Travel back in time with me as I finally tell my story about how I stumbled and then merged myself into the private and almost secret lifestyle of BDSM.
In the spring of eighty-seven, I graduated from high school. My guidance counselor had given me information about the cruising industry. He gave me pamphlets on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I wanted to get away from my small Michigan town to see the world. While getting paid.
I applied and was hired. For three years I traveled, loving the experience, but then I was ready for land again. While on my last few days on the ship, I started looking for a job.
We didn't have smartphones or iPhones yet. Most homes didn't have computers. Wifi wasn't in our vocabulary yet.
If you were lucky, the local library had dial-up internet.
Luckily, the ship had decent computers. I was scanning through the food service sections and saw a “help-wanted” posting for a restaurant manager at a small dude ranch in Dodge City, Kansas.
The ad was very specific. “Need help immediately to set up and run a small kitchen, room, and board, and travel expenses paid. Apply by phone and ask for Cody.”
What a perfect opportunity for me! I could experience something completely different within my field. I didn't hesitate. I picked up the phone and dialed the phone number.
After a few long rings. Someone finally answered.
“Thank you for calling Black Diamond Stranglehold Muster. This Is Cody, how may I help you?”
“Hi, Cody. My name is Wendy and I'm calling about the kitchen manager job.”
His voice was deep but friendly. He explained that he owned and operated a ranch outside of Dodge City.
He was expanding into the tourism side of ranching by catering to families but also private small groups that have a few specific requirements.
He was looking to have guests who wanted to get on a horse and see the true West. The experience included an actual overnight in the open prairie with a chuck wagon.
I was enthralled by the picture he was painting in my mind. We talked for an hour and then he offered me the job. I said, “Yes,” and a week later, I picked up my one-way airplane ticket to Kansas.
Another adventure! I was so excited. Twenty-one and making my own way, I was off on a plane to work on a ranch for three months.
My plane landed on time at three p.m. Cody had said he would pick me up and would be waiting outside in the ranch truck. The name was on the side of it.
The dry summer heat hit me like a brick as I walked out of the airport. At first, I didn't see the truck. My heartbeat faster.
But, then, there it was. A big white truck with the ranch logo on the side. I pulled my overstuffed suitcase next to me, smiled, and hoped I would make a good first impression.
I had no idea what Cody would look like or how old he was. Remember, no face time back in the olden days. I had pictured an older man of around forty or so by the sound of his voice.
But when he jumped out of the truck, I was surprised to see a young guy close to my age, maybe a year or two older. He smiled, took my suitcase, and lifted it into the back of the truck like it didn't weigh anything at all.
He ran around and opened the passenger door before I could. He smiled. “After you, Miss Wendy.”
I felt my face blushing. “Thank you, Cody.”
He pulled out of the airport and headed out of town.
At first, there was an awkward silence between us, and I kept sneaking glances at him. He had no wedding ring on his deep tan hand. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with the BDSM logo on the shirt with a rope intertwined through the letters, a pair of faded jeans, and well-worn cowboy boots.
On the seat between us was a tan cowboy hat.
“Miss Wendy, how was your flight?”
I jerked myself out of my silent study of this gorgeous man.
“The flight was good. I was surprised to be in first class. Thank you for the upgrade.”
I watched him as he smiled.
“You're very much welcome, M— Wendy.” He laughed at his almost saying Miss again and so did I.
We made small talk. Then I started asking more questions about the ranch. He told me that the ranch had been passed down through generations.
His parents still lived on the property but were retired. He, along with his twin brother Cane, had expanded the ranch over the last few years to include a dude ranch open to the public.
This was its first year fully operational to include a dining hall. The ranch was fifty miles southwest of Dodge.
During a lull in the conversation, my stomach growled loudly. I was embarrassed, but Cody only smiled.
About twenty minutes later, like an oasis in the middle of a desert, a little white oddly shaped building appeared on the horizon.
As we got closer, I could see trucks parked under a tin roof. I had no idea what this place was until we pulled into the parking area. I could smell the burgers and my mouth started to water. My stomach growled again.
Cody laughed a deep belly laugh. Then I started laughing, too, until I couldn't breathe.
“This is a dairy bar, Wendy. My aunt actually owns it. I'll introduce you. And she’ll hook us up with the best hamburgers and tater tots and milkshakes.”
Over the next hour, I met his aunt, and his uncle came in to meet me, too.
Their strong Kansas accent was hard to understand at first. They said I talked like a northerner. The food was amazing. After we ate, Cody kissed his aunt goodbye and shook his uncle's hand.
I caught his uncle winking at Cody. “No fighting with your brother”, he said.
Cody just smiled. “No promises.”
Back in the truck, we started talking about the dude ranch. I would be in charge of all the ordering of the supplies and hiring a few locals to serve.
The ranch was advertising to families as well as business retreats. The first guests would be arriving in just under a week.
As we talked, I became more relaxed and I was confident in my ability to manage the food service of the ranch.
After another thirty minutes went by, I saw the billboard. It was massive with big bold letters and a cowboy riding a horse. I had made it!
Let the summer begin.
Cody pulled up to what looked to be a long ranch-style house. I could see many horses in the barn area.
A beautiful white peacock with its feathers standing out for display walked up to us. I'm no farm kid, and I admit I was a bit uneasy.
“Oh, that's just old Hank,” Cody said as he grabbed my suitcase. “He’s showing off for you.
Wendy, follow me and I'll show you to your cabin. You can get settled in. Feel free to explore or take a nap. I have chores, but I'll come get you for supper around eight.”
I followed Cody. He took me around the big house down a small dirt-covered path to a small cabin. It had a porch with two rocking chairs. He unlocked it, handed me the key, and turned on a light.
The room was decorated nicely with floral curtains on the big window, a couch, and a recliner. Both looked new. Cody took my suitcase into the bedroom.
There was a large queen-size bed with a full bedspread and fresh flowers on the nightstand.
Cody was watching me. I smiled. It was perfect.
Over the next few hours, I unpacked and took a walk around the property. I was just walking back to my cabin when I heard someone say, “Miss Wendy, hold up.” I thought Cody was being silly, but, then I noticed the voice was slightly deeper and he was just a sliver taller. This was Cane. Not Cody.
“Fuck me,” I thought to myself. Cody had said he had a twin, but for some reason, I didn't expect to see a near-perfect carbon copy.
He took his cowboy hat off and introduced himself. “Hi, I'm Cane, the better-looking brother.” He said it with a mischievous smile and a wink. His smile was contagious.
“Just Wendy is fine,” I said.
He nodded in agreement and walked with me the rest of the way to my cabin.
As we got closer, I noticed Cody was sitting in one of the rocking chairs smoking a cigarette and waiting to take me to supper.
He saw Cane and took a long drag of the cigarette before rubbing it out against the bottom of his boot.
“I see you met my brother, Cane,” he said.
I could feel the tension between them. The last thing I needed was to get between two brothers.
“Yes, he was just walking me back so you could take me to supper.” I hoped I sounded neutral.
Cane smiled at Cody, gave me a wink, and trotted off. I followed Cody as he led me to another long, log-covered building. It had railings around it for horses to be tied to. It was decorated with all sorts of Western culture.
The sign on the outside read “Wagon Wheel.” I loved it.
We walked inside and it took my breath away. It was very modern but mixed with more of the Western theme. Each dining table was decorated with a floral tablecloth and a vase of flowers. It felt very homey and