Chapter 15

“We’re goingto delay the opening of the garage while we get the Brewster finished,” Gabe said. “We thought we’d have to do it piecemeal while you gathered the funding, but now that you have the Garrison money in place, there’s no reason to wait.”

Lori pulled the horse trailer into the parking lot of Ellery’s clinic and cut the engine, not quite able to believe what she was hearing. “Are you sure you want to do that? Don’t you need to open so you can start earning money?”

“Honestly, it’s what we all want. Then we can fully concentrate on the grand opening and getting new business through the doors. This is a great way for us to get used to working together again.”

She looked at her phone screen and the sneaky picture of Gabe and Max that she’d taken on Sunday when they were walking together. She wished they were FaceTiming so she could see Gabe’s face to make sure she was telling the truth and that she hadn’t just strong-armed her team into it for Lori’s benefit. She did like that she was somehow able to read Gabe so easily but wasn’t sure how that had developed so quickly. The lawyer had held herself behind shutters of iron, and Lori had never been able to melt them down. She was trying hard not to compare them, but this was another positive difference she couldn’t ignore. “There’s really no rush, Gabe. Mom and I are less than a week into planning the auction. The earliest we could pull that together is two months from now, and that would be pushing it. The calendars of the high society type we want to attract fill up months in advance.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. The people with money for this kind of thing are likely a different crowd from the ones you’re used to schmoozing.”

Lori huffed lightly. “Schmoozing? Is that what you think I do?”

“I do, yes. Schmoozing. Lori the Super Schmoozer. That’s you.”

Lori giggled then caught herself. Since when did she giggle? Was she a fourteen-year-old girl again? “What does that make you? Gabe the Garage Go—” She stopped herself short, not wanting to offend her.

“Were you just about to call me a gorilla?”

Too late. “No?” she said.

“That sounds like you’re asking me.”

“No,” she said with more conviction. “Gopher. I was going to say, Gabe the Garage Gopher.”

“No, you weren’t.”

Lori giggled. Again. “No, I wasn’t. I’m so sorry!”

“I don’t know what to say to that. I’m wounded. That’s more hurtful than any bullet I’ve ever taken.”

Lori gasped. “How many times have you been shot?”

“Too many to count.”

Lori drew in another short breath. She was lucky Gabe was still alive. No. Well, yes, but Gabe was lucky she was still alive.

“I’m just kidding,” Gabe said. “I’ve actually never caught a bullet—just a bomb.”

“Because that’s so much better?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have a bullet wound to compare it to… Just the wounds from your words.”

“Stop it. I have to go,” Lori said, remembering she was here to pick Cash up and finally take him home. “But seriously, are you sure about the car work?”

“We’re positive, honestly,” Gabe said. “Besides, I’m not their superior officer anymore; I can’t make them do anything they don’t want to.”

The comment made Lori wonder if Gabe still had her uniform…and what she looked like taking it off. Stop it. Now that she’d opened the floodgates to Possibility River, she couldn’t seem to stem its flow. But with Gabe already proving herself to be as wonderful and trustworthy as Lori had hoped, she was becoming more at ease with her own progress and happy that Gabe was in the picture as motivation, even if she wasn’t the end game.

“And you’re still good to help me babysit the Trouble Town Triplets?” Gabe laughed. “Maybe that’s not how I should describe them when I’m trying to enlist your help. Think of it as saving first responders work, because if I do this on my own, it’ll be worse than an earthquake.”

“Of course. You don’t have to convince me. I love babies,” she said. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own someday, so this will be good practice.”

“Oh.” Gabe sounded surprised. “This’ll be good for you then. I can relax on the couch and watch the game.”

Lori felt herself begin to slide into unpleasant memories of conversations with the lawyer about making a family, and she pulled the brakes. “Hey now, don’t think that me coming means you get to abdicate responsibility for the little humans.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I’ll see you on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to it. Bye.” She ended the call. She couldn’t wait to meet Solo’s triplets, and of course, she was looking forward to spending more time with Gabe in yet another environment. This friend thing was going well so far, although Rosie didn’t seem impressed with Gabe. She suspected there might be a little jealousy brewing. Lori had disappeared on her for months and now that she was back, Gabe was around too. By her own admission, Rosie never had been good at sharing, which was a residue of her childhood.

She got out of the truck and headed into the clinic’s reception area, putting Gabe and Rosie to the back of her mind and focusing on why she was here.

“Hi, Lori,” Mark said as he emerged from a treatment room, followed by an older man with a cat box.

She waved and approached the front desk.

“Thank you so much, Mark,” the old guy said. “You’ve saved both our lives.”

Mark smiled and put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “That little one did all the work, Mr. Johnson.”

Mr. Johnson walked past Lori with a grin as wide as the cat from Alice’s adventures and left the clinic. She’d seen that same look many times when she’d helped out at a veterinary clinic for a year after college.

“Ellery’s in the back with Cash,” Mark said. “Follow me.”

He’d already turned and was walking away before she answered, so Lori followed him along the corridor and out of the building to their makeshift stabling area. She quickened her pace when she saw Cash standing proud and looking like his usual magnificent self. A young intern was brushing him down, and Cash was clearly enjoying the attention.

Ellery came around from his hind quarters and smiled broadly. “Lori, it’s good to see you. I thought Beth might be the one to pick him up.”

“She wanted to, believe me. But I thought I’d come so we could talk about that business opportunity.” Lori didn’t want to specify the building offer in case Ellery hadn’t discussed it with Mark.

“I think it’s wonderful,” he said before retreating back into the clinic.

“You’ve talked it through with Mark?” Lori took that as a good sign. She put her head against Cash’s and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s good to see you, boy.” His answering whinny was a welcome relief, and she hugged him tighter. “It’s been too long since I heard you sound so happy.”

“I did,” Ellery said. “He’s not my partner, but my decision affects him. I’ve consulted everyone who works here for their input.”

Lori nodded though she was slightly surprised. She’d always thought of Ellery as a one-woman band who didn’t seek or need anyone’s opinion. “And what’s the general consensus?”

After pinning down the restoration project contract, this was the next step in her plan to upcycle the building and move on from what had happened within its walls, and she’d given Ellery about as much space and time as she could. Like her mom had said, there were easily ten more local NPOs who would love to relocate, so if it was a no from Ellery, she could get on with finding a different tenant.

“It’s a resounding yes,” Ellery said and then directed the intern to dress Cash for transport. “So perhaps I can give my lawyer’s contact info to yours, and we can move forward?”

“That’s fantastic news.” Lori released Cash and held out her hand to shake on the deal. “Bruce has already drafted an agreement that he can send to you and your attorney. I explained it would need to be flexible and that it would need an annual review, making sure we’re both happy with the financials.”

Ellery laughed. “You move fast when you want something done, don’t you?”

“It’s been a long time coming, so I’m eager to get it moving,” Lori said. “But yes, I do, especially when I’ve got my mom in my ear, pushing me forward.”

“The indomitable Karen Turner. She’ll be over to visit for your birthday soon, right?”

“Yep. She’s coming a week early this year now that there’s so much going on with the car auction and the building development.” Lori was looking forward to this visit even more than usual. She wanted to know what her mom thought of Gabe, without the weight of the “meet the parents” label. She liked her mom to meet all the important people in her life, whether they were colleagues, potential business partners, friends…or more. Her mom could get a good sense of people pretty quickly, though even she had been fooled by the lawyer on their first meeting.

“And how’s the car thing going?”

Lori brought her up to speed, including this morning’s revelation to postpone the garage opening.

Ellery raised both eyebrows. “Sounds like Gabe has quite the philanthropic heart for an ex-soldier.”

Lori frowned at Ellery’s inferred disconnect between the two but didn’t feel the need to rush to Gabe’s defense. “She’s assembled quite the team. I think the garage will be a great success. I know that’s where I’ll be taking all my vehicles, and I’ll be recommending them to everyone else.”

“After we’d talked last, I checked out the TikTok video that you said Gabe had commented on.”

“You always look at them eventually,” she said, sensing an impending interest in her love life, as it seemed to be the sport for everyone around her. “You’re a busy woman.”

“All ready to go, Ellery,” the intern said.

Lori smiled widely, grateful for the perfectly timed interruption. “Wonderful.” She took Cash’s reins and began to lead him around the building to where she’d parked. “Beth is desperate to have him back. We can’t thank you enough for getting him healthy again.”

Ellery’s emailed report, as thorough as always, had taken Lori almost thirty minutes to digest. All Beth was interested in was the executive summary—was Cash coming home? And now all Lori was interested in was getting away from this potential inquisition into her personal life. That job was Rosie’s privilege, and Lori only allowed it begrudgingly.

“Tess, come with us and help get Cash loaded into Ms. Turner’s horse trailer.”

“Thank you, Tess.” Lori handed the keys to Tess so she could run on ahead and get the ramp down. “Don’t forget to send me your attorney’s contact info so I can put them in touch with Bruce. And let me know when you and your contractor want to come around to figure out the alterations you’d like to make so the building is perfect for you.” That couldn’t happen soon enough. Bruce had been particularly efficient with the contract for the restoration project, and she expected a similar turnaround for this. Her mom would’ve explained the need to expedite them both; she was almost as invested as Lori in this final chapter of her old life being closed.

“Can you recommend someone?” Ellery asked.

“Anderson Construction has done all the work we’ve ever needed at the Sanctuary for the past seven years. Do you want me to text you their number?”

“That’d be great.”

As they continued around to the parking lot, Ellery made no attempt to revisit her earlier foray into Lori’s personal life, for which she was grateful. She needed some time to get her own head around the sudden changes that were happening in that department, and she wasn’t ready to share that with anyone but Rosie. Heck, she hadn’t even talked to Gabe about it, and she was part of the equation.

They loaded Cash into the back with ease, helped by his apparent eagerness, and Lori headed back to the Sanctuary, filled with thoughts of seeing Gabe and the triplets later that week.

She’d barely gone three miles when the truck began to sputter and jerk. Seconds later, the damn thing stalled altogether, and Lori had to cruise over to the emergency lane with her hazards on. Cash gave a little squeal to indicate his annoyance at the bumpy ride.

“It’s okay, Cash. Just relax,” she called behind her, feeling far from relaxed herself. She put the truck back into park and turned the engine over. Nothing but the sound of it trying to start. “Come on.” Still nothing. She looked at her phone mounted on the dash. She did know a mechanic who might be able to help. Lori hit call. “Gabe, I’m on my way back from the vet, and I’ve broken down in the horse trailer with Cash in the back. Is there any chance you could talk me through some checks I could do and try to get started again?”

“Oh, okay. Hi, by the way.”

“Sorry. Hi. I’m just a bit freaked out.”

“No problem,” Gabe said. “How has the engine been sounding lately?”

“Fine, I think. There’s been a bit of a ticking sound, but the check engine light wasn’t on, so I didn’t pay it much attention. It’s due for service next month, and I thought it could wait until then; I was going to bring it to you.”

“That’d be our first confirmed booking,” Gabe said. “Except it sounds like your timing belt might’ve just broken so you’re not going to have an engine for me to service.”

Lori groaned. “Tell me that’s your brand of mechanic humor.”

“Sorry, nope. But I could be wrong. Do you have a tow service close to you?”

“I don’t know,” she said, crossing her heart and silently asking God to forgive her the mistruth. She didn’t want a stranger coming to her rescue… She wanted Gabe. “I’ve been lucky enough not to break down in all the time I’ve lived here.”

“Okay, I’ll come and get you,” Gabe said. “Do you know where you are?”

“I’m on route six heading back to the Sanctuary.”

“And are you safe? Did you manage to get into the emergency lane?”

Lori checked her side mirror and watched the cars thundering past. “I did.”

“Good. Stay put, and don’t get out of the truck, okay?”

“I won’t.”

“Promise me. No matter what noise the horse makes. No matter how distressed it sounds, you stay in the cab.”

Even though the situation sounded serious, Lori allowed herself a small smile at Gabe’s protectiveness. She liked the idea of someone caring so much. And as if Cash understood what Gabe was saying, he gave a small nicker. “I promise. I can send you my location. Would that help?”

“That’d be perfect. Do that now, and then I’ll text you to let you know how long it’s going to take me to get to you. And remember: stay inside the cab. Don’t get out for anything or anyone.”

“Not even for the police?”

“If the cops see you, they’ll stop to check on you, but they won’t ask you to get out,” Gabe said. “They might stay with you because of the horse, or they might just check to make sure the trailer is secure and the horse can’t get out. That’s going to depend on how diligent the officer is.”

“Thank you, Gabe, you’re a lifesaver.”

“So they say.”

With the call over, Lori dropped a pin of her location to Gabe and then sent Beth a message to let her know what was happening. Seconds later, her cell vibrated with an incoming call.

“Is Cash okay?”

“I’m fine, Beth. Thanks for asking.”

“Of course you are. You’re always fine. That’s why I didn’t ask.”

Lori couldn’t argue given that was her stock answer when anyone asked how she was. “Cash is fine too. He made his irritation known when we stopped, but he’s been quiet since.”

“How quiet?” Beth asked. “Could he have collapsed? Can you check on him?”

“I haven’t heard anything to suggest a twelve-hundred-pound horse hit the trailer floor. The earth would literally have moved beneath me.”

Beth grumbled. “Still…can’t you just take a peek?”

“I’ve been told not to get out of the truck, so I really can’t, Beth,” Lori said. “But I’m certain he’s all right.”

“How long will it be before Gabe gets to you?”

Lori checked to see that Gabe had sent her a message estimating her arrival time and quickly did the math. “Just over thirty minutes.”

“Should I come and keep Cash and you company?”

Lori saw flashing lights in her mirrors as a patrol car pulled in behind her. “No need. It looks like a police officer is about to do that. I’ll text you when we’re on our way so you can be ready to unload Cash. I’m sure he’ll be very pleased to see you.”

“Okay,” Beth said slowly, clearly unconvinced.

Lori ended the call and wound her window down as the officer approached her. Just as Gabe had predicted, the policewoman checked the security of the horse trailer and said she’d wait until her tow arrived. Lori thanked her, feeling much safer for both her and Cash when she saw the passing traffic move over into the fast lane due to the police officer’s presence. She dropped the passenger side window to encourage a light breeze through the car, then settled back into her seat to wait for Gabe to ride to her rescue in her shiny tow truck chariot.