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Olivia started as she suddenly heard her name Fairchild was silent, as were the others; they all studied her curiously
"I don’t understand," Sandra said "Aaron gets the place, but not really And after hiround, she names her own successor?"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Olivia murmured to Sandra, except that she was surprised herself and realized Sandra hadn’t etic s anywhere," Aaron said
"Better not!" Olivia told him
"The Horse Farm is in a trust," Fairchild explained "Aaron maintains the senior position andto Aaron, Olivia will take over as senior operating official Sometime in the next year, they’re to name the others who’ll follow in their places, and so on, down the line It’s very straightforward Marcus had this ritten so he could ensure that the Horse Farm would continue The nonprofit will not be dissolved, and so the work he intended"
"What would happen in the event of a natural catastrophe, like a flood?" Mason asked "We did have thatcatastrophic were to happen or if the Horse Farm fell into such severe financial hardship that it couldn’t be maintained and your salaries couldn’t be paid, the property would revert to the actual estate The land would go up for sale, and any profits would be distributed to a number of other charities Do you all understand?" Fairchild asked, looking around at theo on with the individual items he’s left you"
Olivia listened but his words blurred Marcus had left thes that were special to him A saddle and a desk to Drew, collectible books to Mariah, a sterling tea set to Sandra and other personal property to others She heard her naain and looked up
"What?"
Onceat her "Another house," Sandra said "Nice"
"What?"
"He left you his house and the immediate property around it," Aaron told her with a smile "You can now search it to your heart’s content"
"You can tear it to pieces, if you choose," Fairchild said "The house is yours, free and clear"
"The house," she one to Aaron But Aaron didn’t seem disturbed, didn’t seem to care
Was it an act?
You bastard, Marcus! Why didn’t you warn me?
"And, of course, Shiloh," Fairchild added "He felt that you and the horse shared so unique You’re free to keep Shiloh at the facility or build a barn at the house you’ve just inherited or on your own property There’s a lot of fine print here--but that’s what it rateful for his explanation She wasn’t sure she needed another house--but she did love the horse!
"What about Ho as we sometimes call him"
"What about him?"
"Deputy Vine asked if he could have him," Olivia said
Fairchild looked at his papers "Rescue anio froe No animal will be put to death or set into the hands of those ould euthanize said aniiven due consideration by the entire staff and should continue with ets Horeed?"
"Sure One less s in another," Drew said