“Right.” My intention was always to grow the business and, with the lack of a reputable dog boarding facility in the area, I wanted to expand even more. I’d need more manpower, for starters, and more land. The kennel would be right next to the clinic and I could take the existing barn to convert to an indoor dog park.
Which means I’d have to build a new barn a little further back. I’d have to take out a loan for sure, but just the thought of a bigger equine hospital excites me. I’d never have a full-scale setting, but if we were able to do more, to have more stalls available, it would help a lot of people in the area out. And I might be thinking a little too crazy here but putting in a horse water treadmill to help with rehab and conditioning would be a big draw for the clinic as well.
But if I did all that, I’d need more land. And the land surrounding mine is currently owned by Josie Walker.
Chapter Twenty-One
JOSIE
I pull out of the parking spot annoyed. Jacob did nothing to set me off, yet seeing him instantly pushes my buttons. Technically, he's been nothing but polite and accommodating in his actions. Which isn't out of the question, considering he's a vet that takes care of my animals. But it's his attitude, it’s the smugness in his eyes when he looks at me, like he just knows I'm one step away from tripping and falling and failing completely.
I'm not the kind of person who gives up without a fight and if Jacob thinks I'm going to go running to him, he's got another thing coming. My phone rings as I'm pulling out of the parking lot. It’s not a number I know but has a local area code.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hi, this is Thomas Martin from Martin Funeral Services. Is Ms. Walker available?”
“This is her,” I reply.
“Hello, Ms. Walker. I have the remains of Mrs. Kimberly Walker available for pickup.”
“Oh, um, okay. I’m actually in town. Could I swing by now?”
“Certainly, ma’am. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” I end the call and look up the address for the funeral home. It’s only a few streets over, and I get there in just about five minutes. I park out front, slip my purse over my arm, and head inside. I’ve never picked up remains before and I’m feeling nervous for some reason.
Am I going to have to pay? Sign papers? I have no idea how any of this works.
A little bell chimes when I step inside. The smell of floral air freshener hits me, nearly making me choke. Why do funeral homes all smell like this? The place looks like the last update was in the late 90s, and classical music softly plays from a large radio, also from the 90s.
“Ms. Walker?” A surprisingly young man steps out of an office, holding a cardboard box. Are Kim’s ashes in a fucking box? Those things aren’t sealed tight. Her remains are going to leak out in the car.
“Yes?” My voice is strained, and I realized I just answered his question with a question. Mentally shaking myself, I push my shoulders back and continue forward.
“I would first like to thank you for using Martin Funeral Services,” the man whom I assume is Thomas says. “And second, to tell you again how sorry I am for your loss.”
Seems a little out of order for me, but whatever.
“Thank you,” I tell him again. He sets the box on his desk and opens the top, showing me a simple gray urn. Good. The ashes won’t seep out of the corners of the box. I do have some papers to sign, and Louisa covered the costs of everything. Why does it cost a thousand dollars just to have a body burned?
“This was much faster than I expected,” I say when I’m done with the paperwork.
“Business has been slow.” Thomas frowns.
“But that’s a good thing, right?” I wrinkle my nose.
“Not when you have bills to pay.”
I just nod, not sure how to respond.
“It’ll pick up again this summer. Especially after the fair.”
“Why, do people get murdered at the fair or something?” I pick up the box and take a slow step back.
“No, but the inevitable food poisoning always claims a few of the county’s elders.”
“Oh.” I shuffle back another few steps, making a mental note not to let Everly eat anything from the county fair.
“That and the heat always spices things up in late July.” Thomas’s eyes light up.
“Uh-huh.” My feet slide back more. “Well, thank you for handling things so…so efficiently with my aunt.”
“Of course.” His face goes somber again. “And I am very sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” I spin and high-tail it out of there, totally creeped out. I get into my car and go to put the box with the urn inside on the seat next to me, but the bag of food is there. Hesitating, I don’t know what to do. It seems wrong to toss Aunt Kim on the floor.