Page 49 of If You Like It, I Love It

“Remember the other two alpacas found with Oliver?”

“Yeah. What about them?”

“The wife of the couple who took them in called the office this afternoon. She and her husband are getting a divorce. They’re dissolving their rescue operation and selling the farm. They’ve rehomed all the other animals, but she asked if I might know anyone willing to take the alpacas. I didn’t volunteer you or—”

“Yes. The answer is yes. They were his original herd. This is the most perfect solution I could’ve hoped for. I’m in. I’m all in. Call her right now.”

Doc nods. “I think tomorrow morning will be soon enough. Gives you time to sleep on it and be sure, too.”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything.” I pace and try to plan, but my thoughts are firing in scattershot bursts.

Sitting doesn’t help, but when a tech appears from the back and says I can come sit with Oliver again, a slight calm washes over me. It doesn’t erase my fear and anxiety, but I’m better able to sort my thoughts as I follow the tech. The moment I see my weak, frightened alpaca, the top priority is crystal clear.

I nuzzle his fuzzy face, and his high-pitched hum lowers instantly. Love is good medicine, and this hard-headed guy is so very loved.

Come on, Oliver. I’ve got companions on the way. Now you do your part and get better so you can be reacquainted with your family. You can’t quit on us. We all need you, buddy.

25

Enzo

I know from the grapevine that Oliver has been back home for a few days. Joni only sent me one update, the day after I drove away from them in Rose Creek, letting me know that out of all the bad possibilities, it was the worst bad, and he was going to be okay.

That’s it: the worst bad. As if that was a complete update. I didn’t push for more because I knew the worst bad was still bad, and she obviously still had a lot to deal with. She didn’t need me bothering her for details.

But I thought she’d at least let me know when he came home. I’ve been patient, trying to give her space to recover from the whole ordeal, but this is bullshit! I’m going over there.

Her truck’s home, so I pull in. I sit for a few breaths before I get out, thinking over all the different ways this could go. Not even the worst possible scenario makes me want to back out of the driveway and leave.

When she doesn’t answer after my second knock, I assume she’s out back with Oliver, but I try the knob out of curiosity. It turns. Not locked. Dammit, Joni.

I step inside and immediately notice the smell. It’s earthy and a little sweet, but not like a candle. There’s a chemical tinge to it. What the hell is that? The smell gets stronger the farther I walk into the house. If she’s cooking something, I’m pretty sure it’s inedible. I’m also sure I’ve smelled this before, but I can’t place it.

My feet stop at the edge of the kitchen. Wallpaper glue.

So much yellow.

She’s staring at her newly wallpapered breakfast nook with her back to me. “I should’ve known you’d let yourself in if I didn’t come to the door.”

“If the door had been locked, I’d still be on the porch.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You’d be in my pasture, looking for me.”

“True. You might want to open a window. The smell of wallpaper glue is pretty strong in here.”

“Yeah, they just left about ten minutes ago. That smell is worth it, though. Don’t you think?” She finally looks back at me.

“If you like it, I love it.”

“Why can’t you just be honest?”

“I’ve never been anything but honest with you. You’re the one who runs from the truth.”

“I’m not running from anything, Enzo. We can’t be together. It would never work.”

“Why not? Give me one fucking real reason, Joni. And not the age thing.”

“You’re not even thirty yet, and—”