“You’ve never been in the military, have you?”
I shook my head as I navigated the truck down the drive to the Phillips House.
“If I don’t stand my ground, people will think it’s okay to walk all over me.”
“I see.” I said the words, but I didn’t see. Not at all. To me, there were few things in life worth risking everything for.
The truck stopped in front of the warehouse and before I could make my way around to open Zina’s door, she’d hopped out. By the time I met her on the concrete pad by the door, she’d leaned down and removed a key from underneath a potted plant.
“That doesn’t seem so secure.” If I planned on housing the penguins here, I’d have to talk to Lacey about beefing up her security.
“There’s not much in here that anyone would want.” Zina unlocked the door and pushed it open.
I followed her into the front office space, where several desks had been stacked and piled against the wall. “I take it she’s not using the space for anything but storage right now?”
“That’s right.” Zina moved toward a door at the back of the office and then stepped through.
I followed, my eyes adjusting to the dim interior. Tall ceilings rose above us. The warehouse was a blank slate, just waiting for someone to create something useful out of it. Immediately my thoughts went to how best to utilize the room. There was plenty of space for a water feature, which would be vital for the penguins. They wouldn’t need anything too spectacular since they’d only be there for a while, but a saltwater pool and some ice were going to be required.
“What do you think?” Zina asked. “Do you think you and your birds could be happy here?”
I let my gaze float around the room before settling on her and matching her smile with one of my own. “Yeah, I think we will.”
Zina
I tried to squelch the nervous jitters coursing through me as soon as Alex smiled at me. He had a nice smile. The kind that used to work its way into my core and made me want to turn on the charm. But that was a long time ago. I hadn’t acted slaphappy over a man in years, and I wouldn’t start again now. No matter how being around him made my stomach churn.
And thanks to Lacey I was riding shotgun in his brother-in-law’s truck while he drove me back to the shelter.
“Turn right up here,” I directed. With him at the wheel next to me, I was almost reminded of being on a date. But the last time I’d been on a real date, I’d still believed in happily-ever-afters. Which meant that was a hell of a long time ago, before reality had given me a giant kick in the ass.
The shelter came into view. My heart expanded, opened up like a freaking blooming flower seeking the sun every time I saw it. The shelter was the one good thing I’d managed to do with my life. Keeping it afloat took more than a full-time effort, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You can just let me off in front.” I unclipped my seat belt as the truck slowed.
“Don’t I get to come in?” Alex asked.
“You want to?” He didn’t strike me as the type who’d want to chill out with the dogs. He seemed like he had much more important things to do, especially if he was going to get started on creating a penguin habitat out of nothing.
“I’ve got a little time to spare. I’d love to meet some of your dogs.” He killed the engine. It was settled. He was coming inside.
I led the way.
“So are you open to the public?” He stood behind me as I unlocked the front door.
“Yeah. That’s the only way we get dogs adopted out. But I’m short staffed so if there’s no one around to work the desk, wehave to lock up.” I pushed the door open, and he put an arm out to catch it, insisting I go first.
We entered the foyer and I immediately went to the pile of wet towels on the floor. The ceiling was still leaking, and I’d been waiting for two days now for someone to come take a look.
“You got a leak?” Alex asked.
“Yeah. Whole roof really needs to be replaced. I’m supposed to be getting an estimate soon. The guy’s canceled on me two days in a row.” I shook my head as I set my purse down behind the counter.
“I take it that’s not exactly in the operating budget?”
“You got it.”
“I know how that goes. I used to do some work for a nonprofit and we were always having our funding pulled.”
