Hal’s eyebrows rise. “Oh… really? That’s fantastic. You must have a real knack for talking to animals.” He gestures at the collie dog sitting by his side. “This is Miss Daisy, if you want to say hello.”
Max bends and holds out his hand, and the shy, gentle dog nuzzles his palm, then licks him. “Is she a rescue dog?” he asks.
“Yep. Got her from a farmer who’d locked her up outside in the sun.”
“Aw.” Max fusses her. “She’s lovely.”
“Therizinosaurus, eh?” Stefan looks at the toy in his other hand. “One of the most interesting dinosaurs, I’ve always thought.”
Max looks delighted to have found someone else who recognizes his beloved toy. I can see he’s already half in love with the Ark and the people in it.
Noah chuckles, then turns to Isla. “Well, you’ve picked an interesting day to arrive. Two of our veterinary nurses have called in sick. I know you weren’t supposed to start until Monday, but we were wondering whether you’d be available today? We’ll pay you, obviously.”
Isla hesitates, then rests her hand on her son’s back. “I’d love to help, but we only arrived yesterday, and I haven’t had a chance to settle Max in at the holiday club in Sunrise Bay yet.”
“I know it was a bit forward of me,” I say quickly, “but I mentioned the Fox’s Den and said sometimes members of staff bring their kids to work.”
“Of course,” Noah says, as I knew he would. “We don’t mind having children here if they’re supervised. Alicia runs the creche for preschoolers, and in the holidays, Ruby, who’s a primary school teacher at Sunrise Bay, looks after older kids. She coordinates with the staff to get the kids involved. We’re always happy to let them help feed and walk the dogs in the Forever Home and the other animals in the Petting Zoo.”
Max’s face is an absolute picture. “Can I stay, Mum, please?”
“As long as you’re sure,” she says to Noah.
“Later on, you can help us in the Hotel, if you like,” Hal tells Max. “If you’re good with dogs, you might be able to keep them calm while we feed them and clean out their cages.”
Max beams.
“Okay,” I say, pleased, “well, for now, shall I take Max with me? I’ll introduce him to Ruby, and then he can come and do my rounds with me, if he likes.”
Isla meets my eyes for a moment. Hers are brimming with emotion. “Thank you,” she says softly. “You’ve been very kind to me.”
“No worries. He’s a good lad, and Ghost likes him.” It has nothing to do with the frisson that passes through me when she looks at me. Nothing at all.
Hal nods and says to Isla, “Right, well sorry to throw you in the deep end, but we’ve already got some clients waiting. Shall we get you fixed up with a tunic? My nurse is one of those who’s off sick, so it’d be great if you’d work with me this morning.”
Isla looks thrilled, but glances nervously at her son.
I gesture with my head at the door and say to Max, “Shall we?”
“Be a good boy,” Isla says.
I lift a brow. “Are you talking to me?”
She gives me a mischievous smile, and there it is again, the flutter inside that tells me I haven’t imagined it.
Careful, Cullen.
Max is already heading to the door, and I follow him out.
“That was kind of you,” Noah says, walking into the reception area with us.
“Honestly, he was amazing with Ghost. I’ll be interested to see if he’s the same with all animals, like Hal.”
“We can always do with more Dog Whisperers.” His eyes sparkle as we go outside, and he stops walking. “I’m glad you like her.”
It’s then that I get the first tingle of suspicion. Noah is a matchmaker. He’s always trying to pair off people at the Ark. He’s a great guy, but if he has a fault, it’s that he thinks he can fix everyone.
No, it’s egotistical to think he’d invite Isla here for me, especially when she’s having such trouble with her marriage. Still, best to nip it in the bud, before he gets any ideas.
