“Dearie, you’d work yourself to the bone if I let you.” Ada shook her head. “We’re staffed and don’t you go running to the Oasis for another shift just cause I won’t let you work.”
“The Oasis, huh?” Robin arched an eyebrow.
“She works there, full time, more if they let her.” Ada’s face showed a mixture of pride and worry. “Maybe you can use your free day to show Robin here around his hometown. He’s probably forgotten where everything is, he’s been gone so long.”
That is so not happening.
“Maybe,” I said, not trying to start anything. “But if anyone cancels on the party, call me. You know I can be here in a few minutes.”
“I know, I know.” Ada sighed and turned to Robin. “Miss Marian has been the most available out of anyone on staff for years. And she technically doesn’t even work here.”
“You need the help,” I countered, annoyed.
“Can’t deny that, dearie,” Ada agreed.
“In that case, maybe I can provide some assistance, too. I’d love to chip in and help my old home shine.” Robin’s blue eyes leveled on Ada, and I sensed he was getting to the point of why he was here. “Or at the very least, save her.”
Ada gulped, which made my eyebrows furrow.
“I don’t know how you heard about all this, Robin, but I already said—”
“I know what you said, Ada,” Robin cut her off, “and I still want to help.”
“Dearie, I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation. I don’t want you to take out your life savings or anything . . . and believe me, we need that much.”
What the what?I leaned forward, eyes narrowed and totally confused by their cryptic conversation.
“I have friends in high places now, Ada. Now, how much are we talking? Fifty grand? One hundred?”
My heart leapt into my throat. “Excuse me . . .” I croaked out. “But what the hell is going on here?”
Ada’s attention turned to me. She looked as confused as I felt. Then she gasped. “Oh, lordy! I thought because you two showed up together that Robin would have filled you in. I’m so sorry, dear.” She tutted, assumedly at herself. “It’s the orphanage. I’ve been trying not to spread it around. No need to scare the children, but we’re in a bit of trouble.”
“A bit?” Robin shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “A developer wants to buy this land and tear the orphanage down. I’d say that’s more than ‘a bit of trouble’.”
“Yes,” Ada nodded, her usually bright eyes weary.
It felt like my heart had stopped beating. “Ada . . . why didn’t you tell me? You know I wouldn’t have mentioned it to the kids.”
I agreed there was no need to put them through that. The facility was an orphanage, but for many who grew up here, this was their home. I included myself in that population. I knew how much this place meant to those who had lost families, or who had never had them to begin with.
“I might have been able to help,” I added. It hurt that she hadn’t told me—she knew how much this place meant to me, too. And I’d thought she trusted me.
Ada extended her hand over the desk. I placed my palm in hers, like I’d done many times as a child. She squeezed, and her dark brown eyes pierced through me. “Dearie, there was no way I was bringing more pain upon you. You work yourself too hard as it is, and what we owe is so much, there’s no way you could help. I prefer to see you happy and healthy, rather than toiling away for nothing.”
She turned her gaze to Robin. “And I can’t accept your money either. It’s not enough and wouldn’t stop the big bad wolf—well, vampire, in this case—from blowing down our door. I hate to say this, double trouble, but this will be the last year the orphanage is open.”
“You’re not even going to fight for it?” I shot out of my chair, a turmoil of emotions rushing through me so fast that identifying any single one was impossible.
“Tell me how much you need, Ada.” Robin somehow sounded sensible. “Maybe I can come to an agreement with the owner of the land. I’ve negotiated a few big deals since I left your care.”
Ada shook her head. “The owner said if we could beat the vamp’s price, he’d sell to us. But it’s pointless. That amount of money has never flowed through these halls. It’s—”
“How much?” Robin placed his hand over both of ours softly, but his tone was hard, demanding.
A zing of electricity shot through me. I forced myself to ignore it and held my breath, waiting for Ada’s answer.
She pressed her lips together. “Two million. Apparently, our property is valuable because it’s in a pretty area far outside the city. They want to build a beautiful spa retreat for tourists.”
