“You have a point.We made this a not-for-profit for a reason, didn’t we?”She was so used to doing everything—including funding the organization—herself that she wasn’t yet comfortable relying on others.
Or giving up control.
Lance had reminded her of that only a few days ago on their hike.
“You can’t do everything yourself, Raven.That’s what a board is for.”She could still hear his deep voice, patient and amused.
She would need to learn to listen, but in the meantime, she had a presentation to make and cats to find homes for.
Daisy pushed open the door, and a cacophony of meows followed in her wake.“They want to go too.”She nodded her head toward the door that had just shut behind her and set the carrier down in front of Raven.Charlotte, a dainty black shorthair, peered up at her with bright inquisitive eyes, as though anticipating a new adventure.
“Thanks, Daisy.”Raven picked up Charlotte’s carrier.“If we continue to do our job right, they’ll all get their wish for a new home.”
“We’re doing our best,” said Mal, returning from across the room where she had retrieved another application from the printer.“Though if we had one of those special needs and behavioral modification spaces they built down-island, it would be a game changer.”
“I read about that,” said Daisy.“It’s a whole recovery center, Raven.They’re setting it up so even the hard-to-house cats can adapt.”
“A recovery center takes money,” Raven said, feeling as though this topic of conversation was being staged for her benefit.She had to admire their enthusiasm.
“But just think,” said Mal.“With our new board connections and all the new volunteers, we might have access to money and resources.And with our nonprofit status, we can raise a lot more money now.”
Raven listened as they outlined their vision.“Why don’t you write down the ideas, and I’ll take it to the board for discussion.”
“You’d do that?”asked Daisy.
“Yes, but we need to build a case first.That means statistics about the number of cats needing rescue, information about that transition space you’ve read about, numbers of staff needed, and anything else you can think of.We’ll have a meeting tomorrow and discuss it.”She thumbed through the pile of applications on the desk.“We can go through these then, as well, and try to free up some room in the meantime.”
“Should we include Betty?”asked Mal, referring to the new board president.
“We could,” said Raven.“Why don’t you send her an email and ask her to attend a brainstorming session?See if she wants to call in on video.”She glanced up at the clock.“Is that the time?”She checked her phone to confirm, then picked up the cat carrier.“I have to go if I’m going to get to that meeting on time.Come on, Charlotte.Let’s introduce you to Rhett Butler.”
Twenty minutes later, Raven carried Charlotte into The Bookworm by the Bay.The familiar smell of books—both new and used—greeted her.Dark oak bookshelves lined the walls and aisles, leading to unexpected alcoves with overstuffed chairs where customers could linger and read without interruption.
The children’s section upstairs was quiet today.The children who came for reading hour had gone home, taking their happy giggles with them.
“Hello!”Ahmed, an amiable man in his sixties and one of three full-time employees, came forward to greet her.He peered into the carrier.“Is this our new addition?”
“Yes, this is Charlotte.I thought she would do well here.”Raven bent down and opened the cage.Charlotte emerged, sleek and dainty, and walked right up to Ahmed, winding around his legs.
Ahmed chuckled.“She’s friendly.Likely won’t be here long.”
“We thought Rhett would be okay with her.”She scanned the store for the elusive feline and spotted him on the top shelf behind the cash register.The fluffy tuxedo cat had raised his head and was watching the newcomer with interest.A moment later, he jumped down from the shelves onto the floor nearby.
Charlotte saw him and, rather than cowering as many smaller cats would do in the face of a much larger feline, marched right up to him.If she could talk, Raven was sure she would have said, “Nice to meet you.”
Rhett allowed her to sniff at him, and then, having bestowed his approval, turned and leaped onto a nearby chair.He settled into the shape of a loaf and watched as Charlotte continued her exploration.
“Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.”Raven glanced around the store again.“Is Lance here?”
“In his office.He said something about doing some product research.”Ahmed smiled knowingly, but before he could add anything more on the subject, a bell rang over the door, and Ahmed walked toward the new customer to greet them.
Product research?Raven glanced at the clock on the wall and decided she had a few minutes to say hello before heading to the meeting.
When she reached his office, she found Lance with his feet up on the desk, reading a book.
“Busted.”She laughed.“Ahmed thinks you are hard at work back here.”
“I am.”He dropped his feet to the floor and came around the desk to give her a kiss.“I have to know the product, and in this business, that means reading some of them.”
