Darlene led her around the barn, showing animals to her that were healthy again and ready to move into their forever homes. A pair of pygmy goats. A miniature horse and her foal. A trio of bunnies. They even had a skunk who’d lost his ability to spray.
“He can’t defend himself anymore,” Darlene said. “So it wouldn’t be safe to turn him outside again.”
“He’s cute,” Trish said.
“And there’s a lamb, too,” Darlene said. “Who was orphaned…” Her voice cracked on the last word. “Sorry.” She shook her head.
“What is it?” Trish asked as she touched the woman’s arm.
Darlene sighed. “I just…my grandsons were orphaned last year when their parents, my son and daughter-in-law, died in a car crash.”
“I am so sorry,” Trish said, her heart aching with sympathy for the woman. “That’s so tragic for everyone.”
Darlene tensed. “I—I did a stupid thing years ago. Made some assumptions that were wrong, and I hadn’t been in my children’s lives for years. I didn’t even know that my son had passed…” Her voice cracked. “I just… I have many regrets.”
Trish nodded. “I can relate to that,” she said. “My dad and I were estranged when he died. I don’t know if I can forgive myself for not being around that much…for missing his funeral…” Her voice cracked now. She glanced back at Brett, who stood talking to Cash where they’d walked in. Even though he was helping her, she wondered if he’d really forgiven her. Or if that was even possible…
He’d been so close to her dad, much closer than she had ever been.
“I’m sorry,” Darlene said. “I didn’t mean to bring up sad things. You’re pregnant and starting these camps. You have so many happy things happening in your life right now.” She glanced at Brett, too. “Is Sadie’s new stepgrandson part of the happy things?”
Trish shook her head. “We’re just…we’re…” She wasn’t even sure that they were friends. “Partners in my father’s ranch along with his brothers and my cousin.”
Darlene nodded. “I’ve met them all before at Ranch Haven and at the wedding, of course.” She smiled. “Have you met Sadie yet?”
Trish shook her head. “Not for want of her trying to meet me though.”
She must have had a funny look on her face because Darlene cocked her head and smiled. “What? Are you afraid of meeting her? What have you heard about her?”
“I’ve heard she’s pretty strong-willed.” After dealing with her mother and Harold, the last thing she wanted in her life was someone who manipulated other people into doing what they wanted them to do.
Darlene shook her head. “Sadie is amazing,” she said as if she was in awe. “So strong. She’s survived so many losses, but she hasn’t let that make her bitter or resentful. She’s kept her big heart open for love. And despite everything she’s been through, she trusted in love enough to risk it again…with Lem. He’s such a sweetheart and so in love with her, too.” She smiled. “You really should meet them. They’ve made me a believer in happily-ever-after again.” She glanced toward a man who’d just joined Cash and Brett. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a big grin.
Trish touched her belly. “These two are all I need for my happily-ever-after,” she said.
“Two? Twins?”
“Yes.”
“My son, a twin himself, and his wife just had twins. A boy and a girl.”
“That’s what I’m having, too,” Trish said.
Darlene beamed. “They’re amazing.” Then she sighed. “A lot of work, though. I hope you have a good support system.”
She did, for the petting zoo and camps, but what about her babies? Would the others help her with them?
She hadn’t intended to have them help with anything. She suddenly felt guilty for just adding more work to the already heavy load everyone on the ranch carried. What if all of this was a bad idea? How would she manage two babies on her own and the camps? Maybe she was being as unrealistic as Brett had clearly thought she was. But she didn’t want to wait to open the camps. And she had already waited too long to start her family. So she had to figure out how to manage it all.
* * *
Like so manyother things in her life, Darlene wished she could take back what she’d just said to Trish Dempsey. The woman had been so bright and happy when she’d first walked into the barn. Now she was tense and quiet.
Brett Lemmon kept glancing at the young woman with concern in his dark eyes. Darlene was the one who had to point out the animals Trish had liked for her petting zoo.
“Even the skunk?” he asked with a chuckle.
Finally, a slight smile curved Trish’s lips again. “His scent is gone and he can’t be released into the wild again.”
