I had no right to make that promise—and yet I did it anyway.
Because I was just that kind of optimist.
CHAPTER 5
ARTHUR
“What the hell are you doing here?” Neil demanded, striding into the shelter reception area next morning.
I looked up from the cash register where, admittedly, what I was mostly doing was gritting my teeth and counting the minutes to my next ibuprofen. “I run the place. Remember?”
“You got shot. And have a concussion.” Safe Haven’s funding-and-volunteers coordinator glared at me.
“I’m well aware.” I resisted the temptation to squeeze my head between my hands, and returned the glare.
“Which I had to find out about from Hilary when I arrived this morning.”
I figured part of his anger was being kept out of the loop. I hadn’t meant to insult him. “You told me you and Sawyer were headed to San Francisco for the weekend to see a show. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Bother me?” Neil ran a hand through his dark hair, tugging on the back. “I’m the volunteer organizer. When something affects staffing, that’s literally my job. And may I repeat, shot?”
“A flesh wound.” That wasn’t as satisfyingly macho to say as I’d imagined, back when I was a lonely teen holed up in my room watching cop-show reruns. Maybe because the flesh wound still hurt like hell. “I was only out one day. My friends handled it with the regular volunteers. Mostly Colin, and this guy I met. Brooklyn. And I’m back now. I’m just moving a bit slow.”
I eased my tall stool back so I could stand, and Neil set a hand on my shoulder. “Oh, hell, no.”
“No what?” I shrugged off his grip.
He pushed his glasses up his nose. “No, you’re not running around the shelter working today. You look like shit.”
“Aww, thanks.”
“What? It’s true.”
“The docs wouldn’t let me shower.” I could tell my tone was bitter, but damn, I hated being dirty. And they’d said two weeks of sponge baths and shampooing in the sink. I’d tried that this morning, but bending my head low had brought on another bout of the powerful dizziness and nausea. I was lucky I’d told Brooklyn to expect my hair wash to take some time in the bathroom. I’d been able to stagger round and collapse onto the toilet seat, and huddle there and not move until the worst of the effects wore off. I don’t think Brooklyn noticed when I emerged, otherwise he might not have been willing to drive me to the shelter. He was kind and overprotective, something I didn’t need.
“My hair’s more comfortable loose right now,” I added. I usually wore my long ashy-red hair back in a ponytail, but I’d taken the elastic out hours ago, hoping that would ease some of the pressure in my skull. “Sorry if you think I’m not up to your promo standards at the front desk.”
“I didn’t say that.” Neil sighed. “I’m worried about you, okay?”
“I’m fine.” I sat up straighter and tried to look fine.
“Tell you what. You stay here, man the till if customers come in. Let me and the volunteers do the animal care.”
“That was actually my plan. Mostly.”
“No mostly. Sit.” He pointed a finger at me. “Stay. So when do we expect Shane back?”
“Huh? Three weeks. You know that.” Neil had fixed the volunteer schedule to cover for Shane’s absence and was chipping in more than his normal time on the main floor, in between writing grant proposals and chasing sponsors and all the stuff he did to keep the shelter in the black. I’d already felt guilty about making him clean litterboxes. He shouldn’t have to cover for me too, but there was a reason I didn’t stand when ordered to sit. The move wouldn’t look so powerful if I hit the floor a minute later. I fought the urge to squeeze my eyes shut.
“You mean he’s not cutting his trip short to come back here for you? I don’t believe it.”
“I didn’t tell him. And you can’t either.” I pointed my bigger, stubbier finger back at Neil. “You hear me? No tattling. I told him I had a fall but was fine, and to enjoy his trip. And he’s going to.” I wouldn’t have said even that much, but I worried someone else might spill the beans.
“He won’t thank you for keeping him in the dark.”
“Theo will. He planned this trip for months and paid all kinds of deposits and tickets.”
“Theo can afford to lose a few deposits.” Neil held up his hand. “Okay, quit trying to glare a hole through my skull. It’s your personal business. Until it affects the shelter.”
