Page 25 of Kevin's Destiny

“Thank you. I’m hoping this new job will help me find peace in my life. I know you know that I was an FBI agent, and I’ve seen some harrowing things in my career, this next journey should allow me to slow down, and experience life.” She laughed. “Who knows, maybe I’ll find the love of my life there.”

The two women shared a laugh, and Yvonne wiped only one tear as she walked away from her old life and headed toward her new destiny.

Once in her vehicle, she sent a text to Erin Riceman that she was leaving her home then, and received the thumbs up sign, and laughed when a reminder of stopping at the grocery store came through. By the time she arrived at the store, hours later, she had a list of things from Erin to pick up. She had no problem doing that, and trusted that Erin would be true to her word and pay her when she arrived.

CHAPTER 9

“Welcome,”Duane Manchester told Yvonne as she parked and exited her truck at Erin’s Way.

“Hey, Duane. I’ve got some groceries here for Erin.” She went to the back of her SUV, opened the gate, and pointed to the bags for Erin. They both carried them inside, and Duane took them to the kitchen counters, and he told her to go down to the office. She did, and when she entered, Julie left to take care of the groceries.

Yvonne looked around, and went to Erin’s desk, opened the top drawer, and slipped the item inside.

“Thank you,” Erin said on a heavy sigh.

“Is this a good thing?”

“I think so,” she sighed heavily again and leaned back in her chair, laying her hand over her lower stomach. “According to my calculations, I’m about eight or nine weeks along. I wanted the home test before I made an appointment with the doctor.”

“I understand.”

“Okay,” Erin sat forward and nodded. “Now, do you remember what I told you about all my properties?”

“I do,” Yvonne said as she settled in the chair and pointed to the map on the wall.

“Good, now you’re going to drive me to all of them.” Erin laughed and held up her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll give directions. I just thought that if you drove, then you’d be more aware of where to turn. It’s not that complicated.”

“Okay. Yeah, I can do that.”

“Good. We’ll go to RRR first, then to Broken Two, Broken, then over to New Double. Like I said, I have another person that you’ll be working with, they’ve been here for two weeks. They know they have to share the space with you.” She held up her hand. “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of room for the two of you to work peacefully together. You’ll see when you get there.” They rose to their feet, and went out to Yvonne’s SUV. As she followed the directions Erin gave her, she listened to the other woman talk about the different ranches, and what they all did. At RRR, Yvonne watched the construction crew work, and could picture Erin’s vision for the ranch. When they left there and headed toward Broken Two, Erin pointed out where Duane, and the others lived. Further down the road, Yvonne slowed down when told, and parked before two buildings.

“Are these office buildings?”

“Yes. That one is where Dr. Caleb Lassiter works. He is dual certified as a physical therapist and a chiropractor. He shares the entire building with Dr. Staci Hardt. She has a PhD in biomechanics, and is working on a government grant to help veterans with prosthetic limbs. She actually builds them,” Erin paused to hold up her right hand. “Eventually, she’ll be making me one. She’s finished Reid’s leg, and working on Adele’s lower leg, and Opal’s arm.” At Yvonne’s look she explained.

“Former military women that work at Broken Wheel. This is what we refer to as Broken Two. One office building is in use by Caleb and Staci. The other one will have a doctor who practices in general medicine as well as orthopedics.”

“Where are they now?”

“Finishing up their lives, working out their contracts at their current jobs, then branching out on their own. Don’t worry, Duane has their files.”

“I’m guessing that we’ll have files on the people coming to New Double?”

“Yes, and the people that will eventually transfer over to RRR, those files will go with whomever of you two come over here.” Erin lifted her hand as she shook her head. “I don’t care who works where. I just care that I have security at each place.”

“Understood.” Yvonne stated, and stared at her in shock when she was told to drive through a set of trees, and follow a path. As she did, Erin continued to explain what the Broken Wheel was all about, and pointed out the bunktels. They drove around a bend, and Yvonne saw a giant barn.

“This is Broken Wheel Ranch. The horses that I started with, I fostered them, are horses that the police and SPCA removed from abusive and neglectful owners. Once they did the case, I donated to the agency and was given the papers in order to keep the horse. The name of Broken Wheel came from two different things.”

“Can I ask what?”

“One, there is a broken wagon wheel out at the road that has been there since the eighteen thirties. It’s off the covered wagon my many times removed grandparents used to come here from back east. Dear old grandpa left his wife and child in the middle of the night, and grandma pulled up her big girl panties and started Erin’s Way. The second reason is because all the horses here were broken when they arrived.” She pointed to where there were horses in the field around the barn.

“After rehabilitating the horses, with help from former military people that also needed help healing from their ordeals. I started a horse rehabilitation center for people that need them. We work with their doctors and everything.”

“Wow, that sounds interesting.”

“See that horse there,” Erin said with a grin and pointed out the windshield of the SUV.