The trip to town took about twenty minutes, and it was two hours later before the vet came to tell them that the foal had a respiratory infection. He’d become weakened from trying to breath so hard. He said that the foals being born so early was a challenge for them. He was going to keep Gambler’s Tempest for a week to monitor him.
When she reached the ranch, she was surprised to see Dean’s truck still there. She found him and Cody in the office with Jada, when they looked up, she said “He’s going to be okay it was a mild respiratory infection but being as he and Storm were born early it was harder on him. He is keeping him for a week to monitor him and said to keep a close eye on Storm.” Cody nodded and said, “We will have one-hour rotations so that someone is checking him hourly.” Angel nodded absently, but before she could say anything else her phone rang.
After a brief conversation with Hannah and her Aunt Lillian she turned to Cody and said “I have to meet Hannah at the Kingsley place to decide what to do about everything there. Did Dean decide to take the mares?” at Dean’s arched brow she figured Cody hadn’t broached the subject yet. Cody laughed and said “We’ve been going over everything here, and we went ahead and put his mares in with Heartbreaker and Gambler. We were just waiting to see if they were going to get acquainted.” Angel laughed and said, “That’s a new name for it.” Jada herself laughed as well, before saying “Angel I can come with you to help figure out what to do about the stables if you need?” Angel nodded at her and said “That would be amazing, thank you.
I’m so going to owe Damon for bringing you here.” Jada excused herself to get her things, and Cody said in a fatherly voice “Angel when are you going to rest?” Angel rolled her eyes dramatically and replied, “When I’m dead apparently.” She paused and asked, “Can you keep the boys busy until I get back; I’m supposed to take them to their first driver’s education class.”
Cody broke in and said, “Why don’t you let Devon take them, your father is coming today with assistants for you to interview.” They were once again interrupted when Louisa came in and said, “Angel could I get a ride to the mall later, I need to pick up the gift I ordered Enrique for Christmas?” Angel nodded and replied, “Sure sweetie, it’ll have to be later tonight though, I have to take care of business for the center as well.”
She took in Louisa’s shirt which was a Wild Creek Ranch shirt and asked, “Did they put you to work Louisa?” she smiled mischievously and replied, “I volunteered, I’m helping Kaleb and Jackson by answering the phones and taking messages.” At Angel’s arched brow, Cody replied “The boys have been busy with the influx of horse’s we’ve received recently.” Angel nodded and asked, “Do we need to hire more people?”
She sighed when Louisa walked out then looked at Dean and asked, “How much do you need to get your place out of debt?” Dean grimaced and said hesitantly “The ranch is so far in debt because my sister wanted to be bought out and I didn’t want to sell the place. Add in what the ranch lost on Kingsley’s horses and we’re nearly two million in debt.” Angel glanced at Cody who nodded slightly at her and she went to the desk and sat down, she picked up the phone and called her banker. Once the manager was on the phone, she asked for Dean’s account number. When he hesitantly gave her the number, she told the manager to transfer five million into the account. She saw Dean’s eyes widen at what she’d said, when she hung up, she said “You’ll need capital to keep you afloat for the years it will take to raise and train those foals you are wanting. If you play your cards right, you will make your ranch viable and never have to worry about losing it.” She told him she’d have Hannah send him the paperwork in the mail later before she walked out of the office.
Dean sat down slowly, his knees had gone weak, he asked Cody “Is she for real?” Cody smiled nodded at Dean’s cell phone and said, “Find out.” When Dean checked his account, he was stunned, he said “What’s her story? No one just helps a stranger off the street without expecting something.”
Cody grimaced and replied tightly “Hers isn’t a story that is a secret every media outlet in the country knows it. Stacia Denae was Angel’s mother; she gave her daughter to a crack head to raise. She never told Hunter he had a daughter. Angel didn’t find out the truth until just a few weeks ago. She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever met, and the most compassionate to have been raised the way she was. Personally, I’d give everything I have for just five minutes with any one of the people who tried to hurt her.” Dean blanched and said “You don’t mean…” Cody replied “They tried… she’s always been a fighter and a caregiver. She doesn’t have relationships, she works and now she’s found her brothers she didn’t know existed, she’s focused on getting them where they need to be. They had a mildly better childhood than she did, but those boys worship the ground their sister walks on, that’s a lot to put on a nineteen-yr. old.”
Dean swore loudly and said, “You mean to tell me that girl is only nineteen?” at Cody’s nod, he continued saying “She comes across a lot older than that.” Cody sighed heavily and looked out over the pastures before turning to Dean and saying “She’s very mature for her age. Most women don’t raise themselves or fend off the advances of grown men at the age of twelve. Everyone thinks she’s so together and for most intent she is. She takes people into her inner circle makes them her family. She protects them, but she doesn’t take time for herself.”
Not realizing Jackson had heard part of their conversation they were both shocked when he chimed in saying “That’s why me and Kaleb are going to take her on a vacation. We talked about it last night and started researching where we could go. I talked to her Aunt Ellen she said she’d handle all business concerns, and Lillian said she could handle everything else. By the time we get ready to go, she’ll have an assistant so her assistant can keep up with what comes through on the center. And we all know Kyle and Meredith can keep that place on track. We’re planning it as a Christmas present. Take her away a week or so.” Cody nodded, these boys were learning, he said “Discuss it with Hunter he may have some ideas.”
Dean looked at Cody oddly and asked, “How can those boys afford a vacation?” Cody laughed heartily before saying “Because those boys don’t need the money from working here, they work because their sister told them they had to. They are the only sons of Stacia Denae and Liam Montgomery, they are very rich young men. They chose to delay their inheritance until they are twenty-one because they know they are not ready to handle that much responsibility. But they receive twenty grand a month as an allowance.”
Dean coughed and choked on his drink before saying “You’re kidding me?
What do fifteen yr. old boys need twenty-grand for?” Cody replied “To take their big sister on a well-deserved vacation. You got to understand these boys, she saved. Sure, they could have lived with other family, but nothing would have changed they would have continued, on their path of destruction. Here she keeps them grounded and heading in the right direction. She helps them be more balanced and take time to make decisions, to think through the consequences of their actions.” Dean shook his head slowly and said with a smile “She takes care of everyone doesn’t she?” Cody nodded and replied “She’s the heart of this place, all her giving me credit earlier is just words. Without her there would be none of this.
Dean the day I met her I saw this scared little girl who was in over her head and I found myself wondering how long she’d be able to handle it. But she gets stronger and more resolved by the day. I’m honored to know her.” Meanwhile while he filled Dean in on the mares.
Jackson had just finished his conversation with Hunter. Hunter had been all for the idea, Jackson had even consulted Belle who had insisted she would love a vacation herself. She told him she would handle all the details she guaranteed a relaxing restful environment.
When Angel arrived at the Kingsley place, she wasn’t surprised to see her father there with Hannah after all he wanted to lease the place. He introduced the man who was with him saying “This is Jim Bowery he will be living here while I am leasing the place so he can do the upkeep and hire who he needs to manage the estate.” Angel sighed and said “Dad I told you, you don’t have to lease the place. It’s not like, the boys want it. Sure, the acreage is beautiful with all the amenities here and the extra track and rings for horses but as far as the house goes, I have too many of them already.” Hunter laughed and said, “Then I will lease it indefinitely with the clause that you can have free reign of the land, amenities and barns.”
Angel looked at Hannah and asked, “What did you need help with?”Hannah replied “A lot of the things in the house are high-end antiques. Your father doesn’t want them there when he moves in. He suggested having an auction to auction off the contents.” At that moment, a car pulled up and a woman who was in her mid-twenties climbed from it. She was dressed professionally but provocatively. Angel took her measure as she sauntered over to her father and said, “It took me a bit to find the residence Mr. McDaniel’s.” Her father for his part seemed oblivious to the fact the woman was openly hitting on him and ogling him. Angel’s attention was only snagged when her father said evenly “I had Miss. Hendricks come out here to meet you to interview for the job as your assistant Angel.” The look the woman tossed toward Angel was calculating, Hannah and Angel shared a look that clearly said he had lost his mind before Angel said simply “No, thank you for coming but the jobs been filled.” She saw the quick flash of anger masked equally as fast on the woman’s face. She and Hannah watched as the woman stormed back to her car and got in before driving away like a bat out of hell. Angel turned on her father saying, “You’re either the most clueless man I’ve ever met, or a glutton for punishment.” At his stunned expression she said “Calculating, devious, manipulative those are all words I’d use to describe your Miss. Hendricks. She had ideas of becoming Mrs. McDaniel’s and thought your long-lost daughter could be manipulated into helping.” She shook her head slowly when his eyes had just widened considerably. She looked to Hannah and said, “You can find me two assistants; you know what I am looking for.”
At her father’s sheepish look, she said “Look you can’t help you’re a hottie dad, but umm… well you can’t be so blind to all these women. One day one’s going to try and trap you.” To which her father laughed and said “Good luck there, I had a vasectomy years ago for that very reason. If I ever have more children, it will be because they were created in a doctor’s lab. There will be no paternity suits against me.” Angel smiled at him she was actually relieved after the Gwen debacle she wanted her father to be careful. She realized there was no rest for the weary when her phone rang, and she was needed at the center to approve something. The drive took longer than usual. She had to stop by the photography shop to have the photos framed and put on canvas. The owner was impressed with the quality of the work. He showed her several more camera’s he had in stock that were good for budding professional photographers. She hadn’t been able to resist, she’d bought Kaleb one of each camera he’d shown her. Now she knew she had to get Jackson an equally nice gift for Christmas. The owner said he’d put a rush on the pictures she wanted framed, she would be able to pick them up after the holidays were over.