Making it Home (Home book 2)

Part 3

Walking down the middle of the barn I pause when I see a sleeping form against the wall on a pile of loose hay. Grabbing a random stray boot off the ground I toss it a the figure watching as they jerk awake.  "Come on, what the heck was that for?"  I immediately recognize my brothers voice and grin sheepishly as he pushes up from the ground.  "Not sure I want to stay if that's how you greet family sister."  I scowl grabbing the other boot and chuck towards his head.  

"Shut up knuckle head. You're the one that just showed up in the barn with the work horses!  After you didn't tell anyone you were coming.  Mom is going to string you up by your ears if you don't go in and see them." 

He grins and stands next to me,  "Well they already knew I was coming so she won't really do that.  The whole thing was to surprise you, since I know you might need an on site doctor to help out if your busy.  Aria and Willow, will be here in the next few weeks but they are likely to spend their time shopping and baking, rather than helping out around the barn.  Besides I'm done with mission trips for now, so I need something to do."

I scowl at him before shrugging, "Fine, help out.  But I'm still your boss and I ain't paying you money just food."  He grins and kisses the top of my head.

"Sounds good baby sister."

XxXxXxX

A few days later I shift my seat on Luna, as we slowly trot along the fence line in the early morning.  I scan the skyline and watch as a hawk circles in the air before flying away towards the mess of trees. Squeezing my leg against her side I turn her back in the direction of home and tap my heels against her flank.  "Alright girl, lets get home." 

Several minutes later I slow her to a trot as we reach the main path that goes between the two barns.  Sliding off, I glance around and see my brother walking from the hay barn with a bale of hay tossed over his shoulder.  "He's such a show off."  I mutter under my breath while rubbing Luna neck.  Leading her into the barn, I wave in his direction and he nods his hello.  I slide the bridle off her face and hang it back in the tack room before swinging a rope over her neck and leading her out to the field.  I follow her in tossing the rope over the gate and walk to the middle of the pasture hearing the sound of her hooves plodding along after me.  I stop and turn to her, smiling as she nuzzles her nose against my shoulder.  I gently push her nose away and take three steps to the right before walking straight forward.  Luna follows close behind as I gradually change speed and direction.  Once I'm running for a minute I stop suddenly and grin as she slides to a stop right next to me.  Then I slowly back away watching as she stays standing where she is, until I cluck once and watch as she trots around me. This continues for a few minutes until I hear a sharp whistle from the gate, turning I see Austin leaning against the fence watching me.  I walk towards the fence as Luna slows to a walk and bends her neck down munching on the green grass.

"She's like a puppy with her following you around like that.  It's kind of funny."  I roll my eyes and climb up on the fence and swing over to the other side standing next to him.  

"Is there a reason you stopped over here?  I thought you were working, and I was going to finish here before working in the therapy barn to clean up some."  I ask glancing towards him as I make my way towards the barns.

He chews his bottom lip, and sighs.  "Yeah, so did I which is why I'm confused to you scheduling for visitors."  I stop and look at him raising an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about?  It's a light day until this afternoon, when a few people are supposed to come in.  Kim and Sage are coming in after lunch to work with people."  I mention the two staff that work Friday and the weekend.  Kim is the a psychologist and Sage specializes in play therapy for children.  

"Well I can tell this guy to come back in a few hours if that works better."  I nod running my hand through the loose mass of hair, jogging into the barn I set to work.  

Several hours later, and a cleaner more organized office and barn space I finish just as a car pulls in.  I recognize Julia, one of our teenage clients and wave as she heads towards me.  She gives me a small smile before walking over to where Kim is standing.  They walk out the back of the barn to the pastures.  

"Sage!!!!!  I missed you!"  I hear a happy voice and watch as Micheal walks over to where she stands and wraps his arms around her in a hug.  I smile as his big round eyes stare up at her as she grabs his hand and they make their way to the play room. Micheal is nine but due to developmental delays has the mentality of a four year old.  He is progressing with what he can do, but still has trouble with what kids his age normally are able to do.  I walk into the office and sit at the desk scrolling through emails and answering a few from parents or clients who wanted to reschedule or add an session.  Once I finish replying, I flip through the files and read through various notes left by parents or the workers on specific cases. Luke, the other physical therapist left a note in Trents file telling me that he hasn't been doing his exercises as much as he supposed to, and thus the healing is taking longer.  I frown and pull out my phone sending a text to him, telling him better get his butt in gear if he wants to be cleared.  

I stand and walk over to the window watching as Julia and Kim stand in Kings pasture brushing him down and talking.  I hear a throat clear behind me and then a voice as I start to turn around.

"So I came by earlier and apperantly was to early, so I'm back.  One of the workers.....Uh Luke, I think said that I'm supposed to check with you as your the head therapist."  I turn and see the one person I wasn't sure I'd ever see again.  

"Tyler....." I whisper as I see his figure in the doorway.