Chapter 6
6
C offee Loft ’ s café au laits ? primo! ~ #1 Fan
L ola and Ridley lounged on the day bed together, keeping an eye on Cal as he collapsed in his office chair. The little dog nestled snugly under the bigger dog’s neck like a puzzle piece. They’d finally settled down after Cal discovered a mouse in one of his kitchen cabinets. It ran for its little life before disappearing under the door to his basement. The dogs’ pursuit ended with them crashing into the basement door, almost sweeping him off his feet while he unloaded the dishwasher. A stainless-steel bowl and a handful of silverware were the only casualties that hit the floor. Figures that Ginger had called in the middle of the chaos.
“She wants to interview me, guys. What do you think of that?”
Ridley twitched his tail before closing his eyes and drifting sideways onto the mattress. Lola was a bit more receptive to the idea. One ear flicked up as she cocked her head, her trademark pose.
“I know, right? That means she thinks I’m interesting .”
At that, Lola yawned.
Positively impacted, huh?
“Have I been positively impacted by Coffee Loft?” He kicked his feet up onto the daybed to think about that for a minute. Lola sniffed his socks, then gave him one of her doggy smiles.
Ginger played a large part in why Coffee Loft was his go-to destination with the dogs. She was very accommodating in letting him bring his dogs there. Not many places would appreciate furry patrons, even if they were confined to the patio. Ginger’s generosity had indirectly helped some of the dogs from Hearts Fur Love Rescue get adopted. He knew for a fact that people he’d met outside Coffee Loft had later come in to the shelter and, ultimately, adopted dogs into their forever homes.
Cal twirled around in his chair, facing his monitor. He’d been in the middle of wrapping up a project shortly before Ginger called. Now there was maybe a one-in-a-million chance of finishing tonight since his brain buzzed with possibilities.
I’ll let you know . That’s what he’d told her.
But even as he uttered the words, he had no idea what he’d meant. What was his game plan ?
He tapped his fingers on the keyboard.
If there was a way to prolong this interview, turn it into a longer time commitment, he just might crack open that professional exterior she wore so perfectly.
But how?
He leaned back, hooking his hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. The elaborate chandelier above winked at him, reminding him once again he needed to change it out for a more practical ceiling fan. Whoever owned the house before he bought it had used this room for a dining room. The little table overlooking the back patio suited him just fine for eating. His lifestyle was far from needing a fancy and formal dining space with a glass chandelier.
Fancy. Formal. Chandeliers.
An idea was coming to light.
Dogs…lots of dogs …
“Yes—that’s it!”
Lola and Ridley let out a bark.
He sat upright and scanned his messy office. So many piles. Where could it be?
The bright green postcard peeking out from underneath the ink cartridge box caught his eye seconds later. He grabbed it, smiling as he reviewed the details:
The Rhinestones and Rawhides Gala
October 30th. Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktails.
Century Ballroom, Addler Hotel, Bedden
Enjoy a pawsitively fun night out on the town to support our efforts in helping dogs find their furever homes.
He waved the postcard in the air like a victory flag.
“A gala! How will she say no to this, guys?” But, behind him, the couch was empty. His captive audience had left the room at some point while he was busy patting himself on the back.
He studied the postcard again. The annual fundraiser came with new urgency this year. The city had announced a new sewer project which would encompass part of the shelter’s property. To no avail, Charleen, the Hearts Fur Love director, had sat through many a planning meeting trying to make a case to not involve the shelter. The shelter’s board members were now on the hunt to find new facilities before the end of the year.
The shelter’s plight would be the perfect selling point to get Ginger to join him at the gala.
“She won’t turn me down once I make my case,” he whispered to himself. “Not if she wants that interview.”