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strays.”
    “What’s gonna happen when you run out of room?”
    “Hopefully someone like you and your family will help me with that problem.” He pointed toward the chairs at the old oak table in front of a large window that afforded a view of the backyard. After she settled across from him, he continued, “I’ve been thinking lately about that. I have the land to take care of a lot of abandoned animals, but I want to do more than that.”
    She tilted her head to the side, her forehead creased. “Like what?”
    “When I named my ranch Stone’s Refuge recently, it got me thinking. What if I have more than a refuge for animals? What if it was a place to help kids, too? You saw how Sean responded to Lady, and even Digger.”
    “Do you have the time? The means?”
    “I deal with teens every day who are in trouble and left to fend for themselves. What if I gave them something to do that was worthwhile?”
    Laura glanced outside at the twins playing with the ferret, Sean caring for Lady, and her daughter holding the cat. “Still, it could be time-consuming.”
    “Granted I would need help, but it could be done. I have two friends who, like me, have been looking for something to do.” He thought of his foster brothers, Jacob Hartman and Noah Maxwell. Hardship and redemption had molded them into a family. “It’s just in the planning stages up here—” he tapped his temple “—and summer will be here in no time at all.”
    “It’s the first of March.”
    “The spring semester goes by so fast. Kids will be looking for something to do in the summer.”
    “Yeah, I’ll have four to keep busy.” She slanted a glance toward the window. “Hey, I’ve got four children you could keep busy this summer.” Her eyebrows shot up. “I mean…I—”
    He chuckled. “I may take you up on the offer if they’re willing. Of course, I’ve got to decide what to do first.”
    “At least you’ve got a plan, of sorts.”
    Something in her voice made him ask, “And you don’t have a plan?”
    “I’ve finished putting the house in order. Now I need to find a job. I don’t want to work full-time right now with my aunt still recovering and all that’s going on with my children. I need to be at the house when they come home from school.”
    “What are you looking for?”
    “That’s just it. I’ve been home with the kids since I got married and have little work experience. As a teen I was a waitress and know I don’t want to do that again. I know my way around a computer. I’m good at hustling kids to and fro. I love to cook. Hate to clean house but do a good job anyway.” She gave him a small smile. “That’s the extent of my talents.”
    “We’ve got a secretarial opening in the counseling office. We’re still interviewing for it. If you’re interested in it, you should apply.”
    “My aunt said something to me about it a few days ago. I didn’t want to do anything until Sean went back to school.”
    “Come in Monday then and put in an application. We want to fill it before spring break in two weeks. I have to warn you, April will be hectic with state mandated testing.”
    “I live a hectic life. I have four kids.” She rose. “Which reminds me, I should check on them.”
    “And I promised your family a chance to ride.”
    When Peter walked outside behind Laura, her daughter ran up to him with anticipation in her expression. “Are we gonna see the horses now and ride?”
    Alexa’s excitement reminded him of the power animals could have on a person. When they left today, he would call Jacob and Noah. He needed to do more than dream about the refuge. Laura’s family had given him the jump start he needed to get moving on it.

Chapter Three
    “H ow’s working in the counseling office going for you?” Peter took the chair next to Laura in the high school auditorium.
    “You didn’t hear anything?” she blurted out, tired after the first day on the job, learning all the procedures and people’s