Page 83 of Sinister Secrets
“We could clear the old trail we used when we were younger so you could walk back and forth. And Jeffery would be more than welcome to come as well, though we’d want to keep him away from the mule. The zebras too, at least until he gets a bit older and more familiar with how to safely interact with them. But I need someone I can trust. You’d be doing me a huge favor if you said—”
Lucy jumps out of her chair, flinging her arms around me. “Yes!”
Her hug squeezes the last of the heartache from me, and I know that I’ve made the right decision. My grandfather opened this sanctuary with the intent of helping all those in need, not just animals. The best way I can honor Butch’s legacy is to do exactly that.
We’ll still bring on some vet students in the future—when the time is right. There are so many on this Earth who need help and I plan on finding as many of them as I can. Each small impact I make patches another tiny hole that’s been torn into my soul. And maybe, if I do enough good, I’ll earn the missing piece I crave the most—my mom.
CHAPTER 49
It’s dark by the time I get home Friday night, and though exhausted, I feel energized as well. I’d been worried when I’d been dispatched to assist the Naples PD with a kidnapping case. While the child had been taken by a family member because of a guardianship dispute, and was not likely to be physically hurt, these things don’t always end well.
A safe return isn’t guaranteed. Emotions run high and rational decisions aren’t always made. In this case, there were indications that the culprit, an uncle, intended to leave the country with the little girl. If that happened, the chances of the child being recovered and returned would become abysmal.
As I sat with the bereft mother, asking questions as delicately as I could, my attention kept drifting to the calendar on the wall. The picture showed a boat, though not the kind you’d expect to see photographed for display. There was nothing luxurious about it, nor particularly interesting. It wasn’t a fishing vessel, a cruise ship, or a yacht. It was actually quite ugly.
Yet as I tried to focus on my interrogation, I couldn’t shake the niggling feeling that it was somehow significant. Finally, I asked, “What kind of boat is that?”
The woman had glanced over her shoulder to look, the misery on her face curling into distaste as she did so. “It’s a bunker barge.”
“A what?”
“They use them to refuel other ships at sea, so they don’t have to go into port.”
“What kind of ships?”
“Cruise ships, cargo ships, bigger fishing boats—all kinds.”
“May I ask why you have the calendar?”
“James gave it to me. He gives them to everyone, gets them for free from the company he works for.”
James was the uncle who had kidnapped the child. Within hours, both he and his young niece had been recovered safely from the fishing vessel bound for Central America that they had boarded during refueling. The little girl is now safely back at home with her mom.
I know the days won’t always end on such a high note, but I’m going to enjoy this feeling while I can. Yawning, I unlock the door and head inside.
Though Jake’s truck is in the driveway, the lights are off. The house is empty. I briefly consider texting him to let him know I’m home, but figure he’s out at the barn, spending time with the animals. That’s where I want to be as well. Quickly I change from my work clothes and head outside.
The night is balmy, the heat and humidity of the day swept aside by a gentle breeze that smells oddly of garlic bread. My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since breakfast. As much as I need a good long cuddle with my crew, I have a feeling I’m going to have to cut my visit short, a thought that puts a damper on my win from earlier.
This isn’t going to be the only long day. Or late night. I’ve barely started working again and already I’m going to have to find a better balance.
But all my thoughts and concerns fade away as I step into the barn. A soft glow fills the space, cast by fairy lights that have been strung across the ceiling in low-hanging swoops. Music plays gently from an unseen speaker. A table set for two, the source of the amazing scents making my mouth water, sits in the middle of the aisle. Jake stands on the far side, his back to me, lunging from side to side as Stephano tries to dart around him, obviously intent on inviting himself to dinner.
“What’s going on?” I ask, stepping forward.
“You’re here.” Jake turns to face me with a happy smile. Manages to snatch the pygmy goat as he jumps into one of the chairs.
“Did you do all this?”
He nods. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. What’s the occasion?”
“It’s our engagement party. I figured we never got to properly celebrate, so I invited the whole fam—”
My kiss cuts him off. Stephano squirms between us, struggling to get down. I take him from Jake’s arms and swing him onto my hip, my other hand threading through Jake’s hair until we’re forced to come up for breath. It’s only then that I notice our audience.
Jake has clipped the netted screens that we use to keep the stalls cooler during the hottest part of the summer over the doors, so all the animals can see out. Chip and Bagel stand side by side, little corkscrew tails wagging while Ricki the raccoon sits in the aisle, centered between them. Charlie nibbles on hers, seeing if she likes the taste. Hildegard the cow has laid down in front of hers, peering out with bright eyes.
