Learnin' The Ropes Read Online Free PDF

comprised the crew of the Rockin’ R Ranch. Two brothers in their mid-twenties, Cal and Keith Harvey, were identical twins except one had a mole on his right cheek. An older man named Gus Anders, and a young kid Swede introduced as Jimmy Clarkson rounded out the interesting bunch. They were a friendly lot without being nosy and Ty appreciated that fact. He liked his own space and after almost a year of being unemployed, he had gotten used to being alone and not having anyone to talk to other than Beth and Nate.
    Jimmy made a warm and filling breakfast, even if it wasn’t very flavorful. Ty followed the foreman out the door after they all set their dirty dishes in the sink. Swede gave each man his orders and they all seemed to know what to do.
    Flipping the lights on in the big shop, Ty marveled again at the well-equipped building. Stocked with a variety of quality tools, the shop featured two work bays big enough he could park two semi-trucks side by side and still have ample room.
    Plenty of counter space, a large workbench with two stools, a big sink for washing parts, and a bathroom along with a microwave and refrigerator made it Ty’s idea of a perfect set up. Big windows on each side of the shop would let in plenty of light, although this early in the morning, he needed the overhead lights on to see.
    From what Swede said, Lex Sr. had performed all the mechanic work for the farm. When he “took sick,” he tried to keep up, but was unable halfway through the season. Evidently, the crew barely limped through their final harvest. Before the spring farm work began, repairs were needed on nearly every piece of equipment. Swede said they were down to one running tractor although it appeared there were three of them parked outside.
    Most of the machines were completely unfamiliar to Ty, but he realized he’d know each one intimately before he was through with the repairs.
    In a filing cabinet located by an old rickety desk, he found just what he was looking for — owner’s manuals. Some of the farm equipment looked like the pieces had been around a while, but others were less than a decade old.
    After calculating an estimate for the cost of the equipment, Ty decided the Rockin’ R Ranch must turn a good profit. They’d have to be in the black to be able to afford not only the equipment but also the hired help and building maintenance.
    He was shocked to find out he would be paid $1,500 a month in addition to his room and board. 
    Ty wondered if Lex Jr. was hard to work for and had a difficult time keeping employees or was just plain crazy. Either way, he planned to make the most of this deal and send all the money he could to Beth and Nate.
    He should be able to start saving funds right away since it didn’t appear there was much to spend his money on out here in the middle of nowhere. The only bills he had were his cell phone bill, fuel, and insurance for his truck and any personal groceries he wanted to keep in the shop. Thankfully, he’d paid off his truck before he lost his job or he would have been forced to give it up, too.
    His mom taught him early on to save money, pay cash when possible, and not rack up debt. Although he’d been tempted many times in the last several months to live off his credit card, he’d resisted and now he was glad. With a picture of all the things he could help buy for Beth and the baby dancing through his head, he smiled and took a seat on a stool at the workbench. Resigned to learning what he needed to do his job, he started reading about the tractors sitting outside.
    Silence engulfed him, so he tried tuning an old radio, but it didn’t have any reception. He made a mental note to grab the speakers for his phone when he took a lunch break. The shop was too quiet without a little noise.
    When Swede popped in at half-past nine, Ty felt ready to tackle whatever needed to be worked on first. Swede opened the big bay doors and drove in a tractor, gave Ty a pat on the back, and wished