While they were shaking hands, Molly said, “Bear would like to see Shadow and the pups. Is that okay?”
“Of course.” She knelt down to meet Bear, expertly examining his neck, chest and back. “My, my, aren’t you quite the handsome father?”
Bear started barking wildly, and Molly could hear Shadow in the distance. They’d definitely picked up on the other. They walked to Shadow’s quarters. Molly opened the gate and let Bear in for the joyous reunion. There was lots of jumping about, smelling, and grooming, the pups wildly piling on.
Julianne said, “Would you like to let the family out to run around a bit?”
Molly said, “That would be so great.”
She reached down and snapped a collar on Shadow and led her out of the pen. The pups and Bear followed as Julianne led them to a large fenced arena. She let them in, released Shadow’s collar, and closed the gate. The bigger area gave the pups room to roam and Bear and Shadow a place to be together. The pups were jumping all over their father.
Julianne was watching Bear carefully. He was letting the pups maul him as he was being respectful to them. “Would you like to leave Bear for a few days?”
Molly looked at Bart, who said, “Fine with me if it won’t interfere with your program.”
“It usually helps. We’ll ask Shadow to sit. Then we’ll ask Bear to sit. When the pups see both dogs obeying, it’s easier to teach them to sit.”
“Fine with me.”
“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll call and you can come pick him up. But seeing him with the pups now, I don’t expect a problem. He’s been taught to be respectful. And it looks like the pups love their dad.”
Molly hadn’t said anything about his family coming, and Bart hadn’t asked, but when he stepped out into the yard for happy hour, she saw him mentally counting the seats at the long table and the outdoor chairs around the fire pit. They matched at fourteen. That pretty much told him everything he needed to know about who was coming—his entire family.
They settled into chairs in the shade by the lake. It was a hot day, and Molly had beers on ice in the cooler. She opened two and handed him one.
“Looks like you’re expecting company for dinner.”
“Yes, I am.”
She took a drink of beer and looked out over the lake.
“I’m really sorry that my family coming is causing you all this work.”
“I’m happy they’re coming, and I’m looking forward to it. I hope you are too.”
He said simply, “Yes, I am. What’s planned?”
Molly gave him the rundown. Arriving Thursday, relay race on Friday, parade Saturday morning, Kitty’s farewell ride Saturday afternoon, and the trail ride Sunday. She also gave a quick menu rundown for the three evening meals at the cabin.
“Again, I’m really sorry for what this doing to you right in the middle of the craziest time for your business.”
“The business runs itself. I’m looking forward to everything. If you have fun, I’m going to enjoy it. If, for some reason, you’re not going to have fun, I’d like to know about that now so I can plan for it.”
“I’m going to have fun.”
She looked at him for a long time as he was taking long, deep drinks of cold beer and looking out over the lake. She was trying to figure out whether to believe him. She didn’t really get the relationship with his family. Everyone claimed it was good. But he seemed reluctant to stay in touch.
“Can I ask a few questions about your family?”
“Sure.”
“You never talk about Brett. Brett and Darcy were the last to sign on to the trip. Kitty said Brett is as ornery as you. Do you mind talking about them?”
He laughed. “I’m sure Brett wanted to come. Darcy is quiet and introverted. Maybe large McKinnon gatherings are not her favorite thing. It wouldn’t be unusual for her to be reluctant and for Brett to cover for her.”
“Are you and Brett close?”
“Yes.”
