Rory’s Rose

by Dale Mayer

  “Absolutely. No way would Flynn and Anna leave Louise in trouble like this. Not if they want to continue getting her assistance. Another break-in could shut her down, if not permanently, at least temporarily.”

  Rory winced. “True enough. Can you call him? Let’s get all our information ready, so we can talk to her at lunch.”

  Logan nodded. “You call Ice, and I’ll call Flynn.”

  Rory rolled his eyes at that. He definitely wasn’t getting the easy part of the bargain. On the other hand, he believed in what he was fighting for, and that made all the difference. He pulled out his phone once again, flicked the password swipe to the side and clicked on the office number. When Ice answered, he said, “We need to talk.”

  Chapter 5

  Louise knew she was lucky to already know Levi and Ice. That they were helping her through this was huge. She’d wondered about asking Flynn for a favor but didn’t like how she felt as if she were now calling in her marker. Because that wasn’t who she was. She truly believed in service to others. In her case particularly service to animals. She’d help any animal in need. People, well, not so much. But sometimes the two went hand in hand.

  There was a knock on her open door. She looked up to see the two men standing in front of her. “Is it lunchtime already?”

  “No, it’s past lunch. You ran late.”

  She glanced at her watch and leaned back with a tired smile and said, “That happens a lot.”

  But the men looked like they were on a mission. Rory almost bounced with good news. She eyed them suspiciously. “What are you looking so happy about?” she demanded.

  Both men grinned. “We just expanded Levi’s business model for him.”

  She leaned forward. “What?”

  Logan chuckled. “Well, they already handle the security for Anna and Flynn’s place.”

  She turned her gaze from one to the other. “They do? I didn’t think Levi and Ice were in the security system business.”

  “They’re already in the security industry,” Rory said.

  Right. Of course they were. She nodded as if she understood.

  Rory chuckled, obviously not taken in. “They handle security for people, families, companies and governments all over the world,” he said by way of a short explanation. “But that can fall under many different umbrellas.”

  That still didn’t make a ton of sense to her, but she knew whatever they did was big. In her mind, she likened them to a secret government operation. She knew they had no affiliations with the government, but she had heard rumors that Levi and Ice maintained lots of relationships there. And not just within their government but many others. “What does this have to do with me?” she asked.

  “We suggested to Levi that he consider putting your place under his same security umbrella. And, after speaking with your security company tech, we can do a much more comprehensive job for less money.”

  She sat back and stared. “Is that possible?” Inside her joy and relief dominated because she knew her clinic, and all those in it, would be safe. As a solution to her current problems, that would be huge. Levi was a pro and could look after her place at a whole new level. He wasn’t just offering the residential crap, which she began to understand most affordable security systems were. He really took the whole process seriously. Her new system would be on steroids. At that reminder, she winced inwardly. “Wouldn’t that be very expensive?” she asked cautiously. “I don’t have the money for this. And you guys do seem to like the best of the best when it comes to equipment.”

  “Levi knows that,” Logan said. “Of course they can’t do this for free.”

  She snorted. “You think? Neither can I.”

  “You do a lot of free things for Anna and Flynn.”

  She frowned, not liking it brought up. “How do you know that?”

  Logan rolled his eyes.

  “Okay. So I help out sometimes with different animals.” She shrugged in irritation. “It’s hard to get funding for places like Anna’s, and the animals need treatment. Plus we would be overrun with puppies and kittens if somebody didn’t help,” she exclaimed, trying to rein in her emotions. Her tone was irritable, defensive, even though she tried hard not to let it be. It was an old beef with her. People had enough money to buy fancy coffees every day of the month but argued about handing over five bucks toward fixing a cat or feeding a kitten.

  “We understand that. It’s a fact. Levi also does a lot of pro bono work.”

  “I’m pretty sure the price they’re charging me already counts as pro bono work,” she said in disgust. “I can’t ask them to help anymore.”

  “Oh, you’d be paying,” Rory said. “But Ice put together a proposal that’s pretty much the same as what you’re paying now. Only you’d be getting much better equipment, a much higher level of security and, of course, Levi and Ice as backup.”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  Logan took up the story. By the time they explained everything they had planned for her physical upgrade and then compared the coverage offered by the old system to the new services she’d receive on a monthly basis, she was gobsmacked to discover the price they estimated was nearly the same as she paid currently. Of course that was without a confirmation from Ice. She turned on her computer, flicked through the files, bringing up her security folder containing the current contract and invoices.

  “Are you sure this isn’t a charity job?” she asked, frowning as she studied the figures in front of her. “I’m paying a bit less than that right now, but, as you obviously know, it’s a pretty crappy system.”

  “It is. Levi will send you a new quote to upgrade your system to what you should have, according to him. Then you’ll need the quote from your current company to make an informed decision.”

  An email from Levi popped into her inbox. “It’s here now. Just a sec.”

  She took a look, read the few itemized issues, one of which was simply equipment, and the other was the ongoing monthly service fee. The total was only a little more than what she currently paid and was very close to the estimate Rory had given her. She glanced back at the rough estimate from her current company, and her eyebrows rose. “Well, I can tell you right now that I can’t afford what my current company wants,” she exclaimed. “How is it Ice and Levi can do it for less?”

  “Because they know what they’re doing for one. If you’re up for it, we’ll get started today.”

  She looked at Rory. “That fast?”

  The two men gave her a droll look. “It’s what we do.”

  She thought back to the original installation and hookups. It took them a week to just show up. It could be a really good thing having Levi and Ice handle her system. She smiled and said, “As long as that figure is good, I’m all for it.”

  “Then call her,” Rory urged. “Do it now, and then we can get this done and in place.”

  “Completed this afternoon?”

  Both men shook their heads. “No, but we could have it set up by the end of tomorrow. It depends on the equipment. We could be short a few connections. We will have to see what else we need that Levi doesn’t already have on hand.”

  It was all over her head as she listened to them talk about it. She was already reaching for her cell phone. She called Ice and said, “Are you sure about this? It seems awfully cheap.”

  Ice’s beautiful laughter rippled through the phone. “Glad to hear you think that. Does that mean it’s a yes?”

  “Are you sure you want to do this open-ended?”

  “I was thinking of a trial. How about one year? Then we can sit down and reevaluate.”

  “Perfect,” Louise said with a big smile. “That at least gets me out of this trouble. Let’s go ahead and do it.”

  “Good. Tell the men to come home. No, wait.” Ice stopped and was silent for a moment. “Send Logan home. He can collect the equipment. Rory should stay right now. I’ve asked the sheriff’s office to circle by there several times during the day a
nd the night too.”

  “Will do.”

  Beaming, she turned to the men and said, “Logan, you are to go home. Rory, you are to stay here. Deputies to do more drive-bys.”

  Both men nodded. “That’s what we expected.”

  Logan turned away, saying, “I’ll be back as soon as I collect what we need.”

  Rory looked at Louise. “You didn’t bring lunch, and you didn’t have any pizza for breakfast. What do you plan on doing about food?”

  Instantly half of her good feelings fell away. “You’re not my babysitter.”

  His eyebrows shot upward. “The hell I’m not. Right now, and particularly until we get this system set up, you’re as vulnerable as anybody can be.”

  Her heart sank as she stared out the window. “I could go somewhere for lunch, but nothing close by appeals.”

  “There’s a good family restaurant not that far away,” he suggested. “Let’s go.”

  “You don’t have to go with me,” she protested. It was kind of odd to have somebody like him around all the time. Reassuring but also … odd.

  He just shook his head but stood stalwart in front of her.

  With a heavy sigh, she stood. “Let me check when my next patient is. We have to be back for that.”

  He walked with her to the reception area. They had an hour and fifteen minutes. “Good. That’s enough time to get you some real food.” Taking her arm, he ushered her out the front door and into his truck.

  With a heavy sigh, she sat down in the front seat. “I hadn’t realized how tired I am,” she admitted.

  “Fatigue is worse when you don’t eat,” he said gently. “You should know that from the animals. Just sit back and relax. Close your eyes. We will be there in a few minutes.”

  She let her eyes slide closed as her emotions settled into a more balanced and calm place as her earlier stresses about illegal drugs, killers, break-ins and her lack of money swept away. So much had gone on during the last twenty-four hours. She was amazed at the speed of all the events, and, at the same time, she was overwhelmed with Levi and Ice’s generosity. She didn’t know how she would repay them. That worry pounded away in the back of her head. They were good people, but they shouldn’t be picking up the tab for her.

  Beside her Rory murmured, “The idea of closing your eyes is to rest, not to sit there and fuss.”

  She rolled her head sideways toward him and said, “How did you know I wasn’t napping?”

  He took a hand off the wheel and covered hers. And that was when she realized her fists were clenched together. She stared down at them, easing up her hold and said, “I’m not used to taking charity.”

  He laughed. “You’re not used to asking for help when you need it either, are you?”

  She frowned. “I haven’t had to do much of that.”

  “Then you’re lucky,” he said. “Not everybody has that option. We all need help sometime. So accept it gracefully, and let’s get this dealt with.”

  She smiled. “Are you always so pragmatic?”

  “I’m a realist. Shit happens. We don’t always have a shovel to clean it up. We do the best we can until we can get one.”

  At that she burst out laughing. “Well, this is definitely a shit storm.”

  “Hey, if we’re lucky, the worst has already passed.”

  “Amen to that.”

  He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.

  “I wonder if anything here won’t kill my arteries?” she asked.

  “There sure is, and, even if there wasn’t, you need energy, and you need carbs. There is a time to worry about your arteries and a time not to worry about them,” he said. “Remember, Doc. You’ve got to pick your fights.”

  She laughed. “You’re good for me.”

  He chuckled. “I absolutely am. Now remember that as we start working together.”

  “What? You mean I’ll see you even more than I do now?”

  “Yep. I’ll be in your face for the next day or so.”

  *

  Rory opened the truck door for her and helped her out. She looked at him in surprise. He shrugged. “My mother raised me to be a gentleman.”

  She chuckled. “Good for your mother. It’s almost a lost art.”

  He held the door open for her as they went into the restaurant too. “I’ve never been here before,” she said, looking around.

  “I have. A couple times. They have a really good soup-and-salad deal. If you want nothing else, that’s good hearty food for the stomach.”

  “As long as gallons of coffee go with it, I will be a happy diner.”

  Once seated, Rory dropped his hat on the chair beside them. The waitress arrived with menus. Louise studied the brightly colored pictures and had no trouble picking out a favorite. After they ordered, Louise turned her attention to her companion. “You’ve gone way beyond what was required to help me out,” she said quietly. “I want you to know I appreciate your part in that.”

  “No problem.” He grinned at her. “Happy to help.”

  She nodded. “Any news on the men who were killed?”

  He shook his head. “We’ve been a little busy this morning. I can check if you want.”

  She nodded. “Please do.”

  He sent a text to Ice and Levi, letting them know Louise was looking for an update. Ice’s response came back immediately. “Both men from your break-in have been identified,” he read quietly. “Both have criminal records.”

  She sighed. “From drugs?”

  “Ice doesn’t say,” he said. “It’s probably too early to know those details, plus the ID on the third guy, your delivery driver.”

  She nodded. “I need to go to the sheriff’s office and give a statement, don’t I?”

  “I think Ice said something about them stopping at the clinic later this afternoon. They want to talk to you.” He glanced at the table and then patted her hand.

  She looked down and realized she was clenching the coffee cup so tightly that her knuckles were white. She sighed and relaxed. “I don’t have anything to add to the case.”

  “Yes, you do. You need to tell them about the delivery driver and the case of drugs.”

  She winced. “I wish I’d never seen him. If only he hadn’t mixed up my order … It’s just a big nightmare.” She stared out the window.

  He hated to see the frown lines on her face. She looked tired, but, then again, almost every time he saw her, she looked tired. She really wore her heart on her sleeve for those animals. As he was more than a little bit in love with Rose himself, he could understand. “Is Anna getting any closer to finding a home for all those puppies?” He hoped not. He hadn’t had a chance to ask Levi about Rose yet. Hell, he hadn’t thought to keep her, not even sure that would work at the compound either, but he didn’t want to let her go.

  Louise gave him a lopsided grin. “Did you put in your request for one?”

  He chuckled. “It’s not that easy. We have to have Levi and Ice’s agreement for that,” he said with a droll smile. “Just think about it. A lot of us live inside the compound. Just a few of the individual apartments have been constructed on the property. Imagine if puppies lived there inside the compound too.”

  She nodded. “You shouldn’t have just one. It’s a huge place. Two would be good to keep each other company.”

  He nodded. “I figured the women might use their wiles to talk Ice and Levi into keeping one or two.” Maybe Rose could be one of those.

  Their small talk continued until the meal arrived. Louise stared at the huge bowl of soup with a big slab of French bread on the side, and her stomach growled.

  He chuckled.

  “This looks lovely.” She motioned to the food with an embarrassed smile.

  He nodded. “Like I said, the soup and salad here is to die for.”

  She dug in with joy.

  By the time they got back to her clinic, Rory was happy to see Logan pull in behind them.

  Logan hopped out and said, “Great.
So I get to work while you guys take off for lunch.”

  Rory grinned. “She didn’t eat breakfast.”

  Logan shot Louise a look that had her flushing.

  “Okay. I’ll take better care of myself,” she said. “You two guys are nags.”

  Logan chuckled. “I understand the value of regular sustenance for energy. No way we could do the work we do all day long, in all kinds of conditions, if we didn’t take care of ourselves.”

  She nodded. “I hear you.” She walked inside, leaving Rory and Logan alone. They unloaded everything Logan had collected. “Stone had most of it waiting for us. Flynn will come by in an hour and give us a hand.”

  “Excellent,” Rory said, and he meant it. “I figured Flynn would help out.”

  “Definitely. Anna wanted to come too, but she’s better off staying with the animals. As much as I appreciate the thought, she doesn’t have any experience with security systems.”

  The next four hours were busy as they worked around the staff and patients. They met dozens of dogs, commiserated with half a dozen cats and even helped a goat inside. The goat was more than interested in Rory’s tool belt. By the time the end of the day came, Rory could see just how busy the clinic really was. It was one thing to know it but another to see all the people and animals coming and going. “She sees a lot of animals here.”

  Logan nodded. “She also handles a lot of large animals. According to Anna, Louise was looking for a large animal vet to come into the practice so she doesn’t have to do all of it herself.”

  “Meaning, horses?”

  “Horses, cows, goats, lamas, all kinds of services are needed for them too. Shots, pregnancy testing, etc.,” Logan said. “But it is a little hard to entice a large animal vet here. They can get higher wages and easier work in other parts of the country.”

  “Not to mention a lot of the ranches probably do much of the basic doctoring themselves.”

  “Good point.” Logan looked at him. “Does your brother do that stuff?”

  “We did a lot—only brought in the vet if we had to. Times are changing. No doubt most people prefer to bring in somebody to handle pregnancy testing, and that can take several days, depending on how many head the ranch is running at any time.”