Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

28 The Funny Man Called Taylor

Taylor had been a regular when it comes to visiting Noah’s Stream Ranch. He would often drop by atleast twice or thrice a month if he doesn't have much to do in his own ranch.

Noah and his employees welcomed the older man with arms open wide, his presence the light that sparks their moods when they’re busy tending to their animals. They often enjoyed that Taylor gets to joke around with his classic humor while helping them around.

“Why don’t you trying taking your animals here?” Noah asked as he arranged the hay that they’ve gathered for this season’s harvest.

Taylor scratched his neck, “Well…I don’t have enough trailers to take them here.”

Raising an eyebrow, Noah said, “I can always have Wynn pick them up.”

“I’m a proud man, Noah. Besides, I don’t want to seem like I’m using you to my advantage. That’s what the others thought about me since we hang out all the time.”

“Oh,” Noah answered knowingly. Indeed, the other ranchers had been distant lately as Noah and his employees seem to be paying more attention to Taylor than the rest of them. Their attentions are directed none other than Taylor himself. If it weren’t for the money they’ve invested in his Stream Ranch, Noah wouldn’t have a problem.

But now, it seems the ranchers had noticed he'd been playing favorites. Well, he was guilty about. The older man was funnies that most of them, and that wasn't even the case. He was easier to deal with and had been a great help at giving Noah some tips on running his Stream Ranch now and then.

He saw a father figure in him—unlike toward the rest, Taylor had been genuine about his intentions. Noah had always had this sixth sense about people having ill intent against him. Like Thomas and the rest of the employees, he knows in his heart that Taylor was pure as a child. He doesn’t have vices, doesn’t drink that much, and doesn’t even cuss even though Thomas had repeatedly spat one curse after the other when Mik jumped from behind, causing the two of them to tumble down the field.

“It’s fine, Taylor.” Noah assured.

Taylor looked as if he didn’t know what to do. “This is business, and I think it would only be fair if we’re treated equally.”

“Correct,” Noah didn’t argue about it.

Though, he still favored the man compared to the lot of them with the exemption of Thomas, Wynn, and Nancy.

“But it’s still proper for me to invite your animals into my ranch. They would enjoy it here.”

Bean neighed from inside his cubicle. Noah strode to where he is. He reached his fingers over his head, stroking his silky mane gently.

“The little guy thinks it’s a great idea,” he said, a smile on his face appearing on his face. Bean made another agreeing noise.

Taylor looked as if he was considering the offer.

“Howdy!” Nancy called from outside. She gently yanked the reins clutched firmly in her hand, “Come on now.” She made a clicking sound with her tongue as the unnamed adult stallion galloped inside.

“Impressive,” Noah commented. The stallion looks healthy. Noah thinks he’s majestic as compared to what he looked like when they first bought him from the old farmer.

Roaming his eyes on the horse, he needed his head at the satisfaction of the results of their thoroughness with the stallion’s recovery. The muscles that hid beneath his thick skin accentuated his firm build. Nancy had groomed him from time to time. And when she couldn't stand the frizzles in his hair, he'd tell Noah to call their official horse hairdresser to fix it.

Noah vowed not a single horse in his ranch would go unnoticed, especially when it came to their appearance and build. He, indeed, spoiled every animal he ever owned.

The dogs were given quality meat, the flock of sheep’s wool are maintained soft and fluffy as clouds. The cattle are fed grade-A grass—and of course, that’s thanks to the Magic Ball's astounding ability to create high-quality food for his animals.

Placing one hand over his chin, Noah said, “We haven’t named this handsome fellow.” 

“Oh, we already did,” Nancy countered.

Noah winked at him, his eyes fleeting toward a confused Bean.

Nancy giggled. They’re about to tease Bean again.

“We can just call him handsome,” Nancy said while grinning at a jealous Bean. Noah inwardly thought this horse was a bit narcissistic by nature.

Chuckling, Taylor handed a fuming Bean some carrots from the bucket he was carrying. “Don’t worry. You’re still the best around here.” He patted Bean’s head. The horse blinked at him, tucking out his head and nuzzling it on his back. He appreciated the compliment.

Taylor turned around again and gave him a big hug, enclosing his stocky arms around his big neck.

“They don’t only look beautiful, but they also smell good!” Taylor exclaimed while sniffing Bean’s neck.

“Of course,” pride radiated within Noah’s heart.

He was that good at this—grooming horses and training them to obey his commands. He would take atleast thirty percent of the credit, the other thirty was his employees’ effort in maintaining the high-class quality standard in his Stream Ranch. The remaining forty percent would be credited to the Magic Ball’s divine ability to create the mystery pond, the World Tree, and the super nutritious packed grasses.

“About his name,” Noah stirred the topic back, “any humble suggestions?”

“I’d say ‘Dean’ sounds nice,” Nancy suggested while looking at Bean with a carrot on his mouth.

Upon hearing what Nancy had said, Bean had his mouth slightly hanging, and pieces of carrots fell on the ground. He looked as if he couldn’t believe what the woman was saying about naming the other stallion almost the same as his. It was uncalled for!

Bean neighed loudly like a child that’s about to have a tantrum.

Noah pulled his reins down, dodging a bit as he lifted his upper body, getting ready to stomp his two firm feet at anyone who would make fun of him.

“Whoa…!”

“It was a joke, Bean!” Nancy cried.

“Calm down now,” Taylor ducked his head as Noah pulled the reins down.

When Bean finally huffed, everyone had a relieved expression on their faces. The horse really liked to tantrums, especially when it would touch his colossal ego.

The adult stallion Nancy was holding stared blankly at Bean. His eye had a vertical scar underneath it. Noah thinks he must've obtained it from his previous owner's abusive acts. 

Neighing lowly, the adult horse walked on his own, causing Nancy to follow as he led them toward a still fuming Bean.

 “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Taylor muttered while still ducking behind Bean’s cubicle’s wooden door.

“Whoa…calm down, big guy!” Noah called to a ferocious looking Bean.

Noah didn’t think about the two of them fighting who among would be the alpha in his herd of horses. It was ridiculous, yet, Noah is well aware that it’s an animal’s instinct to feel territorial about certain things.

Bean must’ve been sensing it for a few years now. He had been the one to lead the horses when they’re taking their daily run around the pen.

“Okay,” Nancy called as she tried stopping the adult stallion from lurching at a territorial, angry Bean. “Fighting is not allowed here! Especially when you’re brothers!”

Bean’s face contorted in disgust.

Noah had to bit his lips to stop it from quivering. He almost laughed about it.

“The name, Taylor, Noah," she said while looking at each one of them in the face.

Noah sighed. One hand gripped at Bean’s, the other palming his face out of exhaustion.

“It's a joke, Bean." Noah tried explaining, but the horse stared at him blankly, a few low neighs escaping his mouth. Noah assumed it must've been cursed.

“We already named the guy, it doesn’t sound like your name.”

“Yeah, we did.”

“Wait a minute…you mean he already has a name?”

Nancy and Noah nodded in unison.

Scratching his almost bald head, Taylor said, “I didn’t know about that?”

“We forgot to tell you,” Nancy confessed, her grin turning into a sheepish smile.

“Wynn and her named the stallion…” Noah trailed off. He took the reins off of Bean so that he can eat properly.

“What his name?” Taylor inquired.

“Night,” Nancy answered while leaning her head on a Quiet Night. The horse leaned back. Noah knew he'd grew attached to the cowboy.

“Taylor!” Noah shouted from afar. When he spotted Taylor unloading the truck he lent him, he immediately waved his hands in the air to get the older man’s attention.

“Over here!” He yelled as Taylor raised his hat in response.

“Go and lead Taylor’s cattle and sheep here,” he instructed to Cole and Mik.

Ginger angled her head as if asking, what about me?

Noah smiled at her and ruffled her ears. “Stay with me, of course.”

Ginger rubbed her face on his pants, barking once as her brother ran toward Taylor.

Noah had Taylor’s cattle and sheep mingle with his other animals. He didn’t mind feeding them the grass he had cultivated from the Magic Ball.

“Oh, don’t!” Taylor stopped him, “I brought their own food. I can’t just let them eat whatever they like around here. Your food is top quality, after all.”

 Noah leveled a stare at him. “I insist.”

Taylor gulped. “But I won’t be able to pay for the herbage you’re about to feed them.”

Noah shrugged. “No problem.”

“No!” exclaimed Taylor. “I don’t want to use you, or your top-quality herbage!”

A low chuckle escaped his lips.

“What are you saying?” he pulled Taylor, wrapping his arm around his beefy shoulders, “It’s really fine, Taylor. To be honest, I had you bring over your animals here so that I can have them taste those grasses,”

Taylor raised one eyebrow. He played with his beard for a while before speaking, “Oh, alright then.” He removed Noah’s hand from his shoulder and walked right in front of me. He placed both hands on his hips, “But don’t blame me if ever they start spreading rumors that you’re playing favorites!” A grin appeared on his round face.

“Of course,” Noah promised, his hand placed over his chest. “Just let them be. Nothing good will happen if they become jealous about such an idle matter.”

Walking pass Taylor, he looked back and added, “Besides, I had them feed on my grasses once. And you’re the only who tried to turn down my offer.”

Taylor, with the help of Mik and Cole, led his cattle and sheep toward the field where Noah and Nancy had planted the grass Noah took from the Magic Ball.

“That’s their food?”

Noah nodded at Taylor’s question. “Yes…”

“Not to be rude, but they look like synthetic grass.”

Laughing, Noah gestured for Mik and Cole to lead the animals inside the round pen, “So I’ve been told often.”

The wonder lingered in Taylor’s mouth for a while. Noah thought inwardly that Taylor must’ve been baffled to see something that looks like plastic, yet his animals favored its taste the most. It’s like eating in an unlimited buffet of high-grade grasses.

He jerked his head for Taylor to follow him, “Come on. You can have lunch now.”

Mik and Cole barked at them, and one by one, each animal had made themselves comfortable inside. Noah gestured his hand at Taylor, “After you.”

He was the last one to come inside. Closing the gate’s lock, he saw Taylor trying to feed his animals the grass he had brought from his ranch. Noah watched closely as the animals turned their head, refusing to open their mouths.

Taylor’s brow ceased. “That’s odd. They usually like these.”

“Why don’t we let them try my grass?”

Nodding, Taylor said, “Good suggestion.”

Taylor plucked a few blades of grass from the soil and had them fed to one cow.

The animal was hesitant at first. It closed in its nose on Taylor’s palm before bringing out its tongue to have a taste of the food in front of it.

“Well?” Taylor asked, his curiosity showing.

When the cow tasted the grass, it emitted a sound so loud it echoed all over the farm. The other cattle followed their sounds mixing into a chorus. Then, they began eating the grass vigorously as if they hadn’t been fed for a day or two.

Taylor couldn’t believe what he was seeing. They preferred Noah’s grass rather than the ones they’re used to eating at his ranch.

“They…liked it?” Taylor had his mouth open wide, his brows creasing as what to make of the situation unfolding in front of him.

The sheep followed what the cattle were doing. They began diving their faces into the grass, and soon, they looked as if they have tasted something rare, exotica different flavor that made them yearn for more.

Turning his head, Taylor found Noah. He was staring at the field as his dogs huddled close beneath his feet. This man was incredible—or was already cultivated by the ranch’s previous owner? Shaking his head inwardly, Taylor knew it was impossible. He's been living in this town for a decade. The people knew the truth as to why such a piece of land was sold. It’s not the previous owner’s own doing, but it was this humble man’s hard work.

“Noah,” he called.

Upon hearing his name, Noah stood carefully. He skipped a few phases so that he won’t step on his beloved dogs lounging about on the lawn.

“You called?” his hand rummaged his back pocket. He took a cigarette stick out from the box.

“How did you do it?” Taylor asked, his voice solemn.

Noah halted, his lighter below his cigarette stick.