Chapter Six #2
We wander around with her as she shows us the facilities.
It’s bigger than it looks from the road.
It’s on one level, and built at an angle to the road so that half the rooms look out across Sunrise Bay, and most of the others face the Pacific.
It has six decent-sized bedrooms that could easily be turned into therapy rooms, a large kitchen, a big living room, and a separate dining room.
There’s also a surprisingly large study at the end.
“It’s actually in better condition than it looks from the outside,” Archer says.
“Oh, it’s structurally sound,” Megan states. “The decor is what lets it down. I don’t think it’s been repainted since it was built.”
“You could have a painting party,” I tease Archer. “I’m sure everyone at the Ark would enjoy helping out if you supplied a crate of beer.”
He chuckles. “Maybe.”
“Actually, it’s perfect.” Cullen is clearly impressed with the place. “Six therapy rooms. A central room for meet and greet, and to play with the animals. And the study could be turned into the main office.”
“The kitchen’s a nice size too,” I add. “Like at the Ark, you could have someone bake cakes for coffee mornings, where people could drop in and check the place out.”
“It’s so close to the Ark,” Cullen continues. “Clients who enjoyed being with the animals might be interested in a rescue pet, and it would only be a short walk or drive for them to go and check out the Forever Home.”
“There are three bathrooms,” Megan states, “but you could probably enlarge the main one and fit in several stalls that would service the whole building, and then you’d be able to turn the smaller two into more offices or something.”
Archer nods, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looks around. “All right, you’ve all convinced me.” He gives a hesitant smile. “Maybe it could work.”
I smile at Cullen, who winks back as Archer tells Megan that he’ll be in touch after he’s had a think about finances. We make our way out, and Megan waves goodbye and gets in her car. We head out of the drive and begin walking up the hill while she locks the gate behind us.
“Are you going to approach Noah?” Cullen asks his friend.
“Yeah. I’ve finished my report and I’m ready to present it.
I don’t mind putting some of my own money into it, but obviously, I’d want the place to be self-sustaining as soon as possible.
I spoke to Leon about it the other day; he knows a lot about running a charity.
He’s going to help me apply for several foundation and government grants, and he knows who to approach for public donations.
But he said he’s sure the Kings would want to help out.
He’s arranged for a meeting tomorrow with Noah and Brock. ”
“Brock?” I ask.
“Brock King,” Cullen replies. “This all started with the three King brothers—Brock, Charlie, and Matt. They began a company called Three Wise Men, which made medical equipment for children. They also run a charity called We Three Kings, which helps wishes come true for children who are seriously ill. Hal is Brock’s son; Leon and Noah are Matt’s. Their other kids also work at the Ark.”
“The meeting’s at two,” Archer says. “I was hoping you’d come with me.”
Cullen looks surprised. “Me? Why?”
“Moral support. We’ve talked a lot about this, and I’m worried I’ll forget something.”
Cullen shrugs. “Well, if you want me there, I’ll come, of course.”
“Great, thanks.” Archer glances at me and winks. Ohhh… so I was right. He does want to try to get Cullen involved, presumably in the hope that he’ll stay.
As we walk up the long drive to the Ark, we can see that Max, Ollie, and a couple of younger children are playing on the children’s playground.
Alicia is helping a toddler who’s determined to try and go down the slide on his own.
Nearby, someone is sitting on the bench, watching the kids.
At first I assume it’s Ruby, but as we get closer I can see it’s Beth.
“I’m a bit worried about her,” I say without thinking.
“Beth?” Archer frowns. “Why?”
I hesitate, suddenly aware that I shouldn’t discuss what she told me this morning. “I think she’s going through a difficult time, that’s all.”
“At the Ark?” he asks.
“No… at home.”
He doesn’t reply, but he smiles at her as we approach.
“You should have a hat on,” he scolds as we stop in front of her.
“I know,” she says. “I couldn’t be bothered to get up and find it.
” I remember her saying she and Jude had an argument late last night.
I don’t know what it was about as she didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence, but I’m guessing she didn’t get much sleep.
Archer takes off his baseball cap and puts it on her, and she laughs. “How did it go?” she asks.
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, good.”
“It’s a great site,” I say. “Six bedrooms that can be turned into therapy rooms.”
“Perfect location,” Cullen adds.
“We’re going to see Noah about it tomorrow,” Archer says. He smiles at Beth. “I’ve been thinking about your idea of what to call it.”
Cullen and I look at her, and she grins and says, “I suggested the People and Animals’ Wellness Society.”
“PAWS?” I laugh. “That’s a great name.”
“Or it could be People and Animals Working Side-by-side,” Archer says. “We haven’t decided on the full name.”
“Pacific Animal Welfare Sanctuary?” I suggest.
“People Are Wonderful Suckers,” Cullen says. “Because we all keep adopting animals we’re not supposed to.”
We all laugh. “PAWS,” Beth states with a flourish. “Petting Animals Works, Seriously.”
“I’m going to use that as the title for my research paper,” Archer replies.
“PAWS,” I announce, “Professional Animals Who Snuggle.”
“That sounds like a bizarre escort service,” Cullen says, amused.
Archer grins. “Would we charge extra for lap dogs?”
Laughing, we all head across the Quad.
“I like the name PAWS,” I say as we walk. “Healing PAWS. Where hearts and minds are healed, one paw at a time.”
Archer clicks his fingers. “And there’s the tagline. Love it.”
I smile, glad to have contributed.
When we get there, Archer says to Beth, “Got a minute?”
“Yeah, sure.” She follows him into the building.
I pause and turn to Cullen with a smile. “Thanks for the walk.”
“Thank you for coming. I thought it’d be the perfect place, and it was good to have someone else there to convince him.”
I debate whether to say that I think Archer’s hoping to talk him into staying and running the place, but decide not to get involved. I don’t think Cullen’s going to agree, and I don’t want Archer to think I’ve spoiled his plan.
“Are you walking home at four?” he asks.
“Um… actually Stefan’s asked me to attend the veterinary nurses’ meeting at 4:30. And then Beth’s asked us over for the evening.”
He blinks. “Ah, okay. No worries.”
I hesitate. He thinks I’m trying to put him off. That I don’t want to spend more time in his company.
I clear my throat. “But I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner tomorrow? It’d just be something simple, because as you saw, I don’t have much of a kitchen…”
He studies me, his eyes the color of polished mahogany in the sunshine. “If you like, we could go out to dinner?”
I blink. “Oh… um… I’d have to find someone to look after Max…”
“I meant with Max. I know you come as a package.” he smiles. “There’s a small Italian restaurant at the top of the bay that’s pretty good. Most people use it for takeaway pizza, but they also do a pretty good lasagna, and there are a few tables outside that overlook the beach.”
“That would be lovely.”
“Okay. Shall we say five p.m. tomorrow? It’s not too late for Max to eat?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
“I’ll book a table, just in case.” He smiles. “Have a great afternoon.”
“I will, thank you.” My gaze lingers on his. I feel that I should say something to explain that I’m aware of the strangeness of the situation, and that I’m aware it can’t lead anywhere, but I don’t know how to phrase it.
“It’s okay,” he says. “I know.”
My eyebrows lift. “Oh.”
“I like you,” he says. “We can be friends, can’t we?”
Relief floods me. He understands. And I love the way he’s so easy to talk to. Rob is like a hedgehog, full of prickles and constantly rolling into a ball. But Cullen is a dolphin, gliding smoothly through the water with no resistance at all.
“Absolutely,” I say. “This is purely platonic.”
His eyes meet mine, sparkling with amusement and a sudden flare of heat. “Oh, I didn’t say that.” He turns and walks away with Ghost, into the building, leaving me with his shocking statement and a racing heart.