Page 86 of More Than a Fling

“I’d be honored, sir,” Gabe said.

“Call me Doug, please,” he said.

“And I’m Sue.”

“Come take a look at the new barn, it’s coming right along. I’ll introduce you to Sam Parker.”

Sam was hanging from a rafter when they entered under the cavernous roof.

“Hey, come on down and meet the Bartells.”

Sam quickly climbed down and joined them. “Sam Parker, welcome.”

“We’re not just here to take Midnight back, but also to offer our apologies and to present you with a check, to cover anything extra the insurance might not pick up.”

“You don’t need to do that,” Sam argued. “Our community has come together in a big way. The local Amish order know how to build a barn and that’s what they’ve done. Look at it!”

“Pretty amazing, but we insist. Consider it a donation toward the animals’ wellbeing…any future rescues, or horse retirees, or bonuses for your hired hands.” He thrust the check at Sam. When Sam looked down at the amount he whistled.

“That’s mighty generous of ya,” Sam said. “There’s someone I’d like ya to meet. He got knocked out and left in the burning barn for dead. You just gave me an idea that has convinced me to reconsider your offer. Maybe I was a little too hasty saying no. I’ve never had fulltime employees until the last couple of years, but as my responsibilities grew, I’ve added a manger and an invaluable ranch hand.”

Slim was sitting on a lawn chair supervising the barn construction when they approached. “Slim, meet the owners of Imperial Farms,” Sam said.

Slim tipped his cowboy hat but remained silent.

“They have generously offered to start up a retirement account in your name for what you went through.”

Slim’s eyes widened then he said to Sam, “You sure you hain’t tryin to tell me sumthin?’ I still have a few good years left in me I reckin.”

“I sure hope so,” Gabe said.

“Well that’s mighty generous of youin’s but I can’t accept it.”

“Slim you don’t have much choice in the matter. I’ll be opening an account in your name, case closed.”

“Please Slim, it would ease our burden tremendously if you’d accept it. We feel so horrible about what our partner did. It’s a small way for us to make up for his despicable behavior,” Sue said. “You would be doing us the favor.”

Slim stayed silent, his wheels turning. “I reckin the one hurtin the most would be our Gabe here. He fell head over heels fer that there filly of yours. She fer him too.”

“They looked pretty solid when we drove up,” Doug said.

“Its prit near magic,” Slim said.

“Speaking of Midnight, I’d better go prepare her,” Gabe said, feeling like he’d been punched in the gut at the reminder of why they were here.

He left the Bartells and went to say his final goodbye to Midnight. Choking up he said, “Listen to me girl and listen good, you’re going to be fine, ya hear me? It will take a little time to adjust but before you know it, you’ll be finding your way. On to the next adventure,” he put his arms around her neck and breathed in her scent. Annie came up behind Gabe and wrapped her arms around him. He swiped at his eyes.

“I love you Gabe Hunter. You are a good man.”

“I love you too Annie.”

The Bartells, witnessing all this, exchanged a look, and Doug nodded at his wife in agreement. “Gabe, seeing all that Midnight has been through in her young life and how well she’s thriving here, would you consider keeping her? We kind of think another transition would be too much for her. We just don’t have the heart to do that to her again.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“No. We’re dead serious,” Doug said.

“Yes! I’ll train your next dozen horses free of charge!”

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