by Ronica Black
Valerie gave her a smirk and walked away. Kassandra rolled her eyes. She’d do the cleanup, but it would have to wait until after kindergarten. The longer she spent at the school, the more she found herself growing unhappy. She thought again about moving on, but when she thought of changing schools and starting over again, she felt defeated and overwhelmed. And if she were really being honest, she was growing tired of the library.
She collapsed in her chair and rested her head in her hands. She thought again of Jayden and the news reporter. Did they know each other? What did the hand on the knee mean? Anything? And most importantly, why in the world was it bothering her so much?
She turned on her computer and checked the news and weather, waiting for the meeting to start. It was useless to delve into work until she knew she could. But soon, as the principal began talking about testing and performance, she began to do little things, like organizing and readying the kindergarten checkout cards. The little ones were too young to spell their names or remember their number code. She worked quietly, not wanting to be rude while the principal spoke, but the meeting really didn’t pertain to her and she was irritable about Jayden. She couldn’t shake it from her mind, and she decided that even though today wasn’t her day to volunteer, she’d show up anyway and try to get the scoop on the interview. That idea seemed to calm her a bit, but the anxiety of what she might learn began to eat away at her.
She rubbed tired eyes, not having slept well once again. Lula was doing well and the condo was secure with new top-of-the-line locks, but she still didn’t feel safe and she felt ridiculous in sharing her feelings about it. Her friends wanted her to get the security system, but considering doing so did little to ease her thoughts about some strange man having her intimate garments. The meaning behind that could not be good, and it gave her chills along her arms and spine when she thought about it. In fact, she’d started taking her garbage out in the daylight, checking her mail before the sun set. She even installed motion lights on the patios. And some nights, when they came on, she couldn’t bear to look and she couldn’t bring herself to sleep. But no one knew and she wasn’t sure how they’d react if they did.
Secretly, she wished Jayden would bring it up again and maybe even offer to talk to her on the phone every night. But in reality, she’d probably just offer Dax again, and Kassandra wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to owe anyone for anything, and she knew, just knew, she’d fall in love with Dax and want to keep him. Lula, no doubt, would not approve.
“Kassandra?” Kassandra turned to find one of the teachers whispering over the tall counter. “Can you go heat up my coffee? It’s cold and I can’t leave the meeting.” Kassandra stared at her in disbelief. She rewound the request in her head. Really?
But she tightened her jaw, took the cup, and headed for the lounge. So far the day was just going fabulously. Did she have step on me written on her forehead? She tried to be kind, do her work, and lay low. But apparently, others were seeing that differently, and they were trying to take advantage. She thought briefly about dumping the cup and sitting in the lounge until the meeting was over. But Valerie watched her like a hawk, though she had no idea why. She heated the coffee only a little and brought it back. The teacher, whose name she never cared to learn, was off laughing and talking. It seemed the meeting had changed tone. What was she supposed to do with the coffee? Serve her? Kassandra placed it on the counter and hoped like hell it would be frigid by the time she came for it.
She was now in no mood to be so nice. She sat and signed in to the library system and checked her email. More work requests from her boss. More things to organize, oversee, and put into practice. Usually she didn’t mind the busywork, but the day had turned dark and she knew she needed to get her mind off work, off people, and off her break-in. The world, it seemed, was just stomping all over her. And it wasn’t even first period yet.
How was she going to make it through this day?
The teacher sipped her coffee and made a face. She opened her mouth to speak to Kassandra but then seemed to change her mind. Kassandra smiled at her, daring her.
“Would you mind dumping this out for me?” the teacher said.
Kassandra grabbed a stack of books for the kindergarteners. She walked past her quickly.
“You know where the sink is.”
She didn’t stop and wait for her response. Instead she busied herself setting up as teachers socialized around her. As she worked she caught sight of two aisles with books strewn on the floor. She wanted to stop and scream. The various meetings held after school brought different groups to meet in the library. And it seemed no one cared if their child ransacked the place. Kassandra sighed. She didn’t have time to reshelve before the little ones arrived. Teachers lingered, she saw the kindergarten students at the door as the bell rang. She welcomed them in and problem-solved by choosing three students to help her stand the books up. The rest of the class sat quietly, hoping they’d get chosen for something as well.
“Thank you, guys,” she said as she rounded the tables and sat in her reading chair. The kids she’d chosen finished standing their books up and sat. And then, as Kassandra began reading from Pete the Cat, the books fell in a line around the table like dominos. Closing her eyes as the kids laughed and pointed, she prayed for the day to end as painlessly as possible. But she knew it was wishful thinking.
Chapter Fourteen
The lobby in Angel’s Wings was packed. People sat, stood, and paced, anxious for a chance to get a look at the available dogs. Jayden hurriedly instructed a volunteer to open the side gate to lead them through to the kennels. She lowered her handheld radio and turned to find more people at the processing desks, their chosen dogs on leashes or sitting in their laps. Small children hopped happily up and down or ran around in small circles. The phones rang off the hook, many having to go to voice mail.
Jayden had almost every staff member on hand, and things were still overwhelming. So far they’d adopted out twenty dogs, and the numbers were only that low because a handful of her staff had to go out and do home checks first. She had been on five. And so far, they’d only had to turn down one person because her apartment was too small for a big dog. Jayden found her a Chihuahua named Juan Pablo instead, so in the end it was a success.
She’d expected the day to be crazy. Even the next couple of weeks. But the sudden rush of business never failed to surprise her or leave her nearly breathless as she somehow pushed through it. She turned back to the lobby as people filed out, following the volunteer to the kennels. Amongst the mass of people, a blond head peeked and bobbed, struggling to come inside. Jayden smiled as Kassandra finally made it through, sunglasses crooked, a small stain on her blouse, and a tousled look to her normally impeccable hair. She sighed with obvious frustration as she tugged off her glasses.
“Rough day?” Jayden asked, leaning on the counter.
Kassandra looked up in surprise. “Huh? Yes. You have no idea.”
“Oh, I couldn’t imagine,” Jayden said with a smile.
Kassandra returned it. “Yeah, I guess not. You don’t seem to be busy at all.”
“Us? Nah. It’s been slow.”
She opened the swinging door for her and Kassandra crossed through.
“I wasn’t expecting you today,” Jayden said.
Kassandra placed her glasses in her purse. “I, uh, saw your interview this morning and I figured you could use the help.”
Jayden stared at her flushed cheeks, her smeared eye makeup. Had she been crying? Or maybe sweating? Either way, she looked like she’d seen way better days. “I appreciate that,” she said. “And I have just the thing for you.” She led the way through the office and into the warehouse. “I had two swamp coolers installed,” she said. “So it’s much cooler in here now.” She smiled. “That way we can work with the dogs in here when it’s hot.”
“Good idea,” Kassandra said.
Jayden motioned for her to follow. They entered the medical room and Jayde
n crossed to a large kennel in the corner covered by a sheet. “We got these guys today. The family couldn’t keep them due to their HOA.” She gently removed the sheet to expose a small gray pit bull nursing five puppies. They squirmed for better position and made little whining noises. Kassandra knelt, hand over her mouth.
“They are adorable.”
“Mom’s a little nervous, as you can imagine. She’s also very protective. We haven’t been able to get her to eat or drink, so I was hoping you could give it a try. She needs to stay strong for her pups.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Oh God, I can smell the puppy smell. I so need the puppy smell after the day I’ve had.”
Jayden knelt next to her. “You okay?”
Kassandra wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I’m fine.”
“Just one of those days?”
“Unfortunately.”
They stood. Kassandra finally looked at her, but only for the briefest of moments. “Your interview looked like it went well.”
Jayden nodded. “It did. We’ve been swamped since opening.”
“That reporter,” Kassandra said. “She nice?”
“Maureen? Yes, she was very nice. She actually adopted from us not too long ago.”
“Oh?”
Jayden cocked her head. “Why are you asking?”
Kassandra walked to the deep sink to wash her hands. “No reason.”
Jayden folded her arms over her chest in thought. She wasn’t about to tell her that Maureen had called her later in the morning to ask her to dinner. Or that Jayden had flatly turned her down after she’d placed her hand on her leg during the interview. It had been more than a friendly gesture, and as soon as the word “Cut” was said, her hand had lightly traveled upward to her thigh, accompanied by a wink.
Jayden didn’t tell her these things because she’d sworn to keep her love life separate from her business relationship with Kassandra. She didn’t want anything at all upsetting her, but it seemed this situation had somehow already done so.
“Something wrong?” Jayden asked.
Kassandra dried her hands. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just wondered if you two knew each other prior to today.”
“No, we didn’t.”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
“She just seemed a little friendly toward you.”
Jayden blinked in confusion. “Why would that matter?”
“It doesn’t,” Kassandra said quickly. “I just, you know, wondered.”
Jayden shook her head as Kassandra snapped on latex gloves and retrieved the wet and dry food from the cabinet. She then grabbed a clean bowl and a large spoon and began mixing the two together.
“Kassandra, I’m confused. I thought we agreed not to talk about things like this. I thought it made you uncomfortable.”
She stirred in silence. “We agreed you wouldn’t hit on me.”
“Oh, right. But my love life, as long as it doesn’t concern you, is free game?”
“Love life?” Kassandra looked up, face frozen with shock. “So you do like her?”
Jayden felt like she was falling with nothing to grab on to. The conversation was a black hole, sucking her in and spinning her about. Who knew what realm it would spit her out into.
“You want to know if I like her? Why?”
Kassandra shrugged and refocused on the food, putting it away. “I thought we were friends. And that woman, Maureen, seemed to really like you.”
Jayden fell silent. She had no idea what was happening or what it meant. If anything,
“And that comment stung,” Kassandra said. “Just so you know.”
Jayden sighed. “I’m just confused, Kassandra.” She lowered her arms. “But you’re right. We are friends. And if you want to talk about our personal lives, I guess it’s okay as long as you’re okay with it, too.”
Kassandra looked at her, the shock gone. But now something else was in its place. Fear.
“Oh, I don’t know. Now that you put it that way…”
“Quid pro quo, Kassandra.”
“I know, I know.” She exhaled heavily. “Fine. Deal.”
Jayden grinned. “What do you want to know? If I like her? The answer is no.”
“But she likes you?”
“Yes.” Kassandra seemed crestfallen, and her reaction sparked a flame inside Jayden. “Does that bother you?”
“What? No. I just suspected.”
“I’m not interested,” Jayden said. “If that means anything to you.” She felt the corner of her mouth lift as she watched Kassandra squirm in place like one of the puppies. “What about you? Anyone interesting in your life?”
“Me? No. I mean I get asked out, but no, no one I’m interested in.”
They stood in silence and the puppies grew louder as their mother stood, nose sniffing the air.
“Looks like she’s ready to eat,” Jayden said. “I’ll leave you to it.” She smiled again and crossed to the door. She gave Kassandra one last curious look and pushed out the door. The day was turning out to be very interesting indeed.
Chapter Fifteen
Kassandra reentered the medical room with the mother pit bull tugging on her leash.
“Easy, girl. They’re right there.” She led her to the kennel and opened it, allowing the dog entry. Kassandra closed the door and made sure she settled down comfortably, all five puppies accounted for. They squeaked and squirmed, battling for a nipple. The mother licked each one as if counting them.
Kassandra had spent most of her time with them, caring mostly for the mother. And when she hadn’t been doing that, she’d been tailing Gus and Billy as they rushed around the property, doing what needed to be done for a successful close to the day. Kassandra was still in awe at just how many people came out wanting to adopt. Two families even fought over the small poodle she’d been working with. But Jayden had stepped in calmly and worked it out. She gave the dog, Cookie, to the family with older kids because she was so timid. It had been the right move, and Kassandra had warmed at how gracefully she’d handled it. Letting them all know it wasn’t about them, it was about Cookie and what was best for her. And then Jayden had introduced the remaining family to a boxer named Bullet. They hadn’t originally wanted a big dog, but they had the room and the kids were young and spunky. Perfect for Bullet’s energy level. He’d even saturated the kids with kisses upon introduction. With that family happy, Jayden had gone off personally to do the home check. And Kassandra had walked the mother pit bull one last time as the sun set.
“I’m out, Ms. H.,” Gus said, as they entered the office. He gave her a half hug and turned his ball cap backward to wipe sweat from his brow.
Kassandra waved and whispered good night in return. He said good-bye to the remaining staff members and disappeared behind the counter. The office was quiet, save for one last family sitting at Allie’s desk, filling out information. Kassandra found Jayden at her own desk, head in hands, an exhausted look on her face.
“How’s Mama and the pups?” she asked, rubbing her cheeks. She had a fresh tan line around her eyes from her sunglasses.
Kassandra sat, her feet hurting from the few hours she’d worked. She couldn’t imagine how Jayden and the other full-time staff felt. “She’s fine. Really warming up.”
“Good.”
Jayden removed her radio and placed it in the charger on her desk. She opened the bottle of water next to it and nearly downed the whole thing. Kassandra looked away as drops fell down into the collar of her polo. She knew she should leave, that there was nothing left for her to do, but she remained sitting as if waiting for something.
Barking came from Jayden’s hip and she halfheartedly plucked out her cell phone and answered.
“Brad, man, tell me it’s good news.”
But her face fell and then tightened with concern. “Where?” Suddenly, she came alive as if a bolt of lightning had struck her with much-needed nutrients and energy. She stood and fumbled for her keys. “I’ll be right there.
” She shoved her phone in her pocket and retrieved more water from the small fridge. She looked at Kassandra. “You up for a rescue?”
“A rescue?” Kassandra watched as she gathered a medical bag and a black duffel that she stuffed the water bottles in.
“There’s a dog injured along Northern in west Phoenix. My friend Brad got the call, but he can’t get him and he doesn’t want to chase him farther out into the desert.”
Kassandra stood, suddenly revived herself. “Okay, sure. If you think I can help.”
Jayden headed out with Kassandra hot on her heels. They nearly ran across the parking area to a deep red Toyota truck jacked up on rugged-looking tires. Jayden unlocked the doors, tossed the bags in the extended cab, and climbed in. Kassandra did the same and settled into the passenger seat. She noted the GPS, the flat screen, and the radio perched in a charger. Jayden started the engine and peeled out.
“I thought you drove the dually with the air-cooled kennels in the back?” Kassandra asked.
“I usually do. But on desert runs, I have to take this. It maneuvers better.” She reached up and pressed a button and Kassandra heard a line ringing. A man answered.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“Just left the rescue. How’s our guy?”
“I’ve stopped the chase. For now, he’s staying within sight.”
“How bad’s the traffic?”
“Off and on. We’re at two lanes and it should slow now that rush hour is over.”
“Can you tell how bad he’s hurt?”
“It’s his right hind leg. Looks swollen.”
“Any blood?”
