Secrets in the Sand by Carolyn Brown

            While Abby set up the crate, Reva gave instructions. “Take her to the vet ASAP; she’s wormy and needs antibiotics for this road rash. You can use one of the small travel crates for that. But other than the vet visit, keep her in here until next week, Wednesday at the earliest. Then you can move her crate to my worktable in the den. That’ll get her used to all the activity around here. When she’s had all her kitten shots, you can let her out into the general population.”

            Abby put a soothing hand on her aunt’s arm. “I’ll remember.” She knew that Reva secretly thought no one else could manage the farm adequately—with good reason. This place was a writhing octopus of responsibilities. Critters to feed, stalls to clean, and two more weeks of school field trips to host before summer break. Even in summer, there would be random birthday parties and scout groups every now and then. No wonder Reva was having a hard time letting go; hence all the detailed instructions on how to handle the newest addition to the farm’s family. “I promise I’ll take good care of everything.”

            Reva gave a yes-but nod and a thanks-for-trying smile. “I’ll text you a reminder about the kitten, just in case.”

            Of course you will. Reva had already printed a novel-length set of instructions on everything from animal-feeding to tour-hosting to house-and-barn maintenance. Smiling at Reva’s obvious difficulty in releasing the need to control everything in her universe, Abby filled a water bowl from the mop sink and placed it inside the crate next to the food dish. “All set.”

            “Call me before you make that decision.”

            “What decision?” Reva had returned to a previous train of thought that had long since left the station in Abby’s mind.

            “About when to let the kitten out. She might be more squirrelly than she looks. Let me check in with her and make sure she’s ready. Don’t want to have her hiding under the couch or escaping into the woods through the dog door.” Reva paused with a just-thought-of-something look on her face. “But I’d totally trust you to ask this kitten if she’s ready to join the herd. This summer at the farm will be a good opportunity for you to practice your animal communication skills.”

            Right, well. Abby didn’t trust herself, even though Reva had been tutoring her since Abby first started spending summers here as a child. “I’ll call first. I’d like to keep the training wheels on a little longer if you don’t mind.”

            Reva laughed. “Training wheels are not necessary. You just think you need them. You’re a natural at animal communication.”

            Abby didn’t feel like a natural at much of anything these days. The fact that Reva trusted her to run the farm all summer attested more to Reva’s high motivation to get her license to care for injured wildlife than to Abby’s competency. Three months of an internship at a wild animal refuge in south Florida would give Reva everything she needed to make that long-deferred dream a reality. Abby was determined to help out, even though the responsibility terrified her. It was the least she could do.

            Reva tipped her chin toward the open shelves above the dryer. “Put one of those folded towels on the lid of the litter box so she can sit on top of it.”

            Abby obeyed, and Georgia started barking from outside. “That’s probably your ride, Aunt Reva. I’ve got this, I promise. You don’t have to worry.” She held out her hands for the kitten.

            Reva transferred the purring kitten gently into Abby’s cupped palms. The kitten stopped purring, but settled quickly when Abby snuggled it close. “About time for you to go, right?”

            Reva gave a distracted nod. “Don’t forget to make the vet appointment today. You want to go ahead and get on their schedule for tomorrow, because they close at noon on Saturdays. But call before you go. I don’t know why, but everyone at Mack’s office has been really disorganized lately. The last time I went in, they had double-booked, and I had to wait over an hour.”

            “I will make the appointment today, and I’ll call before I go.”

            “Oh, and don’t forget to drop that check off at the water department when you’re out tomorrow. Those effers don’t give you a moment’s grace before cutting off the water.” A car horn blasted outside.

            “I won’t forget.” Abby put the kitten in the crate and shooed her aunt out the door. “I’d hug you, but I’m all muddy.”

            “I know I’m forgetting something.” Reva glanced around the room one last time. “Oh well. I’ll text you if I remember.” She leaned in and kissed Abby’s cheek. “Bless you for doing this for me.”