Life's Next Chapter Read Free

here?” Luke grabs a pencil and writes a note, drawing details on the plans as I describe the changes, nodding his head in agreement.
    “What about the new stable blueprints? Can we look at those next?” Before I can finish my request, he moves the next set of prints to the top of the pile.
    Again, I love them. The new stable will have state of the art ventilation, and heating and cooling systems. It will have an indoor shower stall for use during the winter weather. The stalls will be bigger with drains in every compartment. The stable will be built to withstand high winds. That is great for us here in Florida, where we constantly deal with hurricanes. I’m so thrilled over these plans, without even thinking, I jump up and do a little happy dance. In the process, I catch a glimpse Luke and discover he’s laughing at me. Gosh, he has a mouthwatering smile. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from drooling. “Luke, do you know what these plans mean?” He just looks at me, unsure of what to say. “I will have the best stable on this side of town. I can charge more, and take in more horses!” I calm myself as Luke stands to leave, rolling up the blueprints and returning them to the tube. I walk him to the door and thank him for showing me the blueprints, hoping I haven’t made him too late for his next meeting.
    Once we’re at the door, he hesitates before opening it, like he wants to say something else. After the briefest of moments, he just says, “We’ll start construction on Tuesday, beginning with the clinic. Let me know if there is anything you might want to change beforehand. Have a good weekend, Dr. Caldwell.”
    Well, that went well, considering I was hoping he would say more. I continue to watch as he walks towards the clinic. A loud thump from above brings me back to reality. I shut the door and head upstairs to check on my daughters and take a cold shower.
     

 

     
     

     
     
    SATURDAY AFTERNOON FINDS me loading the girls in the truck for a pre-Labor Day barbecue at Beth and Jacob’s house. Beth and I have been friends since first grade. Our parents held these Labor Day festivities and now we continue it with our children. Of course, I have to run back into the house to retrieve the forgotten mac-n-cheese dish and brownies I am bringing over for the cookout. I clear the front porch for the second time just as an unfamiliar silver Chevy Silverado pulls up behind me. Who the hell is this? The sun throws a glare on the windows and I can’t see who it is. The girls are screaming for me to hurry it up, they want to swim with the boys. Opening the back door, I ask them to settle down. “Give momma a minute, someone is here.” I say, as I walk to the massive truck.
    The driver’s side door swings open and Luke slides out of the truck. Holy shit balls! Just looking at him makes my panties wet. Giving me his sexy smile, he pulls off his aviators and looks down to me. “Well, good morning, sunshine.”
    I smile and laugh. “So, now I’m sunshine. Much better than the last time we saw each other and you thought I was a man, eh Mr. Ashton?” I tease as I lean my hip against the still open door.
    “You do look good, Dr. Caldwell, all smiles and sunshine.” He winks at me.
    “Well, thank you, Mr. Ashton. I do clean up pretty well and can look like a lady from time to time.” I follow his gaze and look down at my ruffled pink tank top, white denim shorts, and silver strappy sandals. He just stares, giving me the biggest grin. “What can I do for you this Saturday afternoon? As you can hear, my girls are strapped in the truck, and we’re late to a friend’s house.”
    “Brody needed more measurements of the stable. Do you mind?” He asks just as my girls scream for me.
    Knowing one did something to the other, I turn towards my truck, replying, “No, I don’t mind. Just close the main gate when you leave. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay, I really need to get going.”
    Reaching into the middle