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I gave her one final pat and then walked up and down the aisle, checking in on all the horses. No doubt their riders already secured them, and I knew Gavin had done his due diligence as well, but there was no way I’d be able to settle in for the night unless I’d seen everything was as it should be.
A light in the office caught my attention. I quickly made my way to the door and peeked inside, only to find Blake perched on Gavin’s lap, looking at something on the computer screen.
“I thought you two would already be snuggled in at your house.”
They both looked up and smiled.
“We just finished the walkthrough here and were waiting for Travis to finish his on the other barn,” Gavin said, confirming what I already knew. I was damn lucky to have him helping me run this ranch.
“I came to make sure everyone was settled. The report says the storm has picked up. Don’t get stuck out here. If everything is done, go see if you can help speed Travis up. He’s going to check the east houses on his way back to make sure no one needs anything last minute.”
Blake jumped up and grabbed their coats. “On it.”
“Who’s checking on the west houses?” Gavin finished shutting down his computer and took his coat from Blake.
“I was going to, once I finished in here.”
Gavin frowned.
Blake patted his arm, then pulled her hat on and wrapped her scarf around her neck. “Since there are three of us, Travis, Gavin, and I will check from Ty’s over to our place, so you only have the last few to do.”
“Are you sure?” I wasn’t comfortable giving them more work when they should hunker down. No matter how much I appreciated the help, I didn’t want to put my employees in any additional danger if I could help it. But I was eager to get to the house and see what Declan and the lovely Dr. Brooks were up to.
“Thomas, we’ve got this.” Blake laid a hand on my forearm.
“Okay. Be careful, and please check in when the three of you get home.”
Gavin nodded and steered Blake out the side door.
I took one last look around the barn and turned on the evening lights for the horses. We already had the emergency schedule prepared for who and when staff were going to pop in to check on things, but it still didn’t ease the tightening in my chest.
I flipped the latch on the barn door and took off toward the houses I needed to stop by. It took less time than I expected, as everyone was in good shape and had prepared for the storm. By the time I made my way to the main house, the thick flurries made it hard to see more than a few feet in front of me.
Duke confirmed everything was good on his end, and by the time I made it through the mudroom, Blake had checked in as well. No one was in need of anything.
I breathed out a heavy sigh and let my shoulders fall forward. It was my responsibility to make sure everyone had what they needed and was safe at the ranch. With one last task, I turned toward the staffing quarters and knocked lightly.
Mrs. Roberts opened the door.
“I just wanted to make sure no one needed anything.”
“Declan already came down and made the rounds, sir.” The older woman smiled warmly. She had accompanied us from Cosland when we moved here and never returned. She said it was her duty to look after us since our mother couldn’t. “Besides, it should be us checking in with you. You are too good to us.”
I chuckled. Even though I was the boss around here, everyone was family. And I needed to make sure my family was safe. My heart ached thinking about how I wished the beautiful redhead could be a part of my family, too.
“All right, Mrs. Roberts. I’ll get out of your hair.” I turned to leave but remembered to ask, “Did Declan inform you we have a guest staying here through the storm?”
“Of course. I met Dr. Brooks earlier. Lovely lady, isn’t she?” Mrs. Roberts arched an eyebrow.
“She is… and I know what you’re thinking.” I crossed my arms. “Don’t get any ideas. She’s only here until the roads open again and she can travel safely home.”
“But—”
“No buts. You know as well as I do, it’s not the same here as it is in Cosland. Besides, we don’t have enough time anyway.” The last sentence I spoke was more to remind myself.
“My apologies if I overstepped, sir.” Mrs. Roberts frowned.
“No apologies needed.” I gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
