“Is there a reason why they’re not in either of the corrals?” I asked Theo as we speculated about the best approach.
“We tried that once, but then the wind picked up and I guess it spooked him somehow. Maybe something banged somewhere. That seems to be a major trigger.”
I hummed and looked at the box stall. Theo had told me they’d taken out a wall. “Have you considered making a door in the outside wall? There’s a paddock on the other side, right?” I glanced around, trying to orient myself inside the stable.
Theo sighed. “Yeah, I’ve thought about that. But it’s an expense, and right now we don’t need any.”
I glanced at him, frowning as I tried to read his expression. “What do you mean?”
Theo was clearly uncomfortable, rubbing his neck as he sighed even longer. “How ‘bout you go get settled in, and I’ll come over for dinner and we can talk about it after? I really need to go do some office stuff for Sierra. We got some applications for volunteers this month, and I promised to take a look, because some of them might want to start very soon.”
Something was going on with the rescue’s finances. In fact, Hudson had hinted at that, too, but since there was no rush—Sierra was being a trooper with running things—we hadn’t gotten into the details yet. Besides, I was pretty sure Hudson and Theo would have very different takes on the issue, based on their points of view.
“Sure, that’s fine by me. What time do you usually have dinner at the house?” I wanted to stick to Theo’s schedule so he wouldn’t have to change anything in his routines.
“Seven-ish. I’ll make sure the horses are set for the night before. Move them around where I have to and so on.” Theo gestured vaguely.
“If you need help, let me know. I checked in on Sierra before I came to the stable and she said the volunteers won’t be around today.”
Theo nodded easily. “Sure, I’ll call the house landline.”
I had a feeling he’d do it all by himself, but at least I had offered.
“All right, see you later.” I turned to go, petting Bucky on the head on the way.
* * * *
Sierra had told me that she’d been the one to make the changes to the master bedroom as soon as Hudson had given her a heads up that the next person likely inhabiting it would be male. She’d gotten a new bed and a frame for it, the old headboard that hadn’t really fit the new decorations was apparently somewhere in the storage shed just in case I wanted it at some point.
She’d had painters come through, too, and the walls that had been wallpapered something flowery and feminine were now a soothing green that I really loved. The bedding was all new, except for a quilt Sierra told him had been made by Ruth and had all her favorite colors.
I wanted to keep it at the end of the bed as a reminder of my aunt. I felt an odd sadness and gratitude when I thought about these changes Sierra had made. I’d have to get her flowers or something when I went to town.
Whether I wanted to be here or not, this would be my home, my room, for the next three months if not longer. That meant unpacking my suitcases and duffels, because I’d brought most of my stuff over. Sure there was plenty left at the storage unit we’d rented, but the stuff I felt like I needed to have nearby was all there.
I’d left most of my party clothes, not that I’d partied much to begin with. I’d figured that having something nice like a button down and slacks to wear wouldn’t go amiss, but the skin-tight sheer shirt I’d worn to clubs a few times had been left in NYC where it belonged.
The bulk of my clothing here would be sneakers, hoodies, jeans, and flannel shirts. River was already amused by that. The bookstore had required the neat shirts and slacks, but I had never felt at home in those.
After unpacking, I took a shower in the master bathroom—a very nice one, Ruth had clearly liked her luxuries—and got dressed in sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt, because I wanted to go out to wander some more.
A nap would’ve been nice, but I felt like if I’d give up to the mild case of exhaustion now, I’d never make it to dinner, and I really wanted to talk to Theo tonight.
First, coffee. I found River in the kitchen, trying to figure out how to work the fancy coffee machine.
“It shouldn’t be this hard…” River muttered, tugging at the strands of his bleach blond hair.
Having managed to get there without being noticed, I stopped a few steps away, leaned closer and whispered, “That’s what he said?”
River shrieked and jumped, hand to his heart, eyes wide.
“Hey, babe,” I said cheerily, patting River’s shoulder as I nudged my best friend out of the way. “Let me.”
River leaned to the island and crossed his arms, frowning at me. “I can’t believe you’d do that.”
I smirked. “What, make coffee?”
“Cause me to have a heart attack!”
