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"Time to celebrate!"

"Hell yes." I let out the deepest sigh any human has ever sighed, set down the stack of papers, and grab one of the glasses.

"To the new property and all the animals we'll save." She clinks her glass against mine.

"To the animals," I repeat and take a sip. Hell yes, it’s cider. Delicious and exactly what I needed.

"Which property did you end up getting? You mentioned there are a few in the race." She leans her butt against the counter and reaches for one of the cupcakes.

"It's the abandoned farm outside Kinstead," I explain, setting down my glass. "You know, when you drive off the highway about halfway to Kinstead, there's this huge property with an abandoned older house?"

"I know which one you mean." Hannah nods and peels off the muffin wrapper. "Wait. Which means it’s right next to your parents’ property, right?"

"Exactly." I grab a cupcake too. "I mean, separated by a small patch of forest for the most part." Which provides a good bit of distance between their main house and my new property. I love my family, but living shouting-distance from them? No way in hell.

"The stables are still in okay condition," I explain, scooping some frosting up with my finger and licking it off. "The main house needs some love. And by that, I mean a whole lot of fixing and renovating." Most of my savings went into the down-payment, but what’s the use of having four brothers, if not to make them fix shit for their little sister?

Soft tippy-taps on the ground announce the twelve-year-old tabby cat, whose leg we had to amputate last year due to cancer, hobbling around the corner. His fluffy orange face appears, and he comes to a stop at my feet, stares up at me, and lets out a demanding ‘meow’.

"Hi, Mr. Muffin! How are we doing today?" I take a bite of my cupcake, set the rest down, scoop Mr. Muffin up and press a kiss to his little head.

I'll never admit it, but out of all the animals currently in my shelter, he’s my favorite. This copper gentleman might be the animal equivalent to Pete and never met a day where he was in a good mood, but his round orange face is freaking adorable and I’m pretty sure he has a soft spot for me.

"Dad said he'd help me plan out the whole area." I lift my chin to evade a headbutt. "Places to board the animals obviously get priority, but ideally I’d love to move into the main house on the property to be close by just in case."

My eyes wander around my shelter. The walls are tacked with reminders and notes Henry, the neighboring town’s vet, left me for the animals’ medications.

The reception area consists of a small room in the front that doubles as our office. Daisy, the bunny we recently got, has a small play area right next to the ceiling-high window by the entrance door. Our canary cage, holding our grey and very in love canaries Morticia and Gomez, is on the other side of the door, by the second ceiling-high window.

A small hallway leads to the back, where we keep the kennels and a playroom. All animals who currently stay with us are chill, so whenever one of us is in, we tend to let them roam.

Another door leads to my place upstairs. An added bonus, thanks to Malena. Still, it breaks my heart to lock the doors at night and leave the animals here alone.

"Hey!" Hannah playfully punches my shoulder. "Don't get all wistful here. You’re doing the thing."

"We’re doing the thing," I point out and reach for my cupcake again. “I couldn’t do this all on my own.”

"Anyway, what—" Before Hannah can finish her sentence, the front door flies open with a ‘bang’.

"Evan!" I curse without even having to turn around. Only my youngest brother would repeatedly ignore my plea to open the door more gently as to not startle the animals.

Thankfully, Mr. Muffin in my arms is chill about it. Daisy nibbles on a piece of straw in the corner, but shoots a murderous glance his way. Morticia and Gomez, however, are not thrilled and have no reservations about making their opinion known with loud chirping and flattering wings.

“Sorry, sorry,” Evan mutters annoyed and buffers the door as it falls closed. “Is this better?”

"Yes. Get it in your head, asshole. I don't need you to give my animals a heart attack." I turn to Evan and throw a piece of cupcake his way. It hits him right on the side of the head.

"Don't even start shit with me today, Brooke." His glare is murderous as he plucks crumbs out of his blonde curls. "I just walked here for thirty goddamn minutes because my car broke down."

I try to fight it. I really do. But the laughter is stronger, and before I know it, I’m cackling. Serves him right.

"I fucking told you so," I press out between giggles. Ah, vindication, what a sweet, sweet taste.

"The hell you did."

"Oh, I so did." I poke his chest until he takes a step back. "While you were all up in Kieran's ass."

"Kieran's..." Hannah's eyes widen and jump to Evan. "You were what?"