Rescued Heart

by Georgia Beers

  This was Lisa Drakemore’s life and she was fine with that.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Though April had come in on the heels of a very angry, windy, and unseasonably cold March, it leveled off and ended up being a rather pleasant month. By the third week, it was gorgeous out, which was perfect for the Pawsitively Spring Junebug Farms Fundraiser.

  It was always better when they could set part of the event up outside on the grounds. Better for many reasons, the two main being that A. it allowed the buildings to be less crowded. Fewer people milling around meant less stress on the animals. And B. it allowed the public to roam the grounds, get a good look at where its donations went, see what Junebug did for so many neglected, abused, and abandoned animals in the community. There was usually a bump in donations if people got up close and personal.

  Lisa was thrilled that the fundraisers were only four times a year, but even that could be a lot. They took a ton of organizing and careful planning and institution. She was not the head of fundraising (thank God for that), but she still ran around like a nut for most of each event.

  The vibration from her phone in her back pocket tugged at her attention, and she pulled it out. A text from her mother. With a roll of her eyes, she tucked the phone away without even reading.

  It was a lovely Sunday afternoon, too lovely to deal with that woman. The sun was a warm, bright ball in an electric blue sky. The temperatures hovered around sixty degrees, and the smell of spring combined with wet dirt, hay, and animals made for a scented atmosphere that Lisa adored. She was rarely happier than when she was outside on the Farms, in the sun, with people wandering and opening their wallets. She could see the three horses and two donkeys in the corral a hundred yards away. She could hear the goats bleating for more food from the families that surrounded their pen. And of course, the never-ending barking coming from both inside the building (the doors were propped open) and from the dog runs out back.

  “This is amazing!”

  Lisa turned to regard Ashley Stiles standing next to her, and the first thing Lisa noticed was that Ashley was hatless. Lisa didn’t think she’d ever seen the woman without a hat on, and her cascade of wavy blonde hair was a pleasant surprise. The sun glinted off it, highlighting different shades of gold. She was casually dressed in jeans and a soft-looking waffle-weave Henley in light blue, a white fleece vest serving as a jacket. A rectangular nametag was stuck to her chest, labeling her Ashley – Volunteer.

  “Is this your first fundraiser?” Lisa asked her.

  “It is. I had only just started volunteering when the New Year one happened, and I couldn’t make it.”

  “Well,” Lisa said, making a sweeping gesture with her arm. “Here it is. Welcome.”

  They stood side by side in silence, just watching. The vendor tents were sprinkled across the still-brown grounds like mini marshmallows floating in hot cocoa, their occupants all hawking their wares. Dog and cat food suppliers, a pet photographer, training classes, pet supply manufacturers. Donors and customers brought their own dogs with them and/or they were here to adopt, and people and animals milled about everywhere. It was impressive, the turnout, and Ashley said so.

  “We’ve done a good job promoting the fundraisers so that they’ve become a pretty well-known part of the community. We’ve got a great P.R. crew. Wait until we do the televised one.” Lisa glanced at her. “It’s crazy.”

  “I’ve watched it on TV before.”

  “Being there is a whole different ballgame. It’s sort of wild how it all comes together.”

  “When is it?”

  Lisa squinted up at the sky as she thought. “It changes all the time. Last year, it was in the fall. Sometimes, it’s in the spring. I’m not sure, I’d have to look it up.”

  “I’d like to be a bigger part of that, I think,” Ashley said and then yawned. Mortified, she covered her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

  Lisa’s chuckle seemed to put her at ease.

  “I’ve been here since six and I didn’t sleep very well last night.”

  Lisa knew exactly when she’d gotten there because Lisa had been there first. She was in charge of the volunteers and their assignments for the fundraiser. But Ashley was obviously embarrassed, if the color of her cheeks was any indication, so Lisa just smiled.

  “What can I do next?” Ashley asked, and her enthusiasm despite being tired was admirable.

  Gazing across the grass to her left, Lisa asked, “How do you feel about checking the food supply for the goats?”

  “Are you kidding? I love the goats.” And Ashley was off.

  Lisa watched her go, watched the gentle swing of her hips and the way the light breeze pushed all that hair off her shoulders. She watched her for a long moment before catching herself. Deciding she needed to check on the other volunteers, she gave her head a literal shake and moved off in the direction of the barns.

  ***

  How was it possible for one woman to smell so good all the time? Especially a woman who worked in a building filled with animals and animal feces and animal stink? Ashley couldn’t understand it. Nothing smelled better than standing next to Lisa Drakemore. It was a conclusion she’d come to in the last ten minutes. She smelled like… Ashley closed her eyes and inhaled, trying to take in any scent particles that might possibly remain in her nostrils. Vanilla? Lavender? Honey? Okay, so she smelled warm. Warm and comforting. And Ashley worked in a bakery, so that said a lot. Furrowing her brow as she thought, she found it disconcerting that she had no idea what Carly smelled like…

  “Excuse me.” Ashley’s daydream was interrupted by a young mother, who gestured to the gumball machine-type contraption that held the goat food. “How does this work?”

  Ashley smiled at the women and at the toddler next to her. “You want to feed the goats?” she asked the little girl, who nodded so enthusiastically her brown pigtails bobbed. “Okay, come here.” Ashley squatted down to be at eye level with the girl, then looked up at the mother. “Do you have a quarter?” The woman handed it over and Ashley took a Dixie cup from the holder. “Okay. You hold this.” She put the cup in the little girl’s hand and then situated it under the machine’s opening. “Right here. Don’t move it. Okay? You got it?” The girl nodded some more and Ashley deposited the quarter, then turned the knob. Dry kibble fell into the cup and the girl giggled delightedly. “That’s all there is to it. Now if you go over there,” she said as she pointed toward the side of the pen. “My friend Tammy will show you how to feed them the right way. Okay?”

  The mother smiled and thanked Ashley, then the two were on their way. Ashley pushed herself through the crowd to head back toward the building, and a sense of pride washed over her and she took in her surroundings. The vendor tents, the dogs running agility near the barn, the swarms of people and leashed pets. It was all kind of amazing, and though she was simply a volunteer, Ashley felt warm and happy to be a part of it all.

  Her attention was focused on a couple with two Westies on leashes, and she wasn’t watching where she was walking…which became clear when she ran smack dab into a rock solid chest.

  Strong hands closed around her upper arms and kept her from falling. “Whoa! Careful there,” said a deep male voice.

  “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry,” Ashley said, trying to right herself. She looked up into cool blue eyes smiling at her.

  “It’s no problem at all. I’m glad I caught you.” His grin was wide and friendly enough, but Ashley felt a weird tingle run up her spine as she tried to place his familiar face. “It’s not every day I run into a beautiful woman.”

  Ashley felt herself blush. “Thanks.” She moved to go around him, but his grip tightened just slightly.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said.

  “Oh. No, we haven’t.” Ashley purposely took a step back, which forced him to either let go of her arms or follow her. He did the former and she held out her hand. “Ashley Stiles. I volunteer here.”

  His large hand engulfed h
ers and held on. “Clark Breckenridge.”

  The name instantly sent bells clanging in Ashley’s head, as the Breckenridge family donated huge amounts of money to Junebug Farms each year as well as other local charities. She immediately changed her entire demeanor, not wanting to do anything to annoy him. “Oh, Mr. Breckenridge. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  He lowered his voice and leaned toward her conspiratorially. “Don’t believe what they say. I’m really a nice guy.”

  She chuckled as she was expected to and took another subtle step away, a little weirded out by his closeness, putting more space between them. “We’re having such a great turnout, aren’t we? Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “I am now,” he told her, a gleam in his eye.

  Ashley broke into a nervous sweat and was trying to figure out how to extricate herself from Breckenridge’s cloying company when an unfamiliar voice reached her ears.

  “Clark. There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you charming the socks off our volunteers again?” The woman had a gorgeous smile, a small dimple appearing on her left cheek. She was tall and looked out of place in her business attire. Her navy blue pantsuit was pristine and the white blouse with blue pinstripes was crisp and bright. She had chestnut brown hair in a French braid, and behind the black-rimmed glasses were startlingly blue eyes. “I have a few board members who really want to meet you.” To Ashley she said, “You don’t mind if I borrow him, do you?” Without waiting for a response, she tucked her hand into Clark’s elbow and gently led him away, tossing a wink over her shoulder at Ashley.

  “Who the hell was that and what the hell just happened?” Ashley said aloud softly.

  “That was Catherine Gardner and I’d say she just rescued you from the lecherous Clark Breckenridge.” Jason Reed tossed his head, a habit Ashley had noticed he’d developed to keep his sandy, too-long hair out of his eyes. He was young—Ashley put him at around eighteen—and had been volunteering at Junebug since a project he did for a class his sophomore year. He was sweet, a little geeky, and a senior in high school. Ashley liked him very much.

  “Who is Catherine Gardner?”

  “She’s the accountant here. She keeps the books, tallies the donations. She’s the money chick.” He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose with a finger.

  “I’ve never met her.”

  “She’s got a big office in the back and she’s there most of the time. That’s probably why you don’t see her.” Jason met Ashley’s gaze and shifted from one foot to another as he added, almost as an afterthought, “She’s my aunt.”

  Ashley raised her eyebrows in surprise.

  “She’s my mom’s sister.” Jason was a good six inches taller than Ashley and he gazed off over her head now. “She tries to keep an eye on Breckenridge. He just…he’s kind of pushy and he thinks the size of his checkbook should get him whatever he wants.” His eyes met hers again as he gave a little shrug. “He’s usually right.” Before Ashley had time to be insulted by the insinuation, Jason said, “Looks like Jamie needs me. Later.” And he was off. Ashley followed his line of sight to see Jamie O’Connor, one of the dog trainers, waving her arm from the agility course. Jason’s volunteer time often coincided with Jamie’s hours and he was terrific with the dogs. Ashley had watched more than one training class.

  The rest of the day flew by and by six o’clock, most of the attendees had gone home. The vendors were closing up shop, packing their wares and their literature. Bill would take down their tents tomorrow. The goats in the pen were all lying down, likely exhausted from all the attention and the constant eating. Even the dogs in the dog wing seemed more subdued than usual. The air had chilled a bit, and Ashley had traded her vest for her gray Junebug Farms hoodie an hour ago. Now, she headed inside the building to see if anything else had to be done before she left. She was exhausted and if she didn’t eat something soon, she was pretty sure she’d keel over.

  A handful of people milled around inside, but not many. The doors to Paws and Whiskers were closed, but Maggie Simon was visible through the glass calculating her sales. Bill Tracey was mopping the floor in front of the windowed cat display. Ashley waved to him as she went by. A glance through the window of the closed door to what Ashley knew was the conference room told her that Catherine Gardner and Clark Breckenridge were in there. She hurried past and pushed through the doors to the dog wing.

  Lisa sat at her desk, head down, fingers poking at letters on a keyboard, and Ashley slowed her pace so as not to disturb her. She was a few feet away when Lisa looked up.

  “Hi,” Ashley said, giving a little wave. “Didn’t mean to bother you.”

  “No problem.”

  “Do you need me to do anything else before I go?”

  With a shake of her head, Lisa said, “Nope. I think we’re good.” She paused, then surprised Ashley by asking a question. “Want to hear something cool?”

  Ashley grinned, surprised by the friendly tone in Lisa’s usually professional, detached voice. “Always.”

  “Eight dogs were adopted today. And fifteen cats.”

  Ashley’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  “It really is.”

  Lisa looked different to Ashley somehow, and she tried hard to put her finger on it. Something about her was…more relaxed? Maybe that was it. And the fact that the corners of her mouth were actually turned up slightly gave her face an entirely different look. A nice one. But when no other words came, it was clear to Ashley that the conversation was over, and she moved on past Lisa’s desk to the employee break room and her locker.

  Well, there was a smile and what could be considered a conversation, albeit a tiny one. Twice today. Progress! Ashley grinned as she retrieved her belongings and headed back out, tossing a wave to Lisa. Who didn’t look up from her desk.

  Inside her car in the Junebug Farms parking lot, Ashley checked her cell. Three texts from three different friends reminded her they were all meeting out at Sling at seven for Mo’s birthday, and a fourth from her best friend, Jenna, that said simply, “You had BETTER be here.” Ashley was beat and really just wanted to go home, but she also wanted to see her friends and not incur the wrath of Jenna. Before she could second-guess her decision, she texted that she’d be there and to order her a cheeseburger before she fainted from hunger. Then she put away her phone, shifted her car into gear, and hit the stereo, Rihanna singing to her as she drove.

  ***

  Sling was a gay-owned bar and restaurant that had done surprisingly well for itself, given the unimpressive track record of previous gay-owned establishments in the area. The décor was urban contemporary, with a restaurant and bar downstairs, and a second bar and a dance floor one flight up. The food was decent, the drink prices reasonable, and the atmosphere welcoming. As tired as she was, Ashley was happy to be there, even on a Sunday night. Apparently, her friends were just as happy to see her, as a cheer went up the second she walked through the door.

  A large, rectangular table was set up against a wall and nearly a dozen of Ashley’s friends and acquaintances were seated around it. Balloons in a rainbow of colors bobbed in the breeze of passersby, their red ribbons tethered to the head chair where the birthday girl sat. Ashley headed in that direction.

  “Happy birthday, Mo-Mo,” she said as she hugged her friend. “Thirty’s a big year, you know. No more screwing around. Or so I hear.” She grinned at Mo’s “ppfffftttt” and gave her an additional squeeze.

  “Carly saved you a seat,” Mo said to her, then waggled her eyebrows. Ashley playfully slapped the bill of the Birthday Girl hat she wore.

  “You made it,” Jenna said by way of greeting as Ashley took the chair in between her and Carly where a cheeseburger waited for her. Jenna bumped Ashley with her shoulder and grinned. “Good to see you, Ash-hole.”

  “Hey, cutie,” Carly said as Ashley turned to her. She stret
ched her arm possessively across the back of Ashley’s chair, used that hand to rub her shoulder gently. The table was a bit rowdy, so she had to lean close to Ashley’s ear to be heard. “How did today go?”

  “Really well,” Ashley said, meeting the brown-eyed gaze. “There were a ton of people and almost two dozen animals were adopted.”

  “Really? That’s fantastic.” Carly leaned in and kissed Ashley quickly on the mouth. “Good for you.”

  As was her usual reaction, Ashley was momentarily startled by the move and forced a smile onto her face. She had been seeing Carly for a few weeks now, and the overall consensus was that they were great together. Carly was cute, kind, and fun…and she made it abundantly clear that she was beyond attracted to Ashley. That was something Ashley hadn’t felt in a long time, and she liked it. So shoot me. She knew all she had to do was tell Carly she wanted to be exclusive and it would happen. They would be girlfriends. There was no reason not to be. No reason at all.

  Pulling herself out of her head, she took a bite of her burger and turned her attention to the table, to her friends—some of whom she’d known since college, some of whom she’d only met in the past year or so—and three women she’d barely laid eyes on before. Jenna was the only one she knew from her elementary school days; they’d been best friends since the sixth grade. Introductions went around and Ashley smiled and waved and shook the hands of those she could reach.

  “Are you two together?” one of the newbies asked, using a finger to circle around Ashley and Carly.

  “Oh, well…” Ashley said.

  “Pretty much, yeah,” Carly said at the same time. They glanced at each other and laughed, though Ashley’s laugh was nervous and Carly’s seemed uncertain.

  “We’re very new,” Ashley said to the newbie (Chrissy? Christy?). “Still working it out.”