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Chapter 17: Hard Work Pays Off

Edwards POV

"Well, now that that's settled, let's sit in the living room and talk business," Bella laughs at our confused faces. "Didn't a few of ya' want to discuss some things?"

We head into the living room and Bella snuggles next to a freshly bathed Cassie. "So Alice, once you're here and settled, you can work with Cisco. After he's been released by Dr. Gerandy, you can complete the adoption paperwork," she tells her, smiling as Alice starts bouncing.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I can't wait to work with him," Alice replies clapping her hands in excitement. "Oh, me and him are gonna do great things."

"I have no doubt, Alice," Bella agrees shaking her head in amusement. "No doubt at all."

"Now, Jasper," Bella starts, turning her attention to him. "Tell me about this idea to improve the dock. Is this something that can be done before the summer gets here?" she asks him, her tone shifting into a more serious managerial timbre.

"Yesterday, this little boy caught his crutch on one of the slats and almost tripped," he explains. I can hear the uncertainty in his voice. "If we use the piles that are already there and build a new frame, we can use compacted recycled rubber instead of wooden slats. Wood tends to warp as it weathers and the boards will always be uneven, causing kids to trip or lose their balance. This way, you will have a continuously even surface the whole length of the dock." he clarifies. "It shouldn't take but a few weeks to complete."

"I like that, a lot. Draw it up and get a materials list together. We'll have to order everything ya need, but that isn't gonna be a problem," she approves with a huge smile lighting up her features. "And, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I don't want any of the kids gettin' hurt."

"Oh, and while you are writin' a materials list, can you figure out what ya would need to put a roof on over the pit?" Sarah asks, jumping into the conversation. She gives me a sideways glance as she continues, "Like I told Edward, it gets hot up there with the sun beatin' down on ya. We use it a lot during the summer camps."

"Yes, ma'am. That would be easy to do," he replies, still smiling. I give him an 'I-told-you-so' smirk when he glances at me.

"We have a question," Rose asks quietly, holding Emmett's hand. "What are the rules regarding children? I mean, we can have children right?"

"OH, GOD YES! We love kids. Expand your families when you're ready. God's little miracles are always welcome here," Bella exclaims, looking down at Cassie.

"Well, I want Heidi!" Emmett says with a firm nod.

"Then, I suggest ya go to the county home when y'all get settled and talk with Rachel. She can give ya Heidi's history and help y'all through the process," she tells him, again completely serious.

"Well then, I'm going home and packing my stuff and coming right back here. The sooner the better," Emmett says with a frown. "She needs new AFOs immediately."

"That issue will be resolved this week, by me. I can promise ya that," she tells him firmly. "I'll be contacting Rachel in the mornin' and it will be handled through Heart of Hope."

"I can live with that," he whispers looking down at his and Rose's tangled hands.

"Is there a storage facility close by?" I inquire nervously. "I already have my stuff in storage back in Seattle, so I'll just need a place to have it shipped to."

"There's a climate controlled storage unit here on the ranch. It's over behind the utility building. The stalls are each twenty by twenty. You can use one of them. I know there a few empty, right Billy?" she asks turning toward him.

"Yep, I believe there are three empty, but some of that stuff in there can be combined if any of you need more room," he states nodding his head. "It needs to be gone through anyways. Some of what's in there can be tossed."

"Rose, I believe you have Kate's number, correct?" she asks and Rose nods. "Give her a call this week. She said ya could sign up to take the class to be certified in Texas, online. Use the ranch's address as your residence. That way, you'll be ready by the time you get back."

"Yeah, we spoke a little about that yesterday. I'll get it taken care of," she answers with a smile.

"Make sure all your shot records are up to date. We have to have'em for our liability insurance," Jessica tells us, walking back into the room with a Sippy cup and hands it to Cassie. "In the mornin' we'll go to the office. I also need copies of your driver licenses and social security cards. That way, I can go ahead and get all your paperwork ready."

We all turn when we hear the door open and see Jacob coming in, looking all kinds of flustered.

"Dr. Gerandy's here with the horse," he states with a frown. "Bella you're gonna hafta take care of this one. She's already kicked Eric and Tyler won't go near her. She's pretty upset and scared. You're gonna have to come work your magic, Boss."

Bella turns to Jessica, "You got her?" Cassie is dozing on Bella's lap, she looks so comfortable.

"Yeah, I'll get her in bed. You go ahead and take care of that," she tells her waving toward the front door.

Bella gets up and slips her boots on at the door, with Alice following right behind her.

"Y'all can come observe, just stand back. We don't wanna spook her any more than she already is," Billy explains to us. We get up and follow him outside and down to the rescue barn.

Bella is already there with Emily, who is checking on Eric. My dad walks over to help Emily.

"I'm ok, Boss. Go do your thing," he tells her, waving off her fussing over him.

Bella reluctantly sighs and makes her way over to a gray haired man. He greets her with a hug, "Hey, Bella, sorry we're so late. Couldn't get her loaded up. She doesn't like the trailer, which is understandable considering she was locked in one for a week or more," he explains with distain while Bella just shakes her head in disgust.

"What happened?" Bella asks, clearly upset that this animal was severely mistreated.

"The Sheriff was called to a home in Madisonville for a noise complaint. When they got there, they found her locked in a utility trailer. The house occupants were arrested but they say they didn't know she was in there. Whatever. I just hope they get put under the jail." I assume that this gentleman is Dr. Gerandy. Regardless, I have to agree with him, no animal should be treated in such an inhumane way.

"Sorry excuses for humans," Bella mumbles with a frown as she looks quickly over to where Billy and Jake are standing by the trailer, but turns her attention back to the doctor. "Doc, this is Alice Cullen. She's a veterinary assistant from Seattle and will be comin' to work for me. Alice, this is Dr. Gerandy, the best vet 'round these parts," she introduces the two before walking to the trailer.

"Well Ms. Alice, you're going to love it here and if ya ever need anything, you give me a call, dear," he tells her patting her on the shoulder.

"I will be sure to do that," she replies smiling up at him. "Uh, actually, I'm going to have to find a place to volunteer to keep my clinical hours up. Would that be something I can do at your clinic?"

"You come see me when you get moved here," he answers with a huge smile. "I know just the place."

"Yes, sir," she smiles back at him.

Bella takes the lead rope from Jacob and walks through a door at the front of the trailer. Billy and Jacob both stand at the back, one on each side, staying out of sight of the horse, I assume.

We can hear some banging around, but it soon slows and then stops after just a couple of minutes. Tyler rushes over to the barn, in order to open a stall door as Bella slowly backs the horse out of the trailer. However, she doesn't immediately take her to the stall.

She starts walking her around the grassy area in front of the barn, whispering softly to the horse, as she begins to visibly calm down. Once she's completely calm, Bella walks completely around the horse, never removing her hand off the horse's body. I realize that she's inspecting her. After she is done, she slowly walks her into the stall but continues to whisper the whole way; keeping her as calm as possible.

"Wow, she's amazing," Alice whispers in awe.

"Yes, she is. She has so much respect and love for'em, that they can sense it and physically feel it," Dr. Gerandy tells her. "You'll learn so much working here."

Soon, Bella walks back over to us shaking her head, a frown on her lips. "How deep were those lacerations you stitched up?" she asks the vet.

"Not too deep, but I started antibiotics just in case," he answers as he hands her a package with some vials and syringes. "She's pretty banged up, dehydrated and malnourished, but I'm sure you'll have her back to normal in no time."

"I think I'll let'er rest tonight and then clean her up tomorrow. Do ya have the paperwork for me?" she inquires as she glances back towards the barn.

"Already in your office, gave it to Jake. She's all yours. Call me if ya need anything, dear," he answers her, patting her shoulder and walking to his truck to leave.

"You ok, Eric?" she asks with concern as he limps over to us.

"Yep, baby doc got me some ice. It's all good," he tells her while we bust out laughing at my dad's face after hearing what Eric referred to him as. "What? That's what he is, right?"

"Son, I worked the ER before I specialized in Pediatrics," my dad replies shaking his head in astonishment. "I can wrap and stitch with the best of'em."

"It's all good, Doc," he tells him laughing. "You're startin' to sound like a southern boy, now."

We all laugh once again at my father's disgruntle face, then head over to the fire pit Billy had lit. After a few beers, hilarious stories and memories, we split up. The others go to their homes, as we head back to the main house. Jacob tells us to be ready by ten o'clock in the morning so that he can take us to the airport.

I can't wait to get everything done in Seattle and move here permanently. This feels like home already.