“Let’s hope when Porter’s doors close, even better opportunities await them with the new warehouse opening,” Vanessa said. “They’ll need employees. That’s something.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Kendra lifted her glass. “New jobs for everyone.”
If only I could guarantee that.
CHAPTERTHREE
In Fraser Hills, North Carolina, Mike Marshall stood at the edge of the practice ring behind his barn with one dusty leather boot propped on the bottom fence rail. Watching his daughter, Misty, work the horses always made him miss Olivia. After eleven years, you’d think a man might be able to deal better, but the older Misty got, the more she reminded him of Olivia. Even the mannerisms echoed her mother’s, although Misty had been so young when she died. She probably didn’t recognize the similarities herself.
He scrubbed the stubble on his chin. The team of shining Percherons moved around the ring, their equipment jingle-jangling as Misty navigated the hitch in perfect unison past him. All six horses performed flawlessly at her lead.
There weren’t many sixteen-year-olds that could handle a six-hitch better than his daughter. She’d already won moreblue ribbons than most would in a lifetime. Pride swelled inside him as he looked on.
Her love for these animals was as big as his own, and the way she’d dedicated herself to learn the niche skill still blew him away. It was hard work, and it required patience, focus, and stamina that most adults didn’t even have.
She circled the heavy wagon in a figure eight and then completed an impeccable execution of “spin the top,” a tricky move that required the driver to spin her team of horses and wagon without moving one back wheel.
He applauded as she came out of that spin. The melodic pound of horse hooves passed by him again.
Misty’s grin told him she was happy with the workout too. This team was ready, and it was the direct result of her hard work this year. Some of these horses were young, only three years old, but Misty had trained them tirelessly. She was determined, and her efforts were paying off.
“Great job!” Mike walked over, giving each horse a pat as he passed by. “I honestly think this team might be our best one. It took me years to become that good.”
“Thanks, Dad, but everyone knows you’re the best. You have the trophies to prove it.”
“Yours are coming, little girl.” He held out his hand to help her down from the wagon, then pulled her in for a hug. “How about you let me cool these guys down and get them unhitched and put away? You don’t want to miss the football game tonight.”
“Yeah, but I can’t let you do that. It’s my responsi—”
“Why not? I offered. My favorite girl.”
“Your only girl.”
“Go. Have fun.”
She eyed him curiously. “There’s a roast in the Crock-Pot.”
“I know. I might have already snagged a nibble.”
“Like you always do?” She pointed an accusing finger in his direction.
“Yeah, but I can fend for myself.”
“You’ll eat cereal.”
“I happen to like cereal. Now quit back-talking me, and get on out of here and have some fun.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Zack is finishing up in the barn. He’ll help me.”
“Thank you, Daddy!” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re the best.” She ran to the side of the arena, climbed the fence, and then disappeared around the barn toward the house.
Zack was a good kid, and he’d learned fast. When he came looking for a job, he didn’t know a darn thing about horses or barn upkeep. He was from the next town over and was desperate for work when he’d seen the posting for help at the feed and seed store. The kid could carry big bags of feed with no problem. When Mike learned that Zack had been kicked out of his parents’ house for dropping out of school, he’d offered him the job with one condition. That he graduate that summer. He’d get a paycheck and a place to live in the old trailer on the back of the property.
Zack turned out to be a great hire. He studied and worked twice as hard as anyone Mike had ever had work for him. He was lucky to have Zack working for him, but he also knew one of these days he would find a girl, have kids of his own, and probably move on. Chances were that little place Mike and Olivia had lived in while Mike built the house wouldn’t be a young couple’s dream house for long these days.
The thought of this farm without Misty or Zack around brought back an unwelcome feeling. The same one that had practically crippled him when he’d lost Olivia.
