Colton and his herd had come to Little River after their herd was nearly destroyed by humans rounding up what they thought were wild horses.Only six had survived, including Zara.Colton had decided that he’d just take over the farm and be the alpha, and when Crew and Zara mated, and Crew kicked Colton out of their territory for good, he’d gone nuts.
Attack after attack, focusing on anything he deemed a weakness.He wasn’t above attacking the females, including abducting Tatum from the library where she worked, and trying to take Fallon from the farm.
“Well,” Zara said, “he’s down to three people now, including himself.He has to realize that he can’t win against us.The Little River Herd is here to stay, period.”
“Damn right,” Crew said.
Zara left the two of them in the kitchen after giving Crew a kiss on the cheek.
“I couldn’t help but notice you were looking a little bummed last night.Everything okay?”Crew asked.
“I’m the last one,” Ford said simply.
“It’ll happen,” Crew said.“I hate that saying, it’s so damn trite.But it’s true.Fate works how it works in its own time, and sometimes it’s a bitch.”
Ford chuckled.“Feels like that.”
“Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Would you be Avi and Fallon’s escort to the park this afternoon?She wants to hang out with her mom and Sunny.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Thanks.I’ll take the night shift so you can sleep when it’s dark out like a normal person.”
“I appreciate it.I don’t mind the night shift, but not all the time.”
“I hear ya.Thanks for escorting them.And who knows?Maybe fate is on your side and this is just the little quest you need to kick things into motion and find your soulmate.”
“From your lips to fate’s ears.”
Ford grabbed a second sandwich and said goodbye, heading upstairs to his room to catch some sleep before he escorted his friends to the safari park where several groups of shifters lived and worked, keeping their nature secret from humans.
His stallion let out a curious, hopeful sound in his head and he wondered if the change of scenery was just what he needed to shake himself out of the funk he was in.
If nothing else, escorting Avi and Fallon to the park got him out of the night shift.Something like hope lit up in his chest, but he wasn’t sure if his stallion was excited to be going somewhere for a change of pace, or if there was more to it than that.
He sure as hell hoped it was more.
The fluorescent lights hummed for a moment longer after Darcy Carver shut them off in the Pioneer Supply Company office, and then went out, plunging the small space into darkness.She walked through the mom-and-pop hardware store, the scent of lumber heavy in the air as she made her way to the front door, where store manager Hal was waiting for her so he could lock up.
“Did you have a nice day, Darcy?”he asked, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
“I sure did,” she said.“You?”
“The missus said my delivery from the jerky-of-the-month club is at the house, so it’s clearly going to be an amazing end to the day.”
“Enjoy,” she said with a chuckle as she stepped out into the cool November evening.“See you Monday.”
“Be safe, hon.”
He pulled the door shut behind her and she heard the click of the lock.Hurrying to her car, she sat behind the wheel and turned the engine on, waiting for the heat to kick in before she headed home.
Her mind was on the weekend ahead and the baby shower she was hosting for her best friend Rhomi.Darcy and the other member of their bestie-trio, Reagan, were excited to throw the shower for the first one of them to get married and become pregnant.
She opened her phone to her to-do list.She was supposed to meet Reagan at the Amazing Adventures Safari Park, where Rhomi lived and worked with her husband, Mercer.Rhomi sold season tickets and Mercer was on the security team, and the two of them were far too adorable now that she was pregnant.
