I felt a bit worried about everything I was doing, but I knew in my heart that I was on the right path. But was I losing my head, giving into my passion?
Damn straight I was. Just like always.
The conversation with Dahlia had made it clear to me that I’d never truly avoided my passions. In fact, the best parts of my life werebecauseof them: my career helping animals, my friendship with Josh, and, most of all, my relationship with Shannon.
I was going to stay and fight for what I wanted, and the first step was a conversation with Ruth.
She’d agreed to let me turn out Sunshine in her paddock while I worked out the details of the surprise for Shannon. I made sure to time my arrival during Ruth’s lunch break, when I was sure she’d have a few minutes to chat. I wasn’t about to let her learn of my plans through the Poplar Springs grapevine. It was only right for her to get the news straight from me.
Once Sunshine was happily exploring the paddock, I turned my attention to Ruth, who was standing beside me at the gate, gazing out at the mare with an appraising eye.
“That’s a hidden gem right there,” she mused. “I think Shannon is going to be very happy with her.”
“I think so too.”
I felt a little nervous about the conversation we were about to have. I didn’t want to upset Ruth, but I also wasn’t about to let my chance at happiness escape twice.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” I said, glancing at her. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“I’ll always have time for you, Dr. Morris.” She squinted at me. “You look troubled. What’s on your noggin?”
“You know how much I wanted to take over your practice…”
She frowned and bobbed her head. “I do. And I’m still disappointed over how everything turned out. I hate that you’re leaving, Dec.”
I was relieved to hear her call me by my nickname.
“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I took a deep breath. “I’mnotleaving.”
Ruth tipped her head at me. “No?”
“No. I realized that my ties to Poplar Springs are too strong to walk away. My family is here. My parents are getting older, and they’re going to need me close as they work through some stuff. And there’s other, uh, aspects I need to figure out.”
“Hmm. Might that have anything to do with a certain little filly at Lost Valley Ranch?”
I turned red as I laughed. “You mean Vida? Yeah, she’s special.”
“Exactly,Vida.” Ruth chuckled.
“Anyway, I want you to know how much I respect you. I wanted you to hear this from me so you’ll know that I’m not acting out of defiance, or to try to one-up you… but the fact is, if I can’t take over your practice, then I’m opening my own. I don’t know where I’ll get the funding to start from scratch but this is where I belong.”
She went silent for a moment, staring out at Sunshine with a practiced poker face. “Is that a fact?”
“It is. Are you upset?”
Ruth turned to me slowly, her eyes locked on mine.
“Nope. Not at all. But you need to think again because that’s not going to happen.”
FORTY-ONE
SHANNON
Josh walked into the kitchen wearing a triumphant expression.
“Just spoke with John Pembroke and he’s in. Said he had no clue that things went south with Declan and Ruth, and he’d be happy to stand up for him at the next Cattlemen’s Association meeting.”
“That’s fantastic. He was a sticky one,” I said, grinning at Josh. “Thanks!”
