by Debbie Burns
“No thanks. I’ve had my morning herbal tea,” Megan said. “Quitting caffeine wasn’t as hard as I feared it might be, though if I wasn’t brewing up a baby, I doubt that would be true.”
“Better you than me,” Kelsey joked as she headed into the back with Millie. She got the sweet-tempered golden set up in her run, remembering to put in her favorite chew toy, a worn stuffed animal monkey, then made a quick stop in the break room for a steaming mug of coffee.
It had been well after two in the morning the last time her sleepless self had looked at the clock before finally dozing off. No wonder she’d slept through her five-thirty alarm this morning.
She returned to the main room, sipping her coffee. “I meant to ask… With the expansion that’s planned, will there be room for a sofa or two? Because if that’s the case, I may never leave.”
Megan hadn’t moved from her spot on the floor against the wall. She smiled. “A sofa would be much nicer than those plastic chairs up front and much softer than this floor. But you’re right… We’d never go home. So, how’s ‘the op’ going?” she asked, making air quotes and referring to Kelsey’s comment yesterday afternoon about Kurt’s pragmatic solder-like views on the rehab.
“Oh, where to begin,” Kelsey said. She sank to the floor and scooted back to lean against the nearest adoption desk. “We haven’t had a floor date in eons.” Katrina, their resident three-legged cat, spotted Kelsey’s open lap and hopped down off the counter in front of the cat kennels where she’d been napping. After a quick stretch, Katrina claimed Kelsey’s lap and started to purr even before Kelsey began scratching next to her cheek. Plenty of cats like me fine, Kelsey thought, thinking of Mr. Longtail. “Remember that night we sat out here till midnight playing and cuddling with that abandoned litter of Saint Bernard puppies?”
“I was thinking of that the other day. They’ve got to be close to three years old now. We still get Christmas cards from some of their owners.”
“I remember reading some last year. Hey, did I tell you that Pepper’s definitely pregnant? She’s due in three or four weeks, Kurt’s guessing. Right around the time of your reception.”
“Aww. I don’t think there’s anything cuter than Rottweiler puppies with their portly little bodies and big heads.”
“I know. I can’t wait.”
“Hey, you bringing up the reception reminds me… Did you find a dress? I’m still happy to go shopping with you, if you’d like.”
“If you’ve got the time, that’d be great. My mom wants to go with me, but I don’t have to tell you how we’ll never agree. She won’t like anything that isn’t extravagant or full of sequins, and I won’t like anything that is. Thanks for inviting my parents, by the way. I’ve been meaning to tell you they got the invitation. That was nice.”
“Of course. I love your parents. And while your mom is awesome, I agree you probably shouldn’t go dress shopping together, unless it’s for a dress for her. A love of frills that runs that deep almost certainly has to skip a generation.”
Kelsey giggled. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married in two weeks.”
“Why ever not?” Megan smirked, patting her growing belly. “Because I only met my fiancé eight months ago? Or because I’m headed to the altar a solid six-months pregnant?”
Megan and Craig would be flying to a private island off the Georgia coast for their nuptials. Craig’s two kids—both of whom had spent enough time at the shelter that Kelsey felt confident saying they were truly spectacular kids—would be going with them. Megan’s mom, stepdad, and two younger half siblings would be there as well. Afterward, Megan and Craig were staying behind for a few days’ private honeymoon. Then, a day or two after the newlyweds returned home, there was going to be a large reception about an hour away in the Missouri wine country. They’d rented out a winery for the event and a few dozen rooms in a nearby inn for guests who wanted to stay overnight.
Before the rehab at the Sabrina Raven estate was even a thought in the wind, Kelsey had decided she’d like to stay overnight, thinking it would be a fun break. Now, she was wondering how she’d find the time to get away at all. She also thought of how she’d RSVP’d that she wouldn’t be bringing a guest. But now, after last night, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she should be bringing a date. But she hadn’t even known Kurt a week. Trying to imagine how their relationship might progress over the next several weeks was like trying to envision the true vastness of the oceans from the mere glimpses she’d had while standing on the beach.
“Funny, but none of the above,” she said in answer to Megan’s playful question. “It’s because eight months and one day ago, your life was one way and now it’s totally another, and it still suits you perfectly. Like a fairy tale almost. And look at all the good things that have happened since you two met. And it’s not just you and Craig and his family. The shelter’s undergone a complete turnaround because of you two.”
Megan gave a humble shrug as she scratched Chance’s belly. One of his back legs thumped the air rhythmically, matching the beat of her scratches. “I’m very blessed. I’ll give you that. If you want to know the truth, I was sitting here taking it all in. The baby did this whopping somersault when Chance barked as I walked in, like he or she knows how much I love this place. That’s what I was doing when you pulled up, sitting here with Chance being thankful.”
“And that’s why you deserve every good thing that’s happening to you.”
“It’s going to happen to you too, you know.”
Kelsey wasn’t positive her face flushed until Megan called her out on it.
“Kels, I can’t believe I missed it, but something’s up, isn’t it? Because all of a sudden you look like Chance when he’s eaten something he wasn’t supposed to but isn’t sure that we know yet.”
Kelsey giggled. “It’s that obvious, huh?”
“Totally. Was it Kurt? What am saying? It has to be Kurt. I saw those looks you were giving each other the day when the dogs arrived. And I’ve been on the other end of our phone conversations lately.”
Kelsey curled forward into a ball, pressing her forehead against the top of Katrina’s head. The curious cat twisted in her lap and started to lick Kelsey’s temple.
“I really like him, Megan,” she said, sitting upright again. “He’s so good with the dogs. And he’s sweet. He’s got the worst ADHD I’ve ever seen. Unless he’s focused on the dogs, which he’s incredible with, he pops around the house doing chores like a Ping-Pong ball. And he’s a really good person. He was raised by his grandparents. His mom was only sixteen when he was born, and he never even met his dad. And he’s seriously a dog whisperer, if I didn’t mention that already.”
Megan nodded slowly. “I can see why you’d be attracted to those qualities. The only thing you forgot was that he’s so hot, he’s smoking.”
Kelsey dragged her hands through her hair. “I’d like to say you get used to it, but I haven’t yet. I swear, it’s like my pulse is racing all day, and half the time I’m salivating. I’m not even kidding.”
“So, have you told him how you feel, or are you keeping all this to yourself?”
“What would I tell him?”
“A few of those things you just told me might be a good way to break the ice.”
“I think it’s already broken. I took him on a walking tour of South City last night. We got stuck out in a thunderstorm, and we ended up making out in a bus stop shelter.”
Megan pressed the flat of her hand against the floor. “Stop! You’re kidding! Why didn’t you break down the door starting with that?”
Kelsey shook her head, exasperated. “I was working up to it. Megan, what am I supposed to do? We work together. It’s going to be weird.”
“Weird? It’s going to be sexy as hell for you; that’s what it’s going to be.”
“I don’t know that though. Something could g
o wrong. A lot could go wrong. And then I’d still be stuck in the middle of a rehab with him.”
Megan lifted Chance off her lap and got up to join Kelsey. She sank beside her on the floor against the adoption desk, more awkwardly than normal because of her belly. “Kels, listen to me. You’re the best person I’ve ever seen when it comes to working with people. You have an easy confidence and kindness that pours off you. There’s no reason in the world that confidence shouldn’t extend into your relationships.”
“That’s different though.”
“Does it have to be?”
Kelsey chewed her lip, which was chapped from all of last night’s kissing. “What if everything goes wrong?”
“Are you hearing yourself, Kels? You’re the queen of positivity. Do yourself a favor, and let that positivity extend into your love life. You deserve it. What if everything goes right?”
Closing her eyes, Kelsey let her friend’s words sink in. Megan was right. Kelsey had worked hard to always see things in a positive light. She’d simply have to find a way to put aside her fear and doubt. “It’d be easier if he wasn’t so cute,” she said, voicing her fears. “If he was just average.”
“It might be easier, but would it be as fun? And give a pregnant lady a break, will you? The suspense is wearing on me. Details, please. Lots of them. Including how you guys left things.”
“You don’t even want to know,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes. “It was like a dream at first. Better than a dream. It was like a fantasy. It was just us and the night and a storm and a bus stop shelter. It went on, like, forever. My lips are actually raw. But kissing him was the best thing I’ve ever experienced. Absolutely, hands down, the best. He’s an amazing kisser, and he was knee-bucklingly seductive without being too handsy for a first kiss. Or at least a first series of kisses. But then this loud honking brought us back to reality. Awkwardly back to reality.”
“How so?”
“It was the MetroBus driver. It had practically stopped raining and the bus had pulled up, and all of a sudden we were being honked at. The driver wanted to know if we were ‘getting on or getting off,’ and it was so embarrassing. There weren’t that many people riding, but the ones who saw us applauded.”
Megan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “That’s not so bad, Kels. Look at the bright side. You’ve got one hell of a first-kiss story.”
“Maybe so, but wait till you hear what happened next. That was enough to stop the kissing, but we held hands the rest of the way back, and we laughed about how the driver had looked at us like we belonged in jail. But as we got closer to the house, all these thoughts kept racing through my head like ‘Do I sleep with him?’ and ‘If I do, will the same thing happen that happened with Steve?’ and stuff like that. It was so stressful. I didn’t know what to do.”
Megan nodded slowly. “And? What’d you decide?”
“Nothing. Everything fell apart from there. When we got back, the house had been vandalized. I know it was one of the protesters. It had to be. A brick had been thrown through the lower-right front window. There was a message tied to it, and the wording was too close to what they’d said that day we talked for it not to be them.”
“Those wicked people. What’d it say?”
“‘Creatures of the devil won’t find their heaven on earth. Euthanize now before it’s too late.’”
Megan gasped. “That’s horrible. That’s worse than horrible. There’s an implied threat.”
“I know. We called the police. Thankfully, Kurt had written down all the protesters’ license plates and the makes and models of their cars. Since it was only one window, I’m not sure how actively the police will pursue it. Yesterday, when the protesters didn’t show up, we thought maybe they were giving up. Now I think they’re just ready to play dirty. After putting a brick through the window, I doubt they’ll show up to protest today.”
Megan pressed her lips together. “Yeah, about that. You sounded like you were dealing with enough yesterday when you called. I didn’t want to add more stress. They didn’t show up there because they came here.”
“Oh shit.”
Megan nodded. “I know, Kels. It sucks, but they stayed next to the road. The police drove by several times. And the people who know us are really showing their support. It’s going to be okay.”
Kelsey let out a sigh like a deflating balloon. “I hope so. At least now I’m too worried about what kind of stink the protesters are going to cause here to worry about it being awkward around Kurt. Speaking of which, I’d better get going. He really needs me there to help with the feeding routine.” She gently scooted Katrina off her lap and stood up, then extended a hand for Megan. “We’re starting to work volunteers into the schedule so we’ll be able to give all the dogs a bit more time, which they desperately need. There are so many dogs you’re going to love when you get to know them, Megan.”
“I already do, from all the stories you’ve told.”
“Did I tell you I’m bringing Orzo today? A few of the dogs seem ready for phase two of ‘the op,’” Kelsey said, making air quotes.
Megan gave Kelsey a tight hug. “I love you, girl. And I know I’ve told you, but you’re rocking this. And as far as Kurt goes, my advice is to give it one day at a time. Eventually you’ll know if he’s worth the awesome love you have to offer.”
Kelsey rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m not sure if it’s hormones from that baby in your belly or what, but I swear you’re starting to sound like Oprah. But thanks. And as for the protesters, have you tried unleashing Patrick on them? Once he starts relaying stats, they won’t even know what hit them.”
Megan laughed. “Patrick. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
* * *
By the time Kurt spotted Kelsey’s bright-yellow Corolla pulling into the circular drive at eight o’clock, he was starting to feel a touch foggy-headed from lack of sleep. From his unbelievable experience with Kelsey to coming home to the threat and damage from the protesters, he’d been completely wired last night. He’d only managed to doze a couple hours before abandoning the idea of sleep entirely around four thirty, and that wouldn’t be enough to keep him going all day.
His early morning had been worth it though. He’d extracted the broken window and was the first patron through Home Depot’s doors at six that morning. He’d purchased five motion-sensor floodlights and a temporary single-hung window, as well as a few No Trespassing signs. He was wrapping up the installation of the floodlights when he spotted Kelsey’s car. He’d put four of the lights around the house and one on the garage.
Ida had walked over a little after seven with a fresh, wrapped-in-wax-paper bacon-and-egg sandwich that had tasted almost as good as Kelsey’s kiss. Ida had hung around for twenty minutes or so and watched Kurt work before heading home. She’d seen the police car on a trip to the bathroom last night and had been concerned. The kind old woman was troubled not to have witnessed the act of vandalism herself. She’d heard an unusually loud and quick eruption of barking as she was drifting to sleep just before nine. Kurt suspected it had happened then. But both his and Kelsey’s cars had been in the drive. How had the vandals known no one was here? Or had they not cared? Likely the power had still been out, and they’d assumed no one was inside.
Kurt gathered the empty cardboard packaging and dumped it into the outside recycling bin as Kelsey parked and turned off the ignition. He headed over to meet her, wondering if it would make things easier between them to kiss her as soon as she stepped from the car. It might, he thought, but it would also make it harder to focus on the dogs, and there were thirty-seven of them waiting inside, needing his and Kelsey’s undivided attention.
“Hey,” she said, glancing down before making eye contact.
The reason that she was quick to look past him to the house was nerves, he realized.
“Those floodlights are new, aren’t they
? I’ve never been able to get the exterior lights to work. It’s always been pitch-black out here after dark.”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. He still had the floodlights in the on position, and even in daylight, they were bright. “I just finished installing new ones. Cross your fingers they don’t overload that iffy circuit panel. So long as they don’t, I’m betting they’re effective. I texted Jim, your volunteer electrician, about coming out to have a look. He’s going to stop by later this afternoon. And Patrick texted. He’s coming out earlier today to work with Devil. He should be here by the time we’re done feeding. Or, as he put it, about ten minutes to ten.”
Kelsey grinned. “He’s a prompt one, our Patrick. And that’s awesome about the lights. But did you sleep at all?” Her delicate eyebrows knotted into peaks as she studied him, apparently past her earlier wave of shyness. “You’re getting dark circles under your eyes.”
“I’ll catch up tonight. Promise.”
“I hope so.”
She bit on the corner of her lip, calling his attention straight to her mouth. She didn’t seem to have a clue that she stirred him to life like a pharaoh that had been disentombed after a millennium of stillness. Or, for that matter, that by now there was hardly a surface of the house, porch, or yard where he hadn’t at least briefly imagined their bodies joining together.
Last night, she’d fit against him so perfectly. Her mouth was supple and yielding. Her skin, at the least the small bit he’d experienced, was like silk, and her curves churned what had previously been smoldering desire into an inferno.
