Tom and Desai are brought together by circumstance, friendship, and understanding of what each other really need from the other. A monster threatens their happiness, but they rise above to reach the pinnacle they both want and need. True love always...
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The next week went by in a flurry of snow, sleet, ice, and more snow. Most of the guests were going stir crazy even with the large arcade and other activities. Dana and Misty had decided to wait about visiting until it was truly springtime. Which she understood even though she would miss them, but then they could all get together when she and Tom got back to Atlanta.
It was a bit past ten am and Desai was sitting in her office catching up on phone calls and paperwork as she listened to the children babbling amongst themselves incessantly as they crawled around in one of their playpens when Roger McCall softly knocked on the frame of the door.
Looking up Desai smiled as she said, "Hello, Roger, long time no see. What may I help you with?" It had to be serious, Roger kept an eye on the animals that freely roamed the acreage. Especially the ones who might, not meaning to, of course, cause trouble not for the other animals but to the humans who shared their space.
He came in and sat down with a very serious expression on his face. "It's Bobo, lass."
She sat very still as she prompted the man across from her, "Go on."
"I believe he's been poisoned. I saw him earlier today and he's not acting right. I don't think anyone did it deliberately but he could have gotten hold of something that had been poisoned on another ranch. He likes to wander..."
"Yes, Bobo, loves his freedom. What do you propose we do? Do you think he might become violent because of the poison if that is in fact what it is?" "He might, lass. I'll keep an eye on him and if he gets worse I'll take care of him. I know you nor I want him to suffer."
She nodded in understanding. "Keep me informed, Roger, and thank you for letting me know. If you do have to put him down, call Danny and let him know. I would like to have Bobo memorialized if possible."
He tipped his head, "Lass," then left.
"Lass," she murmured. "I have four children and a husband," she chuckled, "but I'm still lass to most of the men around here." She looked up when Thomas came through the door and sat down after he had given her a kiss that curled her toes. She wove her fingers in his hair as she reluctantly let him go to play with the children for a moment. "How are things going today? I haven't seen much of you."
He studied her face, something was wrong. "What's the matter, darling?"
"One of the animals may have been poisoned, we're not sure yet."
"Not Vali or Narvi?"
"No, they don't wander like Bobo. He's a bear and he wanders where he wants."
He was about to ask her more about Bobo when the office phone rang he smiled when she answered, "Desai Hiddleston, how may I help you?" She began rifling through a stack of papers. "Yes, that is the correct amount. (pause) Yes, I'm sure. I doubled checked with the chefs. (pause) Well, we have a full house and we also make our own bread and before you ask the chefs would have my head if I ordered self-rising flour. However, I do appreciate you calling to double-check. You have a wonderful day," she ended brightly.
