Page 6 of Rescued Love

When I pull off the main road onto Mr. Jacobson’s long dirt driveway, I can’t help but smile. Animals are already coming closer to the fences on either side of the driveway. I’ve been out here enough times that they know my truck.

They also know I have treats for them. When I glance to my right and see the miniature pony, Mr. Whiskers, running along the fence line, I can’t help but laugh. I also slow down a little bit. Mr. Whiskers can be a bit of a diva if I get to the house before he does and then I have to ply his affection with even more treats.

It’s a good thing I dehydrated some fruit last weekend. And that was the highlight of my weekend. Normally, I like to have something fresh for Mr. Jacobson’s animals, but I never go anywhere without some treats which will keep in my truck for a little while.

Mr. Whiskers lets out a loud neigh when I pull to a stop at the house. I’m a little surprised to find a compact car I don’t recognize sitting next to Mr. Jacobson’s truck which is a little beat up, but still running. It better still be running considering Hunter, a mechanic in town, comes out at least once a month to check on it.

As I climb out of the car, I notice Penny strutting down the porch steps with what I swear is a look of determination on hisface. Penny and I have a cordial, but not great relationship. He tolerates me for treats, and I try not to show my fear.

I want to keep him healthy, but I’m under no illusion that I’m going to ever be his favorite human. Considering Penny has Mr. Jacobson, I don’t need to be his favorite. It would be nice if it didn’t feel like he’s plotting my demise, but I’ll deal with it.

“I have some dried blueberries for you, Penny,” I raise my voice a little to make sure he can hear me before he gets too close. I always announce my treats for him with the hope it’ll buy me some time in his good graces.

Penny pauses and tilts his head to the side slightly while sizing me up. I reach over the side of my truck, which I’m only barely able to do, and pop open the cooler without taking my eyes off Penny even though Mr. Whiskers is making quite a ruckus.

I know who I need to appease first.

With a firm grip on the smallest container, I pull it out before opening it quickly and tossing some dried blueberries toward the peacock who is slowly strutting in my direction. The moment he takes an interest in my offering and not me, I let out a sigh of relief.

I’ll live to experience another day without running from the bird.

“Hey,” is angrily shouted near the side of the house closest to the barn and I whirl around in that direction.

A man with an angry expression is striding my way, but that’s not what has me freezing in place. Nope, I’m unable to move because whoever this man is happens to be sexiest man I’ve everseen and for some reason everything in me is screaming one thing.

Mine.

CHAPTER 3

NATHAN

Waking up on my first full day in Sweetwater Valley made me realize just how stressed out I’ve been for years. It shouldn’t have taken someone forcing me to take some time off for me to do it, but I thought driving toward my goal of partner was the most important thing in my life. Even one night away from the hustle and bustle of the city and being surrounded by quiet, even though it’s not silent, is soothing something inside of myself I’ve been ignoring for far too long.

Is this self-care? Is this why some people preach about work-life balance?

I haven’t considered even being concerned about anything beyond my job and what I was working toward for so damn long, I don’t have a single hobby or anything I do for just me. And how sad is that?

There should be something to life beyond work. Intellectually, I know that, but I certainly haven’t been putting the notion into practice.

The worst part is that I’m not the only one either. Everyone at the firm works themselves to exhaustion and doesn’t think twice about it. Is it because there isn’t another option or because we’ve simply been conditioned that way?

Taking a deep breath as I look around the barn on my grandfather’s property reminds me there is so much more to life than work. Hell, even just arriving last night was a stark reminder of how much I’ve neglected beyond the office.

Even though Grandpa sounded skeptical when I called him a few days ago and asked about visiting, as if he didn’t believe I’d come, he greeted me with a huge smile. When he hugged me, I was reminded of endless, hot days when it felt like summer would never end.

It always did come to an end though, and that lesson was a difficult one. The truth is that I always wanted to stay. There was a longing inside of me for something simple paired with the gentle smiles on the faces of the people of Sweetwater Valley. They all seemed to know each other and it never felt like they were hurried in their days, their joys, their togetherness.

I was always a little sad when I would get back home after spending time in Sweetwater Valley and I wasn’t the only one either. Mom and Dad seemed to be wrapped in a bit of melancholy for a little while, but then their jobs pulled their attention, and they were right back to the grind. It was much harder for me to accept that I was home again and couldn’t hold onto the settled feeling I had when visiting Grandpa.

When he greeted me last night, his arms wrapped around me, that feeling was back again. And it was stronger.

He gave me a quick tour of his land and all the animals. At first, I was a little shocked with how different everything was. Sure, he had a few animals when Grandma was alive, but nothing like he has now. It became very clear very quickly that the animals were his way of filling his days and giving himself purpose since he’s all alone out here.

I made sure to ask extensive questions over dinner last night about the chores required to take care of the animals and then started in on them first thing this morning. My back is screaming at me and my hands ache, but this kind of work makes me feel different. Alive.

It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. The feeling has seeped deep inside my bones, a feeling of purpose and rightness. I thought I knew what both felt like considering how hard I’ve been working toward becoming partner; it’s the only thing I’ve been focused on since even before I graduated from law school.

Now? What I’ve accomplished today feels so much bigger than any case I’ve won. It feels so much bigger than the accolades and praise from my bosses at the firm.

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