Читать книгу By Request Collection April-June 2016 - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 117

Two months later…

IT WAS AMAZING TO MAKE the turn to Safe Haven. Annie was smiling like a kid, leaning forward as if she’d never seen the long dusty road.

Tucker laughed at her, but he was grinning pretty hard, himself. “You okay?”

“I think so. It feels like coming home.”

“It is. But I’m hoping that it won’t take you too long to feel that way about the Rocking B.”

“It’s an adjustment, I’ll admit.” She grabbed his hand as the first corral came into view. “A wonderful adjustment.”

By the time they made it to the parking area, she could see the construction going on. The quarantine stable was framed, and some of the walls were up. They weren’t quite as far on the new cabin, but that construction was fancier. It would be a real house, with three bedrooms and two and a half baths. Whoever ended up taking over Safe Haven for good would be happy there. She knew, because she’d seen every stage of the design.

Tucker’s foundation had come through like champions. They’d hired quite a few people from Blackfoot Falls, which was fantastic for the economy, and they hadn’t had to turn away nearly as many horses.

Annie couldn’t wait to see Shea, who had temporarily taken over the reins but shared responsibility for decision making and managing volunteers with Melanie.

“Maybe tomorrow, when we’re not so tired, we can go for a ride, check out the newly plowed field.”

“Yes, absolutely. Tucker, this is so amazing.”

“It’s always going to be yours, you know,” he said, pulling the rented truck into the expanded parking area. She jumped out before he had a chance to undo his seat belt, but she waited for him before she raced to the stable.

Sure enough, that’s where she found Shea. Annie almost pulled her into a hug, but then she remembered they weren’t huggers. Shea just shook her head and followed through. Somehow, Annie wasn’t surprised when her friend and Tucker shook hands.

“So much is happening,” Annie said, trembling with excitement.

“A lot of construction. We’re sending the pregnant mares to the Sundance for the time being. Too much noise.”

“How are you doing, Shea?” Tucker asked. “Is Safe Haven keeping you too busy? You know I can hire someone to come out here full-time.”

“I’m fine, but I was hoping we’d take a look at hiring Kathy and Levi. I think they’d like the work, and could use the money.”

Annie grinned. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

“Now what’s all this about you starting a Safe Haven in Dallas?” It was Melanie.

Annie and Tucker turned to find her taking off her gloves as she walked into the stable.

“Yep. Tucker’s dedicated two hundred acres of Rocking B land for the new sanctuary. We’re designing it from the ground up. It’ll be a teaching facility, as well. Just like here.”

Melanie gave her hand a squeeze. “We miss you.”

“I know. I miss you guys, too.”

“We’re not leaving the planet,” Tucker said. “I do have a plane.”

“Can it hold a horse?”

“No. But I’m going to build a landing strip on the edge of the property so that we can start an animal rescue co-op in central Texas.”

“How long are you staying?” Shea asked.

“Just a couple of days.” Annie pulled Tucker closer, and relaxed as his arm went around her waist.

“We’re going to visit Annie’s folks for a bit.”

“You haven’t seen them yet?”

He shook his head. “We did. But things were more unsettled then. They need a chance to get reacquainted.”

“And to give him a proper third degree,” Annie said.

“Well, as long as we have a couple of days with you, why don’t you two saddle up and come see what’s what?” Shea asked. “Nothing like seeing your dollars at work with your own two eyes, right, Tucker?”

He looked at Annie. She knew he was beat and so was she. They’d really intended to rest when they arrived. She shrugged. “I guess I’m not capable of saying no when I’m here. You can go on inside if you like, and we can ride again tomorrow.”

“Oh, no,” he said. “We’ll sleep in New Jersey.”

She kissed him, right in front of Shea and Melanie and all the horses in the stable. “Don’t count on it.”