CHAPTER 9
Everleigh
“Do you think Birdie thinks she’s a goat now?” I ask, leaning against the railing of the goat pen. For once, Gertie’s inside the enclosure instead of on a roof or on top of Pap’s golf cart. The little goat seems quite fond of her new friend with the way she hops after her. Or maybe Gertie just really wants to eat the alpaca’s blue hat.
“I think she misses her buddies,” Macy says with a sad sigh. “Alpacas are pack animals. They get lonely when separated, so I think she’s doing the best she can to make new friends.”
“But Jingle Bells seems suspicious of her,” I point out of the goat I’d guess is the leader of the group. She keeps looking back at the alpaca as though she’s an alien who can’t be trusted. Though I’m not fluent in goat, I’m fluent enough in body language to make an educated guess. And I’d wager Jingle Bells doesn’t trust the unicorn hat.
“She’s suspicious of apple slices,” Macy says on a laugh. “She’s coming around, though. And as soon as she decides Birdie’s in the club, the other two will accept her. Until then, she has Gertie.”
“Does she freak out when the cute little demon lets out a blood curdling scream, goes stiff, and faints?”
Macy shakes her head. “She’s completely unfazed.”
“Huh. Maybe they were meant to be best friends.”
Though returning to Stone Ranch after the trip to Springdale was not part of the original plan, Wyatt was able to arrange a last-minute meeting with the Stone brothers. He mentioned consulting with Weston, and it sounded urgent. After some of the things Walter let slip during our visit, he wants the lawyer’s legal opinion on a few matters regarding Birdie and Walter.
Wyatt Knight, a man sworn to uphold the law, will do everything by the book or not at all. If he knew where Birdie had come from, the badge would obligate him to return her there. I admire how much time and energy he’s dedicated to Birdie’s wellbeing, but there might come a point where his hands are tied.
I, however, didnotswear to uphold the law.
I opted out of the meeting, mostly so I can’t claim I was aware of any consequences should I have to act…unlawfully to reunite Birdie’s pack. After that visit, I’m motivated than ever to make that happen.
Wyatt offered to drop me off at home first, and I almost took him up on it.
If I had any sense, I’d put some distance between us long enough for things to things cool off. I’m still not in my right mind about what happened this morning. My body heats, both from embarrassment and desire—such a confusing fucking combination—at the memory of mauling the man post panic attack on my bedroom floor.
But more than that, I can’t seem to get passed how passionately he kissed me back. No hesitation. No mortification that I kissed him in the first place. He met my kiss with the enthusiasm of a man who’s waited a long time for the chance.
The way his calloused palms moved deliberately over my skin will forever be burned into my mind. I’ve never felt so fucking desired in my life. It didn’t matter that I’d found release shortly before he showed up. I wanted him right then and there. Had it not been for the phone call interrupting us, I might have taken things too far. I suspect Wyatt would’ve let me, too.
A handsy kiss we can come back from. But sleeping together? Our friendship would never be the same after that.
Going home and pretending to be sick the rest of the week would be the best way to preserve our friendship.
But after visiting the sweetest old man I’ve ever met, I felt a desperate need to see Birdie again. I needed one of her soft, furry hugs. That, and I was eager to show the photo Walter allowed me to borrow to Paps. I figured if anyone would recognize the ranch in the background of that photo, it would be the man who spent decades traveling the area to tend to animals.
Unfortunately, the photo was too vague with not enough details for his recollection. He wasn’t sure if he recognized the barn in the background or not but promised to let me know if something came to him.
“What happens if we can’t find the rest of her pack?” I ask Macy.
Macy shrugs. “I wish I knew. Ryder would kill me if I suggested adding a couple of alpacas to the ranch now. Penelope and Karen would obviously be exceptions if we can find them, but I can’t see him readily agreeing to acquire alpacas Birdie doesn’t already know. It’s a big expense the ranch can’t afford right now.”
“Ryder wouldn’tkillyou,” I say, rolling my eyes with exaggeration. “He loves you too much.”
“It’s just not great timing. The state approved us as an organization, but it’ll be months before the IRS decides whether we qualify for a nonprofit tax exemption. Weston thought it bestthat we wait to take in donations until after that’s approved, otherwise those donations will be taxable. It’s a whole mess.”
“So what are you supposed to do in the meantime?”
“They’re applying for some financing to keep things afloat in the interim, but I don’t know the details.”
“I’ll foot the bill for Birdie and her crew.”
“You don’t have to do that, Ev. I’m sure we can figure something out.”
“I want to. It’ll keep you out of hot water with your boyfriend. Plus, we both know I have the money.” Macy knows I’m referring to the trust fund my parents set up for me before they were both killed in a car accident when I was nine. Though it wasn’t an enormous amount, it was more than enough to help me through important milestones. Grandma Jean made sure I had what I needed growing up and only dipped into that fund when absolutely necessary. The money helped put me through college. It allowed me to buy my first car and, ultimately, Walter’s house. Though it’s not a bottomless source of money, there’s more than enough remaining to care for some alpacas.
