Chapter 15 #2
Megan pressed the flat of her hand against the floor. “Stop! You’re kidding! Why didn’t you break down the door starting with that?”
Kelsey shook her head, exasperated. “I was working up to it. Megan, what am I supposed to do? We work together. It’s going to be weird.”
“Weird? It’s going to be sexy as hell for you; that’s what it’s going to be.”
“I don’t know that though. Something could go wrong. A lot could go wrong. And then I’d still be stuck in the middle of a rehab with him.”
Megan lifted Chance off her lap and got up to join Kelsey.
She sank beside her on the floor against the adoption desk, more awkwardly than normal because of her belly.
“Kels, listen to me. You’re the best person I’ve ever seen when it comes to working with people.
You have an easy confidence and kindness that pours off you.
There’s no reason in the world that confidence shouldn’t extend into your relationships. ”
“That’s different though.”
“Does it have to be?”
Kelsey chewed her lip, which was chapped from all of last night’s kissing. “What if everything goes wrong?”
“Are you hearing yourself, Kels? You’re the queen of positivity. Do yourself a favor, and let that positivity extend into your love life. You deserve it. What if everything goes right?”
Closing her eyes, Kelsey let her friend’s words sink in. Megan was right. Kelsey had worked hard to always see things in a positive light. She’d simply have to find a way to put aside her fear and doubt. “It’d be easier if he wasn’t so cute,” she said, voicing her fears. “If he was just average.”
“It might be easier, but would it be as fun? And give a pregnant lady a break, will you? The suspense is wearing on me. Details, please. Lots of them. Including how you guys left things.”
“You don’t even want to know,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes.
“It was like a dream at first. Better than a dream. It was like a fantasy. It was just us and the night and a storm and a bus stop shelter. It went on, like, forever. My lips are actually raw. But kissing him was the best thing I’ve ever experienced.
Absolutely, hands down, the best. He’s an amazing kisser, and he was knee-bucklingly seductive without being too handsy for a first kiss.
Or at least a first series of kisses. But then this loud honking brought us back to reality. Awkwardly back to reality.”
“How so?”
“It was the MetroBus driver. It had practically stopped raining and the bus had pulled up, and all of a sudden we were being honked at. The driver wanted to know if we were ‘getting on or getting off,’ and it was so embarrassing. There weren’t that many people riding, but the ones who saw us applauded. ”
Megan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “That’s not so bad, Kels. Look at the bright side. You’ve got one hell of a first-kiss story.”
“Maybe so, but wait till you hear what happened next. That was enough to stop the kissing, but we held hands the rest of the way back, and we laughed about how the driver had looked at us like we belonged in jail. But as we got closer to the house, all these thoughts kept racing through my head like ‘Do I sleep with him?’ and ‘If I do, will the same thing happen that happened with Steve?’ and stuff like that. It was so stressful. I didn’t know what to do. ”
Megan nodded slowly. “And? What’d you decide?”
“Nothing. Everything fell apart from there. When we got back, the house had been vandalized. I know it was one of the protesters. It had to be. A brick had been thrown through the lower-right front window. There was a message tied to it, and the wording was too close to what they’d said that day we talked for it not to be them. ”
“Those wicked people. What’d it say?”
“‘Creatures of the devil won’t find their heaven on earth. Euthanize now before it’s too late.’”
Megan gasped. “That’s horrible. That’s worse than horrible. There’s an implied threat.”
“I know. We called the police. Thankfully, Kurt had written down all the protesters’ license plates and the makes and models of their cars.
Since it was only one window, I’m not sure how actively the police will pursue it.
Yesterday, when the protesters didn’t show up, we thought maybe they were giving up.
Now I think they’re just ready to play dirty.
After putting a brick through the window, I doubt they’ll show up to protest today. ”
Megan pressed her lips together. “Yeah, about that. You sounded like you were dealing with enough yesterday when you called. I didn’t want to add more stress. They didn’t show up there because they came here.”
“Oh shit.”
Megan nodded. “I know, Kels. It sucks, but they stayed next to the road. The police drove by several times. And the people who know us are really showing their support. It’s going to be okay.”
Kelsey let out a sigh like a deflating balloon.
“I hope so. At least now I’m too worried about what kind of stink the protesters are going to cause here to worry about it being awkward around Kurt.
Speaking of which, I’d better get going.
He really needs me there to help with the feeding routine.
” She gently scooted Katrina off her lap and stood up, then extended a hand for Megan.
“We’re starting to work volunteers into the schedule so we’ll be able to give all the dogs a bit more time, which they desperately need.
There are so many dogs you’re going to love when you get to know them, Megan. ”
“I already do, from all the stories you’ve told.”
“Did I tell you I’m bringing Orzo today? A few of the dogs seem ready for phase two of ‘the op,’” Kelsey said, making air quotes.
Megan gave Kelsey a tight hug. “I love you, girl. And I know I’ve told you, but you’re rocking this. And as far as Kurt goes, my advice is to give it one day at a time. Eventually you’ll know if he’s worth the awesome love you have to offer.”
Kelsey rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m not sure if it’s hormones from that baby in your belly or what, but I swear you’re starting to sound like Oprah.
But thanks. And as for the protesters, have you tried unleashing Patrick on them?
Once he starts relaying stats, they won’t even know what hit them. ”
Megan laughed. “Patrick. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
* * *
By the time Kurt spotted Kelsey’s bright-yellow Corolla pulling into the circular drive at eight o’clock, he was starting to feel a touch foggy-headed from lack of sleep.
From his unbelievable experience with Kelsey to coming home to the threat and damage from the protesters, he’d been completely wired last night.
He’d only managed to doze a couple hours before abandoning the idea of sleep entirely around four thirty, and that wouldn’t be enough to keep him going all day.
His early morning had been worth it though.
He’d extracted the broken window and was the first patron through Home Depot’s doors at six that morning.
He’d purchased five motion-sensor floodlights and a temporary single-hung window, as well as a few No Trespassing signs.
He was wrapping up the installation of the floodlights when he spotted Kelsey’s car.
He’d put four of the lights around the house and one on the garage.
Ida had walked over a little after seven with a fresh, wrapped-in-wax-paper bacon-and-egg sandwich that had tasted almost as good as Kelsey’s kiss.
Ida had hung around for twenty minutes or so and watched Kurt work before heading home.
She’d seen the police car on a trip to the bathroom last night and had been concerned.
The kind old woman was troubled not to have witnessed the act of vandalism herself.
She’d heard an unusually loud and quick eruption of barking as she was drifting to sleep just before nine.
Kurt suspected it had happened then. But both his and Kelsey’s cars had been in the drive.
How had the vandals known no one was here?
Or had they not cared? Likely the power had still been out, and they’d assumed no one was inside.
Kurt gathered the empty cardboard packaging and dumped it into the outside recycling bin as Kelsey parked and turned off the ignition.
He headed over to meet her, wondering if it would make things easier between them to kiss her as soon as she stepped from the car.
It might, he thought, but it would also make it harder to focus on the dogs, and there were thirty-seven of them waiting inside, needing his and Kelsey’s undivided attention.
“Hey,” she said, glancing down before making eye contact.
The reason that she was quick to look past him to the house was nerves, he realized.
“Those floodlights are new, aren’t they? I’ve never been able to get the exterior lights to work. It’s always been pitch-black out here after dark.”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. He still had the floodlights in the on position, and even in daylight, they were bright.
“I just finished installing new ones. Cross your fingers they don’t overload that iffy circuit panel.
So long as they don’t, I’m betting they’re effective.
I texted Jim, your volunteer electrician, about coming out to have a look.
He’s going to stop by later this afternoon.
And Patrick texted. He’s coming out earlier today to work with Devil.
He should be here by the time we’re done feeding.
Or, as he put it, about ten minutes to ten. ”
Kelsey grinned. “He’s a prompt one, our Patrick. And that’s awesome about the lights. But did you sleep at all?” Her delicate eyebrows knotted into peaks as she studied him, apparently past her earlier wave of shyness. “You’re getting dark circles under your eyes.”
“I’ll catch up tonight. Promise.”
“I hope so.”