Chapter Thirty-One

S prite listened to Blake and Phoebe giggling at Beth and Ellie's antics. The road over to the shelter had included teasing, giggling and lots of stories. She wondered if the other vehicle was as full of laughter. Remington was driving their vehicle.

The others had piled into a second one. Although they were later than they originally planned, Blake was still thrilled.

Yesterday's date night with Roam had just cemented she'd made the right decision in coming to Bluff Creek. They'd crawled in bed and Roam had shown her exactly how much he loved her by worshipping every inch of her until finally slowly claiming her. Remembering his words you're mine had a shiver running through her. She needed to not be thinking about it or she'd embarrass herself.

Once they'd cleaned up and slipped on nightclothes, he'd talked about how he wanted a date night at least once a month to spend time alone getting to know each other. Who did that?

She never would have pictured this happily ever after when she was struggling through middle and high school dealing with bullies and lack of food. But each struggle, each mountain she'd climbed, had brought her to Bluff Creek.

She hadn't been listening closely but Blake's words of maybe two animals had her pausing her thoughts. One animal, not two today.

"Umm, what Blake?"

"I was saying that if I get a puppy, it would be sad for the puppy to leave its brothers or sisters," a sly grin accompanied Blake's words.

"Yeah, no," Sprite shook her head for emphasis.

"Okay, I told Phoebe it wouldn't work."

Chuckles filled the car. Oh, Sprite could see the fun and trouble that these girls would get into as they grew up. And wasn't that a fantastic thought?

"Okay, we're here. I love coming here. I wonder..."

"Oh my gosh, Beth. You have three dogs. Do you really need more?"

Beth hopped out of the car and then opened the door for the girls, ushering them out. "Ladies, the pets await you."

Sprite followed Beth and Remi leading the way. They were quite the large group, but she could see the shelter people being happy if they brought more animals home with them. Stella, Clara, and Regina had joined them, along with all the sisters but Jesse. She'd been under another deadline.

Flick had mentioned he might want a pet but when he'd found out it was all the women, he'd decided to wait on an animal.

"Good morning, ladies. I'm a little full right now. I accepted some animals from my friend's shelter in the city that was overflowing. Are we looking at puppies, dogs, cats, or other animals?"

Blake had been pretty much set on one of the puppies that Regina had shown her but at the mention of other animals, Blake had perked up. Not that she wasn't already almost bouncing off the walls.

"Other animals?"

"I have a couple of bunnies, litter box trained. A miniature cow and a miniature horse that were living at a pumpkin farm that closed down. I also have two Nubian goats."

Beth stepped forward. "Were they from a mill or a hoarding situation?"

The owner shook his head. "No, they all lived on the pumpkin farm and the owner died without any heirs. The farm was sold and the new owners just dropped the animals off at the shelter."

"I think we should see them," Regina said.

Sprite followed the group out to where he had housed the animals.

"Right now, I'm housing them together because they're like a family, but I know they'll most likely be split up."

Blake and Phoebe went through the gate the owner opened and immediately sat down and picked up the bunnies. Sitting closely together, the girls were whispering to each other.

Winnie leaned close to Sprite. "I'd give anything to know what they are cooking up."

Sprite smiled. "Me too. I didn't know rabbits could be litter trained. What type of rabbits are they?"

They were adorable, with long floppy ears. One was white with brown markings and the other was white with gray markings.

"They are Holland Lops. Documentation from the farm said they are three years old. They usually can live up to fourteen years."

Phoebe stood with the rabbit, walking closer to Winnie. "Isn't he cute? Look at this face."

Sprite bit her lip to keep from laughing but then it wasn't quite as funny when Blake came over saying the same thing.

"She is, Blake. Do you want to check out the other animals or have you found your one?"

"So I can have her if I want her?"

"Roam and I told you that you can have one pet that you're willing to help take care of. If you want a rabbit, we can do that. How were they kept at the farm?"

The owner walked over and petted the rabbit Blake held.

"They are litter box trained. The owner kept them in a screened-in porch part of the time but also had a rabbit hutch out in the yard. The rabbits spent time in both places."

Sprite ran her hand over Blake's head. "Whatever you want."

Winnie walked over. "Bear is going to go ballistic if I add another animal."

Regina joined them. "I was just thinking that it would be a shame to break a family up. What animals the kids don't take, I think we'll add to an area of the orchard and farm. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Sprite glanced around and no one seemed to think it was strange that they had come to look at a puppy and they were possibly taking a farm home.

"Let's go see the puppies and cats so you can make an informed decision," Sprite suggested. The owner led them to the large cemented floored barn with divided areas for animals. It didn't smell like bleach but also didn't have the overwhelming smell of poop that Sprite had smelled at some shelters. Sure, everything pooped, but the smell didn't need to be in your face.

The owner had them all clean their hands at the hand washing station. The puppies were small, and he didn't want to risk anything from the other animals being introduced into the puppies' area. The puppies were in the next barn over. This barn had large dogs.

"The puppies and kittens are in my smaller barn," he said, leading them outside. As soon as they walked outside the one building to the other, Sprite turned when she heard Blake's name called. Mackenzie was standing at the edge of the property, then started walking toward them.

"Mama Sprite. Don't let her take me," Blake pleaded when she heard Mackenzie.

"Girls, how about you come with Winnie and me to the puppies. We'll let the others take care of this," Sarah said, shooing the girls inside the building. "We've got them. Take care of it."

Sprite stood there wondering what she should do but knowing there was no way in hell Mackenzie was getting close to Blake. She walked toward her. She could feel the wall of women who had her back. Remi stepped up on one side of her with Beth on the other.

"Do you want to talk with her? Beat the crap out of her or just send her on her way?"

Sprite just wanted to never see the waste of space that was Mackenzie ever again and she wanted Blake protected from her. Blake's voice begging not to go with the woman who gave birth to her told Sprite all she needed to know.

"I don't know. Let's see what she says."

Sprite paused when they were about eight feet away from Mackenzie.

"What do you want?"

"My daughter."

Sprite shook her head. Mackenzie didn't care about anyone but herself. There was another reason she wanted Blake.

"I find that hard to believe. Why are you here?"

Mackenzie stepped closer but Beth stepped forward and held up her hand. "Keep your distance, MacCuntzie."

"What did you call me?"

"MacCuntzie, I think it fits you. You're a waste of space and didn't value the amazing daughter you had. You're only out for yourself."

Beth's words had Sprite fighting a smile even when she was so mad she wanted to hit MacCuntzie.

"What do you want? You know you don't care about Blake," Sprite could see exactly when MacCuntzie figured out that her saying she wanted Blake wasn't going to work.

"I want the money. Liam's check deposited and then was removed from the account. The bank manager said Liam's money would no longer be going in my account. I need money."

Of course. It was all about what MacCuntzie wanted, not what Blake needed. Sprite had scrimped and saved to make sure Blake was taken care of and she was positive Blake's freaking bio mom hadn't missed a hair or nail appointment.

"The money's dried up and you'll need to take care of yourself," Sprite said, then stopped when Remi, Beth and Winnie's phones went off.

"Oh nice, well, it seems like we have some other options, Sprite. MacCuntzie failed to appear for her hearing. She has a warrant out for her arrest and Scoop said the car she is driving is listed as stolen. We can take her in and collect the bond. She'll be going to jail for a long time. Or if you need to expend some ‘anger' shall we say, she could have resisted us taking her in and get a little beat up in the ensuing altercation," Remi offered.

"I just want her gone and never able to bother Blake. Jail sounds perfect, and if you all make some money off her, then great. You had the most beautiful child with the sweetest heart and you're too selfish to see the amazing girl you and Liam had. I hope you rot in jail and become some big woman's pet. Meanwhile, I'll be living an amazing life with an amazing daughter."

Sprite felt lighter getting that out. Regina's arm slipped around her. "Well done! Locks texted Code Burke and that he's sending someone to pick up the trash if you'll have it packaged for him."

Beth and Ellie had MacCuntzie's arms in cuffs and had her removing her shoes to check her for hidden items. Ellie had opened the purse and whistled at what she found.

"Nice, this amount of drugs should give you another charge. We'll stay out here if you all want to go reassure Blake and figure out how the zoo is getting to the compound. I am not holding a mini horse on my lap," Beth said.

Sprite turned and went into the building where the girls were playing with puppies. She looked at the amazing girl that she and Roam would get to shepherd over the years and was so thankful. Sprite had never wanted to hit someone as much as she'd wanted to clock MacCuntzie in the face but if Blake ever asked if Sprite had hit her, Sprite wanted to be able to say no.

"Do I get to stay with you?" Blake asking while cuddling a puppy against her face.

Sprite bent down and slipped her arm around her daughter. "Of course. She just wanted us to know that she'd gotten in trouble with the law and she was sorry. She's going to jail for a while."

Blake put the puppy down and threw her arms around Sprite's waist. "I love you, Mama Sprite. I'm glad I get to stay with you and Roam."

"Me too. Now have you decided what you want?"

Blake nodded and smiled.