“I’ve been here a week now, Kristy, and things have been good. Why are you so quick to get rid of me?”
“It doesn’t matter whether you leave tomorrow or next month. The fact of the matter is that you’re still leaving. You have responsibilities at home, Kash. You can’t run from that, and I’m not going to let you use me as an excuse,” she finally explained. It almost hurt to breathe, but the truth was out there on the table.
“So, let’s just enjoy the time that we have,” he said as he reached across the table for her hand. She closed her eyes briefly before relenting.
“How will the farm fare without the race?”
“It’s just one year,” she said cautiously. “Besides, it’s not our only income source, but it was the best. I’m sure next year will be better especially if I end up adding other activities.”
“And if it’s not?”
She didn’t have to say it out loud. He was a clever enough businessman to know that the farm wouldn’t survive another year like this one. The tours to the hot springs was one thing, but it wouldn’t save them. Kristy wasn’t even sure how on board she was.
“You need to make a change,” Kashif said sternly. “If you’d let me help…”
“No,” she said sharply. “We’ve already had this discussion. The answer is no. I will do what I can to keep it running. End of discussion.”
“You have to take some risks.” Disapproval was written all over his face. “Nothing is going to change if you don’t.”
He was right and Kristy knew that but there was much more at stake than he knew. Maybe now. Now, she could tell him everything.
Just then, Al’s loud cursing echoed throughout the restaurant. Curious, Kristy let go of Kashif and leaned around the booth to see what was going on. The rotund man was slumped across the counter with his head in his hands. “Not another one,” the man cried.
“Al, what’s wrong?”
“I had one carry-out order for tonight. Just one. I normally have so many that I’m frantic to keep up, but not tonight. And now the customer just called and told me that they couldn’t make it. They wanted to know if I could deliver. Deliver! As if I could pay the insurance to cover a delivery business!”
A thought formed in her head, and Kristy smiled. “Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. Maybe instead of cars delivering, you could have a few dogs deliver.”
Al lifted his head sharply and stared at her. “What do you mean?”
“Business has been slow for me too, and the dogs are practically going crazy with boredom. Henry has to look after them anyway. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind delivering a few orders for you. In exchange for some tips, of course.”
“How much would you charge?” Al asked with narrowed eyes.
“I tell you what, let’s give it a few days and see if the idea is popular, or even serviceable. If it takes off, then I’m sure that we can come to some sort of arrangement.”
“Yes! I like it! Oh Kristy, I could kiss you. A dog sledding delivery service. The town is going to love it! Dinner is on me tonight.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Kristy said as she shot Kashif a wicked grin. “The Sheikh is paying for dinner tonight.”
“I am?” Kashif asked, amused.
“You are, as a way to apologize to me. I don’t need to change the farm or take risks to make it work. I’m perfectly capable of making things work with what I have.”
“You do know how to work what you’ve got,” Kashif agreed in a low voice.
Kristy snorted and shook her head. The business plan gave her a new sense of energy and purpose.
Everything was going to be just fine.
16
There wasn’t even a discussion about it. Kristy had joined him in his bed for the past three nights. At this point, they were both running on adrenaline and desire, but he knew that the smile on her face was mirrored only by his own. There had been no more talking about him leaving, and although they hadn’t mentioned the future, he no longer saw the ghosts of the past haunting her.
Whistling to himself, he checked in on Arella that afternoon. Kristy and Julia were out shopping for Christmas presents, and Henry was supposed to be watching her, but an unexpected guest showed up to talk about the dogs. Kashif leaned against the wall and watched Arella play.
Tripod had once again managed to sneak into her pen, and he and the two dogs jumped around her, making the little girl laugh with glee. Both the goat and the dogs