And love
Chap 63 Family and business
Markers, as of October.
Cassie = 11 y/o
Malina = 8 y/o.
Mary Rose = 5 y/o.
Twin boys = 0 y/o. Just born.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM – 6 WEEKS LATER
"What do you think of that nursery monitor mom and dad have in their bedroom?" Mal asks her sisters.
"What do you mean?" Cassie wonders.
"Well, I think that we should have one in our room. We need to help mommy with our brothers at night. Do you see how tired she looks?" Mal persists.
"Yeah, I see that," Mary Rose adds. "But what can we do?" She scrunches her forehead, thinking.
"We better talk with mom before we do anything," Cassie cautions. She is trying to be a voice of caution. She has found that her sisters need a calming presence sometimes.
"I don't know . . . there must be a way," Mal is thinking.
Cassie doesn't like this. Should she talk to mom? She likes the concept of helping mother, but wants to do it as a family. She is learning how valuable that is.
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FLASHBACK – EDDIE'S 14TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY
Eddie has a meeting scheduled at The All-American Bagel & Barista Company. That name intrigues her, she is looking forward to sampling the food and drink offerings; and the subject of the meeting.
She had gotten a call a week ago from Helene, a fellow paralegal on Long Island. Helene had been talking with James, another paralegal out here on the island. The two of them were exploring working together. Maybe forming a joint venture. They are meeting to start a 3-way conversation.
After introductions and ordering drinks and food, talking begins in earnest.
Helene starts, "Eddie, have you ever thought of working with other paralegals?"
"No, honestly. I started working with two lawyers in Manhattan, Gwen and Julie. Now that Jamie, the kids and I have moved out here I am building an independent client list. Frankly, that is going great."
"I know, you stole Gregg Baker from me," James huffs.
Eddie sits back, stunned. "Sorry, but his wife, Casey, is my obstetrician. I did nothing to attract his business. She just mentioned it one day."
"James, settle down. I've heard some of your conversations with Gregg. Contentious, to say the least. I wouldn't be surprised is he was seriously looking to change," Helene softly voices.
"Overheard? More like snooping!" James snorts. His phone chirps. He looks down, "I need to run, sorry ladies. Nice to meet you, Eddie." He reaches out and shakes her hand; the limpest handshake she has ever experienced. James rushes off just as a barista delivers their orders, which are already paid for. James had paid for his beverage and an Everything Bagel with cream cheese.
"Just a moment," Helene tells the barista. "Eddie, would you like to split the bagel?"
"Sure."
"We'll keep the bagel; you may toss the drink. Unless there is another customer who would like it."
"I'll toss it, thanks."
The 2 ladies sip their drinks and start to eat.
Eddie starts, "James is . . . ah-
"Young, brash, too quick to speak-
"Among other things, I am sure," Eddie adds. Both ladies smile and chuckle.
"Do you to work together?"
"Just share space. He was having a hard time getting started." Helene grimaces.
"Ah . . . big heart."
"Something like that."
Eddie reaches across the table and gives the other woman a high-five. They grin and laugh.
Their talk goes smoothly from there. Eddie invites her to lunch at her home, Helene accepts. They settle on a Saturday, when Janie ca join them.
10 DAYS LATER
Helene comes to lunch. Eddie and Mary Rose take her on a tour, highlighting the barn. The little chatter-box is in her element. She gushes over Joseph; she hugs his neck, he Emits soft, affectionate grunts. Helene is suitably impressed.
Cassie and Mal are in charge of lunch. They had prepared grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and apple cinnamon muffins. Helene is again suitably impressed. This family is growing on her.
After lunch Helene, Eddie & Jamie retire to the home office. They loosely agree to advance the idea of a joint operation of some kind. A Class-C corporation, a non-profit, an LLC? TBD. The idea of building office space connected to the barn was floated; there is space that wouldn't intrude on the barn and animal use areas. No final decision was made. They agreed to keep in close touch in order to advance the discussion.
BY-THE-WAY: Mary Rose wheedled it out of Helene that the older woman used to ride when she was younger. And is interested in doing some in the future. The young girl's eyes lit up.
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END FLASHBACK
SADDLE ROCK RANCH
FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER
Dad takes the girls for what is scheduled to be their last riding lesson. He and the girls are very proficient; Eddie has made much progress, however with the twins it is apparent that horse back riding will not be on her schedule for some time.
Jamie borrows a trailer, and brings Joseph along so Mary Rose has him to ride. She is very proficient at riding, both with a saddle and bareback. Also, she has learned tons under Carroll's instruction – in the area of animal care. She is virtually independent in caring for Joseph. This brings some interesting options to mind.
Palmer and Carroll ask Jamie to stay in the office while Tim takes the girls to the arena. Tim has another young man to assist him, Duke. Jamie has met him before and is ok with that.
"Jamie, what do you have in mind for your stall barn?" Carroll begins. "It's a very nice barn – under used at present."
"I know, do you have any suggestions?"
Palmer responds, "We board some horses here at Saddle Rock. And we have several requests for more space. Would you be open to a collaboration with us?"
"Wow, I've thought about that. Have you entered into that kind of agreement with anyone before? Or do you know of anyone who has?"
"No, and yes. We have a loose confederation of ranches out here on the island. They have a sample agreement that I can share with you."
"That would be great. Can I pick that up when we leave?"
"Surely. And it's time for Joseph's annual checkup. May I send the vet that we use by your place?"
"Of course, just have him call to be sure someone will be available to let him in."
"We will, and it's a Donna Blake."
"Oh, ok. Thanks." Jamie goes to the stall barn, readies his black stallion 'Hero' and catches up with his girls.
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VET CHECK-UP
CHIME – FRONT DOOR
"I'll get it." Mary Rose checks her smart phone. There is a trim lady dressed in denim, head to toe; scuffed work boots on her feet.
"It looks like the vet, from her picture." Mary Rose hollers.
"Let her in and take her to the barn," Eddie shouts from the nursery.
"Ok." Mary Rose opens the door.
"Hi, I'm Mary Rose."
"Oh, hello. I'm Donna, the vet to see Joseph."
"Yes, I've been expecting you. Follow me."
She leads Donna to the barn. "Here he is."
She opens his stall and wraps her arms around his neck. "Joseph, baby. This is a doctor; she is going to check you over and make sure you are healthy." Joseph nuzzles her neck and makes soft happy grunts.
Donna watches, she is impressed; she rarely sees a relationship quite like this. She gets her instruments out and starts to work. She gives him 2 immunizations, and a clean bill of health. As she finishes, she talks to Mary Rose. "You really love him, don't you?"
"Yes, he is a sweetheart."
"Are you learning to care for him?"
"Oh, yes. Carroll has taught me; he only comes by once in a while to be sure that Joseph is ok."
"Very good. I have 1 more call today, to check a couple of cows. Would you like to come along? If your mom or dad say it's ok, of course."
"Really, sure! I'll ask." Mary Rose leaves Donna and runs inside the house.
Eddie talks with Donna, ferrets out her intent, and agrees. "Mary Rose, you are to do exactly as she directs, understand?"
"Yes, mommy. I promise."
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VET VISIT
"Mary Rose, we are here to check two cows. They are making much less milk than is usual. This usually means they are sick. Let's go see."
Donna has a pair of child's boots for MR. (She was anticipating this.). MR puts the boots on, they go to the barn. The aroma is unsettling, but MR adjusts.
The first cow had a fever and an obvious mouth infection. Good oral hygiene and medication were prescribed. The 2nd cow had a small stone lodged in her hoof.
"Mary Rose, look here. See that small stone wedged in her hoof?"
"Yes, that must hurt. Is it a she?"
"Yes, all cows that make milk are females, so they can feed their babies."
"Wow, like my mommy. She feeds my brothers like that."
"Yes, it's the same. Would you like to remove that stone?"
"Can I?"
"Yes, but you must do exactly what I tell you."
"I will."
"Ok, take these big tweezers like this . . . good. Now do not jerk it out . . . rock it gently back and forth . . . good. See it loosening? Feel it?"
"Yes, wow!"
"That's good, keep rocking . . . good. There it is! Good job, Mary Rose!"
The youngster is bouncing up and down, heel to toe. She is about to explode. The cow lets out what sounds like a relieved "moo". MR steps up and hugs her around the neck.
'This girl is a natural' Donna thinks.
"May I keep the stone, please?"
"I guess so, why?"
"I want to put it up on the fridge. It's a 1st for me!"
Donna chuckles, "Of course." She wipes the little rock off, wraps it in a handkerchief and gives it to Mary Rose. The girl stuffs it in her pocket.
HOME
As they drive up they see grandpa's black SUV in the driveway. Mary Rose jumps out of the jeep and dashes into the house.
"Mommy, grandpa, see what I've got!" She shouts, as she runs around looking for her family. Donna had followed her; she entered and closed the door behind herself.
Mary Rose ran smack dab into her father as she entered the kitchen. "Oof!" Jamie proclaims. "Where are you going, little one?"
"I'm not little anymore, daddy! My brothers are."
"True that. What have you got there?"
"A rock.
"What?" Eddie and Frank are now looking on.
Donna comes up and joins the party. "Tell them what we did, sweetie," she prompts.
"Well, there was this cow . . . what was her name?" She looks to Donna.
"She doesn't have a name."
"Why, all animals should have names."
"No, dairy cows don't have names."
"That's too bad."
"The story, sweetie," Jamie prompts.
Mary Rose tells the story; her parents and grandfather are nonplussed.
"Here is the stone," she proudly holds up the little rock. "Mommy, where is our Super Glue?"
Eddie steps back into the kitchen, rattles around in a drawer, and comes back out; she hands MR a small tube. Her daughter scampers off.
"Are you sure she is safe with that," Jamie asks.
"I know what she is going to do."
"You do?" Frank questions.
"Yup. I was a 5 y/o girl once." Eddie assures them.
Silence.
Donna speaks up, "I just have to say this. I have never seen this degree of affection, touch, tenderness and more toward animals in all my years as a vet. And in a young girl. I am amazed. I hope you will nurture, encourage and support Mary Rose as she grows and learns."
"We will. We have seen it too; it is a thing of beauty." Jamie expresses. Eddie and Frank nod.
Mary Rose appears, a yellow sheet of construction paper in her hand. "Mommy, may I put this on the fridge?" She hands over the paper.
Eddie looks at it. In the middle is the small stone. Mary Rose has signed and dated the paper. Mom sheds a tear, "Yes, of course." She hands the paper back, hand in hand they walk to the kitchen.
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TBC
A/N: For those relatively new to the party, this story is the 3rd of a trilogy. It started with "Faith" by trueloveexists99. The series continued with "Hope" by this author. Now it continues in this story, "And Love". While you don't have to read either antecedent, you will gain interesting context if you do. "Hope" and the first few chapters of this story really grow out of "Faith". I encourage you to read them. But, as always, you make the call.
QUESTION: My daughter, a prolific fanfiction writer herself, asked me why don't I close out this story and start on #4? Should I? Does it matter? I don't think so. You?