Animal's Sanctum
Chapter 6

Sunday afternoon finally rolls around and I find myself back at the sanctuary. Not shocking, yesterday Kyle and I worked out a deal he paid me my portion. Thankfully, at least now I can start work on this place.

I am still going to be working there until he can find another veterinarian. I understand the reasoning, I just wish that I didn’t have to work two full time jobs. Pulling open the front doors I carry in the cleaning products that I had bought. I know that I will need to replace a lot of crap in here.

But I also know that I’ll need the supplies for the place. I already made appointments with my HVAC and water companies to come and have the place inspected and worked on.

As much as I wish they were going to be able to come and work on it today I have to wait for Tuesday. I had to take the whole day off just to be here. But at least I can start to get something done. Most of it will have to be outdoors considering the inside needs the floor redone first. As much as I wish I could do that, I know I can’t.

I head back outside, going straight for my truck. Since I already talked with Abe and Missy, they did want to change a few things but for the most part they were simple. So I decided to head out to the house on the property, using the path between the pastures to find my way to it.

This house reminds me of my previous house, built in the early 1800’s. Which I think is wonderful, but it needs quite a bit of work done. Like the front porch, it’s ok, but I’d like to have it redone just to be safe.

Opening the front door to the house, my nose crinkles. I don’t miss the musty smell of my old house. Since I’ll be out here for a while I’ll leave the door open. I head for the kitchen deciding that I can dump the cleaning supplies in there for now. The appliances are just going to have to be scrapped, not surprising.

Marcy never bothered to do anything with this place after she learned of all the work that she wanted to be done. The cabinets are beautiful, I think with some sanding and some stain it’ll bring new life to it. The light grey slate counter top, looking absolutely stunning.

That’s something I am keeping, in my current home the counter tops are just laminate and need to be redone. That was something Missy made sure to point out. The large farmhouse sink must have been new from the last owner.

The large window that looks out over the pasture makes the kitchen feel very open and bright. I’m really happy that this place has already been wired for modern electrical and plumbing.

Looking down to the original hardwood floors, I know that they are in need of some slight sanding and new stain. Not really shocking, the floors are pretty old. Walking through the cabin, I admire the screened in porch that needs some work.

But I have to say that once it gets refurbished, it’ll be an amazing place to curl up and enjoy a nice cup of tea. And maybe even a book. The view is currently covered with large overgrown shrubbery and trees. When it’s all trimmed back I imagine the mountains and valleys are just breathtaking.

I’d like to replace windows and doors just to make the place more energy efficient. Heading back inside I have to head upstairs glancing over the three bedrooms. The master has its own bathroom and closet as well as featuring an added porch off of the room.

I’m not sure when this was added, but I think it was a great idea. The porch hangs off to the side, giving not only a view of the mountains but a view of the sanctuary’s large vast pastures.

It really is stunning out here. The views are so much better out here. I think I traded up view wise. Don’t get me wrong the other house was great, it worked wonders especially given my situation. Looking over the bedroom I know the old mattress is going to need to be thrown.

I’m not risking anything. Anything fabric is just going to be tossed out, maybe I should rent one of those large dumpsters. Of course that would set me on a deadline. I don’t think I’ll look into that until I can take time off.

Or at least focus on other things. I’m sure my loyal animals and their parents will still call if it’s an emergency, and that’s fine. I just hope it won’t be one every day. With that thought I continue to move through the building, inspecting the rooms.

Some of the furniture is beautiful, it’ll need some work, a thorough cleaning, possibly a sanding and staining. Give the pieces of wood new life. Once I can put a lot more time and energy into the house I think it’ll come together beautifully.

I walk back down the stairs wiggling the railing as I go. It’s pretty stable, I just don’t know for how much longer. It’s something to fix up on down the road. Stepping back outside, I look around, trying to imagine the place in its glory.

I can see a soft yellow for the home, making it bright and cheery. With white trim, white porch and add a small garden out front, I think it’ll look great. I turn to focus on the pastures. They are overgrown, and in need of some serious attention.

I want to get them mowed and throw some seed, get some actual grass growing. I want to create enclosures for animals in rehabilitation, and enclosures for the exotics that come in for medical attention.

I want this place to be able to inspire children to learn, to expand their knowledge on animals. This is all going to take time, and money. I think my main goal is to start working on the pastures and the sanctuary. The house can wait for the most part. I only need a few rooms.

The kitchen, bathroom and a room to sleep in. Probably just the living room to keep it all centralized and easier to take care of. At least in theory I’ll be able to keep working and not have to clean up every night before I go to sleep.

That’s what I’m hoping for anyways. I know my luck though, I’m expecting a headache at least every other day with all of this. It’s so daunting to think that I’m about to be taking this all by myself. With the clinic I had Kyle to bounce frustrations and ideas off of. But with this?

It makes me miss the wolf that I had met here. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is special. I shake my head with a sad smile, it still hurts that he just leapt over the fence. I know he’s a wild animal and it wasn’t safe or natural to be locked in a cage so close to a human.

I can’t help but feel hurt and disappointed at his disappearance. Shaking my head I blink away tears, feeling slightly crazy about these feelings. He’s a wild animal, there isn’t anything that I can do.

If only he was a man, I snort thinking about the legends of my tribe. That would make it all better, at least make it less creepy. Who has such feelings for a wolf? I roll my eyes at myself, now isn’t the time for these thoughts.

I lock the house up before getting into my truck heading back towards the door. I’ll need to make some calls and get out some machinery, I know I have lots of people that will lend me an old tractor and bush hog to clear the field and even give me tips to take care of the greenery.

I know enough about grass to get myself in trouble. I work more with the medical side of things, not how to grow a healthy mix of grasses. I can make calls tonight, hopefully have the equipment here by next weekend.

The clinic will be under construction by that time, so working outside won’t be an issue. That means I have to actually get someone to lend me their equipment. I should probably ask around to see if someone would be willing to sell it to me. I finally drive back to the sanctuary thoughts swirling around my head.

With no real answer coming to me I park my truck getting out looking around, I start to wonder how long it’ll take for me to get this place up and running. I don’t see it being able to open for at least a month. Of course that’s if I’m lucky and I don’t run into any problems getting things running.

I should really start looking into contractors, try and get one of them out here for an inspection. My brothers aren’t contractors, I just know they are good with their hands. And if it’s my personal home I wouldn’t think twice about just having one of them come here and help. I’d pay them a pretty good rate.

But since this is a business I should probably look into doing this the correct way. Or at least go through the professionals to get everything settled. Tonight I’ll have to start looking into companies I guess.

At least Kyle is the one on emergency call this week. I’ve never been happier for that small blessing. If I had to manage that and all of this I’d be losing my mind and quiet possibly just wanting to sell this place off. Hide in a hole and forget any of this has ever happened.

Then again, that isn’t like me. I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge and ignore my gut feeling. After I’ve gotten over the gut wrenching fear of starting new, something completely different. I’ve come to realize that this while scary is something that feels right to me.

I sound crazy, I’m well aware of that, but I’ve learned to trust your gut, it can never lead you wrong. I’m just praying that this adventure doesn’t drive me mad, broke and lonely. I can’t fix the lonely part as of yet, but I can work on one thing at a time.

Getting out of my truck I look over the property, feeling like I should be doing more than just walking around and making a list. Staring at the front, I look at the overgrown garden, or what used to be a garden. Hearing the engine of a diesel truck I look up slightly confused.

I watch as the truck slows down, pulling into the sanctuary. This is new. The white truck pulls into a parking space, the light tint making it hard to see the driver with the glare. I look down the side and see the logo, ‘Knockout Renovations’, on the side.

A large man, with skin of chocolate, steps out, making me tilt my head. He’s gorgeous, his strong features paired with his grey eyes. I’m just confused, I don’t think my brothers had called anyone for the business. They don’t care all that much about my business ventures. “I’m Ezekial King, I’m the owner of Knockout Renovations. I couldn’t help but notice you looking around the place. Do you own it?” I blink at him a little dazed, his smooth deep baritone voice making butterflies come to life in my belly.

“Actually yes, I just came into it?” I shake my head, not really sure how else to put it, I didn’t buy it. The man chuckles looking over the building.

“Do you mind taking me for a tour? I’ve driven past the place for a year or so now. I’ve always been curious about the place.”

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