“As Cash may have told you, Uncle Chester built this house back in the day,” Chloe said. She had beautiful blue eyes and wore her long, black hair in a ponytail. They sipped sweet tea in a comfortable den while twins, Austin and Abilene, played with toys on a thick carpet.
Earlier, Austin had taken Tracy’s hand and showed her the racetrack he’d received when turning three. The track wound here and there and he stayed busy racing his cars on it. Abilene had said she remembered Tracy from the night of the fireworks. Abilene had happily cooked up some pretend treats for Tracy in the tyke-sized kitchen she’d requested for her third birthday.
“The arched bridge over the indoor goldfish pond in the foyer is one of my favorite things about your house,” Tracy said, watching the children play.
“Mine too. We filled it again once the kids were big enough not to drown in it. They picked out the goldfish and named them.”
“The dumbwaiters in the foyer and kitchen must have come in handy when this was the bed-and-breakfast,” Tracysaid. “Cash told me when you and he were in elementary school you’d hop in a dumbwaiter and race each other to the second floor.”
“Yes, big brother Chase was too cool to ride in the dumbwaiters. But Cash and I would race, and Chase would declare the winner.” Chloe laughed and then sobered. Tracy was vaguely aware of a frightening event involving one of the dumbwaiters. But that was Chloe’s story to tell some other time, so Tracy didn’t ask about it now Chloe brightened again and said, “I’m blessed to have Cash and Chase for brothers.”
“Definitely,” Tracy agreed. “They’re both great and so is Jade.”
“Yes, we love Jade.”
“More sweet tea?” Rachel asked, coming into the den with a pitcher.
“Best sweet tea I’ve ever had,” Tracy said, holding out her glass. “Thank you.”
“Aunt Rachel is famous for her sweet tea. I think it’s the main reason we have such good turnouts at our three annual barbecues,” Chloe complimented her beloved aunt as she also held out her glass. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, girls.” Rachel finished pouring and joined them.
“Thank you both for the tour of the new bed-and-breakfast,” Tracy said.
“Your timing was excellent because our guests always check out by eleven a.m. on Fridays,” Rachel said. “By the time you and Jacob arrived, they were all gone.”
Chloe’s phone signaled a text and she said, “Derek and Cooper are on their way to pick you up in the golf cart, Tracy. They’ll meet you on the front porch and take you to the stables.”
“Great. Thank you again for letting me interview you.”
“My pleasure. Did you remember to wear or bring a swimsuit?” Chloe asked.
“Yes, I have it on under my clothes.”
“Good, late afternoon is the best time for the kids to swim because the sun isn’t so strong,” Chloe said, walking her to the front door. “Even slathering on sunscreen, it’s easy to burn. We’ll meet you at the pool when you get back from the stables.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Tracy smiled, thrilled to be included.
She walked across the porch as Jacob came into view from around the side of the house. He’d already snapped a few photos inside when they’d first arrived and had gone with them to the new bed-and-breakfast when Rachel had given them the tour. Derek and Cooper pulled up in one of the golf carts used to travel from the main house, past the bed-and-breakfast, to the stables for the Percherons.
“Howdy,” Cooper called and waved. The five-year-old, with his father’s dark-blond hair and big brown eyes, was a miniature of Derek Brevard.
“Hop in and buckle up,” Derek said.
Tracy and Jacob hopped into the back seat and buckled up. They all waved to Chloe and Rachel and then it was off to the horse stables. Derek, who’d grown up on a Percheron horse ranch in Texas, was an excellent guide. He toured them around the state-of-the-art stables as he told them about the docile draft horses known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Tracy asked questions and took notes as Derek explained how he and former Sheriff Otis Custis trained the animals for law enforcement. Percherons, with their calm temperament, made them an excellent choice for crowd control and patrol work in the city. In the country, these horses could take officers places cars could never reach.
“Thank you, Derek and Cooper,” Tracy said as the interview and tour wound to a close.
“Yes, thanks,” Jacob said as they piled back into the golf cart. As Derek and Cooper chauffeured them to the house, Jacob told Tracy, “I’m headed to a poker game in thebunkhouse on Triple C-East tonight. I can give you a ride there unless Cash plans to pick you up here on Triple C-West, Tracy.”
“Cash said he’d be back for me. Have fun. Just don’t lose all your money,” she teased.
“Jeff said they play for nickels and dimes.” Jacob chuckled. “I’ll be heading back to the Springs in the morning. Do you need a ride?”
“I’m invited to dinner tomorrow evening, so no, I guess not.”
“I’ll touch base with you and thank Cash before I leave in the morning,” he said.
