Page 13 of Raymond's Forever

“Oh, there can’t have been that much left.”

Raymond grinned at her. “All your high school things in the attic.”

“Eew,” Opal laughed, then sobered quickly. “What about Melissa and Amber’s stuff?”

“Dumpster. Everything. They won’t be needing it anytime soon, and I sure as hell won’t be renting a storage unit for them.” He grinned, and Opal laughed, and snorted at the end.

“Good one. Did you even tell them you were leaving North Carolina?”

“Nope, once the divorce was final, and their sentence was read, I washed my hands of the both of them.” He turned to look at Amelia and Betty. “My second marriage ended badly, and both the ex-wife and her daughter from her first marriage are currently sitting in jail for twenty-five to life. Maybe when you come to live here permanently, if you’re bored one night, I’ll tell you the story, but you’ll have to like true crime to hear it.”

“Oh, wow, it’s sounds interesting.”

“It is,” Opal said with a laugh. “Dad has my permission to tell you what happened to me.” She then changed the subject to tell them what Broken Wheel Ranch did, and they went into the barn, and there were several men and women instructing kids and adults on the horses that were being led around the arena, or some were riding them by themselves, but had someone holding the lead rope.

“There’s Caleb,” Opal said, and he turned and jogged over to them.

“Dr. Johnson, what are you doing here?” He held his hand out and they shook hands. “When do you start?”

“A week from Monday. I have this next week to finish up at the clinic, then I’ll be here permanently next weekend.”

“Great. Come watch,” he said in excitement. No one spoke until they were at the gate that surrounded the arena with the horses. “I’m the therapist for three of the clients inside the ring. I don’t have to, but on the weekends, I like to see how they’re doing so I can adjust what I do for them, or not. So far, I’ve only had to adjust my therapy sessions only once.”

“Why?” Betty asked, then explained. “I’m Betty Laurel, a nurse at the clinic. I’m also thinking of coming to work with Dr. Amelia in a couple of weeks. It’s still up in the air, at least until she’s settled over at Broken Two.”

“Ah, yeah, I had heard we would be sharing a receptionist until you can hire someone.”

Amelia turned to look at Raymond. “Do you think we should read Caleb into my situation?”

“Yes, but not here,” Raymond said as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, and caught the scent of vanilla from her hair. He drew in a deeper breath, held it, then let it out in a slow exhale.

“What situation?” Caleb asked quietly to just the two of them.

“I’m facing a certain situation and I’m going to need your help. Medically.” At his expression she shook her head and held up her hand. “Not for me. I’ll explain it all I promise.”

Caleb looked at someone behind them, and they all turned to see Kevin standing there.

“I’m giving them the tour.”

“Ah, okay. I’m done here with my clients if you want to drive over to Broken Two.”

“Please,” Amelia said.

“Inland or on the road?”

“Inland,” Kevin said, and turned to the others. “This ranch is totally land locked. The only way to and from is through Erin’s Way, the way we came in, and now I’ll take you the back way over to Broken Two. The clients use this when they stay in the bunktel.” He grinned at their expressions. “I’ll show you.”

They climbed back into their vehicles, and followed Kevin as he drove past the barn, down a well paved path, and in five minutes, they came out to four buildings. Kevin parked, got out, and had them park. “These are the bunktels, think of a combination of a hotel and a ranch bunkhouse.” He walked forward and opened the door to one of the buildings and invited them in to look around. They spent a good amount of time looking around and when they left, they were impressed by the accommodation.

“Where to now?” Betty asked.

“Over to the other buildings at Broken Two. The office buildings, and then we can go to the cabins. It’s my understanding that there are two cabins empty and available.”

“They are.” Caleb agreed. “Katherine and I have one, and Ilsa and Jason share the other leaving two empty.”

Everyone nodded and climbed back into their vehicles and followed Kevin over to the office buildings. This time, Caleb led the way, and he took his keys from his pocket, unlocked the door to one of the identical buildings and had them enter before him. “This is my office building for my chiropractor and therapy offices. Dr. Staci Hardt also has her office and work room here. Her title is Dr. but she’s not like the two of us where she sees patients on a regular basis, though she does see them, but only for her specialized work.”

“What does she do?” Amelia asked.