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“You can whine all you want. Actually though, I did call you to tell you that I’m teaming up with Kelly to move the rescue here instead of starting from square one. So you’ll be employed sooner than you thought.”

“Kelly, my sister-in-law Kelly?”

“Um, yes, that Kelly. It’s not going to be a problem though, right? She told me about Thanksgiving, and she’s not angry, Annie.”

“She’s not? She was pretty shocked when I opened my trap,” Annie admitted. “How did it come about?”

“She just said she found out in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner that her boyfriend was running for the creepiest-guy-in-the-world award. Actually, it was helpful talking to her about it because I feel better, more relaxed, like he isn’t going to come here and try to kill me.”

They talked more about the rescue, and Annie could see the wisdom in moving all of Kelly’s work over to Bayou Cottage.

“Let Kelly know we talked,” Maggie said. “I didn’t mention you, but you can tell her you’re coming to work for us. It might stir things up a little bit.”

“Oh yeah, I know how you love drama.”

“My ride is here,” Maggie said, chuckling. “Talk later.”

She waved to Gloria and Bubba and quickly led Brulee back into the cottage even though she didn’t want to go.

The day at the horse preserve was interesting. A lot of familiar people were there, including Amber Greely and Grace Breaux. They were working on repairing fences that day, and Maggie learned how to repair and stretch wire fencing. By three, they were finished, and just in time because after several weeks of near inactivity, she was beat. Before Amber had a chance to speak to her, Gloria rescued her.

“Bubba said whenever you’re ready, we’ll head back home. And in the nick of time, too.”

Maggie looked around her. “What’d I miss?”

“Dr. LeBlanc just got here,” she said. “And it looks like Amber and him are an item.”

“Oh man, I thought he was involved with Kelly Casson,” Maggie said.

“Yeah, well, leave it to Amber,” Gloria said, frowning. “Let’s get out of here.”

When they dropped Maggie off at Bayou Cottage, all she could think of was Kelly. She’d already decided that Kelly was going to be her business partner of sorts, and seeing that she was safe and happy would be important. How was a philandering Ted LeBlanc going to fit into that picture?

Standing in the parking lot, Amber wasn’t sure exactly why Ted had shown up, either.

“What’d you have in mind by coming by the preserve today?”

“I just wanted to see you,” he said. “Is that okay?”

“See me as an employee?” she asked.

“That and as a friend. I’d like to be more than a friend.”

“Frankly, I’m uncomfortable with it. You’re my boss, Dr. LeBlanc, and I want to keep it that way.”

“Yes, but while you’re in school, I’m supposed to monitor your other related activities. You’ll get credit for being out there today, but I had to see it with my own eyes.”

“I never heard of that rule,” she said, frowning. “And anyway, I’ve been volunteering here for years. I can get Dr. Breaux to vouch for me if need be.”

“I’d like to do that for you.”

“Dr. LeBlanc, this is weird. I don’t need you to monitor my other activities. But I need the job. I hope you’re not having second thoughts about letting me intern at your clinic.”

He was doing it again, overstepping his boundaries, acting out of control, and he knew it. What was wrong with him?

“Amber, you’re right. I don’t need to monitor your other activities, and it was inappropriate of me to show up here at the preserve. I’ll be on my way.”

She nodded, but didn’t turn her back on him. Hesitating, he was watching her. The sun was starting its descent, and it would soon be dusk. She just wanted him to leave.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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