CHAPTER FOUR
Kane stuffed the bakery bag in his backpack, loaded both bags over his shoulders, and sauntered out of the café. With his stomach no longer grumbling and some java juice to help with his sleepiness, he strolled down Main Street toward the outskirts of town. Each window delighted him. The businesses were so different, from real estate offices promising a perfect home to the barber shop blasting country music. The smiling people on the street who nodded or said hello warmed his heart.
The downtown atmosphere reminded him of home, except with fewer bars. Halloween became a mega-party on Ohio University’s campus. The entire city center closed for students who wanted nothing more than to drink themselves silly. He’d never understood getting drunk and being stupid. One fraternity spent two weekends cleaning up their yard and replacing furniture after a wild party while another had been expelled from campus. But not only the frats partied hard. The sororities had teas where alcohol was all they served. It was a different name for a shindig that often resulted in a fistfight or two, and not just among the men invited. He rubbed his jaw. Those Phi Tau girls could punch. All because he’d refused to play beer pong.
It didn’t appear this town had any drunk sorority girls, so he should be safe. Right now, the only girl on his mind was the one he’d left back at the bistro. Why did she turn me down? Why did I ask in the first place? Why didn’t I get her phone number? Are her lips as soft as they look? A million questions ran through his mind. He kept picturing her face—
“Oooof!” Kane ran straight into a telephone pole. Rubbing his shoulder where the post hit, he stole a glance around to see if anyone had noticed his slip up. Vowing to pay better attention, he continued down the sidewalk.
A dark-blue pickup truck stood sentinel in front of the local elementary, right where the owner had instructed Kane to meet him. Stopping, he dropped his bags and pulled out the printed email he’d received about his ride to the ranch. He’d learned to be careful since the football incident. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. He recalled the numerous lies he’d been fed which resulted in his suspension and media lashing. An older man, probably in his thirties, leaned against the truck, his blond hair scruffy like he’d forgotten to brush it. The worn cowboy boots spoke to a hard-working nature. His head bent over, he talked to a buxom woman in a maroon suit. They appeared to be opposites yet, from their laughter, he figured they must be friends.
Picking up his bags again, he strolled toward the couple. “Hello.” He hated when his voice cracked. He tried again. “Hello. I’m Kane Warner, the summer intern.”
Both people turned then smiled. The brassy-blonde woman, who looked a few years older than the guy by the truck, wandered over. She studied him like he was a bird in a house full of cats. Finally, she stuck out her hand and he shook it. “I’m Debra. Don’t upset my husband and we’ll get along fine.”
Debra was a shark, like many of the lawyers he’d dealt with. She dressed to impress, but the clothes were armor keeping people from getting too close. He’d handled many people like her. Nope, these two aren’t married…at least not to each other. But how are they connected to my job and The Heartsong Ranch?
She faced the other guy. “Tell Johnson he needs to cook tonight. And let me know about the house, Preston. With the new baby on the way and your mother-in-law staying with you, your family could use some more room.” Debra moseyed down the sidewalk toward town.
Kane’s focus darted to the gentleman who observed him. Not worried about doing something wrong, he returned his stare and raised his chin. Not an act of defiance but one of comfort. They say clothes make the man. And this guy’s clothes screamed comfortable.
He grinned then held out his hand. “I’m Kane. Thank you for meeting and driving me to the ranch.”
The calluses on the man’s hands indicated he was used to hard work, and his grip, though no-nonsense, suggested gentleness as well. “No problem. How was the bus? Are you ready to head out or do you need to grab some grub?”
“Picked up some food at the café.” He angled his head toward the storefront.
“Café French has the best bagels in town. They rival New York City’s finest. I’m Preston Hall, the town veterinarian. So you’ll be seeing a lot of me around The Heartsong Ranch. Come on, hop in.”
“An animal doctor. Cool.” He threw his duffel in the back of the truck and opened the passenger door, before hopping in. “I love animals but I couldn’t handle seeing them in pain. Give me a mouthy ten-year-old over a dog with a broken leg any day.” Buckling his seat belt, he waited for Preston.
The doctor opened the driver’s door and whistled. A large black mixed-breed dog ran toward the truck, jumped into the front seat then sniffed at his face before licking his cheek and brow. He supposed he needed a bath, but he’d have preferred one in a tub, not from a tongue.
“So you’ve met the beast. She’s harmless.” Preston plopped on the driver’s side and started the truck. He hunted for his seat belt buckle under the two hundred plus pound dog. Finally fastening it, Preston backed out of the parking spot. The dog licked Kane a few more times before lying down with its front paws and head on his lap. Guess I have a new friend.
Kane turned to watch the town fade as they drove away. He became anxious about meeting his boss for the first time and cleared his throat. “What can you tell me about Mr. Kyncade?” He pulled his magazine from his pack. “I must have read this article over six dozen times.”
“He’s been my friend for years. I spent the summers here with my grandpa. Jake is compassionate. He’d give you the shirt off his back. But he’s protective, too. I’m sure you heard about the problem with his brother. Don’t believe everything in the news.”
He nodded, ran his hand over the dog’s head, and felt a gentle lick on his knuckles.
The doctor continued. “Jake’s brother had a mental disorder. He’d never have hurt Jake or anyone Jake cared for. Jake uses the horses to help children with problems…” Preston sighed. “Some are like his brother, and others are kids who are lost inside themselves because of autism.”
Kane spoke up. “I’ve been using sports, specifically football, to help some local special needs children. But, like Mr. Kyncade, I believe in equine therapy. My mom and I took care of and trained the foals and yearlings at the Final Chance Corrals.”
“I’ve worked with those horses. Did their first examination when they arrived at the ranch. You and your mom did great work,” Preston complimented. “You need to tell her I said so.”
Kane puffed his chest out, beaming over the praise. He sat up taller. Then remembered his mother’s death. His shoulders slumped. The dog slobbered on his cheek as if to say it’s okay. He hadn’t thought much about his mother until he received the notice about his summer internship. “Thanks.” He took a deep breath. “My mom died two years ago. Breast cancer. Took her pretty fast. The doctors didn’t find it until it had spread.”
“I’m sorry.” The good doctor’s voice held sadness. “You’re in good company at The Heartsong Ranch, kid. Everyone there has lost someone. You already know about Jake’s brother, but his stepdaughter lost her father and nearly her life. The foreman, Johnson O’Neill, lost himself in the bottle while his wife, Debra, you met her—”
“The shark…er, woman in the suit?”
Preston chuckled. “Yep. Don’t tell her I said this, but she is a bit of a shark. Well, she lost her husband because of a drunk driver, and my wife lost her first husband due to suicide.” The doc’s tone grew more serious. “I guess you could say this town’s had its share of pain and loss. But the good Lord knows we’ve had our share of happiness, too. So, which will it be for you?”