get and how much we adore her.
“He’s Pierce’s girl,” I add. “That kid only listens to him.”
She laughs when I tell her about the time Ally ran away from home, and a neighbor called telling us that she was playing with her dogs.
“This is going to be the looney house,” she declares. “When do you think you’ll arrive?”
Looking around the house, I conclude that today is a good day to pack, and I can take off tomorrow. The shelter runs well without me. I’ve been hiring vets to work for us. I pay them from my pocket. It’s the only way to get well-trained professionals who can take care of the animals.
I hate to cut the call, but I decide we should start the journey soon. I’d love to settle in before Pierce arrives. Hopefully, I can get a room far from his. When I contact the company that will help me transport the kids, they are set for tomorrow. They’ve had two trailers on hold ready to go in case I needed them. Pierce will regret his offer when he sees the bill. I owe them a week already. That’s the only way I could have someone available on such short notice. If this wasn’t a scam—which it isn’t—I could just call and say we’re leaving.
As I begin to pack, I realize this is real, and I have to go. Even though he can do this alone, Pierce needs someone to be there for him when things get complicated—and they will. Eighteen months living with five other guys who resent each other sounds like the ultimate challenge. He’s a loner. These guys might eat him alive. I shouldn’t care, but I love him too much to let him do this on his own.
The next morning, I call the adoption agencies. Two of them say they are processing my applications, and when I tell them I’m moving to another state, they say that might be a problem, but they’ll call me back. The rest send me directly to voicemail, and I just leave messages. Adopting might still be a possibility, but fostering is out of the equation.
My heart literally breaks as I head toward Pierce’s house. What if I don’t qualify to be a foster parent in the state of Oregon? Not that being qualified in Colorado has helped me at all. Still, I bring with me most of the clothing and the essentials that are needed. According to Blaire, there’s plenty of space for storage.
I’m already giving the guys instructions on what the kids eat, how to load them, and what to do along the road when I hear Pierce’s voice, “What’s happening?
“Since we have to be there by next week, I thought, ‘Leyla, you should start the journey tomorrow,’” I explain.
He shakes his head. “Today is not a good day. I’m flying to New York in a couple of hours. Don’t you think this is something we should’ve discussed?”
I tilt my head and smile just to piss him off. “What are we supposed to discuss?”
“You are sending the kids with some strangers. Do you know them?” he asks, then points at Buster and Daisy. “You can’t possibly think that they’ll be fine in a trailer.”
“Which is why I’m driving to Baker’s Creek.”
He frowns. “When are you leaving?”
“As soon as the kids are in the trailer,” I respond.
He points at my truck and growls, “You’re not taking that piece of shit. It’s almost as old as you.”
I glare at him and cross my arms. “What are you saying?”
“That it’s irresponsible to drive to Oregon in that thing you call your car. Take your new SUV,” he insists. “As a matter of fact, you’re going to wait until I’m back from New York, and then we’ll all leave together.”
I laugh at him. “I’m leaving today. They are already loading the kids. Plus, I want to choose my room before you’re even there.”
“Don’t make this difficult.”
“That’s priceless,” I huff. “I’m the one making this hard on you. You should be thankful since I’m accommodating you. I had a plan, and as of today, it’s gone, and I have to restart everything from Oregon—if that’s even possible. If I were you, I’d be careful, or I’ll stay home. There is no way that you can get our marriage dissolution by next week, and according to Nyx, you have to have the state record before I am free from the stipulation.”
Fuck, he mouths, running a hand through his hair. “Why do you have