Organically Yours: Sanctuary, Book Five by Abbie Zanders (classic books for 11 year olds .TXT) 📗

As the path wound back toward the lake, Tina gained a companion. A massive pit bull trotted her way, then stopped, sat down, and stared at her.

It wasn’t Duke, the dog who’d approached her before, but he did look similar.

“Brutus!” called a woman’s voice. “Where did you get to?”

Bree appeared on the path in front of her. Tina knew her from their coffee chats, knew that she was paired with the guy they called Cage.

“Sorry about that,” Bree apologized. “He looks vicious, but he’s really a big marshmallow.”

“So, I can pet him?”

“He’ll be your friend forever if you do.”

Tina reached out slowly and scratched the top of his head, feeling the need to explain her presence. “I’m just killing time until Doc gets back from town. Matt said it was okay to walk the trails.”

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Bree agreed. “Brutus and I love walking out here, but it’s even more fun snowmobiling and riding horses.” She laughed. “Never thought I’d say those words. I’ve always been more of a city girl, but this place, these people ... it kind of sneaks up on you and changes the way you see things.”

Bree was right. There was something about Sanctuary, something peaceful and therapeutic. Tina felt the effects after being there only a short time. She had to work on her endurance, however. The ache in her back, legs, and hips was becoming impossible to ignore.

“How long is this trail?” Tina asked.

“Pretty long,” Bree told her. “It goes all around Sanctuary property, which covers a couple hundred acres at least, and that doesn’t include all the offshoots and shortcuts. I’ve been here for months, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’ve even gotten lost a few times. Thankfully, Nick comes looking for me if I’m gone too long,” she said with a laugh.

Tina wondered if Doc would come looking for her if she were gone too long. Warmth flooded through her when she realized that, yes, he probably would. If he was around, that was.

She looked at her wristwatch, surprised to see how much time had passed. “Speaking of, I should start heading back. Matt said Doc is usually back by dinnertime.”

“It’s faster if you keep going the way you’re going. Take the next fork to the right just ahead. That’ll take you right past our place and toward the main building. You can’t miss it.”

Tina thanked her, and with one last pat on Brutus’s head, she went on her way. With each step, her anticipation grew, as did her desire to see Doc again. Wanting to hear his voice. See his smile. Feel the warmth and strength of those strong arms as they closed around her. When had she become so needy?

Before long, she was walking up the final slope to the main building. She spotted the object of her current obsession talking with Matt, who was probably telling him that Tina was out and about. Her steps quickened without conscious thought.

“This is a nice surprise,” he said. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Well, as okay as it can be, I guess. I decided to come up early.”

The look in his eyes made her knees go weak. “Does this mean you’re staying the night?”

“I’d like to, if that’s okay with you.”

“That’s more than okay. Want to eat in the dining room or take things back with us?”

“It’s a little early for dinner, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but once we head back to my place, I don’t plan on coming out again until tomorrow.”

A delighted thrill ran through her along with a telltale heat she only felt around Doc. She was so on board with that. “In that case, definitely takeout.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Tina

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Tina confided to Doc the next morning. Lying there next to him, soaking in the warmth of his body, was the only time when everything made sense. Beyond his arms, her world was pure chaos.

His hand gently stroked the length of her spine, providing the soothing comfort that enabled her to speak from her soul.

“Obermachers have lived and worked that land for over four hundred years. I can’t imagine it in the hands of a developer. The thought makes me ill.”

Yet there didn’t seem to be any other option. Rick had them so far in debt that they’d never dig themselves out. If they didn’t sell out, they’d not only end up losing the land, but they’d be destitute as well. Or as Rick had suggested, worse.

“I can’t help but feel partly responsible. I knew Luther was shady. I mean, I didn’t trust him with my personal finances. Why did I stand by and allow my brothers to trust him with the family business?”

Sure, she’d been outvoted three to one, but it wasn’t the first time they’d teamed up against her. She should have fought harder. She should have demanded to see the books on a regular basis or at least insisted on an independent audit every year.

The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. The tears came, unable to be kept back any longer. Doc didn’t tell her to stop. He didn’t ply her with false platitudes. He just held her and stroked her back, letting her get it out of her system.

“I’m sorry. It’s just ...”

“I know,” he said quietly.

“And what about everyone who works for us?” she asked. “Do you know how many people are going to be out of work? It’s not like Sumneyville has a lot of job opportunities. Some of them have been employed by Obermacher Farms since they were old enough to work.

“You know what the worst part is?” she asked, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her. Farming was in her blood. She loved what she did, but the physical demands were hard on her body.

“Part of me is actually relieved that I won’t have that responsibility anymore. I feel like a traitor. Like a rat fleeing a sinking ship.”

“You’re not,” he assured her.

“I feel like it though. That land has been so