Kelli patted my arm and motioned me to follow her. We walked down a hallway past a room designed for reptiles and birds and to her office. She had a large cherrywood desk with two computer monitors but motioned me to a small round table with two comfy chairs. I took one, and she took the other, giving me a kind smile that made her blue eyes sparkle.
“So, what do you think? We have a shortlist of candidates to take over, but you’re at the top. You’re young, dedicated, and talented. It’s time for Ralph and me to retire, and your reputation precedes you, Dr. Crews. This facility is a well-oiled machine, but it’s a full-time job, seven days a week. Between fundraisers, board meetings, volunteers, hell, just the schedule is enough to turn your hair gray.” She shook her hair and smiled, crossing her arms over her chest.
I grasped the folder I’d been carrying with me through the tour—my ideas for upping the ante, if you will, to bring more money in and not only help more animals but more people. I’d been brewing this idea in the back of my head since Annaleigh quit her job and took over her uncle’s bar,B’s. The business plan was solid, and the income it would generate would provide the shelter with so much.
“This opportunity is amazing and everything I could ask for.” I paused for a second and moved to open the folder when Kelli put her hand over mine.
“I sense there’s a but coming,” she said, scooting her chair closer and pushing the folder to the far side of the table.
“What, no,” I said, with a little more vigor than necessary. “This place is like a dream come true, and everything I’ve dreamed of doing.”
“I think the word you are looking for is badass,” she said with a wink.
“Yes, you’re badass. This place, what you have accomplished. Hashtag goals, lady.” I shook my head, and Kelli got up, walking behind her desk and opening a mini-fridge. She took out two water bottles and brought them back, passing me one and opening the other.
“Thank you.” I cracked the seal and took a sip, gathering my thoughts and pulling the folder closer again.
“If this is your dream, then what’s stopping you from accepting on the spot and taking a seat behind that desk?”
I thought for a minute.
What was stopping me?
I loved my job at the clinic. Even if things were shit right now with Dr. Duvall, could I see myself giving it up? And my friends? My lifelines? My ride-or-dies that would help me bury a body now and ask questions later?
“Talk to me. I have an intuition about this stuff. We hit it off the last time you were here, remember? We went toEastern Primeand talked about upgrading all the lights to day-bulbs.”
“Oh my goodness, how did I forget about that? And your husband picked us up in a limo.”
We both laughed, remembering Ralph sticking his head out of the sunroof as the poor driver tried to maneuver his way into the parking lot of the bar.
“Your husband is all kinds of extra,” I said, taking another sip of water.
“He sure is. Now tell me what the real issue is.” I glanced at the floor, then the ceiling, trying to gather my thoughts. “Honestly, Kelli, it’s not one thing or another. I loveAMC, but my partner and I have been on the outs, and it’s made coming to work almost unbearable. I guess I’m having guy trouble, but it can’t be guy trouble when the guy doesn’t want a relationship. I hate the thought of leaving my best friends and a town I love, but coming up here, I’d be closer to my parents.”
“Hmm,” Kelli mused, running a hand through her hair. “I was going to invite you out tonight, but if I did, I’d spend the entire time convincing you to move, and that’s a shit thing to do. You don’t go and upend your life because you’re going through a rough patch. You need to think about what you want. Tell me this, if you had unlimited funds, what would you do?”
“Turn the clinic into a no-kill sanctuary, or at least add one on to the practice. I’d gut the building and expand, putting in windows and large kennels with lots of natural light. I’d make a place for exotic pets and work to bring on round-the-clock volunteers. Pretty much what you have here, but on a smaller scale in Charleston.”
“Hmm,” she said again. “Seems like you have some thinking to do, and I hope you seriously consider moving here. This place could use you.”
“I will,” I said, standing up and reaching out my hand. Kelli grasped it in hers, then pulled me in for a hug. I reached for the folder, but she grabbed it before I could.
“I’m sure this is filled with brilliant ideas, and I’d like to review them if you don’t mind.”
“Um,” I said, clutching the folder to my chest, suddenly unsure about handing over something I poured so much time and energy into over the years.
“Hey, don’t feel obligated at all. I’d never tell anyone or do anything without talking to you first,” she said, putting her hand on my arm with a kind smile.
I nodded and opened the folder, taking out a high-level overview of my ideas and passing it over.
“Thank you.”
I followed Kelli out of her office and through the building. We lingered for a minute at Oliver’s cage and saw he was sleeping in the corner, his food gone, with the college kid back to reading his textbook. He waved his hand in greeting before focusing back, and I smiled, knowing all the good Kelli and her shelter were doing. She walked me to my car, and I promised to call her within the week with my decision.
I pulled out ofAll Four Pawsand made it exactly two point three miles before I pulled into a little hippy organic grocery store parking lot. My brain was about to explode. I was sure smoke was ready to pour out my ears and fog up the entire damn car.
What the hell was I thinking? Verbally spewing my life’s problems to a millionaire, then just expecting her to turn over the reins to a nonprofit to me with nothing but a copy of my business plan in her perfectly manicured hands?
