Page 50 of Bad Decisions & Back Roads

Part one of my plan was in motion.Mark had integrated himself into the McClary farm as a hired hand.He’d earn Jimmy’s trust and keep his eyes open.Eventually, Jimmy would hang himself with his own words and actions.I figured there was nobody better to outsmart a heartless bastard than someone as coldly motivated and dangerous as Mark.

I’d also had a long meeting with the family attorney yesterday.He thought the lawsuit stood on shaky ground, built around some vague handwritten document that had never been certified by any legal authority.Still, he couldn’t promise anything.What wedidlock down beyond question were the documents granting me sole custody of Sofia.

I pulled myself together and returned to the main house.My mother had already corralled Sofia and Gia, seating them at the table.

Gia cast me an apologetic glance and whispered as I sat next to her, “Your mom insisted I stay.”

“I heard.”I wanted to say something nice.I owed her a big thank you.The words got stuck in my throat.

My mother put the final two dishes on the table to complement her pot roast.Dad uttered a quick grace.

Then Mom said, “Tell me, girls, what did you two have so much to talk about in the treehouse?”

“Tea,” Sofia supplied.

Sofia and Gia exchanged glances.Gia cleared her throat and said, “What happens in the treehouse stays in the treehouse.”

Sofia dissolved into giggles.She whispered, “Butthead.”

“What did you say, young lady?”my mom asked.

Sofia stared at me and then started giggling again.

My mom smiled, but cast a worried glance my way.“So, Gia, how long have you been a farm veterinarian?”

“Since vet school,” Gia said.“There’s a need for vets who understand how farms work and can move around large animals without fear of getting kicked, trampled, bitten, or mysteriously slimed.”Her eyes darted to mine.She knew I was thinking about her having been kicked recently.

“She handled Carol,” my dad said approvingly.“I named the witchy llama after an ex-girlfriend who tried to shoot me in the butt with a BB gun.”

Gia laughed.“Carol isn’t even close to my worst case.I once worked with an alpaca farm that had twelve running semi-feral in one pasture.Cute from a distance.Up close they were tiny sociopaths with excellent aim when they spit or charged.”

My mom laughed into her drink.

“No one could get near them,” Gia continued.“That’s where I perfected my dart gun skills.Problem was, the second one went down sedated, the other eleven formed what I can only describe as a tactical defense unit around it.They’d be spitting, screaming, and charging like I’d tranquilized their king.”

Dad barked out a laugh.

“On that farm, problem number two was worse.”Gia shook her head, laughing.“The wife was convinced every woman who stepped foot on their property was trying to, uh…” Her gaze darted to Sofia.“Steal her man.”

My mom blinked.“Oh dear.”

“The man was too terrified of her to do anything without written permission.”Gia smiled at the memory.“He got into alpaca farming so he could crochet tiny sweaters and stuffed animals out of their wool.Apparently, it’s wildly profitable online.I made the mistake of complimenting the stitching on one of his crocheted purses, and suddenly his wife was guarding that man like he was the last rotisserie chicken at Costco.Didn’t exactly break my heart when we weren’t invited back to care for the alpacas.”

My mother nearly choked on her laughter.

Dinner flew by with Sofia grilling Gia for more farm call stories.

I didn’t want her to leave when she stood.I wanted a few minutes alone with her.To thank her for what she did for Sofia and to clarify we could be friends.Friends.

I had to say it twice because I sure as hell didn’t want to be just friends with her.

“Thank you, Lisa, for the meal.The food and company were what I needed.”Gia stood and headed for the door.

My mom frowned at me in a way that ordered I chase her.

I caught up with Gia at the front door and cleared my throat.“Can you stay a bit longer?Maybe come over to my place.It’s a short walk up the hill.Please.I wanted to talk about a few things.But I have to get Sofia her bath and put her to bed.Maybe you could help?”

Her eyes went wide like that was a step too far.