Page 64 of Growing Into Love

I towel off, then throw on some clothes and fix up my coffee.

I go out onto the balcony and sit in one of the wicker chairs. It’s shaping up to be a cracking day—the sun shines bright in a cerulean sky, dotted with clouds as light and fluffy as candy floss, and the warm breeze carries the fresh scent of grass. I take a moment to check in with Clive.

“Hi ho, boss!” he says cheerfully. I feel a pinch of homesickness. This had been an adventure to be sure, but I miss Hart’s Crossing, and the town square, the local farms, and my snug little office.

“How are things going?” I ask.

“Fine, fine,” Clive says. “One of Edwin Granger’s donkeys got caught in some fencing so I had to mend her leg, but she’s recovering well. Mrs. Pritz is taking good care of the puppies and Reggie Cawthorn’s mum approved the cat adoption. Fred Mulligan brought his dachshund in for a nail trim earlier. Oh, and old Mrs. Williamson said her parakeet was under the weather but I’m not sure what to do about that, the little bloke seemed fine when she brought him in.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Chester,” I say with a sigh. “Mrs. Williamson gets lonely sometimes.”

“Ah,” Clive says. “Well, that’s a relief. Not her being lonely of course,” he adds quickly. “How are things across the pond?”

Just then, my call waiting beeps. It’s Declan. The blood rushes to my head, making me dizzy. But I’m not about to ignore my best mate just because I’ve suddenly had the epiphany that I’m falling for his sister.

“All good here, sorry Clive, got to run. You’re doing great work,” I add. “I’m really thankful for it.”

“Not a problem,” Clive says cheerfully.

I switch over to Dec.

“Declan Wright making a phone call?” I say. “To what do I owe this most incredible honor? Wait, let me guess, you couldn’t find your phone and then when you finally did, you realized you never answered my text.”

Declan grumbles and I laugh.

“How are things in America?” he asks. “How is Cass doing?”

“Things are good,” I say. “Cass is good. She doesn’t really need me, but I hope I’m providing moral support.”

“Did you have a chance to talk to her about postponing the sanctuary?”

My chest twists. “I did,” I say.

“And? How did it go?”

“As well as you’d expect.”

He sighs. “She doesn’t understand these things,” he mutters.

I feel a flash of irritation. “Yes, she does Declan.”

“Horses are expensive,” he insists.

“So are Highland cows.”

“Why are you taking her side?”

“Because she’s right. She deserves something of her own at Oak Hill. Did you ever stop to ask her what her plans were? Or did you just assume she didn’t have any?”

Like I did,I add silently. I won’t make that mistake again.

“What…I…what are you on about?”

“She’s got a solid business plan in place for her sanctuary,” I tell him. “She’s got it all mapped out. This isn’t some pie in the sky dream. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, Dec. Why won’t you see that?”

“What do you mean? Of course I see that.”

“No, you don’t. You doubt her every move. And I think I understand now—I know what this is really about.”

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