty.
“Be a good way to make money during the summer months,” said Joran.
“I’ll talk to Fala Red Fox,” said Alo. “Don’t see why not. Hope to make enough, make us all do well.”
“How well are you doing, young man?” asked Marty. Joran bristled at the younger man’s rudeness, but Alo nodded.
“I have investments that pay. My feed business is now Wolfpack business. I also did some coding, so I have a cut of our apps and games. I paid for my university out of our funds, and have paid it all back as of last Thursday, so the next Wolfpack can go to the university, too.” Alo grinned. “I’m no drag on the farm, or the res.”
Joran nodded. “So, tell us what you’re doing.”
Alo pulled a 3D printed hydroponics model out of his shoulder bag. “Better still, let me show you.”
They got to the farm in the deep dark. Alo and Leo grinned, got off the bikes, took off their helmets, and listened to the owls. They brought in the saddlebags. Fala Red Fox was on the porch. She handed them mugs of coffee. They sat, drank. Across the way, there were scraps of music.
“Good you came,” said Fala Red Fox. “Gerald’s gettin’ old, now he’s slow to move. Havin’ those ones there, it helps. Get all the farm work done. Your pods were delivered, and all the bedding and such. They put them in the barn over the horses. Rooms are small, but strong. Share one shower and toilet, end of the hall.” She pointed to the big red barn. “Once my husband passes, and he will, pretty soon-like, you can move down the hall from me, give your pod to the next one. Got us a Crow girl next on the list, she’s pregnant, father’s gone someplace else. Be good to get us some little ones around here.”
“I am sorry about your husband,” said Alo.
“He’s dying on the land he loves. Be a good death. One breath here, the other gone. Says he doesn’t want to be an experiment for the doctors no more.” She sighed. “Cancer. Spread all over.”
“You tell us what you need done, we do it,” said Alo. “We’re here to make things easier for you, not harder.” He looked off into the soft night. “I saw the land you have. You think ‘bout grazing rights?”
“Thought about it. Be a good thing to do in the late summer, after my man is gone. He didn’t want it done, but it makes sense, but only for a little out of the year.”
“Good,” said Alo. “More income for you. We can ride out, check on it. Be sure the ranchers are sticking to agreements.”
“Old Will in the up-country part, be good. Probably pay the young ones here to help him around his place, too. None of his people stayed. All his sons and daughters done moved away.” She grinned. “Doesn’t help that he’s Crow, either. Bit hard-headed.”
“Just a bit,” said Alo, and smiled. “This here is Leo. Be a real good worker. Eats like a horse, though. Might want to get us a local cook, unless one of these here is trained.”
“Diana Red Bull would do well,” said Fala. “If you do the courses you got for her, too, she’ll do it for room and board. No money outta my pocket.”
“Good,” said Alo. He stood. “Thank you for the coffee, ma’am. We’ll go meet the others, then get our beds ready for the night.” They stepped off the porch into the inky darkness.
“You grow us some food, get us going,” said Fala. “Get your animals, your things all set up. This way, we keep the farm running for the future. You planning on buying the farm from me when I die?”
“Or when you’re living, we might buy it from you, set you up as queen of all you survey, profit-sharing and all,” Alo said. “But, knowing you, you’ll have your hands in dirt or on a horse’s nose until you die.”
Fala nodded. “You keep things for me, help me die on horseback on my own damn land, then you’ve got yourself a deal.”
Alo stepped back to her, and they shook. Then, Alo took Leo to the barn for the night. Leo took the green pod room, and Alo the silver pod room. Alo showed Leo how to use his pod, turn the light on and off. They took turns showering, and then they found their pods and went to sleep.
Alo was up before dawn. He went down to the barn entrance and sang in the dawn. Leo came down, and they fed and watered the horses, then collected eggs from the chickens. Alo went in to wake up the rest of the new Montana Wolfpack, Tia Medicine Horse, with a shock of black hair and a smooth face; Delfine Creek, a beauty with one hell of an attitude; Alina Grey Bull, a girl with strong fingers and a wide nose; Paul Blackbird, a very short young man with long black hair in a braid running down his back; Omar Tonolo with wide fingers, a wide face, and a ready smile; Jon Dorin, angry at being away from family, but ready to get his GED and “blow this joint.” He was all Crow. They were on the list closest to the top, and were ready to work. They went in, and he had them set the table, scramble eggs, make biscuits with his cheesy herb recipe he learned from Vi, and fry up sausage and bacon. He had them rotate so everyone learned a task. He pulled out a pitcher of orange juice, and sent up trays for Fala and her ill husband.
He read their chore list, and made some adjustments, then added himself and Leo. He included everyone in learning to cook basic farm food, and how to make coffee and lemonade.
“Why we gotta cook, man?” asked Jon.
“We gotta eat, and it’s too much for one person to do,” said Alo. “Plus, we’re gonna have a campground, and a food truck.”
“A food truck?” asked Paul.
“Or a snack bar,” said Alo. “Have to figure out which one is cheaper. But, a food truck can move. Some of you may want this as a living after. Can make good money at it if you know what you’re doing.”
“For what? Who wants a food truck around here?” asked Alina.
“Campground,” said Alo. “The other end of the property, so their foolishness doesn’t bother us. We got the hikers, the birdwatchers, the leaf peepers…”
“Leaf peepers?” asked Jon.
“Fall colors,” said Delfine. “Run around taking pictures.”
“Photographers,” said Alo. “Pay good money to get good pictures. We got two state parks and a national forest on the borders of this land. They will pay. It will be spring, fall, and summer work. Winter, no one that stupid, we hope.”
“We get this money?” asked Omar. “Or is it all for you?”
“It goes into a fund,” said Alo. “You’re Wolfpack now. Twenty percent goes to college funds, certificates, journeyman, whatever floats your little boats after you get your GEDs. Fala gets room and board. We improved her property, and will continue to do so, but food and electricity costs money. Then, profits. Some get invested into new business, like livestock.”
“Livestock?” asked Tia.
“Alpacas and possibly sheep, definitely angora rabbits, for wool. We shear the sheep and brush the alpacas and rabbits. They like it, we get the wool to wash and card and spin it into yarn, which makes sweaters and scarves and such.” He looked over at Jon. “Don’t give me the snooty eye, Jon.” Everyone laughed. “One sweater can go for hundreds of dollars.” He felt their focus settle on him like a weight as they began to talk money. “Profits,” he said. “Goats for cheese. The first few batches are gonna be terrible, but those fine restaurants down the mountain love that stuff. We grow as much of our own food as we can, and things you can’t grow in the ground in winter.”
“Which is everything,” said Alina.
“Specifically, greens, carrots, veggies like that,” said Alo. “Sell fantastically well in winter. Cheaper for the locals, not having to truck stuff in, we make a profit.”
“Boom,” said Omar.
“Boom,” agreed Alo. “And hikers need guides, and so do the photographers. Canoers. No white-water rafting, leave that to the crazy people.” Everyone laughed. “So, we learn things, we make money, you get to go to the school of your choice, up to a certain amount. Most of us got at least partial scholarships. You want Harvard; you gotta get lots of those.” Everyone laughed.
“Today, we put together the new hydroponic beds which are coming in today by truck. We scout three spots for the campground so we’ve got a choice, and ask Tito in Vegas if he knows a campground-making expert to help us do things so that they’re up to code, file the permits or whatever. We start finding and marking trails, and writing them down for people who want to hike on their own. And, we’ve got chickens to feed, and horses to put out to pasture, and we’ve got to get everything here in top shape before the campground thing starts.” Alo grinned. “Any questions?” They all groaned. “Lots of work now, less work in winter,” he said. “Where are your work gloves?” he asked.
Only Omar and Jon had them. Alo sighed. The others smiled at his ingenuity and motivation. He was smart, kind, and very caring in his nature. And all of that spoke volumes.
“First the animals, then we do a punch list, including getting everyone good gloves. You guys have cowboy or work boots?” They all shrugged. He saw Sketchers and other tennis shoes on their feet. “Okay, looks like we’re heading to town to get that, too. How many changes of clothes do you guys have?” Blank stares ensued. He sighed. “Now you see why we work so hard. All of this costs money.” He stood. “Omar and Jon, go feed the chickens, two scoops each, throw it on the ground and don’t get pecked. Paul and Alina, rinse the plates and fill up the dishwasher. Delfine, clean the tables and the counters, and make new orange juice from concentrate. Paul, you’re with me. We have horses to get out. Then, we all take turns mucking out the stables, then we wash up, have a snack, and head out shopping.” He looked out at the dilapidated farm truck. “We need sizes, Delfine, get those. Measuring tape should be in the toolbox.” He pointed at the toolbox near the front door. “Let’s do this.”
By ten they were all hot and grumbling. He helped Delfine measure the Wolfpack, and brought Paul and Delfine with them in the ancient red truck. They bounced and jounced over every pothole.
“Gonna need a new truck,” said Alo. “Double cab. Possibly a dually. That means double tires, but that pumps up the cost real fast. Four wheel drive preferred.” He stopped the truck right before pulling onto the state road and unlocked his cell phone. “We’ve got service for only a few minutes. Once we’re out of range of Fala’s satellite, we’re in trouble,” he said, handing it to Delfine.
She typed fast, and came up with a website. “New or salvage?”
“Can do either. I learned trucks from Stone. He’s got a shop. Depends on what parts are running. Can get a dually cheap if it isn’t a cracked engine block or a broken axle.” He grinned. “Call the guy and put it on speaker.”
Lydia and Rennie’s Truck Salvage had a nonworking dually with four doors. He’d have to leave a pack member behind on trips, but it would work. It was the ugliest brown ever, and the engine was fine, but most of everything else needed to be tuned up or replaced. Lydia was a sprite in blue coveralls, with a mop of crinkled dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a pug nose.
She grinned. “Got all the parts here, ‘cept one. Can even put it together for ya. Still mighty cheaper than buyin’ new. Reynaldo down the road will give you all brand-new tires, come here an’ replace ‘em for you.”
Alo said, “I ain’t no city slicker. Fair price, fair cash.”
“Cash?” asked Lydia. “Why didn’t you say so?” She knocked ten percent off the price as they haggled, then she called Reynaldo and got his price, which was fair.
Alo went to the bank next, and got a transfer from the Wolfpack account to this one, and moved his own money over into a separate account. Alo wired the money to Lydia and Reynaldo, and then went to the garage to give the old truck new filters, oil, and whatever else it needed.
They walked to the used clothing store for good serviceable jeans and T-shirts for the seven, and some for himself, too. He bought boots for every one of them according to Delfine’s directions, mostly cowboy boots, but Paul wanted steel-toed work boots, and so did Alo. He then went to the feed and tack store and got gloves for everyone, including himself, and bought seeds, feed, and tack cleaner, oil, and protectant, and a mess of clean rags. They picked up the truck, and drove it back to pick up their purchases. They picked up bulk groceries —flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pancake and biscuit mix, canola oil, bacon, sausage, hamburger, chicken, tomato sauce, eggs, bread, cheese, milk, and frozen orange juice. He got a good price on frozen elk. He stopped at a roadside stand for fresh produce —corn, tomatoes, lettuce, fruit.
On the way back, they picked up enough tacos and drinks for twelve on the state highway. They made it back, unloaded the cab, reheated everything, and ate. Alo brought the food and drinks up to Fala and her husband, who were both dozing in the sunlight. Then, Alo took out his hydroponics model from his saddlebag, and showed them exactly what they were putting together and how it all worked. He taught his course in thirty-minute increments, with thirty minutes for cleanup in the farmhouse, making it sparkle. They also laundered all their new clothes, except the gloves and boots.
Then, they rotated cleaning out the barn, making it ready for the hydroponics. The dually truck was delivered, then the truck arrived with the hydroponics parts, and Alo stood back and let them figure out how to match up the parts with the model. He helped them install everything. He passed out tools, drilled holes, and showed them how to make everything plumb with a level. They hooked up the pipes, seeded the cotton batting-like substance with the seeds, and rolled it out. Soon, the sprinklers were ready with the nutrient mix, and the LED lights were hooked up, according to the chart of which plant liked which light color —red, green, blue, yellow, and white. They turned the system on. All the lights and sprinklers worked, and everyone high-fived one another. They then did the evening chores. The chickens were fed and their coop checked for any damage, the horses curried and hooves checked well, and then brought in for food. Alo showed them what and how to feed them, in the right amounts, and then it was time for dinner.
They were exhausted but exuberant when they traipsed in for dinner. Alo showed them how to make sloppy joes with a salad, and they ate like wolves. Delfine brought up the tray for Fala and her husband. The Pack cleaned up. He allowed them time to watch television and movies, and herded them all to bed. He fell asleep amid the stamping and snorting of horses in the barn under his pod. He was in an old farm hand’s room, over the barn’s tack room, reachable by stairs. He grinned, and slept.
In the morning, the unlikely-named Bark Fenriss and his wife (Willow) arrived, ready to help them find the correct meadow. Bark was tall, with coppery skin, black hair, and fierce dark eyes. Willow had long blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and a sweet smile. Alo left most of the Wolfpack to their chores, and took Leo and Alina with him. They showed Bark the first meadow. He frowned, and Willow’s eyes dimmed. They showed him the second meadow, one wider and closer to the road, and he walked it, muttering, while Willow smiled softly.
He stood, and pointed. “Latrines, there. Campers, all along here.” He counted them out.
“And the food truck or stand?” asked Leo.
“There,” said Bark, not missing a beat, pointing. “Water tank there.”
“Solar and wind power,” said Alo.
Bark nodded. “Too far up for geothermal. And, you’ll have to have a backup generator. You could do water, but you’d run into permit issues.”
“Okay,” said Alo.
“Let’s map this, and get started on the permits. Willow, you and Leo here map the ground. We’ll mark off the spaces.”
Willow and Leo got out Willow’s machine to see under the land, looking for hidden aquifers and the like. Bark, Alo, and Alina then mapped everything out with chalk line, and Bark took pictures of everything.
“Could be up to three years to get a permit,” said Bark, “But you’re up against Crow land. May be able to get a special exemption. I would suggest tent platforms and tiny houses. Different permits for those. People without an RV can stay there and, believe it or not,
if you have double lofts, you can sleep four or even six if you have banquet seating. Cost you time and money to build, but you can put solar on them, and wind, and they’ll be thousands in the fall.”
“We’ll ask Tito,” said Alo.
“I’ll ask him now,” said Bark. He whipped out a very tough-looking black phone. “Satphone. I get all the good toys.” He called, and talked for a long while.
Bark handed the phone to Alo. Tito came on the line. “We know a tiny home specialist, and you can do a lot of the labor yourself. You are close enough to have a graded road to the meadow, according to Bark, that won’t cost you too much. You can pour pads, or have houses with wheels. Tiny houses are big business, and you can make a mint if your people learn that as a profession.”
“Sounds real good, but expensive,” said Alo.
“It is, but I can get you a good deal. Lily said you would call, and says she can get you started on two tiny houses, a pour, septic tank, two showers, four toilets in a campground style, the platforms for the tents, and a food truck. She says she has a line on one, real cheap. People there will work sunup to well into the night with a generator. You can get it all knocked out once you get the permit within a week or so; already talked to the tribal council. I suggest pouring for everything at once; concrete pours aren’t cheap.”
“Let’s do it,” said Alo.
They were able to get the permit, partly because it jutted into Crow land, partly because it would create jobs, and partly because of the upcoming sugar beet season. Thousands of people would come from all over the country looking for work, and they would all need housing. Two of the Crow people on the res, Raina Watson and Quinn Trajo, had built tiny houses before. They graded and poured for six RVs and six tiny houses, the latrine, the food truck pad, and an outbuilding to store food and supplies that wouldn’t be raided by bears. They sprayed bear repellent, and went to work.
The Wolfpack rotated jobs on the farm, cooking, construction, and studied during breaks and at night for their GEDs, from dawn to well into the night, for two weeks straight. Both the windmill and the solar panels arrived. An electrician put in the hookups, the generator arrived and was housed, the sewage was dug and run out to the county line, the road was graded and poured, the water was hooked up and rainwater tank installed, the showers and toilets went in, and the tiny houses were built on wheels from the ground up. In less than three weeks total, the entire campground was ready to go.