Love Unleashed

by Natalie Brunwick

  She didn’t have to tell me twice, and by the time we cleaned up from dinner, I easily took up the space beside her. Duke wiggled his way between us, of course, but coming from a dog, I didn’t expect any less. I’d get more one-on-one time with Kris later, but for now, dog cuddles were just as good.

  Chapter Nine

  Kris called me every single night once she got Duke settled for bed. Her laughter and warm voice were a welcomed change from the bitter venom I’d had to deal with at work. It’s hard to say what it was but the entire office had turned on each other, me and Jerry included.

  I still hadn’t sold the Taylor property, and it wasn’t for a lack of trying. It was almost like the Baker place all over again, but instead of a dog romping through the yard, the potential buyers were a bunch of flops.

  The first buyer never showed up to sign the paperwork. The second one didn’t have as much money to put down as he’d originally thought. And the third… they took one look at the house, turned around and left. Thankfully, I had one more buyer interested in the property, otherwise my whole week would’ve been a complete waste of time.

  Needless to say, I was happy to hear how well Kris’ day had gone, including her work with a new client.

  “It’s sort of like a foster home for dogs,” she said as excitement filled her voice. “I mean, those already exist, but this is on a larger scale. She actually invited me to visit the property to see if it would help.”

  “How was it?” I asked, folding my legs under me as I sat up in bed.

  “Loud.” She laughed. “But there’s a ton of space and the animals are treated really well. I knew I wanted to take on the project before, but after seeing where my work would hang in their front lobby…” She released a long sigh. “I really want this job.”

  “But you already have it,” I reminded her. She’d called me as soon as she got the contract sorted and everything.

  “Yeah, but I want to do it justice. These poor dogs, they deserve so much more.”

  “And because you have some experience in fostering your own pup—”

  “It’s perfect,” she agreed. “They’re called Furever Homes, but with a U in the name instead of an O.” She paused, likely frowning at the explanation. “You get what I mean.”

  “I do,” I said with a nod even though she couldn’t see me.

  “Of course, this means I’ll be tied up for a while. They need all the business essentials, and after looking over my portfolio, they want some original posters as well.”

  “It sounds like a great opportunity.” Considering the amount of excitement in her voice, I knew she was the best person for the job. Her passion for this new project was a lot like how I felt about the Baker house. “You should take it, the job I mean,” I said when she didn’t say anything. “Selling the Baker place was a passion project and one of my best jobs to date. Don’t let any doubts or fear get in the way of this.”

  “Oh, I’m not,” she assured me. “Unfortunately, this means I’ll have to postpone our lunch date until sometime next week. The deadline isn’t for a while, but I really want to do right by them. If I can get the mock-ups to them this weekend, that means I’ll have a better idea on where to focus my energy next week.”

  “That makes sense, and that’s totally okay. I can’t say I won’t miss you, but we talk every night so…” I chewed my bottom lip, deep in thought. “Just promise me one thing.”

  “Hmm?” Her voice was muffled, likely because Duke had nosed his way between her and the phone.

  “Show me the finished project once they give you their approval.”

  “I promise, but I’ll have to be careful,” she said, her voice wavering a bit.

  “Why is that?”

  “If I keep looking at their list of dogs up for adoption, there’s a very good possibility I might get another one.”

  “Is that really a bad thing, though?” I imagined Duke with a little friend and smiled. “At least you have the space for it.”

  “Could you imagine two dogs running around? There’d be no yard left.”

  I laughed at that. “Having another dog around might mellow him out, you never know.”

  “Or he’d show the newcomer all the best places to dig.” She paused, whispering something to Duke that I couldn’t hear. “He’s giving me his innocent look. It’s almost like I don’t know any better. Don’t you look at me like that, mister. That’s exactly what you’d do.”

  “Well, don’t dismiss it just yet,” I said once she and Duke settled down. “Wait until after you finish the project. If you still feel the way you do right now, then you can revisit the subject.”

  “Actually, I was thinking…” She shook her head, dropping the subject altogether. “It’s stupid.”

  “I’m sure anything you’ve come up with isn’t stupid.”

  “The money from selling the house… they’re probably just getting to me because of the dogs.”

  “Sit on it,” I said, knowing exactly where she was coming from. “I know you aren’t comfortable using the money for yourself, and I get it. I really do. Just give it some time. Give them a small donation, then if you want to donate again later on down the line, you can do that as well.”

  “Wouldn’t it be strange, though? For me to take their money, only to give it back?”

  I considered her question a moment, wondering if it was really my place. “How about this? Do the work for free. Tell them it’s for a great cause and you wouldn’t feel right handling it any other way. Then, when you finish, you can pay yourself using the Duke fund.”

  “The Duke fund?” She chuckled. “I like it.”

  “Duke doesn’t want you to starve,” I told her, “so don’t charge the client, do the work for free, then use some of Duke’s inheritance to cover your bills for the month. Then, if you still want to give to the organization, do that too.”

  “Your mind works in mysterious ways. You know that, right?”

  “I’ve seen enough people go through the same thing, then carry the guilt with them because of the money they got from the sale. The money is yours, Kris, but if it makes it easier, pretend it’s Duke’s. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

  “You’re too good for me,” she said, her voice softer than before.

  “And here I thought the same thing about you. You’re letting the fear in. Don’t. It’ll be okay, I promise. It’s just because you’re passionate about the project. You want to do your best.”

  “I always do my best.”

  I nodded at that. “But when you have such a strong drive to do right by the client, it consumes you. Just remember to breathe and stop for breaks. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Is that how it was for you and George’s old place?” she asked, referring to the Baker property.

  “Yes, and if I can offer a bit of warning… no projects after this one will compare. Selling this new property has been a nightmare because all I can think about is how passionate I was then compared to how much I’ve struggled with the house I’m working on now.”

  “Do you have any other buyers lined up?”

  “One, and it sounds promising, but trying to get all hyped up about the house when the passion isn’t there really sucks.”

  “It’ll come back. The passion.” She sounded so sure of herself I almost believed it. “You just need to give it more time.”

  For both our sakes, I hoped she was right.

  “Anyway, I should wrap this up so I can get some sleep,” she said, offering me a small smile.

  “You’re going to be up all night looking at those dogs,” I teased.

  “Probably.” She laughed again, then released a long breath. “I’m really sorry about this week. Hopefully, next week will be better.” She wasn’t talking about our date or meeting up after her work for Furever Homes was done. She was talking about the Taylor property.

  “So do I,” I said after a long moment. “Call me tomorrow?”

  “Always.”

  I smile
d, and once we finished our call, I lay in bed, imagining what Kris was doing right then. No doubt she’d stay up until she passed out as that’s exactly what I would’ve done if our roles were reversed. Knowing I had some time to kill before going to bed myself, I decided to pull up the Furever Homes website just to see what Kris was up against.

  Big mistake.

  If not for the fact I lived in an apartment, I would’ve taken them all home. Every adorable face had a sad story to match. Granted, that’s probably the reaction they wanted but still…

  Kris really had her work cut out for her this time.

  Chapter Ten

  The following week, I was swamped. Between one of my own clients and a deal that had gone south for Jerry, I had my hands full as we tried to salvage the sale the best we could. This, of course, made it way more uncomfortable to work with Jerry than usual. Talk about a backseat driver! Our boss wasn’t even this bad, and he looked over my shoulder more than enough times for me to know.

  “I’m just saying if we move the showing to Saturday, you might get more people,” I said in the calmest voice I could. “You used to do tours on the weekend all the time.”

  “That was before I had a life outside of work,” he said in a low whisper. “I have plans.”

  “And you think I don’t?” I scoffed, turning away from the computer monitor as my eyes had already gone cross. “I’ve canceled countless outings for work and even had to postpone others. How about next Saturday? Would you be free then?”

  He released a long sigh, which was answer enough for me. He obviously didn’t have the passion he once did. In fact, back when I started here, I envied him because of it. Now, he only did enough to stay above everyone else. Or at least in line with me, though I’m sure if I slacked off, he’d do the same.

  It was easy to see his lack of passion in the way he held himself and how, most days, he complained about his clients instead of getting ramped up because of them. I felt for him, I really did, but given how hit or miss the market had become, I’d honestly take any showing I could get. Even though most showings didn’t end up in a sale, the possibility was still there, albeit a small one. A very small one.

  Jerry went on about something else that had nothing to do with his work, mumbling under his breath when I didn’t respond. What was I supposed to say? I was taking time out of my own work to help him sell a house that, according to him a few weeks ago, was going to be super easy. Funny how I was working the Baker house around the same time and never teased him about it.

  The way he went on about the Baker house and my struggles with it, I thought for sure this place had sold before I met Kris. So much for that.

  I have no idea how he did it, but if a property took me this long to get a few nibbles, I’d change the listing. Lower the price. Add in something else. Show the dang house on a Saturday. Anything to get that much closer to making the sale and getting the paperwork off my desk.

  “Does Tim know you aren’t pushing this one?” I asked him once he stopped talking to himself.

  “He knows there’s complications,” Jerry said, not looking at me as he lowered into his chair.

  “Which are?” I urged, knowing it had more to do with his own schedule than anything else.

  He shrugged and left it at that. When the silence lingered between us, I stood from my chair and grabbed my jacket.

  “Where are you going?” he asked, his eyes going wide. “We haven’t finished.”

  “I need a break,” I told him, pulling on my jacket before zipping it up. “Besides, if I look at that listing one more time, I’m going to lose my mind.”

  The description of the property was very cut and dry. There was no drive behind it and it lacked personality. That may have worked years ago, but not anymore. That’s why when I listed the Baker and Taylor properties, I mentioned how quaint they were and how the warmth of the fire could bring cheer to every single room. People love stuff like that.

  It was another tool in my arsenal and one Jerry should’ve utilized, but for whatever reason, he’d reverted back to using the older descriptions.

  Three bedrooms. One and a half baths. Small kitchenette. Side patio.

  Very simple and not effective at all.

  “There’s nothing wrong with the listing,” Jerry said as he followed after me.

  “Sure, and not showing the place on a Saturday when most folks have off from work is perfectly fine as well.” I wasn’t interested in his excuses or the bitter response that would come soon after.

  Normally when I was on a deadline or struggling with a property, I’d skip my lunch and keep going. However, between the property, Jerry’s stubbornness, and the little bit I had to work with, my mind had clocked out more than an hour ago. I needed some fresh air, and I knew exactly where to go in order to get it.

  When I mentioned Ruthford’s to Kris in a text, she jumped at the chance to join me. The Furever Homes project had worn her out, but she still had enough energy to drive out and meet me. I really was the luckiest woman in the world, not only because of how we met but because of how we kept in touch.

  The day she invited me to join her and Duke on their walk, I could’ve said no. I could’ve easily declined, got in my car, and left, never to speak with her again.

  Now, sitting in Ruthford’s parking lot as I waited for them to arrive, I was glad I did. The first time I got Ruthford’s for us, I envisioned Kris walking Duke down along one of the wooded trails. Smiling, I could see the three of us doing the same thing right now.

  So as soon as she pulled into the parking lot, that’s exactly what we did. With the promise of ice cream once we were through, Kris walked alongside of me with Duke leading the way.

  “I take it work isn’t going well?” she asked, breaking the silence between us as she arced her thumb over the back of my hand.

  “Does it have to go poorly for me to invite you out?” I asked, my body stiffening under her concerned gaze. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to get short with you.”

  “I know, but you don’t usually call me during office hours. That’s why I asked, and seeing as you just snapped at me, I know it’s true. Do you want to talk about it? I might not understand how it all works, but I know talking about it can help.”

  “Talking from experience?” I asked, squeezing her hand which was warm against mine.

  “You were the one who helped me realize Duke’s fund can go to other things aside from himself. Like food bills since I’m his caretaker. Of course, I don’t think the oil company would be pleased if I started signing my check with a stamp of Duke’s paw print.”

  I laughed. “I’d think not.”

  “So what’s wrong with work?” Her warm touch kept me grounded in the here and now, calming my nerves as I recounted everything I’d dealt with since the moment I walked into work.

  “He’s delusional,” I said once I was through. “I don’t like showing houses on the weekend, either, but it’s the best time for everyone else. I knew that going into this job and it’s never stopped me from doing my best.”

  “There could be something else going on at home. You never know.” Leave it to Kris to find the good in people.

  “I guess so. I just wish he’d work with me a little bit. I could pull our boss into it, but I don’t want to cause him more trouble than he’s already in. Getting stuck with a house that won’t sell is…” I shook my head. “It’s demoralizing. For me, the longer a house stays on the market, the harder it is for me to feel excited about it.”

  “I get that. I’ve had client work where I’ve had to slog through the second half because of all the alterations I had to do. That was before I added the additional fees. Things have been a lot easier since then.”

  “People will walk all over you if you let them,” I said with a nod. “But enough about that. How are things going with Furever Homes?” She’d been over the moon about it a few days ago but hadn’t mentioned it since she arrived.

  “Oh, you know, the usual.” />
  “It’s perfect but you’re overthinking it?”

  “Pretty much.” She sighed. “This project is so important. My work is the first thing folks will see when they step into the lobby. I need it to convey a sense of calm with a bit of excitement. I also need it to tug on their heartstrings a tiny bit, but not too much.”

  “The dogs will do that themselves,” I assured her. “If I had the room, I’d adopt Mindy in a heartbeat.”

  Her eyes widened at that. “You’ve been looking at the site?”

  “Almost every night,” I admitted, averting my gaze when heat filled my cheeks. “Am I not allowed to look?”

  “Of course, you can look. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

  “I checked the site the other night out of curiosity, then I made the mistake of looking at each of the profile pages and… I’m sure you know how that goes.”

  She laughed, bumping shoulders with me before gesturing to a bench not too far ahead of us. “Do you feel like sitting down?”

  “I’d love to, but I really don’t have enough time.” If not for the work I had waiting for me back at the office, I would’ve taken the rest of the day off. Perhaps seeing Kris on a workday wasn’t the best of ideas after all. All I wanted to do was hang out with her and Duke.

  We kept walking. As we did, my mind kept going back to the property Jerry couldn’t sell and the one waiting for me once I got back. I’d worn myself too thin. The stress of one property was more than enough without adding someone else’s work on top of it. But I also knew how Jerry got. If I refused to help, if I took the issue to our boss, he would’ve been that much more difficult to work with.

  Forget about work. I came out here to be with Kris, and that was exactly what I planned to do.

  “Do you have time for a bit of ice cream?” Kris asked once we reached the end of the trail leading back to the parking lot.

  “I have a few more minutes,” I said, joining her at the window so we could order.

  Duke got his own doggy cup, of course, and by the time we sat down to eat, it was almost time for me to leave.