31. Sara

Chapter thirty-one

Sara

"So, you're quitting?"

Bianca's eyes widen as I drop the bomb.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"But why? You're one of our top employees—"

"I got accepted to college," I explain. "I submitted the admissions form, and they took me on the spot."

"Oh. That makes sense, I guess. But, man, am I going to miss you!"

She looks down, playing with her phone. I knew this would happen. I dropped the bomb on Lukas when I gave him my two weeks. He didn't seem as fazed by my decision to leave, but I knew I'd have to report to Bianca.

I assumed she wouldn't take it as well as he did, and I reach out, touching her shoulder.

"Listen," I encourage, "It's not the end of the world. I'll still be living here, and I'll be at the sanctuary."

I know it's not enough, but I don't want Bianca to be sad. She's become a good friend now as well as a co-worker.

"I know. I'll just miss you," she mumbles.

"You can always come to the sanctuary to visit."

"You'll still be working there, then?" she asks.

I nod. "I want to. Plus, May said that once I've gotten my degree, I'll take it over. She just needs me to have some schooling under my belt before she hands it over to me." I'm grateful that May's health seems to be much better and that she will be there for the years of my schooling.

"I get it. I'm jealous that you have an idea of what the heck you want to do with yourself. More than I do."

I scoff, shaking my head. "Bianca, you'll just know when the time's right."

If it weren't for Robert, I wouldn't even be having this conversation right now.

I think about him, smiling a little bit.

"So, was it that guy who helped? Or did someone just come around and give you money."

"Someone," I explain vaguely. "They wanted to help me, give me another chance. And now that Mom's doing better, I don't feel as guilty. Much to my relief, Mom's fall was just one fluke and nothing more. She hasn't had any other falls since then, so I haven't had to worry. It gives me some peace of mind, even though I still worry about her living alone."

Bianca gets up and heads to the counter. A couple of people walk in, but the crowd has thinned compared to earlier.

"I get it. You're following your dreams."

"Sure am," I say.

"Well, go for it. I promise I'll do the same. Whenever I have a chance."

I rest my hand on her shoulder, gripping it tightly. "You will, Bianca. I am sure of it."

She smiles. "I know."

She takes a couple of orders for people who come in, and I work the counter. I'll be here till two, and then I'll be at the sanctuary. Robert said he might be free tonight, provided that he doesn't have meetings or emergencies, so I hope to see him there.

He's been easier to see of late. Robert comes to the café sometimes and occasionally to the sanctuary. We get some opportunities to ride our horses together, but not often enough. Bianca turns to me after I finish the final latte and the customer grabs it.

"I'm proud of you, Sara. You're an inspiration."

"Why, because I'm leaving?" I kid.

"No, because you're doing something with yourself. I hope that I can be the same," she answers as she punches my arm in amusement.

Bianca's phone buzzes, and she looks at it. She types out a small message before throwing it under the counter.

"Still with that guy?"

Bianca beams. "Yes! He's amazing. I'm, like, so over the moon, thinking about him."

"That's awesome," I gush. "I'm really glad that you've got someone."

"Yeah. He's not a rich guy like your man, but he makes me happy."

"That's what matters," I insist. Being with Robert is kind of a fluke. It wasn't supposed to happen, but it did. If nothing else, I'm just happy to at least have a relationship.

After I finish my shift, I head over to the sanctuary. The builders have managed to finish the housing for the horses. When I get into the stall, I look around. Instead of it being shuttered and worn-down white walls, sleek metal now covers everything. All the edges are smoothed or covered so there should be no injuries from them. The walls are higher, and the stalls are equipped with temperature-controlled functions for the winter and summer. It's like the "Hilton for Horses," I giggle to myself.

"Hey there, Clover!" I say, rushing over. Clover snorts as I walk over and begin to brush her coat. I pet her mane, and she nuzzles me. I chuckle and pass her the apple from my pocket. "Miss me?"

She neighs, and I nod. "I know. I'm sorry for not visiting as much. I've been busy with work and getting ready for school."

"There you are! I thought I heard you?"

I jolt, looking at May. She grins, walking Orchid next to her. She touches his snout, and he snorts.

"He's already warmed up to you, hasn't he?"

"Of course. He's a horse. You know how it is."

"True," I remark. I'm ecstatic to see May looking so much healthier. Whatever her doctor is doing for her is working and I am so grateful.

May hugs Orchid around the neck as she walks him to his adjoining stall, and then looks at me. "So, you put in your two weeks?"

"Yep. They took it about as well as I thought they would."

"It is what it is. Besides, I can give you a better salary now."

I nod, searching Clover's ears to make sure that she doesn't have any gunk in them. She shies out of the way, but I gently whisper to her, keeping her there and relatively quiet.

"It'll be lonely not having you here every day while you're at school, but . . . ."

"I'll be here on the weekends. Trust me," I reply.

I plan on going part-time once I start school again, but I hope to be here as much as possible during summer and winter breaks. After I finish with Clover, May and I walk around the sanctuary.

"This place is looking so good."

"Sure is. It's amazing what can happen once you have money," May says with a little chagrin in her voice.

"And now we have some for other renovations as they are needed?" I ask.

"That and so much more. Sara, I plan to give this place a full facelift, you know."

"I'm excited to see the changes when I'm here next time!" And turning to face May, I tell her how much she means to me, regardless of any sanctuary. When I tell her how glad I am that she looks and says she feels better, I know that the primary reason is that so much stress has been taken away. Just another reason to chalk up to Robert's generosity.

But just as I had figured, May also lets me know that her new doctor has helped her with some serious changes in her health care plan, and that she credits him with her improvement. She even does a quick two-step, making me laugh out loud!

We walk to the end to see the Tesla pulling up to park next to me.

"Your boyfriend's here."

I pause, staring at the car. He isn't supposed to be here. Robert said he wouldn't mind coming over later but didn't say if he would. A moment later, Robert steps out of the car. He waves, and I rush over to him, excited to see him.

We see each other a lot, but being away from each other is hard. He catches me as I do a full-on jump into his arms, legs around his waist. Hugging me tightly as he takes a few steps back, he laughs and tells me that he may be getting too old for that much enthusiasm in my welcome. That makes me laugh myself as I tell him to bulk up because I have no intention of stopping it.

"Good to see you, Sara. A nice surprise, is it?"

I look up and nod. "Sure is!"

May walks over, stopping in front of us. A smile forms across the corners of her lips.

"So, you are taking my number one employee away for the night."

Robert lets me go and rests his hands on his hips.

"Only if she's done for the day. I would never want to keep her off her job, Ms. May!" And he actually salutes. I crack up.

"Oh, you're fine," May assures him. "I am just happy to see you two together."

"What are you doing here? I thought we were going out on Sunday?" I ask. "Not that I mind, of course."

Robert chuckles. "I figured I would take you somewhere special tonight."

"But I'm dressed like this?"

"Doesn't matter. I just want to take you to a spot I know you will love, Sara."

I know I can't win this fight. When Robert wants something, he gets it. Of course, it's usually, okay almost always, to please me!

"All right. I'll be ready to leave in a few."

After I finish my rounds, I head back to the car. May waves as we pull away.

"I'll see you two whenever!"

"For sure! See you on Friday!" I cry out from the car.

We drive off, and when I look at Robert, he smiles. A grin of anticipation crosses his face.

"So where are we going?" I ask again.

"I told you, it's a surprise. And I'll bring you back here later to get your car."

I grab his hand, holding it tightly.

"I'm holding you to it."

Robert drives off toward the city but then takes a right. We go down an unfamiliar road until we get to a large-scale apartment building out by the water. He drives into the parking garage and parks in a spot with his name. After he turns the car off, he turns to me.