Chapter 13 - Scars and Sanctuary|
Two weeks later, the morning sun poured through the expansive windows of the estate's private guest wing.
I was sitting in a comfortable armchair by the bay window, my left arm secured in a soft medical sling.
The deep laceration had required twenty-two stitches, but the estate's top surgeon assured me that the scar would heal cleanly.
My mother was no longer in our cramped suburban apartment; Luca had moved her into the premier private rehabilitation facility in Illinois.
Her medical expenses had been paid in full for the next five years, and she had a private nurse attending to her recovery every day.
A gentle knock sounded at the open door, and Ava walked into the room carrying a large silver tray.
On the tray rested a steaming pot of chamomile tea, two porcelain cups, and a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies.
"I helped Mrs. Higgins bake these," Ava announced proudly, placing the tray carefully onto the coffee table.
"She let me measure the brown sugar all by myself."
"They smell absolutely delicious, sweetheart," I smiled, using my good hand to pour the tea into her cup.
Ava sat on the edge of the footstool, looking at the white bandage wrapped around my arm.
"Does it still hurt, Miss Rachel?" she asked softly, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Only a little bit when it rains," I replied with a warm smile.
"Doctors say it will be good as new in just a few weeks."
Ava reached into her pocket and pulled out the muddy brass stall plate that had started this entire journey.
She had spent the last two days polishing it until the brass shone like pure, gleaming gold.
She placed the heavy metal plate gently into my lap.
"What is this for, sweetie?" I asked, looking down at the word COPPER shining in the sunlight.
"I want you to hold onto it until the new barn is finished," Ava whispered, looking up with genuine love in her eyes.
"Because you were the one who wouldn't let them take it away."
"You saved Copper, and you saved me."
Before I could answer, Luca stepped through the doorway, holding a thick architectural blueprint under his arm.
He looked rested, his dark eyes clear of the haunted shadows that had burdened him for four long years.
"Ava, sweetheart, Graham needs you down at the paddock," Luca said, smiling down at his daughter.
"Copper has decided he won't eat his morning carrots until you give him a pat on the nose."
Ava giggled, jumped up from the footstool, and kissed my cheek before sprinting out into the sunshine.
Luca watched her go with an affectionate smile, then turned to face me.
He walked across the room and pulled up a chair beside my window, unrolling the architectural plans across the small table.
"What are those, Mr. Moretti?" I asked, looking at the detailed drawings of a massive, state-of-the-art facility.
"These are the new construction plans for the estate," Luca explained, pointing to the sprawling wooden structures.
"We aren't building a guest lounge or a vanity carriage house."
"We are building a twenty-stall equine rescue sanctuary right here on the Moretti grounds."
"We’re going to buy older, abandoned riding horses from auctions across the Midwest and give them a permanent home."
Tears of joy sprang to my eyes as I looked at the compassionate design.
"Caroline would have loved this," I whispered softly.
Luca reached across the table, his warm, strong hand gently covering my uninjured fingers.
May you like
"Caroline would have loved you, Rachel," he said softly.
"And so do we."
