Megan pressed her lips together. “Yeah, about that. You sounded like you were dealing with enough yesterday when you called. I didn’t want to add more stress. They didn’t show up there because they came here.”
“Oh shit.”
Megan nodded. “I know, Kels. It sucks, but they stayed next to the road. The police drove by several times. And the people who know us are really showing their support. It’s going to be okay.”
Kelsey let out a sigh like a deflating balloon. “I hope so. At least now I’m too worried about what kind of stink the protesters are going to cause here to worry about it being awkward around Kurt. Speaking of which, I’d better get going. He really needs me there to help with the feeding routine.” She gently scooted Katrina off her lap and stood up, then extended a hand for Megan. “We’re starting to work volunteers into the schedule so we’ll be able to give all the dogs a bit more time, which they desperately need. There are so many dogs you’re going to love when you get to know them, Megan.”
“I already do, from all the stories you’ve told.”
“Did I tell you I’m bringing Orzo today? A few of the dogs seem ready for phase two of ‘the op,’” Kelsey said, making air quotes.
Megan gave Kelsey a tight hug. “I love you, girl. And I know I’ve told you, but you’re rocking this. And as far as Kurt goes, my advice is to give it one day at a time. Eventually you’ll know if he’s worth the awesome love you have to offer.”
Kelsey rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m not sure if it’s hormones from that baby in your belly or what, but I swear you’re starting to sound like Oprah. But thanks. And as for the protesters, have you tried unleashing Patrick on them? Once he starts relaying stats, they won’t even know what hit them.”
Megan laughed. “Patrick. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
* * *
By the time Kurt spotted Kelsey’s bright-yellow Corolla pulling into the circular drive at eight o’clock, he was starting to feel a touch foggy-headed from lack of sleep. From his unbelievable experience with Kelsey to coming home to the threat and damage from the protesters, he’d been completely wired last night. He’d only managed to doze a couple hours before abandoning the idea of sleep entirely around four thirty, and that wouldn’t be enough to keep him going all day.
His early morning had been worth it though. He’d extracted the broken window and was the first patron through Home Depot’s doors at six that morning. He’d purchased five motion-sensor floodlights and a temporary single-hung window, as well as a few No Trespassing signs. He was wrapping up the installation of the floodlights when he spotted Kelsey’s car. He’d put four of the lights around the house and one on the garage.
Ida had walked over a little after seven with a fresh, wrapped-in-wax-paper bacon-and-egg sandwich that had tasted almost as good as Kelsey’s kiss. Ida had hung around for twenty minutes or so and watched Kurt work before heading home. She’d seen the police car on a trip to the bathroom last night and had been concerned. The kind old woman was troubled not to have witnessed the act of vandalism herself. She’d heard an unusually loud and quick eruption of barking as she was drifting to sleep just before nine. Kurt suspected it had happened then. But both his and Kelsey’s cars had been in the drive. How had the vandals known no one was here? Or had they not cared? Likely the power had still been out, and they’d assumed no one was inside.
Kurt gathered the empty cardboard packaging and dumped it into the outside recycling bin as Kelsey parked and turned off the ignition. He headed over to meet her, wondering if it would make things easier between them to kiss her as soon as she stepped from the car. It might, he thought, but it would also make it harder to focus on the dogs, and there were thirty-seven of them waiting inside, needing his and Kelsey’s undivided attention.
“Hey,” she said, glancing down before making eye contact.
The reason that she was quick to look past him to the house was nerves, he realized.
“Those floodlights are new, aren’t they? I’ve never been able to get the exterior lights to work. It’s always been pitch-black out here after dark.”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. He still had the floodlights in the on position, and even in daylight, they were bright. “I just finished installing new ones. Cross your fingers they don’t overload that iffy circuit panel. So long as they don’t, I’m betting they’re effective. I texted Jim, your volunteer electrician, about coming out to have a look. He’s going to stop by later this afternoon. And Patrick texted. He’s coming out earlier today to work with Devil. He should be here by the time we’re done feeding. Or, as he put it, about ten minutes to ten.”
Kelsey grinned. “He’s a prompt one, our Patrick. And that’s awesome about the lights. But did you sleep at all?” Her delicate eyebrows knotted into peaks as she studied him, apparently past her earlier wave of shyness. “You’re getting dark circles under your eyes.”
“I’ll catch up tonight. Promise.”
“I hope so.”
She bit on the corner of her lip, calling his attention straight to her mouth. She didn’t seem to have a clue that she stirred him to life like a pharaoh that had been disentombed after a millennium of stillness. Or, for that matter, that by now there was hardly a surface of the house, porch, or yard where he hadn’t at least briefly imagined their bodies joining together.
Last night, she’d fit against him so perfectly. Her mouth was supple and yielding. Her skin, at the least the small bit
