Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

30 Brice Came to Visit

Pulling the reins securely over Snowflake’s satchel, Noah smiled, the dimples on his cheeks showing.

“You’re all set now, lovely girl,” he said as his eyes brightened underneath the sun’s light. Gold flecks showed on his brown irises. The mare marveled at it for a while before nuzzling its head on Noah’s broad shoulder.

Noah enclosed his muscled arm on her slender neck. “Do you want to walk?”

Snowflake nodded briefly.

Nancy whistled a few meters away from where they were. “Noah…!” her voice was like sunshine in the entire farm. Besides from being the only woman that helped with the main work, Nancy had been that ray of light they’ve all held onto.

The girl finds humor in everything.

She’s also the only person who liked Taylor more than anyone else inside the room.

Nancy regarded the older man like her own father. She was an orphan, after all. She didn’t grow up seeing any of her parents. But she’s grateful to have met Thomas. He’s like a second father to her. Then, there’s Wynn. The man that had been his playmate and only friend around town.

She’s a blessed girl, no matter what other people say about her situation.

“Oy! Can't you hear me?" she screamed one more time, which earned a neigh from Snowflake as if she's asking what's the matter.

Even from afar, Noah didn't need to have an audible hearing to learn what Nancy's saying. Maybe it's as if he had gotten accustomed to the way she says things with her loud, and high-pitched voice.

Noah once saw Wynn plugging his ear when Nancy’s shouting about the show she watched the day yesterday.

Despite the tomboy outfit she’d always wear inside the Stream Ranch, Nancy had been completely surprising them with her quirks and girly side toward a lot of things.

"Are you going to walk Snowflake?" she said, jogging her way toward them. It took her longer than she had expected. Noah's distance was way farther than her in a few meters. And her steps were quite small as compare to the horses’ long strides when they run around the round pens.

When she finally arrived in front of Noah, she was almost out of breath. She couldn’t believe it took her almost a minute to get to where they were.

“Phew…” she said, her breathing ragged, and sweat occupied her forehead. They fill in tiny drops on the side of her face.

“So…” she trailed off, taking another long breath. Noah watched her chest fall in and out of breath for a few seconds.

Patting her on the back, “Are you okay? You didn’t need to run. I could’ve ridden Snowflake to where you were.”

“Oh, I was just so…excited…!” she was still out of breath.

Noah began to worry that she might be having some kind of asthma attack that both of them had no idea of.

“Are you sure?”

Nancy nodded her head. Her palms are holding onto her trembling knees. She inhaled, then exhaled a few more times before giving a long huff.

“That’s tiring,” said a Nancy that used her sleeves to wipe the sweat on her brows.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I am, I am!” said Nancy, who’s smile occupied her entire face. It was flashing white underneath the sunlight.

“Snowflake!” the horse hugged her head on her shoulders.

Nancy sniffed her mane, “You smell of flowers all the time! Have you been running around my garden again?” she raised a brow at the mare.

The mare stomped her feet on the ground, drawing lines on the soil before nodding her head earnestly.

Noah couldn’t get used to how good these animals communicate with humans. And it’s all thanks to the magical herbage he honed from the land of the Magic Ball he keeps in his room from time to time.

As of the moment, he hadn’t placed animals inside of it yet. From time to time, he’d used his breathing circulation technique to take a peek at was happening inside. And he’s glad that it’s the same old as he had left it.

Somehow, the things inside had been kept clean as compared to the first time he arrived inside of it. It was filled with dust, and some parts had been bursting with all sorts of rust that he had to look twice if it still can be repaired.

For some unknown reason, the Magic Ranch inside his Magic Ball had been tidying itself up, awaiting his return.

Nancy lead Snowflake away. The pair took their time walking toward the fences gates as Noah watched from afar.

She did love that mare, he thought inwardly. He hadn’t thought of using Snowflake for breeding yet, and he’d been hesitant to ask if Nancy would’ve approved of it.

Come to think of it, he didn't know if horses can become pregnant at the age of two or three years old? Would it be bad for their health? Noah had no actual knowledge about it. He'd have to ask Thomas and Taylor when he finds the time to see them both inside the Stream Ranch.

That night, Noah received a surprise call from one of his closest friends.

It’s been so long, Noah!

Noah shook his head. He knew that voice all too well. That cheery tone that made you want to laugh the moment you hear it. It was American and loud.

“How are you?” said Noah calmly.

Aren’t you happy that I called?! Why do you sound so gloomy?

“Is this a prank call?” he yawned a bit. “I’m going off, then.”

You bastard…!

Noah stifled his laugh as he pretended to turn-off his phone. When in fact, he just placed it underneath his pillow. He didn’t know why, but he’d always have this playful nature toward Brice. It was refreshing to know that he took a piece of his youth with him. He’s already twenty-eight years old, and life's not stopping at ageing him every year. He's glad Brice always brings out the inner child in him, even for simple moments such as the said phone call they're having right now.

I know you didn’t drop the call—bastard! I can hear you snickering over there.

Laughing loudly, Noah couldn’t hold the pressure of his stomach. He kept shaking until tears pooled at the end of his eyes.

“I’m…sorry…about…that!” said Noah, as another chuckle escaped the lips he had been trying to close for the past few seconds.

Idiot, Brice said, his voice also cracking up from Noah’s laugh.

Kidding aside, Brice started, his tone getting more serious. I’m visiting you this weekend.

“What?”

Are you dumb? I said I'm visiting you this weekend. Or did some fluctuate on your phone’s line?

“I didn’t expect you’re visiting! Are you taking Angela with you?”

Yes. I’m planning on letting her experience your Stream Ranch for the first time. She had been interested in seeing it for the past year. I guess I have hyped it too much.

A chuckle escaped Noah’s lips, “So, what kind of stories are even telling your wife?”

That you had majestic horses and the highest grade of meat and milk ever produced in that little small town.

“Oh, don’t brag. I’m a humble man.”

He heard a low whistle, and even if he couldn’t see Brice, he knew the man was smiling like an i***t.

But it is excellent, Noah. You've been over the moon for the past year, and I'm sure of that. I remembered the first time you rode a horse—it's like you're born to ride one.

“Well, can’t say I haven’t. Have I told you I’m planning on buying a horse for racing?”

Noah though Brice must have shaken his head because he heard a few shuffling from the other end of his line.

Oh, that’s great! Do you need my help?

“No, thank you. I’ll see you this weekend, then?”

Brice called for Angela, and Noah heard he was confirming to her that they're going to visit his infamous Stream Ranch—the very empire he built with the help of a magical place no one has yet to know.

This weekend! I’ll bring some wine.

The weekend came like a blur. It rained a little in the morning, but the sky soon cleared. The blues appeared over the horizon, and soon, the birds chirped like it was the first day of Spring.

As usual, Noah’s employees had been diligent with their jobs. They’ve stack up piles of dried hays, groomed the animals, feed them, trained them, had their exercises, watered the plants, cleaned the entire place even though Noah told them it should only be once or twice every two weeks.

Noah pushed open the door of the stables as Mik, Ginger, and Cole tailed from behind.

Cole halted when he heard the crying of some sheep. Noah took a peek and saw that one baby sheep got its feet stuck on the fence. It must’ve been attempting to go out.

“You think you can handle that, buddy?”

Cole barked, and without waiting for Noah, ran with lightning speed toward the baby sheep.

He used the top of his head to push the baby out of the fence. The baby sheep gave one last cry before it headed straight to its mother who looked worried sick at what was happening.

When Cole came back, Noah gave him a caress in the head. He bounced his palm atop his nose as he patted him earnestly.

“What a good boy!”

“Good morning,” Thomas greeted Noah, a towel on his shoulder.

“You’re up early?” asked Noah. He stretched his arms wide. “Brice’s coming with his wife. Join us for lunch.”

“But who would take care of the ranch?”

The older man, Thomas, had always been like this. Noah didn’t want him to miss out anything he’d do for them out of appreciation for all the hard work they’ve been doing for his ranch.

“It’s settled. You’re having lunch with us—” he paused and pointed at Nancy and Wynn who had just come inside with a bucket filled with carrots and apples for the horses.

“Brice?” Noah called from the gate of his ranch.

“What the hell, man? Come here! Give me a hug!”

“Brice!” Noah yelled from the entrance of the gate, “Oh, Brice!” he repeated, the cigarette stick almost falling out of his mouth.

“Jesus Christ. You sounded so melodramatic for a second,”

Noah then squeezed him in a bear hug, some ash from his cigarette falling on Brice’s sleeves.

Brice cursed at him for smoking while giving him a hug at the same time.

“Get that stick off my hair! Angela’s going to smell it and she would scold me. You don’t understand—”

“What don’t I understand?”

Brice let go of Noah, and irritatingly faced his wife. “Nothing, I swear.”

She reached her hand to Noah, “I haven’t introduced myself properly ever since the wedding,”

“A lovely one you had—” Noah took her hand, “Both the wedding and you.”

Brice cleared his throat, his eyes beaming at Noah like a laser that would cut out his balls if ever he tries and steal her wife away from him.

“Brice must be very lucky to have you,” he squeezed her hand one last time before smiling, the dimples lining his cheeks.

Angela was a fine woman. She wore a red dress with flower patterns that resembled that of Nancy's gardens. She had her lips painted in a mauve red, her boots two inches above her uncle. And they’re combat boots.

Her skirt flowed with the wind that made its way to them.

The young wife looked at Noah, her brows creasing, “Whatever are you saying? I’m the one who’s lucky to have him.

Noah gave a hearty smile. Brice must have been so happy for the past year that they’ve been married.

The man whom he considered his bestfriend here in America, beamed a smile at him. It reached his ears, and Noah smirked.

“Of course. Brice’s a good man, after all.”

Angela snaked her hand on her husband's waist as she sniffed his collar. "You meant the best?”

The three of them proceeded to the stables first. Angela insisted she wanted to have a look at Noah’s intelligent horses.

Noah had told Brice multiple times how smart and compliant most of his animals had been. He coined most as everyone knew who he's talking about that surpassed the list.

“This is Bean,” he pointed at his Friesian horse that had been the alpha among them.

Bean looked at Angela, and he bowed his head in recognition. The young wife was delighted. Her eyes lit like stars. Noah had seen the same look on Nancy every time she’d take Snowflake out for a ride.

“…smart,” she murmured it like a song, “he’s so smart. How did you taught him to do that?”

Noah shrugged, “I demonstrated it to him.” They rounded the entire stable, Noah introducing each horse inside the cubicle. When they reach Snowflake’s cable, he explained that Nancy took her out for her daily ride.

“She’d be back before lunch. Shall we go to my farm house?”

The couple had sat in front of him as Nancy made her signature steak. They used the meat they have recently sold in the market for a year now. It was what had made them famous in the consumer field—of course, that is beside his herbage that Taylor claimed was as equally great as the meat and milk he sells in the market. 

“What is that smell?” Angela closed her eyes and smelled the air.

“You’ll see,” Wynn called out. He began placing glasses on the table. “It’s the best.”

A few minutes later, they were all eating joyously at the heavenly meal placed in front of them. Angela told Nancy that she hadn’t tasted something so good in her entire life.

“How’s the company, Brice?”

Brice wiped his mouth with a tissue Angela passed to him. “It’s been great. I’ve managed to snag three companies into my software.”

Noah reached a fist at his own. “That’s good to hear.”

“All thanks to you, brother. All thanks to you.” A smile plastered on Brice’s face as Angela held his hand.

“We’d like to return the favor,” Angela declared. “This past year had been too good. And we’re returning the blessings.”

Noah waved his hand in dismissal, “No, no. It’s okay. You don’t have to.”

Brice lighted a cigarette stick, “We insist.”

Noah sipped from his wine glass, “What do you mean? I gave you the money because I had wanted to be of help,”

Brice nodded while blowing smoke, “That’s exactly the reason why we came.”

Noah urged his hand for them to go on as he took a swig from his wine glass.

“We’d be a benefactor—” Brice looked at a nodding Angela, “To this ranch. We’re offering of being benefactor.”

Noah thinks his friend had the most genuine smile in the whole world.