I studied the woman in front of me. The face that had haunted so many of my dreams. The person I’d wondered about, time after time. “What do you know about fences?”
She grinned. “Dug more than my share of post holes.”
“We still have an hour or so of light. Let’s tear this down so we can build it back up.”
12
Hayes
Dad guided his truck up the mountain road. “She’s gonna have a hell of a time when we get a good snow.”
“I had the same thought when I first came up here.”
“Should talk to her about snow tires and good chains. I can call Greg about putting her on the plow list for winter. Maybe even get a snowmobile in case of emergency or—”
“Dad.”
He glanced quickly at me. “What?”
“It’s gonna be okay. She’s nice.”
He nodded, adjusting his grip on the wheel. “I know that.”
“Then I think you can stop chattering about every type of plan for snow.”
Dad scowled in my direction. “I wasn’t chattering. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to respect your elders?”
“Apparently, not.”
“I’m rethinking my parenting approach.”
“Understandable. You raised a bunch of hooligans.”
He snorted. “Ain’t that the truth?”
Koda pushed his head between the two seats as the cabin came into view. I gave him a scratch under his chin. “I know you’re excited, but you need to behave yourself. You were an embarrassment the last time you were here.”
“He jump on Everly?”
“No, just didn’t obey a single command.”
“Koda,” my dad said, leaning his shoulder into the dog, “you’re gonna get yourself into trouble one of these days.”
“Not with Everly. She loves dogs.”
We came to a stop in front of the cabin, and I caught sight of the woman stacking what appeared to be fence posts. Her hair was piled in a messy array on top of her head, blond strands gleaming in the sun. She moved with an ease that said she wasn’t a stranger to hard work. Her tank top and worn jeans showed the lean muscles and curves beneath.
“That her?” Dad whispered.
“That’s her.” I forced my gaze away from the woman I was beginning to worry could drive me to distraction. “Come on, Koda.” I slid out of the truck and opened Koda’s door as I shut mine. Everly looked up at the sound, but I had a feeling she’d already known we were there. “Incoming,” I called as Koda leaped down.
He made a beeline for his new best friend, and Everly dropped her post so she could meet Koda on the fly. She sank to a crouch as Koda’s front legs went to her shoulders. He licked her face, and Everly’s head tipped back as she let a laugh free. The sound punched me right in the gut, and I almost had to take a step back.
“Well, I’d say those two have hit it off,” Dad said, coming to stand next to me.
“Something like that,” I muttered.
Everly stood, pulling a treat out of her back pocket. Her gaze met mine. “Is it okay if I give him this?”
“Sure.”
She sobered, looking Koda in the eyes. “Sit.” With a singular motion of her hand, Koda’s butt plunked right on the dirt.
“Well, I’ll be. I’ve never seen him sit so quickly for you when he’s this excited.”
“Shut up.”
Dad’s mouth pressed into a firm line as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “It wasn’t an insult.”
“Sure, it wasn’t.”
Everly gave Koda the little bone and rubbed his head. “Good boy.” She looked up at me. “I was hoping you’d bring him.”
“So you were prepared.”
A hint of pink flushed her cheeks. “There were some treats by the checkout at the hardware store. Thought it wouldn’t hurt to have some on hand.”
I adjusted the ballcap on my head to block the sun. “You’ve made his day.”
“A little spoiling now and then doesn’t hurt.”
“He gets more than a little of that,” Dad cut in, taking a step forward. “I’m Gabe. It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family.”
Everly slid her hand into my father’s open one for a shake. “I’m glad to meet you, too. And thanks for coming out here to check out the barn. I’m afraid it might be a total loss.”
I didn’t miss that she avoided the thanks from Dad. I studied her carefully, trying to figure why that was. I was sure it brought up bad memories at the very least.
Dad inclined his head towards the leaning structure. “Let’s go see what’s what, and we can take it from there.”
“Sure.”
Everly led us towards the barn. “I haven’t been inside.”
I looked up at the building—if you could even still call it that. “That’s probably a good idea. It looks like the snow did a number on it.”
Dad let out a low whistle. “We’ll take a walk around the outside first. I’m guessing it might not be sound to go inside.”
Everly’s steps slowed as she worried the corner of her lip between her teeth and stared up at the structure. I could see the mental calculations eating up her mind. I doubted she’d been gifted a massive pile of cash to go along with the property, and taking care of animals got expensive when you did it right.
My fingers tapped out a rhythm on my thigh. The urge to reach out and provide some sort of comfort took me by surprise. It seemed incredibly unfair that she had so much stacked against her. “Why did you come back?” The words came out a little more abruptly than intended, and my dad cut me a glare.
Everly stiffened, her lip dropping from between her teeth. “You know you don’t have to help, right?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant…I’m curious, why. You’ve never been back before. Wouldn’t it be easier to sell this place and use the money to start your sanctuary somewhere else?”
“Ignore my son. His manners leave something to be desired, and he often puts his foot in his mouth.”
Everly’s lips curved, and her eyes got back a little of that sparkle that had fled once my dad said the barn might be a loss. “I’ve learned that about him.”
“Hey, two against one isn’t fair,” I said.
She met my gaze. “Life rarely is.”
That was the truth. I learned it day after day. Those who deserved a break, rarely got one. That familiar marching band of guilt picked up its tune inside me. Everly deserved a break, and I hadn’t given her a single one. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have stuck my nose where it didn’t belong.”
“You and your dog have that in common. He’s just a little friendlier about it.”
Dad snickered. “She’s got your number.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry, okay? Forget I asked.”
“Fair enough.” She turned back to the barn. “I think the worst of it is around the other side.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. Seeing the dispatch number on my screen, I hit accept. “Easton.”