I slowly nodded, not sure what that had to do with anything. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Wolf shifters who work at Adan Records have a reputation around this neighborhood.”
My stomach clenched and I dreaded any mention of my father and all the horrible things he had done to terrorize those he considered less than him, including my mom. “I’m not like him,” I whispered, clenching my fists under the table.
“Is the food that bad? You’ve barely eaten anything?”
I glanced up, catching a soft smile from Kane. No animosity or condemnation like I expected.
Taking a quick bite, I tried to savor the cacophony of flavors in the sauce while appreciating the moistness of the chicken. “No, it’s good. Delicious.” I took another mouthful to prove I wasn’t lying.
Standing, he grabbed his plate. “I’m going to get some pie. Do you want a piece?”
“Please,” I said out of the corner of my mouth, grateful he was only leaving temporarily. I already felt awkward enough with everyone knowing I petted him. Eating on my own would have made it worse.
Chapter Five
Kane
Another regretful rejection. They made me feel bad because I could sense through the phone how much the person on the other end did want to help. The donations had started to trickle in a little faster since the television spot last Thursday, but I still worried we would fall short. Especially as demand increased from the news segment as well. I picked up the phone to make another call when the buzzer at the back door sounded.
“Kane, can you get it?” Rechie waved at me, her other hand covering the mouthpiece of her phone.
I nodded, setting the handset back on the base. When I glanced over at the security screen, I saw a delivery man standing at our back door. He was from Deilko, the local department store where we had a wish list of items needed that was promoted on all our social media. With the Christmas drive, it was much larger than normal and consisted of a lot of toys. I found it strange that the delivery man didn’t have a box in his arms and had backed up to our loading dock. Usually, drivers only have one or two boxes and parked alongside the dock.
“Hello,” I greeted him as I opened the door. “You have a delivery for us today?”
I could have been mistaken. What if he’d been there to register for help but didn’t want to come through the front door? It wouldn’t be the first time someone had done that.
“Yeah.” He glanced down at his clipboard. “A big one. Everything in the back is for you. Seems someone was feeling generous.” He handed me a big, brown envelope. “That’s the packing slip and a note from the donor. You wanna open the bay door so I can start unloading?”
“Sure.” I set the envelope on the receiving counter before rushing over to unlock the bay door. I pulled on the chains to liftit up and waited for the driver to back up just inside the loading bay.
When he’d said the whole van was filled with boxes for us, he hadn’t lied. He’d even put some packages on the passenger seat to fit it all in one delivery. As I helped him unload, my curiosity grew as to who had sent all of it. After I signed a form to say I’d received everything, I closed the door then found the envelope with the identity of the mystery donor.
For a moment, I paused, unsure whether to let Rechie know about the delivery first and be surprised with her or find out right away. My inquisitiveness won out, and I pulled the card from the envelope.
It was a short message and directed at me, making me glad I hadn’t waited.
Didn’t want to have to make you shift for this. Hope it helps.
Desmond
A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions flooded my mind. Based on the packing slip which consisted of several sheets of paper, he had purchased all the toys we’d had on our wish list at Deilko. I was grateful on behalf of Good Neighbor House, but I worried he was trying to score points with me by showing off his wealth. Something that didn’t impress me at all. At the same time, he’d purposely had the items delivered to avoid being on the news again and to keep me from having to shift to my reindeer form for the humans. I appreciated the sentiment and wanted to be touched by it all. Yet, experience had proven repeatedly that our wealthy donors gave to us for the tax break and the recognition. Desmond was the only sponsor at that level who had ever shown up to volunteer at a community meal. Something I’d been thinking about every day since then. Before the added donation.
I tried to keep away the smile that tugged at my lips, not knowing what to think about him. None of his actions meant Iwould see him again, only that he saw and fulfilled a need for the community. I tucked the note in my pocket then took the packing slip over to show Rechie.
By lunch, Rechie, Cynthia, and I unpacked all the boxes and sorted through the toys and toiletries that had arrived. My supervisor demanded a picture of all the items so she could post about the donation on our social media accounts. When she asked who it was from, I’d told her it was anonymous, not wanting to put Desmond or myself back in the spotlight.
Just as she was getting her coat on to leave and pick up something to eat at the coffee shop down the street, Desmond walked in, kicking the snow from his brown, leather shoes.
“Hey.” He took off his beanie then brushed his fingers through his hair. “Did you get my donation okay?”
“It was you!” Rechie rushed toward him as my cheeks flushed. She grabbed his arm and clung to him. “We are so grateful for this donation as well as your last one. Your generosity is overwhelming. Please let me get a picture of you with some of the items that came this morning.”
Eyes wide, he clenched his fists and leaned away from her. “Um, actually, I only came to see Desmond. I really don’t need the acknowledgement for helping others.”
His words made my heart flutter, and all the reluctance I’d felt earlier seemed to disappear.
