29. EION
Chapter twenty-nine
EION
Amelia greeted us at the door like she hadn’t seen us in months, even though the fundraiser was only a few days ago.
Angus’s mom, a billionaire socialite and executive who managed the MacGregor trust, opened the door wearing slides, threadbare jeans, and a t-shirt covered in something that was either blood or jelly.
I assumed she wasn’t chopping up a person.
However, I wouldn’t put anything past her.
Stepping inside, there was the scent of cinnamon and sugar in the air.
“I made Danish filled with raspberry jam.”
You would think after all the time we spent together, I’d be used to the idea that she was an average woman, but it was still very difficult to accept that the amazing woman who managed a top fifty corporation was the same person who stood in front of me with flour on her cheek.
“Come here, sweet boys.” Angus and I started to move until both dogs scampered over to her. “Can I give them bacon?”
Angus and I looked at each other. “Of course, pretty sure Barnaby likes you better than me.”
“Maybe.” She said over her shoulder with the dogs on her heels.
I laughed and then raised an eyebrow at Angus.
He gave me a smile and shrugged; obviously, he had no power over his mother either.
“Can you take these over to The Dapper Duck for East? Okay, let’s be honest, they are for Allison, but I included enough for her dad and uncle, too. ”
Angus got up and kissed his mom on the head.
“Anything for you, Mom.” He brought me a cup of coffee, fixed it how I liked it, and set a cup of tea on a saucer in front of his mom.
Even though we had said I love yous, I knew there was so much about him that those words didn’t even cover.
And watching him be sweet was one of those things. Shit.
Angus nudged me. “Eion?”
“What. Huh?”
“Welcome back.” He smiled and kissed my cheek. “Mom asked if we wanted to go over numbers from the fundraiser.”
“Yes. I am so sorry. I was thinking about how you two have made me part of your family.” That might have been too much. Clearly, my brain had not engaged before the words came out. To my relief, I got a big smile from both of them.
“You are family.” They both said at the same time. I didn’t really have words because if I tried to talk, I would cry. Angus grabbed my hand and squeezed as he slid his chair closer to mine.
“Let’s look at those numbers.” He said, then looked at me with another grin and a wink.
By the time we were done, it was clear that we had made more than enough to cover the large animal nursery.
But there would be money for a lot more, which included updates to the medical suite, the small animal nursery, the barn, and much more.
It was really unbelievable. Several donors would send money every month.
With the improvements, we would become a tier-three facility and be able to take in more animals by this time next year.
It was exciting to see the Sanctuary grow.
This was exactly what I had wanted when I lay in my hospital bed after the accident.
Then I thought I would have to talk Trey into it, but he would have liked the animals, and then found a job in town.
Over the last few months, I realized that my feelings for my ex had been different than the all-encompassing feelings I had for Angus.
I loved Angus so much it scared the crap out of me.
I still waited for the other shoe to drop, for him to tell me that I wasn’t enough for him because I wasn’t complete.
I hated that I felt that way and couldn’t simply trust his words.
When Amelia stopped and looked at me, “What do you think?”
Don’t cry, I said to myself. “I.” My voice was strained, and I stopped to clear it.
“I can’t believe it. You. Everyone. I won’t let any of these people down who believed in us—in the Sanctuary.
” Once I let my emotions free for Angus, it felt like I had no control anymore, as I pinched the bridge of my nose in hopes of gaining control.
“You have full access to the money. Unless you plan to embezzle or spend the money inappropriately, there is no trustee or board to answer to. It can be kept that way as long as you don’t break anybody’s trust.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will most certainly do my best for the Sanctuary and spend only as necessary.
Several of those contractors you referred me to will give me a deep discount because we are non-profit.
” I could feel myself starting to crack again.
I swallowed hard. “Amelia, I really can’t thank you enough. ”
“Tell you what. You take care of those animals, and you take care of my son—keep that stupid smile on his face—and we will be even.”
“Mom.” There was a tone of warning from Angus
“Angus, leave her alone. She wants the best for you, and I am happy to keep that stupid smile on your face.” I grinned.
He blushed as we both teased him. “Y’all are ganging up on me.”
Amelia and I shared a look. “It’s my job. Your mom said so.” She nodded. Her lip curled up on one side. I was relieved that she liked me. After we ate dinner, we visited for another hour before heading back. Amelia tried to convince us to spend the night, but we chose to go home.
The rest of the week went quickly. Contractors were already submitting bids, and in the mornings, I would discuss plans for the money and the Sanctuary with Angus. He had great ideas, and I knew this was going to be a cutting-edge facility.
Even though we hadn’t offered him more hours yet, Zach volunteered whenever he wasn’t at the bar.
We noticed that he laughed more easily and smiled more frequently every day.
He had suggested we rescue some horses, which would allow us to move over the land more easily and cut fewer roads.
I thought it was a great idea, which led to plans for a horse barn.
We would expand our domestic and farm animal areas, keeping Orlando and the deer near the front.
The small animal nursery, medical building, bunkhouse, and offices would be rebuilt and expanded closer to the entrance.
Angus and I had already discussed offering Zach a manager position as a full-time employee the minute we needed someone. West wouldn’t be happy, but Zach was a perfect fit for the job. And he could move from the small trailer to the manager’s quarters in the bunkhouse.
My arms were wrapped around Angus’s waist, and I kissed along his neck. I could feel his body shiver each time my lips touched his skin. We had booked a room for the weekend. “Zach is set until Sunday afternoon. No rushing home or getting up early.”
Which meant I was going to get lucky tonight, because Angus was always mindful of having to get up early for the animals.
If we didn’t have to do that, he would take advantage, and we would make love—sometimes for hours.
Tonight we were going over to West’s for dinner before we headed to the hotel.
His brother and niece would be there, plus a few others from the bar.
“You are looking fucking fine tonight, Baby.”
“Am I now? I was going to say the same about you.” He sidled up to me, his fingers ran through my hair, and then he pulled my mouth to his. God, this man could kiss, and I knew I would never tire of it.
“You know, when you look like that, I am going to spend the entire evening trying to get you where I can have your ass?”
I smirked at him. “I know. Don’t tell my boyfriend, but I like it.” Barnaby came with us to dinner because Allison, East’s daughter, loved the dog, and the little girl would have stern words for me if I had left him home.
At the door, Tyler gave Angus a hug, and before he could greet me, the sound of little feet interrupted us. “Mr. Eion, did you bring Barnnnabree?” Allison was adorable and demanded attention.
I removed Barnaby’s work harness. “You two going to play?”
“Allison, you could at least say ‘Hi’ before making demands.” Her Uncle said, with his hand affectionately on her head.
She bit her fingernail and looked at us, clearly feeling chastised. “Oh. Hi, Uncle Amgus.” She hugged his leg. “Hi, Mr. Eion.” She stuck out her little hand.
I shook it. “Hi. You have a plan for tonight?”
She beamed. “We are going to have a tea party.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
Barnaby had never played tea party before, but I knew he would be fine and patient.
It was good for him to interact with other people.
He had plenty of time with animals of all kinds, but not much with people.
It occurred to me that I should invite Allison to the Sanctuary, where there were many creatures she would love to see, especially since little kids didn’t annoy me nearly as much as adults.
“Tell you what, you spend the evening with Barnaby and keep him out of trouble, then I will ask your Daddy if I can have you visit the other animals I live with.”
Her eyes got big. “Other animals? You have more dogs?”
“We have one more dog, but we have raccoons, deer, bears, and even a giraffe.”
“Really?” I might have misstepped on this because she was excited.
“Yes, really.”
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaady!!!!” She was off like a shot, Barnaby jogging along behind her. “Can I go away with Mr. Eion?”
Both brothers turned and looked at me. “What?”
That sounded really bad. “Oh, no, no, no. That is not what I asked. I said I would ask East if she could come see the animals at the Sanctuary. Which would include all of you.”
“Really?” East and West looked as excited as Allison.
“Yes. Of course. You are family, well, Angus’s family, but—“ I realized I was making huge assumptions here. Never had I considered letting people into my space, and I was inviting them as if it were completely normal. They would be the first visitors I had who weren’t there by necessity, but because I wanted them there.
“That’s so cool. Angus said you didn’t let people on the property.
” Angus was right, but things had changed.
East explained to Allison that we would schedule a time for them to go visit, which satisfied her, and she went to have her tea party.
I found myself in conversation with Tyler, West’s husband.
He owned a flower shop, but mostly handled large events.
I had no idea how he managed to deal with something so grand all the time. Once a year already felt like too much.
“Wait, you did the flowers for the Sanctuary fundraiser, the ones with the giraffe in them?”
“I did. They are one of my favorites because they had a plant theme, instead of only flowers. All of those went to people’s homes, too.”
“Wow. I didn’t know that.”
“There was a drawing guests could enter. Those who got picked had their plant delivered the next day.”
“That’s great marketing. I hope you included your company name on everything.”
He smirked and nudged my shoulder. “Maybe a few places, but this was about the Sanctuary. Some people put donations in the fish bowl. I think it ended up being about ten thousand dollars. West will include it in the bars’ monthly donation.”
“You’re shitting me?” He laughed.
“Mrs. MacGregor knows some very wealthy people. They can’t do anything without offering cash.”
I laughed. “So true. She’s an amazing human.”
“We do a lot of work together, and I couldn’t agree more.” His smile was nice, and like all the people Angus called family, I understood why they were so important to him.
After using the restroom, I searched for my man.
In what I assumed was a dining room, I heard Angus’ voice and headed that way.
As pathetic as it was, I had been away from him for nearly an hour and needed my fix.
That made me chuckle. I never expected to be in so deep.
As I walked his way, I could hear him talking.
“West, I can’t make this permanent because he is incomplete.
It would never work.” I stopped. I knew eavesdropping was absolutely wrong, but what I heard sounded like he was talking about me.
“I understand, but isn’t there something you can do? He is a good guy. He deserves to have a great future.”
Angus sighed. “It guts me, West. We knew this could be a possibility, and I don’t want to tell him.”
Barnaby was sitting on the couch with Allison, watching TV. I turned on my heel. “Let’s go.” I left through the front door, with Barnaby next to me. I slipped his harness on while I moved down the sidewalk and called an Uber.
I wasn’t going to cry until I was home. Shit.
He was at my home. This man, who claimed he loved me.
Claimed he wanted a future with me, was going to throw me away for the same reason Trey had.
I wasn’t complete, so I wasn’t worth keeping.
As soon as I was a block from the Sanctuary, I gave up the fight, and the tears started to come hard.
This was worse than before because my feelings for Angus were so much more intense.
I thought he loved me completely; even with my amputation, he said I was enough.
He had looked me in the eye and told me that, and now I know he lied to me, and it hurt.
I don’t get why he did it. Some sort of revenge for his past?
My Sanctuary was the one place that was not only a place for animals to heal but for me, too.
I wouldn’t let him ruin it. Tomorrow, I will demand that Angus leave.
I would sleep on the couch in the small animal nursery.
Even though my back would hate it, I couldn’t be near him ever again.
I’d have to talk to Amelia, but I felt she was professional enough not to hold this against me, especially since her son was the one who was dumping me.
I’d never be able to tell her the things I heard him say.
This was all tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, I would curl up and cry while I processed the loss.
The pain I felt was worse than when I was pinned under steel and concrete.