Montana Saga Chapters One-Five

It's a beautiful May 1st Friday evening, 6:00pm to be precise. It's Rya Michelle Steahl's 26th birthday. She met Henry Conrad and his son Roman Conrad and Henry's foreman Harrison and Harrison's son Zach Grant met her and her family who were participating in a Farm, Ranch and Business Expo. Henry and Harrison were looking for new ranch equipment amd a new business partner with their ranchfor the Yellowstone. Rya was helping her uncle Dale Steahl with ringing up a customer. Henry and Harrison were walking toward their booth when Henry Conrad caught sight of Rya's tee shirt that read: I don't give a crap, I don't take crap, I'm not in the crap business...with three poop emojis next to each phrase. Henry Conrad took one look at her t shirt, and 9 years later she and her family are at the Conrad mansion celebrating her 26th birthday and Yellowstone Ranch's friendship with her family and the business relationship the her family's business

Genesis Farm Corporation. It's also a foretelling of Henry Conrad's and Rya Steahl's future

together that will solidify the Steahl's, Conrad's and Grant's futures in blood, honor and family.

Rya worked her grandfather's farm from the time she was old enough to pick up a shovel. So tonight, she was dressed to the nines in a emerald green silk dress with jewel neck and adorned with green beading around the elbow legth sleeves of the and bottom of the dress. Finished with the 24ct gold K.O.M. necklace she wore since the age of 18 in honor of Henry Conrad and the legend her uncles Dale and Brad and her grandfather Joseph told her about him. The party convoy pulls up to the Conrad mansion where Henry and his son Roman are alongside Harrison and Zach Grant to greet them.

"Good evening Joseph, Catherine, Dale and Brad." Henry, Roman Harrison and Zach said shaking their hands.

"Good evening." each of them said with a smile in return.

Good evening Lt. Colonel Steahl." Henry, Harrison, Roman and Zach said to her

"I'm retired, but I appreciate the respect gentleme. You know I have my own cyber security firm Revelation Investigations. Georgene will do me just fine." she gave them a nod, which they returned.

"Natalie and Rya, good evening." Henry, Harrison, Roman and Zach shook her hand. When it came time to shake Henry's hand, she did the most Rya Steahl thing she could do, she reached her arms around Henry's neck and hugged him tight. He retirmed affection. with a warm smile. Harrison, Zach and Roman smiled between each other.

The Steahl family was walking into Henry's mansion when Rya caught sight of two Yellowstone Ranch guards and the Elite Security Team Guards...who were dressed in black. Then, she froze for a few beats. A flashback from when she was 13 entered her mind. She remembered the threats and violence done to her by her grandmother Francine and her father Omega Oil tycoon Jere Harrington. They bound her hands and feet, duct taped her mouth shut, and drove with a mercenary into the woods and dumped her there leaving her to die.

"Rya! Rya!" Catherine saying her granddaughter's name repeatedly until she snapped out of her flashback. "What's wrong, Rya?" her grandmother asked

"Nothing. I'm fine." Rya stammered and entered the mansion.

She had been in his mansion before with her family for different occasions. She loved his mansion. The dark cherry and mahogany wood was yet another reason why she looked at him as her kindred spirit.

Chapter 2

They sat down to a dinner of cheddar bacon biscuit, roasted root vegetable soup with barley

with a main entree of stuffed salmon, homemade seasoned steak fries and for dessert...pumpkin

cake with dark chocolate frosting. All my favorites! Thank you guys! As they dig into the food, Henry

smiles as he looks at the K.O.M. necklace around Darren Onyx made for her

"You told us no gifts Rya, you , told us to just bring ourselves. But a milestone like this doesn't pass

without a wish. So tell me---what does my future Queen want?" Henry asks looking at her K.O.M. necklace.

Rya smiles broadly looking at her circle of people trusts and loves with her whole heart and announces, "I want to build my own fiber ranch. I want to raise Cormo sheep and Angora goats to create clothing, and I want to make ranch grip gloves and make Angora lined winter gloves. I want you hand Harrison to mentor me.

Rya looks at her grandfather with a look of guilt and says, " I'm sorry grandpa. I just think cattle being used for meat leaves a lot of wasted resource behind when the hide from the cattle can be used to make ranch leather grip gloves and Angora lined leather work gloves. Those gloves will

make it easier on the rancher's hands so their hands don't get tore up handling the cattle or doing other ranch chores. Also, denim duster jackets made with waste wool as insulation for the Rugged Luxury Line.

Joseph looks at his granddaughter and says, "Sorry Rya? No sweetie. You took those farm animal and human massage therapy classes and got your certifications in both at the age of 21 so you could calm the animals and heal the ranch hands when they needed it. You'vee always wanted to heal people and

animals when they were in pain.

Henry felt himself tense up at Joseph's reply to his granddaughter. It didn't escape

Harrison's notice. Harrison's attention snapped back to Rya's vision.

Angora Mohair and Silk: The Evening Wear Line. Both Angora, mohair and silk are

famous for their incredible luster and shine. Blending them creates a breathable, lightweight fabric that hold dye beautifully. It will my partner Natalie Bloodstone the

exact high end material she needs to design our high-end luxury dresses.

Wool+ linen+ cotton: The Everyday Comfort Line. Standard wool can be too hot for summer. By weaving our wool with breathable cotton or lightweight line, Natalie and I

can manufacture everyday clothing like hoodies, shirts and active wear---that people can wear all year long.

Now I know that this is not a typical for Montana, or the Yellowstone Ranch, however, by creating a clothing line exclusively through the Yellowstone, it opens up another area market for the Yellowstone Ranch to dominate, and when Natalie and I have pulled this together, we can generate millions to bring in to the local economy, and eventually the state.

Zach has a look of skepticism on his face.

"Zach, Mr. Conrad and I haven't just worked the land, We've also done our fighting in meetings. Formal dress is required. Business rivals won't take you seriously in a tee shirt and jeans. You have to look professional son. Harrison explained.

Roman nodded in agreement with Zach's father.

"I know that dad. I'm just thinking about the old guard and their reaction."

"Well son, there's that change coming, Roman is graduating early tomorrow. and Mr. Conrad announces the new required ranch cirriculum that counts for 50% of their

grade toward graduation for when school starts in the fall." Harrison point out to his son.

"You have a point. You have my support Rya." Zach says extending his with a smile.

Chapter 3

The conversation and eating continued until everyone had their fill.

The Yellowstone kitchen staff came out to remove the dinner plates

and came back with a rolling trolley holding Rya's favorite dessert...

pumpkin cake with homemade dark chocolate frosting. Not a typical

dessert for Montana, or North Dakota, but Rya knew what she liked.

The pieces were pre-cut by the baker, who picked up the first piece

and gave it to Rya who was seated at the head of the table, just as

Henry did for Roman on his birthday every year. The other pieces

were served until everyone had a delectable treasure before them.

Grandfather Joseph raised a glass of cider to celebrate the future of

her fiber ranch and her birthday, along with everyone else, looked at

her and said, "Happy Birthday Rya! To the future and success of your

fiber ranch! Their glasses clinking in celebration. Sealing the bond

between the Steahl's and the Yellowstone Ranch.

Rya reached for her fork but Henry intercepted it, He cut a bite size

piece, lifts and guides it to her lips. Looking up at him with a warm,

sarcastic smirk gracing her lips she says, "Well, aren't you a regular

gentleman Mr. Conrad. I didn't know billionaires doubled as cake-feeders."

Henry's authoritative, commanding voice dropping into a low, private

register that tests her resistance.

"A king always ensures his phoenix is taken care of first, Rya. Especially

today. Eat. You've earned something sweet after everything you've survived."

Rya playfully tried to take the fork from Henry's hand, he gently placed his

other hand on top of hers and placed it in her lap saying, "let me finish what

I started phoenix."

Her alluring gray eyes sparkled as she relinquished control to him on

again. He finishes feeding her the last few bites of cake. Her Uncle Dale whispers

to his brother Brad, "Ya know, this means we will have to insist that Mr. Conrad and

Mr. Grant take advantage of the family discount or Rya will kill us, right?"

Uncle Brad replies to his brother Dale, "At the Farm, Ranch and Business Expo

when Henry, Harrison, Roman and Zach met us and bought our equipment for the

Yellowstone Ranch, she already welcomed them into our circle. She doesn't trust

quickly, but she knows character and integrity when she sees it in someone.. They've

earned her trust. Mr. Conrad has a found a place in her heart, and she found a place

in his." The brothers smile at each other as they watched Henry brush a stray speck of

frosting from the corner of Rya's lip.

Chapter 4

Zach Grant, not wanting to interrupt the tender moment between

Henry and Rya, waits for the opportunity to continue the conversation

It comes when Rya sips her cider.

"A fiber ranch is a lot of late nights during shearing season Rya, but you've

got a whole room of ranchers at this table. Name the day and Roman and I

will bring the shovels." Zach replied

Rya smirks at Zach and says," school lets out on June 7th, why don't we start then?"

Zach smile and tells Rya, "YOU'RE ON!"

"Zach, I'm a born and bred farm girl. I busted my ass on my grandparent's farm

since I was 13, then when I was 15, my grandfather started teaching me the

bookkeeping end of things in the office and I've obtained ranch financial worksheet

templates to familiarize myself with how to handle ranch paperwork, and I help my

grandparents feed the cows and the chickens. My grandparents and I love fresh eggs."

Zach, in that instant, realized she's a woman who puts her money where her

mouth is, and respected her for it.

"You need to start looking at ranching, like I do farming. From a 'whole animal'

philosophy, calm cattle produce a better quality product than cattle that are

stressed. which is why I decided to use my massage therapy on the animals.

Believe you me, I'm not afraid of hard work, y'all ought to know that. I'm not a

girly girl...I'm a tomboy. I love the land and respect the dirt."

"Whoa, okay! Message received loud and clear Rya! I take it back---I won't be

worrying about whether you can handle the heavy lifting around here. A

certified massage therapist who also ran her grandad's books at 15? You're

not just a rancher, you're a one-woman corporation!

"If you can calm a thousand-pound bull, dealing with Roman and me

should be a walk in the park." Zach replies with a mix of shock and total

surrender holding his hands up in mock defeat.

Roman looks up from his seat, a smirk on his face, feeling his own hard

shell melt a little more.

"I told you she was tough Zach. Bookkeeping on a farm means you know

exactly where every dollar goes, and that's the kind of precision we need

on the Yellowstone. The fact you're already researching ranch finances?

That's the Conrad grit right there. You're more of a rancher than we've got

on the payroll."

Harrison slaps his knee and lets out a booming laugh.

"A tomboy who loves the dirt! Mr. Conrad did you hear that? I told you she

was a Yellowstone woman! I respect anyone who isn't afraid to get their boots

muddy. The animal massage certification? That's pure gold Adri. On a ranch

this size, keeping the livestock calm keeps the business running smooth. You

don't need a mentor girl---you need an executive chair."

Henry looks at Rya with his brown, penetrating eyes, a rare, profound smile

softening his stoic face.

Chapter 5

"An accurate ledger is the backbone of any empire Rya. I spent ten years

watching people from behind a broom closet, so I know exactly what a good

bookkeeper is worth. You have the discipline of a fighter and the mind of an

executive. Harrison and I aren't just going to mentor you, we are going to

stand back and watch you build a powerhouse."

Rya's grandparents and uncles break into the conversation.

"When our Rya came to live with us in Levi after the nightmare custody battle,

she came with A LOT of internalized anger. Not just from the emotional, physical

and financial abuse she suffered and the hands of her father, she holds in everything

as a defense mechanism. We had her work with the animals, the farm finances and since

myself and my sons are hunters, although I don't hunt much anymore, we taught her target

shooting. We wanted to teach her those skills to give her a focus on something so that her

anger she internalizes, didn't overtake her as she grew up. That's how she learned to run the farm finances like a steel trap."

Henry looked Rya in her alluring gray eyes, not with pity, but recognition. Hoping like

hell she wouldn't pick up on the communication. Then, a flashback from his childhood

hit him like a sack of hammers. He was twelve years old at the time. Henry's parents yet again, trying to beat the love of the land out of him. He didn't cry, he didn't beg for them

to stop. He laid flat on his back in complete stoic defiance and took every bit of pain they

inflicted. They mocked him, belittled him. he was the black sheep of his family, she was

the black sheep of hers(the Harringtons, whom Henry Conrad and Harrison Grant won't

find out about until an event before Roman Conrad's graduation the next day put a crack

in the wall that he built around himself comes to light, and he faces with Rya, what was broken and repaired in her, is still broken in him.

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