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“Noah,” Margaret Katzen, his new boss introduced him to Ranch Manager Noah Douglas.
“Jake please,” he said, extending a handout to Noah.
“Noah is also my fiancé,” Margaret said, with a huge smile as the tall guy opposite him shot her a grin.
“Nice to meet you,” Noah said, gruffly taking his hand. “Glad to have you on board. I hope you are prepared to hit the ground running. We are in the height of planting season with our largest employee count in years.”
“I’m ready to tackle any tasks possible to help out. If there is anybody you think I can be of help to, do not hesitate to let me know,” he said quickly. “And congrats on the impending wedding. Have you set a date yet?”
“December 24,” Margaret volunteered.
“A winter bride,” Jake said. “You are brave, but I’m sure it will be beautiful. Are you having it out here on the ranch?”
“Definitely. It’s part of both our histories, and we want to share it with our extended family right here on the land we will probably be both buried in,” Margaret responded.
“Wonderful,” Jake said.
He could see the pride in everyone that he was introduced to at the ranch. There was something so honest and raw about the people here that were somehow missed in the city. It was part of the reason he had uprooted his world to move to the shores of Lake Michigan and the Living River Ranch. This was despite his parent’s intentions for him to marry and make roots in Chicago. He loved the mission statement for Living River. Margaret had been so vibrant and alive when describing what they did here that he immediately wanted to be part of this amazing ranch.
His military background had given him the sense of purpose that the job back in Chicago had failed to build upon. The restlessness in his soul, as if searching for something had eaten him up. This last year had been marked by insomnia and restlessness that even therapy, exercise and prayers had not been able to lessen. Then he saw the advertisement for this role online, and at once applied. His mom had told him, she hoped he found what he was looking for, as she hugged him good-bye. It broke his heart that she had seen the pain he was in. He knew; however, he was one of the fortunate ones knowing his family would always be there should the road ahead not turn out as expected.
“We are going to meet Belle and Stormi, and then I was hoping you might take Jake on a tour after lunch. Give him the low down on everyone out in the various areas of the ranch. I have that meeting with the bank, or I would do it,” Margaret said to Noah.
“I’ll pick him up right at 1 p.m. in front of the office. That should give you enough time to finish introductions, and let Jake settle in a bit,” Noah looked at him.
“Sounds good,” Jake said, as Margaret took off in the other direction.
“You better hustle, she can move,” Noah said, with a chuckle and a shake of his head.
Jake did as he had been instructed and found himself entering a building in short order that said “Therapy Center” next to the front door.
“We do animal therapy directly outback,” Margaret said. “This side, as you can see from the lights,” she pointed upwards. “Are where sessions are held. Don’t enter if those are green.”
“Understood,” Jake replied.
“Stormi is our Veterinarian. She is normally out with the animals but also will help in here to ensure animals and clients are safe during sessions,” Margaret explained.
“I heard my name,” a tall brunette who didn’t look like the typical clothing garbed, no makeup veterinarians; he was used to seeing.
“Jacob Williams,” Margaret said, making the introductions, “the new social worker. This is Stormi Kazinski, our Vet.”
“Nice to meet you,” Stormi said, extending a hand. “You look military.”
“Army. Not active duty any longer,” Jake replied.
“Thank you for your service and welcome to Living River Ranch,” Stormi said brightly.
“Is this the famous replacement for our esteemed Margaret?” Jake heard another female voice say in what he assumed was teasing tones coming from directly behind him.
Turning he nearly swallowed his tongue, as his blood pressure shot through the heavens. The tiny raven-haired beauty was a good foot shorter than him, and the most beautiful creature he could remember seeing.
“Belle Townsend,” she said, extending her hand to him.
“Jake Williams,” he returned and wondered at the intelligence of taking that hand. He was not a quitter, though, so he reached out and felt the warmth from her slip deep into his soul.
“I’m the therapist here,” she said, with a smile at him that was the most genuine joyful thing he could remember seeing in a long time.
“I’m excited to learn more about all the services we can offer here, and where I will be able to help,” he said, grateful his voice did not give away any of his inner turmoil.
“Gotta run, picking Reagon up at the airport,” Belle said, waving as she kept walking toward the door to which she had been headed when they appeared.
“The boyfriend is coming to town,” Stormi said, with an odd smile to him by way of explanation.
Of course, that would be his luck, he thought, mentally kicking himself. He had not been living the best existence of lately. A fabulous new job with all these beautiful people was enough. It would have been a bit forward to assume he met and fell in love with the woman of his dreams on the same day. He mentally shook himself and continued to settle in getting to know the people and goings-on at the ranch. Feeling a bit delusional in spirit, having been under duress for a long time, this was a good sign, if he had ever seen one.
