Page 40 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

FORTY

DECLAN

“ I can’t believe you talked me into this, Declan.”

Becca pretended to pout, but it was obvious that she was teasing me. We stood in the driveway at Black Hat, squinting in the bright morning sunshine, watching two of her hands prepare the horse trailer I’d borrowed from Ruth for a VIP passenger.

“It’s Dr. Morris—and you drove a hard bargain, Becca,” I said, only half kidding.

When I’d reached out to her to discuss the possibility of buying Sunshine from her, she’d immediately said no even though I’d offered her more than she paid Mary Dugan for the mare.

That is until I countered with the offer I knew she couldn’t refuse: the option to purchase an influential mare named Butter who’d birthed two racing champs and was thought to be the next big thing.

I’d called in every vet school favor I was owed to get in on the deal, but I knew it was worth it.

With that prospect on the table, Becca had finally agreed to sell Sunshine at the price she’d paid.

“You seem like you’re up to something,” Becca mused, eyeing me up and down. “Something more than just shuffling horses for your girlfriend .”

I knew better than to take the bait. “I’m simply trying to make things right for a client—for two clients. You’re the one making out on this deal. Butter wasn’t due to be sold until next quarter, but I pulled some strings.”

“I bet you did,” she replied, fluttering her lashes at me. “I like that about you. You make things happen.”

If only she knew just how much I was about to make happen.

“Thanks,” I said. “Butter will be ready to go by the end of the week, and I’ll make sure to get the funds for Sunshine transferred to you ASAP.”

“Should I reach out to Shannon directly?” Becca asked with an innocent, wide-eyed expression.

“No!” I exclaimed with a little too much conviction. If Becca knew it was a surprise, she would’ve found a way to let it slip to Shannon. “I’d appreciate it if you left that to me, just to streamline everything.”

“Mm-hmm,” she answered, narrowing her eyes at me. “Right.”

We watched as one of the men got Sunshine ready for the trailer.

“I guess that’s it for now,” I said, turning toward Becca and thrusting out my hand. “Once she’s loaded up we’re good to go.”

She placed her fingertips in my palm. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay for some coffee? I have some warm cinnamon rolls too…”

There was no way I was going to get trapped in one of Becca’s webs again. Plus, I had a busy day ahead of me. Getting Sunshine away from her and on to her rightful owner was only the first part.

“I appreciate the offer, but I need to hit the road. Thanks again.”

I tipped my cowboy hat at her and jogged over to help get Sunshine loaded before Becca could say anything else or change her mind.

There was still a lot I needed to fix.

I felt a bit worried about everything I was doing, but I knew in my heart that I was on the right path. But was I losing my head, giving into my passion?

Damn straight I was. Just like always.

The conversation with Dahlia had made it clear to me that I’d never truly avoided my passions. In fact, the best parts of my life were because of them: my career helping animals, my friendship with Josh, and, most of all, my relationship with Shannon.

I was going to stay and fight for what I wanted, and the first step was a conversation with Ruth.

She’d agreed to let me turn out Sunshine in her paddock while I worked out the details of the surprise for Shannon.

I made sure to time my arrival during Ruth’s lunch break, when I was sure she’d have a few minutes to chat.

I wasn’t about to let her learn of my plans through the Poplar Springs grapevine.

It was only right for her to get the news straight from me.

Once Sunshine was happily exploring the paddock, I turned my attention to Ruth, who was standing beside me at the gate, gazing out at the mare with an appraising eye.

“That’s a hidden gem right there,” she mused. “I think Shannon is going to be very happy with her.”

“I think so too.”

I felt a little nervous about the conversation we were about to have. I didn’t want to upset Ruth, but I also wasn’t about to let my chance at happiness escape twice.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” I said, glancing at her. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“I’ll always have time for you, Dr. Morris.” She squinted at me. “You look troubled. What’s on your noggin?”

“You know how much I wanted to take over your practice…”

She frowned and bobbed her head. “I do. And I’m still disappointed over how everything turned out. I hate that you’re leaving, Dec.”

I was relieved to hear her call me by my nickname.

“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not leaving.”

Ruth tipped her head at me. “No?”

“No. I realized that my ties to Poplar Springs are too strong to walk away. My family is here. My parents are getting older, and they’re going to need me close as they work through some stuff. And there’s other, uh, aspects I need to figure out.”

“Hmm. Might that have anything to do with a certain little filly at Lost Valley Ranch?”

I turned red as I laughed. “You mean Vida? Yeah, she’s special.”

“Exactly, Vida .” Ruth chuckled.

“Anyway, I want you to know how much I respect you. I wanted you to hear this from me so you’ll know that I’m not acting out of defiance, or to try to one-up you…

but the fact is, if I can’t take over your practice, then I’m opening my own.

I don’t know where I’ll get the funding to start from scratch but this is where I belong. ”

She went silent for a moment, staring out at Sunshine with a practiced poker face. “Is that a fact?”

“It is. Are you upset?”

Ruth turned to me slowly, her eyes locked on mine.

“Nope. Not at all. But you need to think again because that’s not going to happen.”