18. Heather
18
Heather
I wasn’t late, but I certainly wasn’t as early as I’d planned on being on my first day at the shelter. And I definitely wasn’t focused.
I’d been hoping to start work on building the shelter’s Instapost account during my shift, but my head was so full of David I kept wandering around in circles forgetting what I’d been about to do.
Luckily, kittens and puppies weren’t all that demanding. And the older dogs were just so grateful to get a pat on the head, they were no trouble at all.
But having my brain spinning with ideas for Strickland’s PR revamp, combined with memories of sex with David, all intermingled with thoughts about when I might see him again, was a trifecta for distraction.
“Heather?”
“Hmm?” I spun and found Emily had been speaking to me. “Sorry, what did you say?”
She smiled. “It’s a little overwhelming the first day. I know.”
“Yeah. Lots of barking and meowing. I’m not used to that.”
“No pets at home?” she asked.
I laughed. “Not even a houseplant. But I’m willing to learn.”
She smiled. “Honestly, if you do nothing other than keep up doing what you already are I’ll be perfectly happy.” She held up a trifold brochure in her hand. “That’s what I was saying to you. The mailman just delivered a box of these. They look incredible.”
My eyes widened. “They’re here already? I ordered them this week. I didn’t expect them to get here so fast.”
“They’re here. And thank you. Please, give me a receipt and I’ll get you reimbursed for whatever they cost.”
I waved her off. “No. Please. Consider it a donation. I had a fifty percent off coupon and this place online is really reasonable to begin with.”
“Well, thank you. We appreciate it. And that picture you put up on Instapost when you first got here this morning is getting a ton of interaction. You’re just amazing.”
I wished I got this much praise at work where I did a hell of a lot more and way harder stuff than a quick trifold brochure and a single Instapost. “I’m happy to help.”
“I could use some help.”
I didn’t even need to turn around to know it was David who’d spoken. After last night, the deep timbre of his voice was achingly familiar.
When I turned, seeing David was no surprise, but seeing Rowdy in his hands was.
“Mr. Strickland. Nice to see you again.” Emily beamed with a smile and I felt my first stab of jealousy hit. “And you brought your rooster, I see.”
“Heather’s rooster, actually. I’m just his chauffeur for the day.”
I smiled.
He’d brought me my rooster for a visit. That had to mean something.
I took a step forward and ran my hand over Rowdy’s colorful feathers. “Thank you. But I don’t know how much time I’ll have to spend with him.”
“Oh, he’s not here to see you. He has a play date.” David grinned.
“With?” I asked.
“That goat he took a shine to.”
“Trixie?” I laughed. “How did this play date happen?”
“No big deal.” He lifted a shoulder. “I called Anna this morning. She and Charlie are bringing Trixie over.”
It was a big deal. A very big deal. I was turning this man into a chicken lover.
“Thank you.” I would have kissed him, then and there, if we’d been alone.
We weren’t.
I was reminded of that when Emily said, “Looks like the whole Barker family is just arriving.”
I took a step back from where I’d been standing too close to David to look casual.
It was like the man had his own gravitational pull and I’d gotten caught in it last night, twice, and once again this morning. Needless to say, we’d used up all three of those condoms.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Good. I wanted to thank Anna personally for that video she shot for me yesterday.
David rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Great. Thanks. It’s up to two hundred thousand views last I looked.”
“Really?” I could see he didn’t share my excitement but I had to ask, “How many comments?”
He shook his head, scowling. “You don’t want to know.”
“Four hundred?” I guessed.
“Over five.” He sighed.
I couldn’t help my grin, but in deference to his misery, and since I was the one responsible for the video in the first place, I patted his arm concilitorily. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.” He shook his head.
“I’m really not.” I smiled.
He laughed. “Well, at least you admit it. Now excuse me as I go chaperone the first rooster-goat play date in history.”
“I don’t think it is,” I called after him. “Search rooster riding a goat online and see how many pictures come up.”
He glanced back, brow high. “You really need to get off the internet once in a while.”
“I do. Once in a while.” I was clearly thinking about last night.
So was he. I could see that when he shook his head, but made no comment as he slipped out the door to meet Trixie and family in the parking lot.
“So . . .”
I turned and saw Emily had moved closer to me when I had been too distracted by David to notice.
She continued, “You and David Strickland, huh?”
My mouth dropped open, but since I didn’t have any clue what to say, I closed it again.
She smiled. “I won’t say I’m not a little jealous, but good for you. He seems like a really awesome guy.”
I glanced out the window to see him taking his play date chaperone duties very seriously as he placed Rowdy on Trixie’s back.
“Yeah. He really is.” And I wasn’t sure if I was more amazed that it was true, or that it had taken me so long to see it. Maybe both.
I sighed and turned back to Emily. “I should get back to my duties.” I frowned. “What, officially, are those again?”
“Well, you have a choice. You can bottle feed the litter of kittens we found with no mother. Or you can change the paper in the bottom of the puppy cage.”
I decided without a second thought. “Kittens. Definitely kittens.”
Emily nodded. “Good choice. Then after that, I thought you might want to help me work on the details for the adopt-a-thon next week.”
My eyes lit at that suggestion.
She laughed. “Thought you’d like that.”
“For sure. One hundred percent.” And wait until she heard what I’d already gotten permission to do for the adopt-a-thon. It was going to blow her away.
“Hang on, little buddy. I’ll get you cleaned up.”
I spun at the sound of David’s voice as the door opened and closed again. He was holding Charlie and Anna’s son.
“Junior here managed to step in Rowdy’s poop. Figured it was my responsibility to clean him up.” David beamed, not looking too upset about his chore and seeming as natural with the adorable boy on his hip as if he’d been born a father.
My heart and my womb both clenched at the sight.
I was completely blown away and, uh-oh , falling rapidly in love with this man.