the sink, they went outside. They got in her favorite ATV, a double-seated four-wheeler that looked like a golf cart on steroids. The large enclosure was deep in the ranch.
“What happened?” Reid pointed to the old homestead as they passed it, a ranch house built in 1918.
“When Linda, the owner, was moved to full-time care, the house caught fire. It was small, and it just took out the back room, but it did enough damage that it would take lots of money to restore it. It had been her plan that the caretaker of the sanctuary would live there.”
“Aren’t you the caretaker?” His gaze moved from the turn-of-the-century old rock home to her.
She blinked. Another dream put aside. She had planned to move out of her father’s house with the girls, but for now, she was grateful they had a safe place to live. “Yeah, but all the available funds have gone into the direct care of the animals.” She sighed. “I always wanted to. Maybe someday.” But at this rate, she doubted it. When did faith turn into stubbornness? Would she even be able to tell the difference?
As the enclosure came into view, Bobby waved. He had already started pulling the old bedding out. She parked and got off the cart with Reid to join Bobby. With the three of them working, it didn’t take long to get the chain-fence enclosure ready for the newest baby on the ranch. Reid stood in the center after they finished, sweating. He had dragged a large tree branch that was knocked down in the last storm. “Where do you want this?”
“We can tie it to the corner post and the stand. It will give her something natural to climb on and sleep in if she wants. From here, she can also get in the hammock, too.”
A small book fell from Reid’s pocket when he bent over to grab at the tree again. Without thinking, she reached down, and they bumped heads. “Sorry.” She picked up the leather book. It was a Bible. “You carry a Bible with you now?”
He took it and grunted.
She looked down and noticed a couple of yellow ribbons had slipped from his pocket, as well. “Oh, Reid.”
In college, he’d told her the story behind them. She had cried for the little boy that thought his father would come back home if he tied the yellow ribbons outside. He had heard the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree” and truly believed it.
It took her back to her childhood, when she desperately wanted her mother to come home, but she was dead. At five, she hadn’t understood.
“You still have those?”
“They’re just bookmarks.” He stuffed them back into the Bible. “They don’t mean anything.”
“Reid, that’s not—” Her phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen.
Oh, no. It was later than she’d thought. Turning away from Reid and Bobby, Danica spoke with her father. “Sorry, Daddy. We had some emergency arrivals, and I lost track of time.”
Along with a long-lost husband showing up on her doorstep. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she found Bobby showing Reid some of the things they made for the bears.
Her father was talking, and she needed to focus. “Yes, let them know I have a great story to tell when I get home. I’ll be there in the next hour...No, don’t—Hey, girls.” She moved farther away and lowered her voice. “That’s right. I promise to tell you everything...Yes, I’ll take pictures...Okay. Love you more.”
Bobby looked at her with one brow raised. “Everything good?”
“Yes.” She put her phone away. “I just forgot to tell Daddy we had new arrivals. He expected me home a couple of hours ago.”
“Did you tell the g—”
She cut the facility manager off before he could mention her twins. “I think it’s time to call it a night. Reid, I can drive you to the ranch.”
“That’s nonsense.” Bobby’s gruff voice told her what he thought of her being alone with Reid. Why did everyone in her life act as if she had no survival instincts? It was getting old.
He rubbed his mustache and adjusted his hat. “I’ll take him, and I can pick him up tomorrow.”
Reid looked at her like he wanted to say something. He probably had plans to talk more about their little problem when they were alone. Maybe it would be better for Bobby to take him, because she couldn’t handle more alone time with her husband.
Sandy was right about him breaking her heart. What the other woman didn’t know was that it was already too late. Her heart was left in bloody pieces six years ago. Her daughters were the one thing that forced her to pull herself up and move on with life. Now it was up to her to protect their innocent hearts.
“How long have you been out?” Bobby turned down the backcountry road that would take them to Danica. Hopefully, the second day of his return would fare better than the first.
“Not long.” He didn’t want to talk. He’d rather torment himself with thoughts of his wife.
“How long do you plan to stick around?”
“As long as Dani needs me.” He groaned and laid his head back. He had let her nickname slip past his lips.
“I think it would be best if you referred to her as Ms. Bergmann.” They hit a pothole on Reid’s side of the truck. Without his seat belt, he would have hit his head.
“Yes, sir.” He didn’t want to hear another warning to stay away.
The old cowboy found a couple more potholes to hit. They finally made it to the gate. Reid knew he had some new bruises. Bobby winked at him.
As they pulled in behind the old bunkhouse, Danica and Dr. Ortiz were waiting for them. He greeted the doctor as he got out of the truck. A few others joined them. “Reid, this is Stephanie Lee, Linda Edward’s niece. She’s on the board. She has been an advocate for the dream her aunt had for the ranch. Stephanie, this is Reid McAllister. He saved the day with his degree in animal husbandry. Best of all, he has experience with big animals and wild horses.”
“Welcome aboard.” In high heels and with perfect hair, she looked more prepared for a day in the courtroom than one spent hanging out with wild animals. Her red lips stretched into a tight smile as she looked him up and down.
Reid tried not to be oversensitive and stood still. He learned fast to always appear confident, even when he didn’t feel that way. She reminded him of the court-appointed lawyer who threw him to the wolves and walked away without a care.
Stephanie was a trusted member of Danica’s circle, and he wasn’t. So he smiled and offered his hand. Yeah, she wasn’t happy about touching him.
Danica, who had been speaking with Dr. Ortiz, waved them over. “Dr. Ortiz examined our new cat. The jaguar is in general good health, but the back leg is permanently damaged. We’ll release him into the north cat area.” She looked at Dr. Ortiz, then at Reid. “Are we ready to move him?”
The wheeled crate was four feet tall and six feet long.
