Adam leaned forward. “We try to keep our employees happy here, Jensen. If you’re not happy in the position you’re assigned, we’ll see what we can do. We don’t like to lose good people.”
I nodded. His words were…reassuring.
Connor came back and sat in the chair beside mine. “I didn’t mind being a stable hand. But I’ve had issues with my back since I was a kid and the job is very physically demanding. I still help out now and then.”
“The job is very physical, Jensen. Although if you’re used to working on an actual horse ranch, I’m sure you’re prepared for those types of demands, if not for anything else here at the BCR.”
I pursed my lips and nodded. “I enjoy working up a good sweat. Cleans out the pores and does the heart a lot of good.”
Adam stared at me as if he were considering something. “I like you, Jensen. I’m really excited to have you on board.”
I felt a sense of welcome and appreciation I hadn’t experienced in a very long time, and my cheeks flushed. “Thank you, Mr. Marsland.”
“Please call me Adam. We’ll be working together, and I can’t have you being so formal.”
“Thank you, Adam.”
“You’re welcome.” Adam folded his hands and leaned forward. “So, we generally have four stable hands although you’ll make five right now until Brian leaves. He’ll be helping to train you. We usually have two on the day shift and two on the night shift, and we rotate the teams every couple of weeks. The day shift is responsible for grooming the ponyboys and preparing them for the trainers, dealing with any issues that arise during the day, and keeping the grooming center clean. The night shift takes over at four and also cleans the arena and the barns. Day shift is eight to four, night shift is four to midnight.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“You’ll be on the day shift with Brian to start. Then I’ll put you on the night shift with Adrian and Enzo, so you can see what needs to be done to clean the facilities.”
My brain spun, but I forced my thoughts to still and examined the questions I’d come up with earlier. “How many men—I mean ponies—I mean ponyboys, will I be dealing with?” I was still getting used to the terminology of this place.
“We house six ponyboys at a time for a period of six weeks. Then they leave and we have another six ponyboys come in. We find the six-week period allows our trainers to get the best out of the ponyboys and allows them to get what they need from the immersive experience. Six weeks is also a reasonable time frame for them to leave their regular lives and jobs.”
I nodded. “So, the ponyboys I saw today… Are they starting or have they been here awhile?”
Adam’s mouth twitched. “They’re on their first week. But most of them have been to the BCR before. Like Luke. He’s a regular.”
I nodded as if this was a casual piece of information I needed and not something I had been desperately curious to know. So, I’d be looking after Luke for at least another five weeks. Something about the fact made me very happy. I noticed Adam watching me carefully.
“Luke is amazing. He’s one of our best ponyboys,” Connor interjected.
“Really? Because he was learning to keep his head up at the right angle,” I said, looking from Connor to Adam.
They grinned. “Luke is not exactly a naturally submissive animal.”
“He’s not?”
“Oh no. It takes a firm hand to keep him in line, which is the reason I put him with Kamal whenever he’s here. Few of the other trainers can handle him.”
I was confused. “But he comes here for submission. Doesn’t he?”
Adam grinned. “Oh, he comes here for submission. But he fights Kamal’s dominance every step of the way. Right, Connor?”
Connor nodded. “I think his obstinance is what’s so fascinating about him. And why he does so well. Most of our guest members like seeing a ponyboy get into trouble. Go figure.”
“Luke is a brat,” Adam said dismissively. “But at least he keeps the trainers on their toes.”
I nodded. “Okay. So, most of the others—they behave themselves? I’m not sure I believe you. I mean, I saw—”
Adam turned to Connor. “He saw Ben and Hunter get their tails because they were being too loud while Kamal was talking to us.”
“Ooh, lucky,” Connor said, sipping his coffee.
“Anyway, that sort of thing is de rigueur here. You haven’t seen a ponyboy actually punished yet,” Adam informed him.
