Second chances Book 5/6

Chapter 19

Kate and the girls were emotional, their reunion was all tears and hugs. If she liked Kara, Bethany, Shanna and Sean, she was much closer to Abigail and Tilly. She had arrived early to have breakfast with the girls, before walking around town a bit. The girls smiled when they saw Kate answer the greetings of the inhabitants, stopping to chat with merchants, friends. The hearty breakfast was gobbled down by Tilly, who was already looking forward to the next snack. Abigail and Tilly understood that Kate was better. She suffered no stress, took advantage of life, in an environment that doesn't experience rush hour, smog and aggressive motorists. After walking a bit, Tilly wanting to sit down, Kate invited them home, introduced Gibson to Tilly, showed her where the magic was working on her health. Going to get her pickup, Kate picked up the girls and headed up the road out of town, the radio playing Johnny Cash accompanied by June Carter. Parked, Kate let the girls get out, the time to go open the door of the house and collect treats for Gibson, who had approached his enclosure and expressed his pleasure to have the visit.

"Look Gibson, I have some visitors. This is Tilly and Abigail."

The horse neighs softly.

"I know, you saw her yesterday and she didn't kiss you," laughs Kate. "Girls, this is Gibson, my boy. Don't be afraid, he is affectionate. He loves hugs.

— Ah, so here I go," smiled Abigail. "Hi, you," she said, holding out her hand. "Mom is taking good care of you?" Do you want an apple or a carrot? You're right, it's good an apple," she replies as Gibson retrieves the one held out by Tilly.

"He's beautiful, I like this gray," assures Tilly, flattering him. "It's the first time I've touched a horse.

— Don't worry, he's not abrupt, he's naughty, and he knows when to be tricky. Wait, let's hang up the basket, he'll sort itself out with its gluttony. I'll show you around."

Kate reaches out to help Tilly up the stairs, opening the bay window, before leaning on the railing.

"The land up to the forest over there is mine. The forest too. Over there, from the creek, over there, showing a rock formation, it's mine too. The creek is mine. Every day, we go for walks with Gibson. We have a spot near the forest where we stop to drink from the stream. Often I lie down in the meadow and take a nap. It's this nature that prolongs my life expectancy. I'm in the middle of nature and that makes me feel good. Below, I have converted one of the bedrooms into a space where I exercise, meditate and breathe as Bethany taught me. I take care of myself. I'm going to go get some food, come sit down, Tilly. Here, you're at my house, you don't touch the kitchen... unless you want to race?" Kate asks with a wink.

"I forfeit," smiles Tilly, remembering her mad dash to Kate.

Seated at the counter in front of a glass of water that Tilly loves, Kate prepares a huge salad, a mixture of fruits and vegetables, and Tilly makes a vinaigrette to accompany it, while remaining seated.

"Kate," Abigail asks. "There is land for sale behind our house. If we buy it to plant trees, flowers, in addition to our garden, a floor that we will build, hypoallergenic materials, filtered air. Everything for you to be well, would you come and live with us? The whole floor will be yours. Bedroom, living room, gigantic bathroom. Soundproof walls and ceilings.

— Girls...

— I looked like that, very quickly, I found a place for Gibson, in Topanga Canyon, on the side of Malibu.

— Girls...

— Caroline," Abigail and Tilly say at the same time.

"I cannot answer you immediately.

— Take your time," Tilly reassures her. "We're not forcing you, it's a proposal.

— I have an appointment the day after tomorrow with my oncologist. I'm going to tell him that I accept the operation. Just give me a little time."