The Family Plan. Cathy McDavid

life.

      Jolyn rode bareback today, another reason she held Sinbad to a walk and probably why she was thinking about the accident. She’d decided against putting a saddle on him, afraid the cinch might aggravate his injury.

      All at once, Sinbad lifted his head and whinnied shrilly. He recognized their destination, having traveled this same route countless times, and no coaxing on Jolyn’s part could keep him from breaking into a fast trot.

      They reached Chase’s barn just as the sun crested the distant mountains. Jolyn loved morning rides and was glad when Chase suggested she come by early to have Sinbad’s wound examined and the sutures removed.

      Their meeting the previous afternoon had gone well. At least, she thought so. Chase gave no indication of how her bid stacked up against the other two, telling her he’d let her know his decision in a few days.

      The wait would be excruciating. No matter how tempting, she was resolved not to mention the bid or the clinic this morning, even if she had to spend the entire visit biting her tongue.

      Chase must have heard Sinbad’s hooves clip-clopping up his driveway, for he came out from around the side of the house at the same moment she was dismounting. Slowly. Jolyn’s feet touched ground, and she cemented her teeth together to avoid crying out. She led Sinbad around in a small circle, as much to settle him as to walk off the pain in her knee.

      “There,” she said to Sinbad in a whispery voice, “that wasn’t so bad.”

      Chase reached her a few seconds later, a steaming mug of coffee in his outstretched hand. “Morning.”

      “You’re a lifesaver.” She took the mug with fingers that were stiff from constantly yanking on Sinbad’s reins.

      “Hope you still take it with cream and sugar.”

      “I’ve learned to take it any way I can get it, but I still prefer cream and sugar.” She raised the mug to her lips. The coffee was warm but not hot, and she drank several large swallows.

      “So, how’s our boy doing?”

      “Good, I think.” Jolyn led Sinbad over to the hitching post just inside the barn.

      Chase stood beside her, examining Sinbad’s wound. Using his thumb and fingers, he pushed in on the sutures and grunted with satisfaction. “It’s healing nicely. No infection or tearing, and scarring should be minimal. How much of the antibiotics are left?”

      “Two days’ worth.”

      “Finish them off to be on the safe side.”

      He went to his truck, opened one of the compartments and returned with a large wad of cotton, a bottle of some kind of medicine and an odd-looking pair of scissors. After swabbing the injured area, he deftly and quickly removed the stitches. Sinbad’s only reaction was to snake his head around to see what all the fuss was about.

      While Chase was bent over swabbing the area a second time, he said, “When could you start construction on my office?”

      “What?” Jolyn wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly.

      He straightened, his expression serious except for a barely noticeable crinkling at the corners of his eyes. “When could you start construction?”

      Jolyn’s heart kicked into overdrive. “Um…right away. As soon as the permit’s ready.” She cautioned herself not to jump to conclusions. Chase hadn’t awarded her the job. He’d only inquired about a start date.

      “The permit can be picked up anytime. I just need to give the county the name of the general contractor.” The smile lighting his eyes spread to his mouth. “Which I guess is going to be Sutherland Construction.”

      “Really?”

      “Yes, really.”

      She started to hug Chase, then caught herself. Contractors didn’t hug their brand-new clients. “Thank you, Chase. You won’t be disappointed, I promise. I’ve already put together a tentative schedule just in case and lined up three workers to handle—” She abruptly stopped, realizing she was rambling. Striving to speak slowly, she asked, “Would you like me to drive into Globe today and pick up the permit?”

      “Do you mind?”

      “Of course not.” Jolyn had pulled many permits for the contractor in Dallas. None with her own name on them, though. “I’ll leave this morning.” Globe, the county seat, was a good twenty minutes farther away than Pineville and in the opposite direction.

      “What’s next?” Chase asked.

      Jolyn led Sinbad out of the barn, Chase walking beside her. They stopped beside the fence to continue their conversation. “We should sign a contract. What kind depends on your lender, if you have one, and their requirements.”

      “No lender.”

      “Then we have a few options. How about I bring the permit and paperwork by this afternoon? In the meantime, I’ll contact the concrete company, see when’s the earliest they can start.”

      “Better wait until early evening to come over. I have a full day because of taking yesterday afternoon off. I’ll phone when I’m heading home.”

      “Sounds good.” Jolyn began mentally planning her day. “Don’t forget. You’ll need to clear the construction area. I can help tonight.”

      “I think I can handle it.” He reached into his back pocket for his wallet and removed a business card. “Here. My cell phone’s on that in case you need to get hold of me for any reason.”

      Jolyn took the card and ran her thumb along the crisp edge. The magnitude of the last few minutes sank in, filling her with joy. Thanks to Chase, she had her first big job. Sutherland Construction Company was no longer a dream. She pocketed Chase’s business card, resisting the urge to fling her arms wide and laugh out loud.

      Sinbad nudged her elbow with his nose.

      “Somebody’s ready to go home,” she said, hoping Chase didn’t notice the giddy tremor in her voice. “Got something around here I can use as a step up?” Without a saddle and stirrups, Jolyn couldn’t climb onto Sinbad unassisted.

      “I’ll help you.” He bent and linked his fingers together.

      Hesitantly, Jolyn reached out and placed her hand on Chase’s shoulder. It was strong and wider than she remembered, the fabric of his work shirt warm from the morning sun. Lifting her left leg, she placed her booted foot in his cupped hands and prayed her right leg wouldn’t buckle under the strain.

      In the next instant, Chase boosted her onto Sinbad’s back, just like he had countless times when they were younger. Only today, his large and very capable hand lingered on the back of her calf.

      Sensation flowed up Jolyn’s leg, more electrifying than it should be under the circumstances. Chase was her client, her veterinarian, her old friend. But his hand on her leg evoked a response in her that had little to do with business and friendship.

      Sinbad pawed the ground, eager to start home.

      “Take it easy with this big boy for another week or two,” Chase said, still holding Jolyn’s leg. “Don’t gallop or jump him if you can avoid it.”

      “No problem.” She hadn’t done either of those things since the accident.

      “I’ll see you tonight, then.” He squeezed her calf, then stepped back.

      Jolyn waved. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

      Chapter Four

      Jolyn stepped back and out of the way as the last of the wet concrete was poured to create the foundation of Chase’s new clinic.

      A moment later, the friendly-faced young driver who’d made the delivery handed Jolyn a receipt attached to a clipboard. “If I could just get your signature, ma’am, I’ll be outta