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“Okay, thank you. See you Tuesday.”
“Tuesday.” I walk away, my arm coming up so I can see my watch. I still have time to get to the library and not keep her waiting. Thank goodness for short classes. Some days they just seem to take forever to get done. Especially on afternoons like this one when we have plans.
With my steps moving me quickly through the crowds, I make my way through the library and toward Ness’s office. As I get closer, I can hear voices, anger rising behind her closed door. I knock once then step inside.
“Excuse you, get out, this is a private meeting.”
Obviously, this man is having a bad day. If he thinks I’m leaving though, he is fucking mistaken. I give him a hard look. He blinks and looks away first.
“Pardon the interruption, Ms. Conrad. Are you ready to go, or do you need to finish up here?”
“I’m done; I was trying to explain that to this gentleman.” Exchange the word gentleman for maggot and it would fit her tone.
“We are not done here. You accused my son and his friends of destroying books. You have no proof it was them. We can sue you for defamation.”
“Sir, you do whatever it is you think is necessary. I have video evidence that your son and his two friends were the only three people back there other than myself. I sure as heck didn’t do it. This is also not the first time your son has been in trouble here in the library. I have the right to ban him. One more infraction, even if he sneezes too loud in here, and he’s out. Now, if you’ll leave my office.” She waves a hand at the door. “I’ve given everything to the administration. You can go talk to Mr. Van Dorn.”
“Are you okay?” I move to lock her door after the man leaves.
“I’ve not wanted to…bitch slap someone so bad in my entire life. That is the rudest, most insufferable man alive.” She lets out a long huff of air. “Anyway, I’m so ready to get out of here. I’m more than done with this place. I’m so glad that my contract is fulfilled here. I can go at any time. I will give them a notice, but after today, that might be sooner than they like.”
I pull her to me to press a kiss to her lips.
“Let’s go before you pop a blood vessel and I get mad.”
Her eyes twinkle as she comes up on her tiptoes to press her mouth to mine.
I accept her kiss and deepen it. When we need air, we pull apart.
“I love you,” she says, beaming.
“I love you, too.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Come on.” I take her bag and sling it over my shoulder along with my own.
Vanessa
Pulling up to the ranch is always good for my soul.
The mile-long driveway takes you through pastures on both sides of the road. The horses on one side, cattle on the other. Though sometimes the cattle are out in the back two hundred acres and you don’t really see them. It’s getting close to our calving season, so I’m sure Dad has them moved up to keep an eye on them.
“I never get tired of coming home.”
He chuckles. “This place is out of movie. It looks like a Hollywood set.”
“Mama would love to hear that. She works her buns off to keep the flowerbeds looking good. Curb appeal, she says, is what people notice first about you.”
“What about the grass? Does it have to be mowed a lot?”
“Well, not too much. There are a few spots around that they have to take care of on the back of Dad’s old John Deer, but mainly the pastures, all of the land surrounding the homestead, are kept in check up here by the animal menagerie. The horses,” I point out the window, “and cattle. There are a few small paddocks out back that house the pets. Mama has two mini cows, both highlands. They’re basically four-hundred-pound puppies. A few barn cats, the yard chickens Mama uses for eggs, and then there are the donkeys who are protection and pets. Dad has a Jack, his name is Henry. He’s a mean SOB that lives in the back pasture. Unless you bribe him like me and Mama do, he’s liable to bite or kick you. He’ll be your friend long enough to eat some carrots or peppermints though.”
“Good to know.” He’s looking a little wide-eyed as he gets a full look at the horses and cattle. I, on the other hand, am all smiles. I love this place. Coming home never gets old.
The front door opens as I park the truck. Why had I been told to bring the truck? God only knows with these two.
I jump out and hurry to be engulfed in a big hug. Those dad hugs, man, they’re the best thing ever.
“Morning.” Dean shakes Dad’s hand and gives my mom a hug. “Can I ask…I knew there were a lot of horses here, but…how many cows are out there? It’s a sea of red and black.”
Dad grins, moving to put an arm over Dean’s shoulders. “Come on, my boy, let me show you. I’ll tell you all about our Simmental and Black Angus herds.” They walk over to the side-by-side and climb on. Dean’s fascination fills his face.
