“There are definitely a lot of inclines, but there are some flatter areas, too. It’s going to be a lot of work to get everything ready, and I’ll have to start small—”
Julia cut me off with a look. “Even taking in just one animal changes the world for that creature.”
My mouth curved but my ribs constricted. This was what I’d missed from my mother—gentle encouragement. I had flashes of her guiding me through the planting each spring and helping to gentle a skittish horse, but they were almost sepia-toned, aged and worn. “I’ve got to figure out what to do about the barn first. It’s a mess.”
Julia glanced towards the leaning structure, her lips pursing. “I don’t want you in there. It looks like it could go down with a strong gust of wind. And the house doesn’t look much sturdier. I’ll have Gabe come out and take a look. He’s overseen all the construction projects on the ranch. Usually works alongside whatever crew we bring in.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that.”
“I want to. We want to help. And I know Shy will love the idea of a sanctuary.” She nibbled on the corner of her mouth. “She’ll make her way up here for sure. Don’t be offended if she walks off mid-conversation, it’s just how she deals with things she doesn’t want to talk about. Or if she’s simply had enough people for a while.”
“She’s free to be whoever she needs to be with me.” I could barely get the words out, knowing the reason she handled life the way she did was because of my father.
Julia patted my hand. “That’s one of the greatest gifts a person can give another. The freedom to be who they truly are.”
I hoped she was right because I didn’t have anything else to give to the woman whose life my father had broken, leaving it tattered and torn.
8
Hayes
My mom drummed her fingers on the counter as she glanced at the clock for the dozenth time in the past twenty minutes. “Maybe you should call your Search and Rescue team leader.”
I laid a hand over hers. “She’s fifteen minutes late. That’s not a call for S&R.”
“She isn’t answering her phone.”
Dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You know how Hadley is when she’s hiking. She’s on her own schedule.”
Mom’s mouth thinned. “She should have the courtesy to let us know she’s okay, if that’s the case. Calder told us he couldn’t make it, so we’re not worrying about him and the girls.”
I winced and stole a glance at Shiloh, who was on the floor with Koda. Shy didn’t look the least bit concerned. But then she knew her sister, and this was one area where they were incredibly similar—their need to break free and be out in nature alone. It drove my mom nuts. I’d done everything I could to alleviate her worry and make sure my sisters were safe. Given them emergency kits, even satellite phones. But it still put Mom on edge.
Tires on gravel sounded, and Mom hurried to the front window. I could just make out Hadley’s SUV. As soon as my mom caught sight of her youngest daughter, she turned and retreated to the kitchen, busying herself with dinner prep. The slightly frenetic energy told me that we were in for it.
I sighed and squeezed the bridge of my nose where a headache was forming. The front door slammed, and Hadley called out. “Sorry I’m late. I went longer than I’d planned.”
Mom chopped a carrot with a bit more force than necessary. “Would a phone call be too much to ask when your family’s expecting you?”
Hadley’s steps faltered. “I didn’t know that I still had to report my movements now that I’m an adult.”
“Okay, ladies, I think that’s enough,” my dad began. “Hadley, your mom was worried. I think you know why. Julia, let’s give the girl some freedom. She’s grown.”
Mom huffed and turned back to the salad. “The lasagna’s done so everyone can sit.”
Hadley went to the sink to wash her hands, and I came up alongside her, bumping my shoulder into hers. “Your phone was off.”
“The battery died, and I didn’t have my car charger.”
“Hads, that’s not safe.”
“Quit it. I don’t need you on my case, too. You’re my brother, not my keeper. You know, people lived their lives before cell phones.”
I bit back every retort that wanted to fly from my mouth, every statistic about what could happen to a woman alone. “I’ll get you another charger and an external battery for your pack.”
Hadley simply rolled her eyes and crossed to the table, sitting as far away from Mom’s chair as she could. Shiloh gave Koda one last rub and then followed suit. I turned to Mom. “Want me to carry the lasagna?”
“That would be good. Thank you.”