She pressed her lips to his, and when salty tears slipped between them, she laughed. “I’m sorry. It’s just…The way you support me…It’s so unexpected.”
He brushed away her tears with the backs of his fingers. “So are we, darlin’.” He kissed her again. “I only ordered fifty in case you didn’t like them, but we can order more.”
“I love them. They’re perfect. But how did you get my logo?”
“I called Jilly, and she hooked me up with Destiny, who got me a rush order with someone she knows. Now, go knock this woman’s socks off and call me the second you get out.”
“I have to put on makeup first.” She was on cloud nine as she headed for her bathroom.
“Didn’t I see your makeup bag in my bathroom this morning?”
“Ugh. Yes. Sorry. I forgot I left it there.”
He stepped in front of her, his arms circling her again, his eyes as warm as his embrace. “I like it there.”
She was so happy she could do little more than smile.
“Fair warning, darlin’.” He ran his hands up her outer thighs, beneath her dress. “When you get back, we might have to pretend my dining room table is a boardroom table, so I can bend you over it.”
Heat seared through her core. “Nick!” She laughed and stepped out of his arms. “How am I supposed to go into a serious meeting with that on my mind?”
“Maybe this will help.” He pulled her back into his arms. “If you don’t nail it, I won’t nail you.”
“Ohmygod. Why do you do this to me?”
“Because paybacks are hell, darlin’.”
AN HOUR LATER, armed with her special new business cards, pictures of her horses, and a heart full of hope, Trixie sat across from Jordan Lawler, a Kate Bosworth lookalike with high cheekbones, blond hair that fell to the middle of her back, and a rock on her finger the size of Mount Everest.
“I’ve been reading up on miniature therapy horses since speaking with Tempest, and I assume you’ll have the proper vaccination reports, insurance, and hoof coverings.”
“Absolutely.”
Jordan sat back and crossed her legs, tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair with a curious expression. “The idea is intriguing.”
“There’s definitely a unique wow factor to using miniature horses. Service dogs are common, but far fewer people have gotten up close and personal with miniature service horses. Beyond their cuteness, they’re intelligent, social creatures, and they have a tremendous amount of love and comfort to give. That’s what Rising Hope is all about, bringing happiness, comfort, and joy to those who need it. Working with therapy horses has been shown to help with physical and cognitive skills, to decrease depression and reduce anxiety and blood pressure, build confidence, and increase socialization. The horses are small enough to be present in therapy gyms to help inspire patients who are learning to use adaptive equipment, like wheelchairs and walkers. For patients who are allowed to do more, such as brush the horse’s mane or put in hair clips, it can also help with fine motor skills while providing a sense of achievement.” As Trixie spoke, she decided she definitely wanted to offer more than facility visits. “I’ll also be working with patients outside of facilities, offering groundwork and grooming with my minis and therapeutic riding with my regular-size horse, Buttercup. For a person who is disabled, riding can help with balance, posture, muscle tone, and of course, confidence.”
“Tempest said you were just starting your business and would have questions, but I’m impressed. You seem to have a solid handle on it.”
“Thank you. I’ve been around horses all my life. I grew up on a cattle and horse ranch, and I still help my family run it. But therapy horses have become my passion.” She told Jordan the story that she’d told Nick about Elsie and Cara. “I hope to bring that kind of hope to others.”
“How many miniature horses do you have?”
Trixie took out her iPad and showed her pictures of the horses. “I have four. Two are four years old with two years of therapy experience. Annabelle is the white filly. She’s thirty-two inches at her withers, which is the ridge between her shoulder blades, and Alfie, the reddish-brown one, is my littlest. He’s twenty-six inches. They’re two of the sweetest horses you’ll ever meet.” She flipped to another picture. “These are my babies who I’ve just begun training. Buttons is the white one with brown spots. She’s a doll. And Prince is the black one. But they won’t be ready for therapy visits for quite a while.”
“They’re all adorable. I feel happier just looking at the pictures.”
“I know.” Trixie laughed softly. “They’re hard to resist, which is part of what makes them such special service animals. And to make the experience even more magical, sometimes I’ll dress the horses up with wings and unicorn horns, and when Prince is ready, he might show up with a crown.”
“The residents would get a kick out of that. Heck, I’d get a kick out of that.”
They both laughed.
“I’m up for anything that lightens people’s spirits. Where exactly is Rising Hope located?”
“The headquarters is in Oak Falls, Virginia, which is about two hours from here. But I’ve been traveling from Virginia to Maryland for years, and I plan to continue. My colleague has a ranch on the outskirts of town with plenty of room for my horses. That’s where I stay when I’m here. But if you don’t mind, I do have a few questions regarding rules and regulations for your facility.”
Jordan answered her questions, and then she said, “It sounds like you have your bases covered as far as regulations go. I would love to have you bring Annabelle or Alfie in for a soft visit. We can see how they do in the facility, and if that goes well, we can talk about scheduling patient visits.”
Trixie wanted to climb across the desk to hug her, but she forced herself to hold it together. “I would love to schedule a soft visit.”
“Great. It will take me about a week or so to get it approved.” She pulled up a calendar on her computer and said, “I can do a week from Monday at two or four.”
“Either works for me.”
“Great, let’s say two o’clock. That way we won’t be rushed.”
“Thank you for taking the time to talk with me and for offering me my very first soft visit. To be honest, I was nervous about how today would go.”
“I know how terrifying and exhilarating starting a new endeavor can be.”
“You do?”
Jordan held up her left hand and wiggled her fingers. Her engagement ring glittered beneath the lights. “You’re braver than me. I’ve already rescheduled my wedding three times.”
“Oh my goodness. Well, that’s a gorgeous ring. I’m sure you’ll know when the time is right.”
“Thank you. It’s a bit much for me, kind of like my fiancé. He works on Wall Street, and once we’re married, that’s where I’m supposed to move.”
“Wow. New York. That sounds exciting.”
“It is, but I love Maryland and my job.” She shrugged. “Needless to say, I understand why this new turn in your life is scary and exciting, and I’m happy to help.”