Shelter Me, page 29
“Nathan, I have an idea for how to save your mom’s rescue”—and show Sierra how committed he was to building a life with her—“but I’m going to need your help.”
Twenty
THE NEXT EVENING, Sierra rode in the SUV with her mom to the council meeting. Sunset cast a hazy, mellow glow over the sleepy little town, but she couldn’t find the peace that should come at the end of the day. She felt like her grandfather, sundowning, disoriented and angry over the loss of control.
She could only imagine how her mother felt, with this showdown coming so close on the heels of the crisis with her brother. He had his first appointment with the psychiatrist tomorrow, a surprisingly easy victory to win.
Surprising her again tonight, Nathan had opted to ride with Mike ahead of time, something about grabbing a burger on the way, which sounded strange, but Mike had really taken her brother under his wing. And as long as her brother was safely watched, she didn’t see the need to argue.
Not that she’d even had five seconds free to talk to Mike since they’d fought. Even if they did find a quiet minute alone, she wasn’t sure what to say to make things right again. To stop the ache in her heart that ran so much deeper than the last time they’d broken up.
Was this it? Were they truly over? Would he leave once the meeting wrapped up and he wouldn’t have to feel obligated to help them anymore? As much as she dreaded the council meeting, she dreaded the aftermath more. Once this was done, she would find out where she stood with Mike.
Since Officer Parker had shared the news with them yesterday morning, Sierra and her mother had been in crisis management mode. They’d gone over every aspect of the rescue’s paperwork, making sure they hadn’t missed any legal loophole. Then, they’d put together a presentation with handouts and a PowerPoint.
They’d opted to leave Gramps at home with a sitter. Ghita’s sister was an LPN at a local assisted living facility. Her mom had resisted at first, but at the last second acquiesced on that point after months of digging in her heels that she could handle everything. Hopefully, this would start a new era of care that would ease the strain on everyone, including Gramps. It was time to make that transition into the next level needed to keep her grandfather safe. The nurse had been full of information about activities and assistance that could offer Gramps a richer life beyond an endless stream of watching John Wayne movies.
A lot had changed in the past three weeks. For all of them. “Mom, it’s going to be okay.”
Her mother’s knuckles went white on the steering wheel. “Sierra, I swear if you spew some morose, weighty Emily Dickinson quote, I’m going to make you walk the rest of the way.”
“No Dickinson today.” She searched her mind for something more appropriate, more uplifting for both of them. “I’m thinking a piece of wisdom from Helen Keller is appropriate. ‘What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.’”
Her mother’s grip eased. “That’s beautiful, Sierra, truly.”
“You’ve sent a lot of love out there into the world with the animals you’ve saved and rehomed. I hope you never lose sight of that.”
Lacey reached over to squeeze her hand. “Thank you. I don’t know if I say that enough, but I don’t know what I would have done without you these past few months.”
“We’re family. No thanks needed.” She squeezed back. “Love you.”
As they drew closer to the county building where the meeting would be held, Sierra noticed more and more cars parked on the side of the road, increasing until there wasn’t a single space left all the way to the parking lot, also full.
Sierra grabbed the armrest, looking left and right at the rows of vehicles. Nerves kicked into high gear. “Did you know about this turnout?”
“I knew people were interested, but I had no idea Second Chance was on the radar of so many people. I just pray they’re not all friends of Valerie Hammond.”
The Hammonds were reputed to be related to half the county.
Could the rescue be lost simply because a large enough group of people held a personal grudge? Sierra couldn’t imagine her mother without the Second Chance Ranch. It had become such a part of her. Biting her lip, she looked around, concentrating on one problem at a time. “Where are we going to park?”
Her mother started a three-point turn. “I guess we’ll have to find a side street and walk. I really hope we’re not late.”
Two blocks away, they located a tiny space and somehow her mother wedged in the bulky family SUV. Sierra reached over the seat for her computer bag while her mother hefted out a fat box full of handouts. “Mom, we’re not going to have enough for everyone.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that now.” She grabbed her purse and hit the ground running. “We have the PowerPoint and we have our voices.”
She just wished she’d worn better running shoes for this rather than opting for businesslike attire. Computer bag bumping her hip, she jogged around the corner, her mother’s feet drumming behind her. Louder. In sync with her hammering pulse and the barking dogs—
Barking dogs?
Sierra stumbled, looking at her mother. “Mom? Do you hear that?” Was she imagining the sound of dogs now even in the short time she was away from them? “What’s going on?”
Lacey looked just as confused, jostling the box for a firmer grip. “I have no idea.”
The closer they came to the town hall, the louder the noise grew. Not just barking, but the low murmur of voices. The sky grew darker, streetlights flickering to life one by one until a glowing dome showcased the crowd outside the building on the street. And as she looked closer, she began to recognize faces.
The young couple that adopted Bob Marley stood with their twin girls and both dogs. Lucky, the marijuana-eating Pomeranian, stood beside the senior citizen couple that had adopted him. One by one, Sierra recognized the faces of people who’d looked to Lacey and the Second Chance Ranch for their next companion pet. Each of those animals waited as well, glowing with health and love.
A cluster of people wearing the same T-shirt drew her eye and tugged her heart. Mary Hannah, other volunteers and foster families from the picnics held stacks of flyers. Ghita and her husband were there with their dogs on leashes beside them. Sierra couldn’t help but notice the ditzy receptionist Maisie was nowhere in sight, but then she’d never been much of a fan of any animal other than the pedigree sort.
Mary Hannah, Debbie and Charlotte smiled and waved, each with a leash around her wrist attached to a current Second Chance animal wearing an Adopt Me scarf. Sierra didn’t question for an instant who was the organizational brain trust behind the color coordination. She smiled her thanks to her friend, but still wondered how so many of their allies could have heard about the emergency meeting. Mary Hannah wouldn’t have had access to all the adopters’ names or contact information. Lacey looked as stunned as she felt, mutely accepting hugs from people who’d turned out to help their cause.
Tears burned Sierra’s eyes at the outpouring of support. Words of encouragement rippled from the crowd.
“We’ve got your back.”
“You can do it.”
“We’re here for you all.”
Dahlia and her staff started a round of applause, and the throng parted, revealing Doc Vega, Nathan . . . and Mike.
Sierra blinked to clear away the tears. Her heart tripped over itself. Her feet, too, as she stumbled to a stop. Mike met her eyes and held, his arms slowly raising as he held up a sign that read:
EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE
A murmur of excitement rumbled through the gathering as others lifted their homemade signs as well with photos and slogans, all championing the McDaniel family.
Suddenly she realized exactly how all these people knew to be here tonight. Mike. Mike had made this happen for her and for her family. Beyond that, he’d involved Nathan as well, giving her brother a purpose, something positive to hang on to at the darkest time in his young life.
And Mike had done all of that for her in spite of how she’d wrecked things between them, shutting him down rather than talking things through. She knew better than that. Her mother and, yes, her dad, too, had taught her differently. But she’d acted out of fear, letting her doubts and insecurities push him away. How incredibly unfair to both of them, but to Mike especially. She wasn’t just robbing him of their love, but of her whole family, a family he’d become a part of whether they ever swore vows to each other or not.
She’d said the words that she loved him but had been too frightened and selfish to act on those feelings. Love wasn’t a noun. It was a verb.
And Mike had taken the leap and shown his feelings in action tonight. She owed him the same.
* * *
LACEY SAGGED INSIDE her SUV, soaking in the wash of relief—or at least reprieve. The council had been moved by the show of support from the community and adopters. They saw the positive ripple effect.
Although they’d surprised everyone by keeping the meeting closed while they reviewed the written data and statements. They’d listened to the Hammonds and the McDaniels, along with a handful of witnesses such as Officer Parker and Ray Vega.
Their ultimate ruling? Decide nothing fast. Take time to assess and evaluate Lacey’s operation to make sure as the rescue grew, the safety and well-being of the animals stayed in the forefront.
The second she’d heard those words she knew all would be well. The council understood this was about saving the animals, not about personal grudges or self-glorification. The Second Chance Ranch was meeting standards now, but she would be closely scrutinized for a year.
She welcomed it. Her dream, her mission, was safe.
A tap on the passenger side window jolted her. Another supporter? She’d spent longer—hours, actually—speaking with people after the meeting than she had making her case inside the town hall. Mike and Sierra had left earlier, taking Nathan home. Lacey rolled down the window.
Ray leaned in. “Mind if we talk for a few minutes?”
She thumbed the unlock button. “Come in. The air conditioner’s running.”
He slid into the seat beside her, dropping his hat onto his knee. “Congratulations on how things shook down. Mike and Nathan really pulled off a coup with that gathering. Did you see the news crews in the crowd? The blogger friend of Mike’s was there as well. I’ll bet you get a slew of adoption requests as a result of the added exposure.”
“News crews?” She shook her head. “I must have missed them. I was so scared tonight I could hardly think until after I heard we got a reprieve. Everything before that was such a blur.”
He kept his hands on his hat. A couple of days ago, he would have patted her shoulder. “You’d never know it from looking at you. You appeared totally in control, poised . . . beautiful.”
That final word hung between them for a few awkward seconds.
“Thank you for all you said in there about the rescue’s work, testifying to the level of care we provide our animals.” She owed him so much. For his skilled help with the animals. For his support when she’d needed a friend most. And for giving her space to pull her life together after she’d given him incredibly mixed signals. Ray Vega was a good man.
“All true,” he said simply.
“I mean it,” she pressed. “Your professional opinion carried a lot of weight with the naysayers—and there were plenty of them in attendance tonight.”
Although not even half the size of the supporters Mike and Nathan had brought together. She was so proud of her son and . . . the man who already felt like a son to her no matter what Sierra said about breaking up.
“I’m glad I could help.” He spun the hat on his knee.
After all Ray had done for her, he still offered more. He deserved to have someone in his life who could give back.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had wanted to stay away after what happened between us the night Trooper ate those pills.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “I never should have let that kiss get so out of control.”
He gave her a half smile. “I’ll chalk it up to my animal magnetism.”
“That would be an accurate assumption.”
He scruffed a hand through his overlong hair. “Maisie quit her job. She found your scarf in my office and she assumed the worst.” He scratched behind his neck. “She was really unhinged about the whole thing.”
“Truly? Your ego wasn’t a little stroked by all that giggly attention?”
“Okay”—he grimaced—“maybe a little, but not to the extent of her reaction. Be careful of her. About the vandalism at your place . . . from a few things she let slip, I think she’s friends with some of the people in the dogfighting ring Officer Parker’s investigating.”
Gasping, Lacey sat up straighter. “You really believe she would have steered them my way? That seems like a whole different level of cruelty.” And she wouldn’t rest until she found those responsible.
“I don’t know what to think. But I passed along my suspicions to Officer Parker who already has the group under surveillance. He says one of the members is going to flip and give over evidence for a deal. I just wanted to make you aware of it.”
“There haven’t been any problems since I upped the security system that second time—not even with the General wandering or the Hammonds trespassing.” She would be fund-raising like crazy to pay for it, but the safety of her family and animals had to be top priority. “Still, I will certainly keep both eyes open.”
“Good, that’s good.” He nodded, his eyes falling. “Because I have something I need to tell you.”
The ominous tone in his voice set her nerves on edge. “Is there a problem?”
“Do you remember my mentioning an offer to join that practice out west? I’ve been getting some pressure to make a decision soon,” he started.
“And you’re going to take the job,” she said with a sinking heart, already understanding. Because of her, he was leaving, giving up the niche he’d built. She grieved for him as well as the animals here who needed a man like him.
“Actually, no. I didn’t take the position.” He looked out into the darkness. “The pressure made me think about what I wanted to do most. It pushed me to contact a missionary group that provides veterinary aid to animals in third-world countries.”
That sounded like him. She told herself the stab of pain in her chest was for the animals here who would miss his warm manner and skilled treatment. But she also understood why it had to be this way.
“How long will you be gone?”
“About a year, give or take a month.” He turned to her fully for the first time, sliding his hand to cup the back of her neck. “And when I return, we’re going to dinner.”
She cupped his face, her thumb stroking. “I would like that.”
His throat moved in a hard swallow before he leaned in to kiss her forehead, holding for an instant. Then he pulled away sharply and left the vehicle—leaving her alone.
Completely alone.
For the past four months, she’d been filling every single moment with work and her family, hiding from her bedroom, terrified of being by herself. But right now as she sat in the silence of her car, the Helen Keller piece of wisdom whispered through her brain and seeped into her being. What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
She wasn’t alone at all.
* * *
MIKE SAT AT the foot of the steps waiting for Sierra to finish with her family. Soft country tunes seeped from the barn, soothing the animals to sleep with a twang rather than classical melodies tonight. His fingers drummed along the wooden step, mimicking the chords as he ghost-played along.
There hadn’t been a chance for them to speak since the council meeting. By the time they’d gotten home, sent Gramps’s nurse on her way and tended the animals, Lacey had arrived, which brought another rehash of the evening.
Along with a request from Lacey not to let Maisie from the vet clinic anywhere near her animals.
A strange request, but things were never run-of-the-mill around here. That was one of the many things he appreciated about this amazing family.
The screen door creaked and he stood straighter. Sierra stepped out, Trooper sliding through the door at the last second before it slammed closed. The porch light illuminated Sierra, bringing out the blond highlights in her braid. She’d changed into jean shorts and some airy pink blouse. Her flip-flops smacked the ground as she walked closer, her eyes full of love for him. She’d told him that she loved him, and finally, he let himself believe her.
Now he needed to let her know how very much he loved her. He held out an arm. “Wanna take a walk?”
She fit to his side, sliding her arm around him, tucking her fingers into his back pocket. “I would like that very much.”
His arm draped over her shoulders, steering her toward the path into the woods. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I understand why you’ve already done your tour of duty with military life.”
“Wait. I’ve been thinking, too, and—”
“Shhh, let me go first.” He tucked her closer. He didn’t want her making sacrifices for him she would later regret. “I’ve signed a military contract that lasts for two more years and I can’t get out of that. But I talked to the Sergeant Major yesterday, and I have a couple of options.”
“You did what?” She looked up sharply, her braid brushing his arm.
“I can withdraw my Special Forces packet right now.” And he would do it in a heartbeat for this woman. He’d thought climbing the career mountain was his dream. He’d been wrong. Having Sierra in his life forever was the dream turned to reality. “If you say you want me out of the military two years from now, I can ride out the rest of my time here at Fort Campbell. I can’t promise I won’t deploy before then, but I’ll have set a path to a new start for us.”
“What would you do afterward?” She spoke carefully, almost as if the idea of them being together was so fragile it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.
