The next day, the same agent called and said she had another property she’d like us to look at. We followed her directions and found ourselves at the northern edge of Oldham County. There were more than a thousand acres and it was completely developed.
“This was an Arabian horse complex,” she said as she showed us around. “The acreage is broken down into ten-acre plots and gentleman farmers would build a house on each for when they were in town. The central part of the development has new, state-of-the-art barns, breeding facilities, show ring, physical fitness including a pool for the horses. There’s also a hotel where out of town guests could come and stay while choosing to buy a horse or simply come to watch the business of Arabian breeding. There’s nothing like it in this part of the country. The closest would be the facilities in Arizona. It’s sat vacant for a few years — bad management. I was thinking that you could move into one of the farms — the houses really are quite nice — and build yourself a new home using the hotel as a foundation for it. You could have plenty of room for company for the people who work for you. You’re only two miles from the river to the east, you’re in the school system you want for your son and this is a small, quaint town where everyone knows everyone. They’d be quite impressed with you. Best of all, there’s a straight shot to downtown along highway 42 and another using I-71. If you go north, you can cross the Ohio at Madison and be on your way to Indianapolis. I-71 will take you straight to Cincinnati. I know, Dr. LaViere, that you have business interests in those communities so this would give you a very centralized location.”
I was impressed by this agent; she’d done her homework. “What do you think, Auggie?” I asked and she wanted to check out some of the smaller farms.
“Worth, this is perfect.” Her eyes sparkled in her excitement. “Remember how I said I liked the size of the condo? We can build a house here that fits our family. We don’t need a huge thing. There are several homes here that we could easily live in while we build. Dad and your mother could have one of the others. There’s one for Betsy and her sister, one for Bernie, and when Ford is old enough, one for him as well. There’s plenty of room to build outward on any of them. Then there're the facilities for the horses. They’re gorgeous and are as nice, if not nicer than the ones I had built. I would really like this, Worth. And she’s right. You wouldn’t be but an hour or so from several of your clinics.”
Auggie didn’t need to convince me. I could see the logic in her words and her plans. I knew, most of all, that this made her heart sing and she would have the room to expand her dreams. She wasn’t cut out for downtown chic, even though she could certainly put on the swagger.
“So how about the existing estate?” I asked.
“Let’s do what we said. Let’s donate the whole thing and ask Tyler to be the director. You can stay on as CEO, but it will be a hobby for us; not a full-time job and certainly not a place where we need to live.”
“I like it,” I agreed, pulling her to my chest. “Consider it done.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Auggie
We moved into the condo in town for the summer and fall while Worth transferred the holdings of the estate to the foundation. There was a certain amount of relief I felt when it was all done. Dad and Margaret were coming north for a few weeks and I expected Dad to sell his place and take one of the farms at the Arabian development. We’d decided to call it Carlos Acres, for obvious reasons to anyone who knew me. Worth had already contracted with Beverly Dexter to build the house that fit us perfectly.
Worth and I were scheduled to go to the obstetrician’s. It would be my first visit with an ultrasound and we’d decided we wanted to know the sex of our baby since we were building. At least that’s what we told ourselves. Actually, we were just eager to know.
We walked into the clinic and were escorted right in to the room with ultrasound. The operator put cold jelly as contact points on my tummy and scooched around the mouse-like transmitter. When she was done, we were escorted to the doctor’s office.
“You want to know the sex?” he asked and we nodded. “You’re having a little girl,” he said and I laughed, clapping my hands. “And you’re having a little boy,” he added and our mouths dropped open. “Twins?” He nodded and grinned. “Nothing to worry about. Both are in perfect condition and size for this point. We’ll monitor you closely. The only thing I can say is you might end up having a caesarian if they grow too large. In the meantime, take your vitamins, eat healthy, get plenty of rest and you might avoid relations for the time being. There’s no proof of that having any adverse effects, but it does wear down the mother and you’ll need to keep your strength up for the birth. See you next month!” he said cheerfully and left us in the room.
Worth hugged me and kissed me deeply. “No relations, huh?” he frowned and I play slapped him. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough to tide you over?”
I nuzzled my nose into his chest and said nothing.
“I wonder what Ford will think,” Worth said, kissing the top of my head. “Although it really doesn’t matter. It’s a done deal,” he said. “Well, c’mon, mama… let’s get you a big salad for lunch. Now you’re eating for three!”
I telephoned the news to Dad and they were thrilled. Ford, not so much.
“Why are you having twins?” he asked, as though there was some way to order them in pairs. “Why isn’t just one enough?”
“Ford! Aren’t you happy? You’ll have a new brother and a sister. You can help me take care of them. We’ll teach them to ride and you can teach them to swim. Think of all the fun it will be!”
“I don’t want them,” he said in a cold voice. “We don’t need them. The three of us are enough. Tell the doctor you want to give them away when they’re born.”
Worth was across the room and heard this conversation. My mouth was opened in horror and Worth was scrambling to take it down a notch. “Now, Ford, don’t be silly. We will all be one family and you’ll be glad they’re here. You’ll love them and one day, you won’t even remember what it was like to not have them with us.”
“I don’t want them!” Ford screamed and ran to his bedroom.