“Kidnapped me.”
“Yes. Margo is still there off and on, more dismal than usual.” Katy rolled her eyes. “Kind of like she’s waiting for a zombie apocalypse.”
Jade could visualize that. “Did Margo say anything about my books being gone?”
“Oh, yes.” Katy’s curls bounced as she nodded. “I told her, as your receptionist, I took it upon myself to pack up your belongings and books. Margo was furious and locked your door. But it was too late.” Katy dusted her hands together. “I already had everything safely stored in my SUV by then.”
“Katy, I’m so grateful to you. But Chase and I are both worried you’ve put yourself in danger from the Spatafores with your loyalty to me.”
“I wasn’t a military wife for fifteen years without being strong. Finn takes after his dad, and he’s strong too.” Katy bowed her head, then lifted it and said, “Finn and I have faced worse than the Spatafores.”
“I know you have.” Jade reached to Katy and took her hand. “I’m sure Finn takes after both his parents. And he is one of the most polite and well-mannered boys I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you, Jade.” Then, with a squeeze of hands, they let go, and Katy said, “At the office, I’ve been acting like nothing is wrong while searching for a new job. I realize it isn’t professional, but under the circumstances, I don’t plan to give notice. They pay me week to week, so when I’m ready, I will walk out, leaving a note on my desk saying I won’t be back.”
“I think that’s the safe thing to do,” Jade agreed. “What if I offered you a job?”
“What?” Katy gasped and clapped her hands together. “Yes! Please!”
For the next half hour, they discussed Jade’s plan to add children’s equestrian therapy to her practice. Katy was aware that a week before Jade’s vacation at Triple C Ranch-West, she’d taken the LCSW test. With everything that had happened, what Katy didn’t know was that Jade had passed this Licensed Clinical Social Worker exam. It was the highest possible licensure for a social worker, which meant Jade was qualified to hang out her own shingle as an independent therapist. Jade also acknowledged she was working on becoming certified in equine therapy.
“Thanks to Chase, I’ve learned to ride a beautiful palomino mare named Jubilee.”
“That’s super, and I’m so proud of you, Jade. The LCSW test is reputed to be a beast of an exam. I’ve seen therapists fail several times before passing, and some never pass it.”
“Thanks for your faith in me, Katy.” Jade splayed her hands and said, “There’s no time like the present to put the degree, licensure, new office, and horse therapy together.”
“Consider me hired,” Katy said. She went on enthusiastically, counting things off on her fingers. “I’m not sure you already know this, but I have a two-year degree in applied computer science. I can design your web page and advertise your scope of practice, I can bill insurances and clients, and schedule your appointments. Whether or not I have the qualification to become officially certified, I’d love to take the equine therapy training with you.”
“Done.” Jade clasped her hands under her chin and smiled. They talked for another half hour, with Jade promising to work out details and keep Katy posted. When she showed Katy the adjoining room and suggested it for Katy’s office, Katy enthusiastically agreed and hugged Jade. “Chase says he’ll have a door to the outside put in your office so our clients have a private entrance in and out of the house.”
“Perfect. In the meantime, I have savings and military benefits to sustain Finn and me until I start work here,” Katy said with confidence. “Since I only have a desk and not an office at the Spatafore place, I moved my few things out of there when I boxed up yours. Tomorrow is payday. As soon as I confirm my paycheck is in my bank account, I’ll leave.”
They hugged again and went in search of Coop, Finn, and Crockett. Evidently, they’d given up on checkers because they were no longer in Chase’s den. Jade led Katy through the great room and kitchen and out the back door. They found them at Coop’s cabin, as he was introducing Finn to Bowie. Crockett stood between Coop and Finn as the boy petted the horse’s soft nose.
“I took Finn on a tour of my cabin and pointed out Bob and Teresa’s house, but he’s most interested in Bowie,” Coop said with a grin.
“Mom, Coop said I have to get your permission to sit on his horse. Can I? Please?”
“May I,” Katy corrected. “And yes, you may.”
Coop showed Finn the proper way to mount the horse. With Finn safely in the saddle, Coop handed him the reins and led the way down the side road, with Jade and Katy following them to the horseshoe driveway. Coop instructed Finn on how to dismount and invited him back for a checkers rematch, another ride on Bowie, or both. In the space of an hour, the two had become fast friends. Jade had never seen such a big smile on Coop’s face as Finn, grinning ear to ear, thanked him and promised to come back.
“Cowboys say sooner than later,” Coop told him.
“See you sooner than later, sir,” Finn said and stuck out his hand to Coop.
They shook on it as Katy promised to let Jade know when she was safely out of the Spatafores’ office. Then Katy let Finn into the car, and when Crockett put his front paws on Finn’s leg, the boy wrapped his arms around the dog. Jade was acutely reminded of how priceless animals were to therapy, especially to a brave boy who had lost his father and was courageously marching forward with his mother. When Crockett bounded back to Coop, Finn pulled the door shut. Katy started the engine, and with a honk, they headed toward the main road, Finn waving a hand out of the window. As Jade and Coop waved back, Jade heard voices coming from around the backside of the house.
“Chase is home,” she said, excited to see him.
“Sounds like it,” Coop agreed as he waved to Finn one last time.
Coop stepped into Bowie’s saddle and tipped his hat to Jade. Crockett followed him down the side road as Jade took a shortcut through the house. Darting out of the back door, between the house and stables, she saw the muscular man who always stole her breath away. Riding Valor, Chase wore a long-sleeved shirt and boots, which matched his dark brown hair. Today, he also wore cowhide leather chaps over his blue jeans.
Seeing Jade, Chase dismounted and turned Valor over to Rafe. A silver Triple C belt buckle on a brown belt, along with the chaps, rode low around his tapered waist. Dusty from head to toe, Chase was an irresistible package of sensuously sexy and terrifyingly tough. Jade picked up the sides of her midcalf-length white sundress and ran to him. Reaching him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her off the ground as his mouth came down on hers.
“I missed you so much,” Jade whispered after his lips left hers.
