Interview with Danielle “Dani” Hubbard at the Rocky Road Dude Ranch
I’m sitting in the “Fillies” bunkhouse of the Rocky Road Ranch newly opened Dude Ranch operation. The Dunns have invited guests to stay free for two weeks in return for their opinions on the new venture. It’s been about a week now as I sit down with Danielle “Dani” Hubbard, one the of the single female guests. She’s wearing a pair of blue jeans, cowboy boots, a rose V-neck light sweater, and her very wavy dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Her hazel eyes appear gray in the log structure as she sits on a love seat across from me, next to the propane fed wood stove.
- “How would you describe your family or your childhood?”
“Oh, I thought we were just talking about the Rocky Road Dude Ranch experience. I guess you need a bit of background though. I had a great childhood until I turned 10. My dad died in an oil rig accident and left me, my two sisters, and mom to manage on our own. The finances weren’t so much the issue as the settlement was generous, but living without Dad was just hard.”
- I notice she plays with a bracelet of freshwater pearls as she talks about this. “What was your greatest talent?”
She chuckles. “I wouldn’t call it a talent, so much as training I can’t turn off, even on vacation here at the Rocky Road. I’m a safety officer for Mayes Mineral Drilling. I see accidents waiting to happen everywhere, in the grocery store, at the gas station, on a hiking trail, even here on vacation. It’s a curse.” She shrugs. “Ever since my dad died in that very preventable accident, I just became sort of obsessed with safety.”
- “That makes a lot of sense. Do you have a significant other?”
“Hah. That would be an emphatic no. I broke up with my final boyfriend about a week before coming here. His family business came before me. He was number ten. I gave myself four years or 10 men to find Mr. Right. It’s almost four years, and I’ve given it 10 tries. I’m done. I had planned to watch movies, sleep, and eat ice cream for two weeks to complete my failure, but Kaitlyn, she’s the only other woman at the company, won this vacation and dragged me out here.”
- “This ranch sounds a bit more fun than your other plans. What do you think has been your biggest challenge in relationships?”
“Obviously, finding the right man. I created a Mr. Right Characteristics List, which I’ve burned, by the way, and no man fit it. So I’ve given up.”
- “Can you share the list with me or have you forgotten it?”
“Oh, I remember it. I’ve lived with it for four years.
- I prefer a tall average looking man of slim build, not too muscular (no gym rats).
- He must have no emotional baggage.
- He can’t have any children or an ex-wife.
- He preferably holds a desk job with good earning potential.
- He is willing to talk.
- He has a sense of humor.
- He doesn’t have a family who interferes in his life.
- He can’t be in the military or a first responder. I don’t need a hero.
- He has to be open to forever.
- He should be willing to admit when he’s wrong, even if grudgingly admitted.
- There must be chemistry between us. I want passion in my life.”
- “That’s quite a list. It’s good to know what you’re looking for. I mean what you were looking for. Where do you live?
“I live in Show Low. That’s about 3 hours northeast of here. So this really is vacationland in a way.”
- “How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?”
“Funny you should ask. As I said, I didn’t want to come here. However, I found something, or rather someone very interesting. One of the Dunn brothers is a mystery, so I’m having fun solving it.”
- “What’s mysterious about him? He’s a cowboy rancher, right?”
“Yes, he is, but there’s a lot more to him. First of all, he’s a grump and doesn’t say much. But the rest of his family are cheerful and happy to help the guests here. So I’ve been figuring out why he’s so different.”
- “Is he a candidate for Mr. Right.”
She laughs as she shakes her head. “Hardly. Maybe he’s a candidate for Mr. Wrong. He’s a military veteran with PTSD and a baby. And that’s just the beginning. He hasn’t met a single one of my list’s criteria, not that the list exists anymore, except in my head.”
- “Ah, I understand. So what’s your greatest disappointment?’
“Besides the loss of my father, I’d say having to give up on Mr. Right. I really saw myself as a mom with children one day, you know? But it’s probably better this way. Can you imagine having a mom who’s a safety officer?” She laughs.
- “What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?”
“I can’t shut off the safety officer side of me. Every day here, they ask for feedback on our stay. I fill the card with suggestions on how to make things safer. I’m supposed to be on vacation!”
- “What keeps you awake at night?”
“It used to be finding my person. Now, it’s trying to figure out what I want instead. I have a nice home, a great job, and I’m financially sound. Now, I have to decide what I want out of the rest of my life if I’m not going to start a family. That’s one way this vacation has helped in that I can think about that. Though I have to say, with some of the physical work I’ve been doing around here, I’ve been sleeping pretty soundly.”
- “Would you be open to another relationship if you met someone who met your Mr. Right criteria?”
“That’s a good question. I don’t know, to be honest. It’s hard putting so much time into a relationship just to find out that it’s not going to work. Sometimes, I think people who are confirmed bachelors like Layne, one of the ranch hands here, have it all figured out, but then there’s that little niggling doubt that makes me question missing out. All I know, is right now, I’m not open. This door is closed. That’s what’s fun about figuring out Jackson Dunn. He’s Mr. Wrong, so I’m having fun learning about him, knowing he’s completely off the table, or should I say on the other side of a locked door.” She smiles slyly, obviously pleased with her metaphor.
- “It sounds like you’re having fun here after all. Any advice for someone coming to the Rocky Road Dude Ranch?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. If you’re single and looking for someone, this could be a great place to come. My friend Kaitlyn has three potentials she’s getting to know. She’s even suggesting Singles Only weeks to the owners. And if you have a family, the kids are going to love it. There really is something for everyone, even for me.”
- “Thank you, Dani for chatting with me. I hope you have a great afternoon.”
She picks up a book on the side table. “Oh, I plan to. I’m going to read until it’s time for Jackson to feed Shotgun.”
I’d risen, ready to leave, when I stop. “He feeds a Shotgun? You mean loads a weapon?”
“Oh, no.” She waves aside my comment. “Shotgun is his pet raccoon. Like I said, I’m having so much fun discovering all there is to Jackson Dunn.”
Pistachio Ice cream
1 cup milk
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
8- drops green food coloring
1/2 cup roughly chopped pistachios
Make sure the ice cream maker tub is frozen before starting. Dissolve sugar in milk completely. Then add both extracts and green color. Stir in heavy cream. Pour into ice cream maker and churn for 25 minutes. Chop up pistachios to desired size and set in freezer. Five minutes before the ice cream is done. Pour nuts into the ice cream. When complete, put in air tight container and freeze at least 2 hours.
The Happy Playlist
| Here Comes The Sun by the Beatles |
| I won’t give up by Jason Mraz. |
| Just a Gigolo by David Lee Roth |
| Ice Cream Man by Van Halen |
| Weather Girls – It’s Rainin’ Men |
| Girl Just want to Have Fun Cyndi Lauper |
| Sideways by Dierks Bentley |
| That’s Damn Rock and Roll by Eric Church |
| It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson… |
| Country Roads by John Denver |
| Don’t worry, be happy by Bobby McFerrin |
| Call me by Blondie |
| Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen |
| Sweet Child of Mine – Guns n’ Roses |
| November Rain -Guns n’ Roses |
| Gerry Rafferty Baker Street Long Version |
| Amarillo By Morning – George Strait |
| Kool & The Gang – Celebration |
| Can’t stop the feeling – Justin Timberlake |
| Van Halen – Jump |
| Mötley Crüe – Dr. Feelgood |
| Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band |
| What a wonderful world ( 1967 )by Louis Armstrong |
| Happy by Pharrell Williams |
| Happy by Pharrell Williams |
| All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow |
| Hang it Up by Patrice Rushen |
| Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons |
| I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas’ |
| On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons |
| Breathless by the Corrs |
| Take it to the Limit by the Eagles |
| When It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere |
| Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leopard |
| Keep Your Hands To Yourself by Georgia Satellites |
| 5,4,3,2,1 too many by Luke Combs |
| Born This Way by Lady GaGa |
| I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey. |
| Amarillo by Morning by George Strait. |
| Buttermilk Biscuits by Sir Mix-A-Lot |
| Fat Bottom Girls by Queen |
| Raspberry Beret by Prince |
| Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves |
| Dancing Queen by Abba |
| Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham |
| Never gonna give you up – Rick Astley |
| L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole |
| Take on me – AHA |
| Do you believe in love – Cher |
| Kokomo – Beach Boys |
| Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. |
| ‘Bitch’, by Meredith Brooks. |
| She’s Country by Jason Aldean |
| Bad is Bad by Huey Lewis and the News |
| I want a New Drug by Huey Lewis and the News |
| The Heart of Rock and Roll by Huey Lewis and the News |
| Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News |
| Back in Time by Huey Lewis and the News |
| (Too) Hip to Be Square by Huey Lewis and the News; |
| White Wedding by Billy Idol |
| Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol |
| Loved too Much by Ty Herndo |
| I have to Surrender by Ty Herndo |
| Mighty Might Love by Ty Herndo |
| Mercy Live by Ty Herndo |
| Steam by Ty Herndo |
| You can Leave your Hat on by Ty Herndo |
| It Must be Love by Ty Herndon |
| Sweet Talkin’ Woman by ELO |
| My Blue Sky by ELO |
| Don’t Bring me Down by ELO |
| Last Train To London by ELO |
| Hold on Tight by ELO |
| Calling America by ELO |
| Strange Magic by ELO |
| Do Ya by ELO |
| Brandy (You’re a fine girl) – Looking Glass |
| Mr. Mom – Lonestar |
| Amie – Pure Praire League |
| Dance Dance by Fall out Boy |
| Don’t Stop the Music by Rhianna |
| Footloose by Kenny Loggins |
| Strut by Adam Lambert |
| Booty do Math by Kirby Krackle |
| Invincible by Fall Out Boy |
| Blue ain’t your color by Keith Urban. |
| Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams |
| Otis Redding’s (Sittin on) The Dock of the Bay |
| Two Step by Laura Bell Bundy |
—-
Character Interview with Holly Douglas from One of a Kind Christmas
Lexi: What’s your name?
Holly: My name is Holly Douglas. I’m a widow.
Lexi: Where did you grow up?
Holly:I grew up in New Hampshire, but I married a Scotsman, so I live in Deervale, Scotland now. My family wants me to move back to America, but I want to stay here. I feel closer to my husband here, especially because he’s been visiting me for the last three years and sending me spirits. They are so much fun. I love flying with them.
Lexi: During what time period does your story take place?
Holly:Well, that’s a loaded question. It takes place in my past, my present, and in my future. Though as Malcom and Joy, my Spirits of Christmas Future, told me, I can make my future change.
Lexi: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?
Holly:Oh, I’m just a regular person. My biological dad had nothing to do with me. When I was a teenager, my mom and I were living in an apartment building that caught on fire on Christmas Eve. We were placed with the Tinders by our social worker, Jessica, who along with Duncan were my Spirits of Christmas Past. Anyway, Mom ended up marrying the Tinders oldest son, so I got a new family. I met Cameron at the Highland Games and we were together for two years before we married. Unfortunately, he died on Christmas day two years later. He was rock-climbing. I was devastated.
Lexi: What’s your goal in this story?
Holly:My goal? Oh, I want to convince my husband’s spirit to keep visiting me for the rest of my life. It’s hard though because if he stays too long with me, he could turn into a ghost. And yes, there’s a difference between a spirit and a ghost. Cam’s and my connection is so strong that he’s in danger of becoming a ghost. If he turns into a ghost, he’ll be stuck on the living plane for eternity. That would be great while I’m alive, but after I die I’ll transition and he’ll be stuck here, so we don’t want that. But I really miss him. We were soulmates. Coco, she was one of my Spirits of Christmas Present, along with Ian, and she could see soulmates. She said they glowed and Cam and I were definitely soulmates.
Lexi: What conflicts are you facing?
Holly:Well crap, I kind of answered that, didn’t I. Except you should know that Cam is trying to get me to let go of him. The spirits he sent helped me cope, but now he wants me to move on. I hate that he’s trying to push me away. His best friend Ethan, who is still alive, by the way, is trying to help me out.
Lexi: Do you have a plan for resolving them?
Holly:I’ve tried reasoning and pouting and yelling and crying. I’m not sure what else I can do. I’m hoping Ethan has some ideas. He’s always been the smart one of Cam’s two best friends.
Lexi: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?
Holly:About me? I’m really not that interesting. Oh, but I do own the One of a Kind Christmas Shop here in Deervale. It was Cam’s idea, but I’ve always run it. I find artisans to make one-of-a-kind ornaments and decorations for Christmas. We are doing better this year because we’ve had a lot of American visitors. Christmas isn’t as big here in Scotland as in America. Here they celebrate Hogmanay a lot more.
I’m getting pretty excited because I’m only days away from seeing Cam again. It’s only once a year, but he has my heart and though he says this is his last visit, I’m hoping for a Merry Christmas anyway. I really don’t know how I can say goodbye.
——–
The Sexsea (I’m at the helm) on Lake Pleasant a place visited in Dillon’s Dare
My sister created the logo.
My friends’ plane, which Hailey’s was modeled after in Dillon’s Dare.
Romance inspired by the classics