“That’s good. It’ll be a lot calmer there than at the county shelter.” They always lacked space at the shelter and needed more hands on top of it.
“She can’t go to a shelter, Hayes. It took me an hour just to get her to let me touch her. Another hour to look at her wound. She’ll freak in a place like that.”
“Maybe you should take her, then.”
Everly’s eyes swiveled in my direction. “Me?”
“You’ve got one paddock done, another almost there. That’s enough space for these two.” I inclined my head towards the tiny donkey Miles had managed to catch. He was now examining it while the animal chowed down on some grain.
“I don’t know…I wanted to get a barn up before I took on any animals. Have some storage sheds built. A few other things.”
I leaned against the fence. “You’ll never be completely ready. But you have to start somewhere.”
Her fingers ran along the paint’s coat. “You have a point there.”
“I know my family can pitch in this weekend and get you as set up as possible.”
Everly tipped her head back to look the horse in her eyes. “What do you say, beauty? Want to come live with me after you’re all healed up?”
The mare blew air out through her lips, making Everly laugh. The sound was light and free as if all the things that weighed on her shoulders had been lifted in that one moment. I wanted more of those laughs. I could drown in the sound and be a happy man.
I cleared my throat. “I think that’s a yes.”
Everly pressed her forehead to the horse’s cheek. “I think so, too. I’ll take good care of you, girl. And I promise you’ll never have to be scared again.”
30
Everly
I’d made an art out of avoiding Hayes for the past few days—at least when other people weren’t going to be around. I didn’t trust myself. That kiss had been too much. And now it haunted me. It had been the perfect mix of heat and comfort, a feeling I could sink into, get lost in, and never return from.
So, I’d stayed busy. So busy that I’d poured myself two cups of coffee this morning. I listened for sounds of Hayes stirring but only heard Koda’s soft snores from his dog bed. Chip was perched on the edge of the pillow, looking at the dog with fascination.
“Careful, buddy. He could eat you in one bite.”
Chip’s head jerked in my direction, and then he ran back into his hidey-hole. I wanted to do the same thing. But the entire Easton clan would be here in less than an hour. I’d opted to hold off on the barn and focus on the paddocks and a couple of storage sheds instead. I could make do with that for a year or two and let my savings grow.
I had the exact plans I wanted. Gabe had been kind enough to go over them with me, suggesting a few tweaks or places I could save money, so I was ready to go when the time was right.
What could only be a large truck sounded from the gravel road leading up to the property. I set down my coffee and headed for the front porch. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw the eighteen-wheeler coming over the ridge. I had no idea how it had even made some of the turns on this road, let alone how it would turn around to get back.
Gabe hopped out of his truck and directed the massive vehicle towards the area where the barn had once stood. The trailer carried a huge load of lumber and other materials. I moved down the steps like a robot, not even noticing when Hayes came up alongside me, and an array of different vehicles parked in open spots.
“Morning. You sleep okay?”
Hayes’ voice was full of concern as he took in my face. I blinked up at him. “What is happening right now?”
“Don’t be mad.”
“That is never a good start to any statement.”
Hayes’ expression seemed to battle between amusement and worry. “Dad wanted you to have your barn now.”
“What?”
“He said your plans were sound and simple. His buddy who runs a construction crew heard what you were doing, and he and his crew said they’d love to help. They’re between jobs right now and can give this project a week of dedicated work.”
“What?” It was the only word I seemed capable of saying. My head turned as people began spilling out of trucks, SUVs, and cars. They laughed and chatted—faces I knew and ones I didn’t recognize. “Why?”