“Lamenting?Is that a more appropriate word?Or maybe bawling?No, wait, blubbering.Yes.There was definitely some blubbering going on.”
“David.I’m still your boss, you know.”
“About that.”He grabbed her by both arms.“Honey, why are we doing this?”
“I told you, you’re keeping me company while I take these photos.”
“No, Claire.Why are we doing any of this?Especially when you have a hot stud of a man pining for you on the West Coast.Why in God’s name are you here with me?You could be traipsing through a meadow with Nick.”
“I know, but…”
“Forgive me, but I don’t think youdoknow.In fact, I’m starting to think there’s a lot you don’t know.”
“Hey!”
“Don’t ‘hey’ me, lady.If I have to freeze my ass off here in fricking Green Acres, you’re going to listen to what I have to say.”
Claire shut her mouth.
“Claire, I’ve been volunteering at Haven for over twenty years.I worked for Arthur’s parents, for Arthur and now for you.I’ve loved you all like family, and I’ve loved every little furball that’s come through that door.I know you better than many people do because I’ve had the privilege of being your colleague and your friend.So, my friend, please listen when I tell you you’re not doing anyone a favor by clinging to the sanctuary, and to what’s left of the lovely man you married.”
She remained silent, but couldn’t stop her bottom lip from wobbling.
In fairness, it had been wobbling a lot lately.
And not for want of her old life.
She missed Nick.Oh, how she missed him, so much so that if she stopped for a moment to absorb exactly how much, she’d die from the agony.
She missed seeing the way his hair waved over his ear.She missed the power behind his embraces.She missed the way he murmured her name in the morning, as they woke up in each other’s arms.And she missed the way he made her laugh.
Without him, she forgot to laugh.
“Go to Nick, Claire.Be happy.Be wild.Honey, we only get one life, as far as I know.You understand that better than most.You’ve done so well keeping the sanctuary alive, but now it’s time for you to live your own life.I’ll take care of the cats.You know I will.”
“You mean it?”
“Did you think I was kidding all this time?Allow me to take the sanctuary off your hands.You need never worry about cat food and hairballs ever again.Unless, of course, you’d like to become a volunteer.I’m willing to give you an interview, although I make no promises.”He elbowed her in jest.
“Me, a volunteer.”She let out a quiet laugh.“I never really considered it before.”
“Well, I mean, you do live on the property, so I’ll expect you to put in a few hours here and there.”David reached for her hand and squeezed it.“You deserve some time to figure out exactly what you want from life.You’ve put everyone ahead of yourself, and for far too long.Be free, my love.”
“You’ve given me a lot to think about, David.Thank you.”
“Good.Now, can we please get out of this godforsaken place?My shoes are ruined.”
As they walked back to where Claire had parked her car, she reached for her cell phone.A voicemail notification from Nick lit up her screen.
Dammit.She must have muted the sound by mistake.
Tingles shot up her arms as she thought about calling him back.All of a sudden, she had so much to say.
Then again, maybe it was a conversation better had in person.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nick adjusted his laptop screen early on Saturday morning, so the others could see him.He waited as Michael, Emily, Eli and Bernie all took their seats, huddling around Eli’s computer.As they loudly sorted themselves out, jockeying for their positions, he got an unwelcome view up Michael’s nostrils and almost had a glimpse of Bernie’s cleavage.
