“I admire you for doing this,” Cord said, and both Mitch and Shallie chimed in. “Whatever we can do to help, we will. And that includes driving you there.” Nods all around.

“Now on another subject, Shallie, those new clients I mentioned are confirmed.” He paused. “This couple—not sure if they’re a couple in that sense—they want to pursue horse therapy. As I said earlier, I’m hoping you’ll be able to stay another couple of weeks.” He realized they’d never really discussed the duration of her stay—beyond the original two weeks and then the extension to work with the Lewises. “You’re still on leave from work, right?” He wasn’t clear on the arrangements she’d made; she’d never really said. Was it a longer period than he’d assumed?

“Right. And yes, I can do that. I love that they’re interested in working with therapy horses!”

“That’s a major reason they’re coming here,” he replied. “We’re developing a reputation in that area. I have another question, though. Obviously I can’t make the guest suite available to them. And don’t even suggest sleeping in the den.” He didn’t bother to mention the junk room, which had been his bedroom as a boy. “The Big Sky Inn is far too costly. But what would you think about approaching Russ, ask him if he’d be willing to get a couple of rooms fixed up? I’ll help absorb the cost, plus their stay.”

Everyone and, most important, Shallie, applauded the plan. She said this would be good for Russ and volunteered to help clean, as did Tina and Carly. Mitch offered to handle any small repairs. “I’ll call him right now,” Shallie announced. “If he’s agreeable, we’ll start next week.”

She called. He was, and plans were made.

THE NEXT MORNING, Cord had just finished his first long coffee in the kitchen, dogs fed and “outed,” as Carly liked to call it, when the phone rang—Ted Lewis. “Hi, Cord. How ya doin’?”

“Okay. You?”

“Same. Listen, I have a favor to ask. Could The GateCrashers have a small concert at your place in August? The twenty-fourth? Two reasons. It’ll be part of the celebration for Tina’s sixty-fifth birthday, which is on the twenty-third—”

“Holy crap!” Cord interrupted. “I’d forgotten all about that.”

“Oh, trust me, there are plenty of us who would’ve reminded you, including Tina herself, I’ll bet. The other reason is that we’re all really impressed with Carly and want to officially include her.”

“Great! Yeah, we’ll definitely do that. What about rehearsals?”

“We’ll set up a few—maybe one or two at your place?” When Cord murmured a yes, Ted continued, “Would you let her know? Also, if Carly has any songs of her own…”