Abby leaned forward. “I’m dying to hear what’s going on, but we’ll wait for Dad so you don’t have to explain twice.”
“Dad’s right here,” Roger grumbled as he entered the room. He carried a manila folder. “You can start that explanation anytime.” The distinct odor of horse wafted from his jeans and pearl-button plaid shirt. His boots were worn and soft.
Blake leaned forward. “Dean Steerforth claims to have seen a will leaving The Sanctuary property to him. I’m concerned he might be trying to convince us all of a lie.” He nodded at the file in Roger’s hand. “I see you have some paperwork with you. Did you find anything with Allen’s signature on it?”
Roger ran his hand over his grizzled head. “One of the employees signed most of the sales slips I have, and I have a few with Mary’s signature. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.”
Quinn got up. “I have a card Allen sent me after I helped rescue one of his bears. He wrote all over it. I’ll get it.” Her thick red braid bounced as she rushed off to hurry up the stairs.
Roger frowned. “Wasn’t expecting that,” he muttered. “She must like you, and that’s saying something when we often seem to merit only an eye roll.”
Abby’s expression was troubled. “I thought the danger to the park was over. Isn’t it a little late to reverse the sale?”
“There’s a chance it could be snatched away if a will is found in the next two weeks,” Paradise said. “But it’s all such a mess. You know Mary really well, even better than I did since you continued to volunteer at the zoo. Did you ever worry she might not be... ethical?” Paradise hated to plant any doubt around Mary’s character, but she didn’t know how to ask it any other way.
Abby’s eyes narrowed. “You think she might be in on this with Dean?”
“We don’t know. We have reason to believe the land might have much more value than what we paid her,” Blake said.
Paradise took a sip of her tea. “I’ve always liked Mary, so it’s hard to consider she might be partnering with Dean on this, but we don’t know what to think.”
Abby’s gaze darted between Paradise and Blake. “You might look into her financial situation.” She bit her lip and reached for a glass of tea.
“Abigail!” her dad growled. “You know better than to insinuate something like that. Working at the bank carries a lot of responsibility, and you need to keep your mouth shut.”
“I know, Dad, but this isParadise. I love The Sanctuary, and I can’t sit back if she needs my help. I gave no details.”
Roger’s scowl deepened, but he said nothing. Quinn’s boots clattered on the hardwood stairs, and she rejoined them with a card in her hand. “Here you go.” She hesitated. “I’d like it back when you’re done with it. Allen was my friend, and this card is special to me.”
Paradise rose. “I’ll make a copy right now and you can keep the original. You have a printer with a scanner, right?” she asked Abby.
“I’ll show you.” Abby patted her daughter on the arm as she passed.
The office felt quiet and secluded. “I thought about asking you to meet for coffee,” Abby said. “I need someone to talk to.” Her gaze darted to the open door.
“I’m here now.” Paradise turned on the printer, then stepped to the door to hear Roger expound on the right way to train a horse. Blake and Quinn were still out there too. “What’s wrong?”
Tears glimmered on Abby’s lashes. “Jason’s getting remarried. He’s marrying my friend, the one he was having an affair with when he divorced me.”
Paradise embraced her in a tight hug. “I’m so sorry, Abbs.”
“Thanks. I had to tell someone.” She pulled away and sniffled. “I haven’t even told Dad yet. Or Quinn.”
Paradise felt her friend’s pain. Betrayal was hard.
Chapter 35
Astride a gentle bay mare, Paradise galloped across the field beside Abby. The wind tore at Paradise’s hair, but it stayed put in its braid. She drew in a breath of hayfields and horse. It should have relaxed her, but it was hard not to dwell on Abby’s situation.
Abby reined in her black gelding and dismounted beside a pond surrounded by tupelo and oak trees, and Paradise did the same. They led their horses to the water for a drink, then Abby dug string cheese out of a pouch and handed a stick to Paradise. “I’ve got water too.”
Paradise smoothed a few loose strands out of her eyes. “I’d forgotten how free I feel when riding. Like the horse and I are one creature exploring all-new territory. Thanks for making me do it.” She turned to examine the pond and surrounding terrain. “We used to catch bream in the pond. Best fried fish in the world. I’ve missed this place.”
Abby gave her a once-over from head to toe. “There’s the country girl I remember. The jeans fit well. How are the boots?”
“I never want to take them off.” She released her mare’s leadand settled on a low wooden bench. “I needed this. Things have been, well, stressful.”
Abby plopped beside her. “That’s an understatement. You’ve been attacked from every direction, and The Sanctuary is teetering on the edge of destruction. It’s a wonder you’re not curled up in a corner somewhere refusing to talk.”
