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Mark smiled and put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “That little one did all the work, Mr. Johnson.”

Mr. Johnson walked past Lori with a grin as wide as the cat from Alice’s adventures and left the clinic. She’d seen that same look many times when she’d helped out at a veterinary clinic for a year after college.

“Ellery’s in the back with Cash,” Mark said. “Follow me.”

He’d already turned and was walking away before she answered, so Lori followed him along the corridor and out of the building to their makeshift stabling area. She quickened her pace when she saw Cash standing proud and looking like his usual magnificent self. A young intern was brushing him down, and Cash was clearly enjoying the attention.

Ellery came around from his hind quarters and smiled broadly. “Lori, it’s good to see you. I thought Beth might be the one to pick him up.”

“She wanted to, believe me. But I thought I’d come so we could talk about that business opportunity.” Lori didn’t want to specify the building offer in case Ellery hadn’t discussed it with Mark.

“I think it’s wonderful,” he said before retreating back into the clinic.

“You’ve talked it through with Mark?” Lori took that as a good sign. She put her head against Cash’s and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s good to see you, boy.” His answering whinny was a welcome relief, and she hugged him tighter. “It’s been too long since I heard you sound so happy.”

“I did,” Ellery said. “He’s not my partner, but my decision affects him. I’ve consulted everyone who works here for their input.”

Lori nodded though she was slightly surprised. She’d always thought of Ellery as a one-woman band who didn’t seek or need anyone’s opinion. “And what’s the general consensus?”

After pinning down the restoration project contract, this was the next step in her plan to upcycle the building and move on from what had happened within its walls, and she’d given Ellery about as much space and time as she could. Like her mom had said, there were easily ten more local NPOs who would love to relocate, so if it was a no from Ellery, she could get on with finding a different tenant.

“It’s a resounding yes,” Ellery said and then directed the intern to dress Cash for transport. “So perhaps I can give my lawyer’s contact info to yours, and we can move forward?”

“That’s fantastic news.” Lori released Cash and held out her hand to shake on the deal. “Bruce has already drafted an agreement that he can send to you and your attorney. I explained it would need to be flexible and that it would need an annual review, making sure we’re both happy with the financials.”

Ellery laughed. “You move fast when you want something done, don’t you?”

“It’s been a long time coming, so I’m eager to get it moving,” Lori said. “But yes, I do, especially when I’ve got my mom in my ear, pushing me forward.”

“The indomitable Karen Turner. She’ll be over to visit for your birthday soon, right?”

“Yep. She’s coming a week early this year now that there’s so much going on with the car auction and the building development.” Lori was looking forward to this visit even more than usual. She wanted to know what her mom thought of Gabe, without the weight of the “meet the parents” label. She liked her mom to meet all the important people in her life, whether they were colleagues, potential business partners, friends…or more. Her mom could get a good sense of people pretty quickly, though even she had been fooled by the lawyer on their first meeting.

“And how’s the car thing going?”

Lori brought her up to speed, including this morning’s revelation to postpone the garage opening.

Ellery raised both eyebrows. “Sounds like Gabe has quite the philanthropic heart for an ex-soldier.”

Lori frowned at Ellery’s inferred disconnect between the two but didn’t feel the need to rush to Gabe’s defense. “She’s assembled quite the team. I think the garage will be a great success. I know that’s where I’ll be taking all my vehicles, and I’ll be recommending them to everyone else.”

“After we’d talked last, I checked out the TikTok video that you said Gabe had commented on.”

“You always look at them eventually,” she said, sensing an impending interest in her love life, as it seemed to be the sport for everyone around her. “You’re a busy woman.”

“All ready to go, Ellery,” the intern said.

Lori smiled widely, grateful for the perfectly timed interruption. “Wonderful.” She took Cash’s reins and began to lead him around the building to where she’d parked. “Beth is desperate to have him back. We can’t thank you enough for getting him healthy again.”

Ellery’s emailed report, as thorough as always, had taken Lori almost thirty minutes to digest. All Beth was interested in was the executive summary—was Cash coming home? And now all Lori was interested in was getting away from this potential inquisition into her personal life. That job was Rosie’s privilege, and Lori only allowed it begrudgingly.

“Tess, come with us and help get Cash loaded into Ms. Turner’s horse trailer.”

“Thank you, Tess.” Lori handed the keys to Tess so she could run on ahead and get the ramp down. “Don’t forget to send me your attorney’s contact info so I can put them in touch with Bruce. And let me know when you and your contractor want to come around to figure out the alterations you’d like to make so the building is perfect for you.” That couldn’t happen soon enough. Bruce had been particularly efficient with the contract for the restoration project, and she expected a similar turnaround for this. Her mom would’ve explained the need to expedite them both; she was almost as invested as Lori in this final chapter of her old life being closed.

“Can you recommend someone?” Ellery asked.

“Anderson Construction has done all the work we’ve ever needed at the Sanctuary for the past seven years. Do you want me to text you their number?”