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“Hi,” Libby replied. “Perfect timing. We’re just in from a ride.” She spun on her heel and headed back into the barn.
Genevieve followed along behind the young girl, who reminded her a lot of her younger self with her long blonde braids and petite frame.
“Here he is.” Libby patted her horse on the side.
“He’s beautiful.” Genevieve’s eyes traveled over his shiny brown coat and black mane to his face. Her gaze suddenly locked on a small white patch in the middle of his forehead shaped like a perfect heart, and she gasped. “Wait, is this …” Her mouth fell open and her eyes shot to Cal, who was grinning ear to ear. “This isn’t Roman, is it?”
“One and the same,” Cal replied with a nod.
Her hands covered her mouth and unexpected tears threatened. “Oh my gosh.” She slowly moved closer. “I can’t believe it. He looks amazing. Like nothing ever happened to him.”
“My parents adopted him from the rescue when I was a baby, and he’s been my horse since I was old enough to ride,” Libby explained.
Genevieve moved closer to the strong, healthy horse before her, remembering him struggling to survive, not an ounce of fat on him, mane ratted and falling out.
She turned toward Cal as she choked back tears. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave her an understanding smile.
“Thank you for helping take care of him,” Libby said, “and for not letting him die.”
Genevieve smiled then turned back to Roman. As she stood there with tears streaming down her cheeks, running her hand over the muscles of his back, along his full mane, and up to the heart shape on his head, she knew in her heart that Montana was exactly the place she was meant to be.
“Ready for lunch?”
Genevieve glanced up from her desk. “You heard my stomach growling, didn’t you?”
Her new friend and coworker, Marianne, chuckled.
Genevieve grabbed her purse and walked out of the tiny office she now called her own. She didn’t mind that it was small or that she was making far less than she had been at Schultz Chocolate. This job had come at just the right time in her life, and she considered every part of it a blessing.
Marianne was older than her by about ten years, but they had become instant friends and were quickly making their twice weekly lunches at Sit A Spell, the local diner, a tradition.
“The usual?” The waitress called out when they walked in, and they each answered with a nod. They’d only been coming there together for a couple weeks, and already they were considered regulars. It was one of the things Genevieve loved about living in this city.
“The kids are excited about going on the Red Bus Tour this weekend,” Marianne said as she took a seat at their usual table. “We’ve lived here our whole lives and never done it.”
“Thanks for going with me. It’ll be fun.” The mountains of Glacier National Park were basically Kalispell’s backyard, and Genevieve was excited to explore their beauty. Marianne had mentioned the Red Buses were a good way to see portions of the park without having to drive themselves, and Genevieve loved the history of the buses, many having been in service since the 1930s.
“I’m so glad you came to work here,” Marianne told her as the waitress placed a Sprite in front of her and a Coke in front of Genevieve. “I liked working at the rescue before you came, but I’ve always wanted a best friend, and I feel like God placed you in my life for a reason.”
Genevieve smiled. “I feel the same. My sister and I are very close, and we’ve never lived this far away from each other, so I was praying that I’d find a good friend when I came here to help with missing her.”
“I’m sure it’s hard to be away from your family. What made you come all the way to Montana instead of finding work in Michigan?”
“I’m sure I could’ve found a job closer to home, but I think I needed the distance.”
“From what?”
Genevieve paused. It hurt to think about, let alone to say it aloud. “From a guy who hurt me.”
“Ah, I had a feeling.”
“But that’s not the only reason. I loved volunteering here when I was in high school, and I wanted this job. And after seeing Roman this morning, I know I made the right decision.”
“Well, I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you. I’m a pretty good listener. My hubby will tell you it’s one of the reasons he fell in love with me. He likes to talk, and I like to listen.” She chuckled.
“It’s kind of a strange story. I’m not sure I’m quite ready to talk about it yet, but I will tell you one day, Marianne. Because I know one of these days this whole thing is going to come crashing down on me, and even though I seem okay right now, I know I’m not completely done crying over Sebastian Schultz.”