Warmth swarmed Emily’s chest, crowding her throat, making it difficult to swallow or breathe, and the increased beating of her heart didn’t help. But it did make her lightheaded and a little loopy, because why else was her face heating and mouth smiling as Holden pulled a chair over and sat next to her.
“Hi.” His deep, sexy tone stirred the awareness zinging through her. “How’ve you been?”
She cleared her throat. “Good. You?”
“Worried.” The concern darkening his gaze confirmed it. “Has Perez shown up again?”
“No.” She shook her head, but the movement didn’t clear it.
His eyes narrowed for a beat. “I still think Carter needs to install his goodies around your property.”
She frowned. “Goodies? What goodies?”
“Security cameras,” Hunter replied.
“Oh.” She forced her gaze to the others at the table, noting matching grins on everyone’s faces. She must’ve missed something. Her attention had been otherwise engaged. A definite sign that she needed to get a grip. Emily cleared her throat again. “I plan to get some for my sanctuary. I want eyes on my animals. I have it budgeted in.”
Sinjin’s brow lifted. “Sanctuary?”
Emily went on to explain her new plans, pleased by their favorable reactions and offers to help. She already had a volunteer list started, which rocked, since there was no way she could care for all the animals in her vision. The morning feeding alone would take a good hour. Adding cleaning and mucking and exercising to the chore list would pretty much run right intothe nighttime feeding. Without volunteers, there was no way she could manage her ACR and operate a sanctuary.
“I’m positive Carter will be excited to outfit your property with the latest in security and surveillance equipment.” Holden grinned.
The rest of the men agreed, even Gabe.
“That’s terrific,” Isla gushed.
Christa patted her arm. “And exactly what you need.”
“The sooner the better, too,” Lyndsey added.
Reality wrinkled her momentary euphoria. “Too bad my budget doesn’t cover state-of-the-art.”
“It doesn’t have to,” Hunter said.
Sinjin nodded.
Confusion fogged her brain. Emily cocked her head. “Not sure I follow.”
“My fault,” Holden said, regaining her attention. “I should’ve been clearer. There is no charge. Carter will want to do it for free.”
She jerked her head back. “Free? No, I can’t let him do that. Iwon’tlet him do that.” No way. Having priced systems to add it to her budget, Emily was well aware of the expense. “Carter is not going to eat that cost.”
“You’re right, he isn’t,” Holden said. “Consider it a donation from ESI for your sanctuary. You are or will be set up to receive donations, right?”
Her heart did that beat-skipping thing again. “Yeah.”
A state-of-the-art security system would be amazing for keeping wild animals out and her animals in. And for alerting her of potential threats or breakouts when she wasn’t there.
“Then consider that your first donation.” He smiled broadly.
Could she?
Damn…now that it was in her head, in her vision, she really wanted it.
“That’s wonderful,” Lyndsey said. “She’ll take it.”
Everyone laughed.
