Page 20 of Wild Sanctuary

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Colt shrugs, pocketing his phone. “He’s threatenin’ to fly out here and collect in person.”

“That’d be good.” June smiles. “We haven’t seen Beck since Christmas. How’s he doing?”

“Burnt out, overworked, the usual. Chicago’s eating him alive, but he won’t admit it.” Colt stretches his arms above his head. “Keeps talkin’ about taking a break, but you know Beck. He’d rather run himself into the ground than admit he needs help.”

The back door bangs open, cutting off whatever June was about to say.

Maggie comes through looking like she’s been through a war, her dark hair escaping its ponytail, her boots muddy, and what I sincerely hope is just dirt smeared across her cheek. Beau barrels in behind her, all two hundred pounds of German Shepherd-Great Pyrenees mutt making a beeline for the nearest human.

“Sorry I’m late.” My sister doesn’t sound sorry in the slightest. “Calving emergency at the Peterson ranch. Twins, both breech. Took me three hours to get them sorted.”

“Both survive?” West asks.

“Yup, sure did. Mama’s doing fine, too. Now I need a shower and a very large glass of wine.” She spots Daisy and her tired face breaks into a genuine smile. “Holy shit. Daisy Monroe, as I live and breathe.”

Beau has already found his target, shoving his massive head into Daisy’s chest with an enthusiasm that threatens to knock her over. She laughs, dropping to her knees to accept his affection.

“Hello, gorgeous,” she coos, scratching behind his ears. “Aren’t you the handsomest boy? Yes, you are. Yes, you are.”

Beau’s tail achieves a velocity that threatens the nearby lamp.

“He has no manners.” Maggie grins. “And neither do I, apparently. Get the hell over here.”

She pulls Daisy into a fierce hug despite her exhaustion, and Daisy practically disappears into her. Maggie got the Hartley height so Daisy’s honey-blonde head barely comes up to my sister’s chin. The tension in my shoulders loosens as I watch them. Maggie’s never met a living thing she couldn’t comfort—two-legged or four. If anyone was going to make Daisy feel welcome, it was going to be her.

“You look amazing.” Maggie pulls back to study Daisy’s face. “City life agrees with you.”

A shadow flickers across Daisy’s features—there and gone too fast to read. “Thanks, you too.” She pauses, taking in the muddy boots, the exhaustion behind the smile. “You finished vet school?”

“Just last spring.” Maggie shrugs, but there’s pride underneath the casual tone. “Took over Doc Harrison’s practice when his arthritis got too bad for large animal work. There’s one other large animal vet in the county but he’s based out of Helena, so I get most of the calls. It’s exhausting, but I love it. Even when it means spending my days elbow-deep in a cow’s uterus.”

Daisy laughs. “Some things never change. You always said you were going to be a vet.”

“And you always said you were going to be a journalist. Look at us, living the dream.”

They share a giggle as the back door opens and Rhett steps in, hat in hand.

June glances up from the stove. Just for a second. The kind of glance you give someone whose presence settles the room.

“Hey,” she murmurs.

“Hey,” he answers.

That’s all. She goes back to stirring. He hangs his hat, catches my eye across the kitchen, and nods once before heading to wash his hands.

I look away and find myself taking in the whole room at once.

Because that’s the thing about this family. We absorb people. Pull them in and don’t let go.

Dad did it with Tom. With June. With Rhett.

We all do it, in our own ways.

Looking at Daisy now, watching her laugh at something Maggie says while Beau leans against her legs like she’s his new favorite person, I realize we did it with her, too. Fifteen summers of treating her like family, and somewhere along the way, she became family.

Which is exactly why I need to lock down whatever the hell I’m feeling and throw away the key.

I just need to keep reminding myself of that until I actually believe it.