“I guess that means there’s still no special guy waiting for you back home?”
“Nope, and the guy I’m interested in is definitely not looking to settle down anytime soon.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But it sounds like we should keep the door open for working together,” Tempest said. “I’d love to work with you when you’re ready. And if you’re really going to work here and in the surrounding areas, then I can introduce you to some of the administrators and volunteer coordinators I know. I have contacts with nursing homes, too, and rehab facilities.”
“That would be fantastic.”
“Hospitals have a pretty rigorous chain of command that can take a while to get through. You’ll get quicker responses with the other types of facilities.”
“That’s fine with me. I want to help as many people as I can.” Trixie took a drink and said, “I was going to ask your advice on the best way to start getting my name out there.”
“It’s all who you know. The medical community is like one big network when it comes to this type of thing. When you meet with the volunteer coordinators, you should ask who else they know that might be interested in using your services. They’re always willing to give me names for music therapy referrals. I’m sure they’ll do the same for you. Cole gave me a list of contacts when I first started. I’ll share that with you, too.” Her oldest brother, Cole, was an orthopedist and had a medical practice in Peaceful Harbor.
“That would be great. Thank you.”
“The only thing I’m not sure about are the guidelines about horses entering the facilities. But I know someone who can answer those questions.”
“I’ve done some research on that, but it would help to speak with someone in the industry.”
“My friend Jordan Lawler runs the volunteer program at Pleasant Care Assisted Living. I’ll give her a call and see if she can fit you in next week. Then you can begin getting answers to your questions and start meeting people to get your name out there.”
“That would be great. Thank you. I’ve looked into insurance, and I know the horses need to have proper vaccinations, of course, and wear shoes to protect the hospital floors from anything they may have picked up in their hooves. Oh, and they have to be reasonably housebroken.”
“I didn’t even know you could housebreak a horse.”
“That’s why I said reasonably. A big part of it is training the handler to know when to feed, how to make them go on command. That sort of thing. I’ll use potty bags, just in case nature calls at the wrong time, but training is vital.” A potty bag was a manure catcher that attached to a therapy horse’s vest or harness.
“Sounds a lot more complicated than music therapy. You said you were going to continue working at your family’s ranch while you’re getting started. How will that work if you have to travel?”
“I won’t need to travel for the first year or two while I train the horses.”
“It takes that long to train miniature horses?”
“Mm-hm. I don’t think people realize how much effort goes into training them for on-site visits. Staff and patients change all the time, so every visit will essentially be a new experience. They need to be ready for anything, comfortable with all different types of flooring—plush and low-pile carpets, patterned flooring, linoleum—and adept at going up and down stairs and in elevators. You know how many smells, sights, and sounds there are in those facilities. Think about it. There’s so much stimuli. The horses need to be comfortable with excited and fearful children and adults, the sounds of medical equipment, even the sounds of people walking, talking, coughing, and crying. They have to be unflappable, or it would be unsafe to bring them near patients.”
“Wow. I’m guilty of not realizing all of that myself. I never thought about carpet patterns and different types of floors, much less elevators. No wonder it takes so long. So you’ll just continue working at your parents’ ranch during that time?”
“Yes, but I’ll also do kids’ birthday parties with the miniature horses, some riding and groundwork therapy at my facility, wherever that is, and I’ll work on making connections. All the research I’ve done has shown that therapy horse businesses can be booked up to a year in advance for many hospitals and larger facilities.”
“I believe that. When I was working in hospitals, I was booked well over a year in advance. I’m booked fourteen months out right now for my classes, and I’ve been turning people away. I never expected my business to take off so much.”
“You’re lucky,” Trixie said. “What are you going to do when the baby is born?”
“I’ve talked with my clients, and they know I’ll be taking time off. But I don’t know how much I’ll want to work after the baby is born. I’m only three and a half months pregnant, and I already can’t imagine leaving our baby for any length of time. But I don’t want to stop doing music therapy, either. I think working a few hours one or two days a week will probably be enough for me after the baby’s born.”
“I can understand that. My brother has a hard time leaving his little girl, too.”
“Do you want a family one day?” Tempest asked.
“Yes, one day. But not anytime too soon. Maybe four or five years down the line, when my business is running smoothly, if I’m married by then,” she said as Emmaline arrived with their lunches.
“Two salads with a side of cookies, because you’re female and you need them.” Emmaline set down their salads and placed a plate of cookies in the middle of the table. “You’re my official taste testers for my newest recipe. These are chocolate caramel pecan with a dash of cinnamon.”
“Forget the salad.” Trixie grabbed a cookie and took a bite. The sweetness melted in her mouth. “These are incredible. Nick would love them. He has such a sweet tooth. Can I buy a half dozen to bring back to him?”
“Did you hear that, Tempe?” Emmaline said with a curious arc to her voice. “She wants to bring Nick cookies. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart.”
Trixie rolled her eyes. “They lie. I’ve been bringing Nick goodies for as many years as I’ve been staying with him, and that man’s heart is still locked down tight.” She saw Jillian come through the café doors and plow toward them like a woman on a mission.
“Hey, Jilly.” Emmaline looked at Trixie and said, “Try sex. That usually works.”
Tempest blushed.
“Sounds like I got here right on time. We’re talking about sex?” Jillian snagged a cookie and took a bite.
“Sex with Nick,” Emmaline said.
Jillian choked on her cookie and coughed. “No, we are not talking about that. And what is up with you bitches having a girls’ lunch without me?”
They all laughed.
“I told you last night that I was getting together with Tempe today,” Trixie reminded her.
“Not for lunch at Em’s with delicious cookies,” Jillian complained.
Trixie pushed a chair out for her. “Sit down, you big baby.”
As Jillian sat down, Emmaline said, “I have to go do some real work while you girls chitchat. I’ll grab your usual sandwich, Jilly.”