Page 29 of The Finding Series: Vol. 1

“Hello, Mr. Bale.” She nodded at him, then to someone behind him. A quick glance over his shoulder proved that Rhys had appeared to cover him in case their visitor proved to be a threat.

“It’s Callan,” he said. “This is Rhys.”

“Hi,” she said shyly to Rhys, then turned her attention back to Callan. She was a pretty thing, petite with long brown hair and hazel eyes. He guessed her to be around Finn’s age.

“What can I do for you?” he asked, hating that his suspicions instantly surfaced at her appearance.

Poor Wendy looked like she was going to break down in tears and Callan looked over at his shoulder at Rhys for help. Women and tears weren’t his thing. And by the shaking of Rhys’ head, he guessed they weren’t his either.

“I owe you an apology for the way I behaved at the clinic the other day,” she said as she tried to hold back her tears. “I became a vet tech so I could help animals and that calf needed me…” Wendy wiped her arm across her face. “I was a coward. I didn’t want to lose my job-” she said sadly.

Callan felt sorry for her. “Wendy…”

But Wendy barreled on as if he hadn’t interrupted. “If I could do it all over again, I would,” she said passionately. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s okay,” he said. “The calf made it.” A look of relief flashed over her, but then she shook her head.

“I quit right after you left. I got a job over at the drycleaner’s till I can save up enough money to move to Missoula,” she said in a rush. “Finn and I went to high school together – he was always real nice to me. I know the stuff Hunter said about him was a lie,” she said in a strangled voice. “I tried to tell Doc Sanders and Anita that after Finn called looking for help for your calf. They said some awful stuff about him. I should’ve stuck up for him,” she said, then started crying uncontrollably.

Callan pulled her into his arms and stroked her back as he felt her tears seep through his shirt. She finally quieted, then leaned back from him and laughed in embarrassment. “Sorry,” she said as she looked at the wetness she’d left behind. An unexplainable emotion went through Callan and he felt himself softening.

“It’s okay,” he said as she stepped back. “Finn’s actually not here.”

“I know, I saw him on my way out here. He was helping Dr. Winters with his barn – tearing it down, I guess.”

Callan glanced over his shoulder at Rhys who had stiffened at the news that Finn hadn’t run as far as they thought.

“I stopped and talked to him. Told him how sorry I was for everything,” she said as tears threatened again. Callan didn’t even have a fucking tissue for her. Wendy solved the problem by wiping her face with her sleeve. “He said there was nothing to forgive.”

That sounded exactly like something Finn would say.

“If that’s what Finn said, then it must be true,” Callan said.

Wendy laughed again, then started to go back to her car. She hesitated before turning around.

“Mr. Bale-”

“Callan,” he reminded her gently.

“Callan, I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something. I mean, I know I don’t really deserve it…”

“Of course, Wendy. What is it?” he interjected.

“I volunteer with an equine rescue group and we got a horse in a few weeks ago that was pretty badly treated. No one’s been able to work with him and there’s talk that he’ll need to be put down,” she began. “My daddy always told me you had a way with horses and my best friend Amy said you worked wonders with her horse before her parents made her move him…” Wendy’s voice dropped off suddenly as she realized what she was saying. Amy’s parents had been one of the first boarders to leave after Hunter’s accusations.

“The answer is yes. I’ll take a look at him,’ he said.

Wendy smiled wide and suddenly threw herself into his arms. “Thank you, Mr. Bale. He’s the most amazing horse and I know you’ll be able to help him,” she said quickly. “We can get him down here tomorrow if that will work for you,” she said hopefully.

He nodded, got another hug for his efforts, then Wendy was waving and driving off, a trail of dust in her wake.

Arms closed around him from behind and a light kiss was pressed to his neck. The move should have had him looking all over the place to see if they were being watched, but instead he was turning in Rhys’ arms and kissing him.

“You’re such a good man, Callan Bale,” Rhys said against his lips, then kissed him softly. Strong arms wrapped around his neck as Rhys hugged him and whispered, “I want to go and bring him home.” His voice was vulnerable, shaky.

“Me too,” Callan heard himself admitting. And it was true. He hadn’t even realized when things had shifted and he’d decided he was going to try to make a life with Finn and Rhys in a town that didn’t want them. Not to mention the father that would spew his unfiltered, cruel words as his disease continued to consume him.

Rhys released him and stepped back, then shuffled in front of him the way Finn always did when he was hiding something. “What?” Callan asked.

---