On the way back to the shelter, Carly ticked off a list of things she needed to have at the new office before she could move in. “Power, internet, phone lines. I can pack up the office in less than a week. It’s easy on my side of things. I’ll start a spreadsheet when I get back, Graham, and send it to you in a shareable document. I’ll also give you the details to our social media sites so you and Laura can post there too. We’re going to get this done with as little fuss as possible.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He drove the short distance to the shelter and pulled up at the front door. “Now, don’t forget. If there’s anything you want the builders to do, get it done now before you move in. They’ve almost finished the kennel area and updated the office. Done the repairs to the other shed. You have the space to expand and it’ll be easier now than later.”
“I was thinking of a sickbay away from the main part of the facility since there are so many buildings available.” Ruby chewed on her lip, still concerned about cost. “Some animals need to be quarantined and that’s been a challenge where we are now.”
Graham nodded. “I think that’s a brilliant idea, Ruby. Give Ryan a call and chat to him about it. You don’t need me involved.”
Ruby got out of the car. “Thanks so much. We’ll be in touch.”
As Graham drove away in his big black sedan, Ruby commented. “I always wondered what it would be like to have a fairy godfather. Now I know.”
Carly snorted. “You had that in Simon.”
Ruby bristled. “That’s where you’re wrong. I thought I did but trust got in the way.”
“Trust or pride? There’s a subtle difference, Ruby.”
Was there? Had she taken things the wrong way or had he treated her as badly as she’d assumed for the last few years? She didn’t have time to worry about it now. She had a shelter to pack up and move. That was going to take all of her focus for the next couple of weeks. In a sense it gave her breathing space to try and unpack her feelings for Simon. More importantly, what she was going to do about them.
Because as things were right now, it would be too easy to fall back into the old routine and she hated that she was so indecisive. She’d made up her mind when they broke up that she wasn’t going to give him another chance.
Now she wasn’t so sure.
* * *
He’d promised her she could have a break from the dates but Simon was feeling the divide widen between them. He got in his car, buckled George in and headed to Ruby’s house. If nothing, he could walk the dogs for her.
When he pulled up, the door was shut and there was no sign of life. He got out of the car and knocked on the door. Barking erupted from inside so she must have been home at some stage. He waited. Nothing. She wasn’t home from work and it was getting late.
He stood there for a moment, wondering if he should hang around or if that would make him look tragic when her car pulled up.
“Simon, what are you doing here?” She opened the door and grabbed a bundle of papers in her arms, kicking the car door shut with her foot.
“Just driving past and thought I’d call in and see if there was anything I could do to help out.”
She shuffled the papers in her hands and reached for her handbag. “You can grab the keys and open the door if you like.”
“How about I hold the papers and you look for the keys. I hate going into ladies handbags.” He took the posters from her. “These are catchy. What are you doing with them?”
She grinned and his stomach flipped. “Sticking them in shop windows and anywhere else I can find that won’t get me into trouble.”
“Need any help?”
Ruby opened the door and the dogs came flying out. As they sniffed around his feet and vied for attention, Simon raised an eyebrow. “Sure. We can take the beasts for a walk and share the load. What do you say?”
“I say yes.”
Simon walked over to his car and let George out. “Walkies time, puppies. Let us get organized and we’ll hit the road.”
Once they had the posters in a backpack, Simon slung it on his back. “Tape?”
“In the backpack.” Ruby grabbed the dogs leads. “Where do you want to start?”
“Up to you. We can drive into town and park then walk. We can even have a bite to eat halfway if you like.”
She tilted her head and smiled at him. “I think you’re being sneaky, Simon. Sounds remarkably like a date to me.”
He laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. He was prepared to call it one if she insisted but that hadn’t been the plan. “You got me there. But we need the fuel for the walking we’re going to do and I bet you haven’t eaten either. I know I haven’t so we may as well do it on the run.”
“You’re right. Thank you.” She followed him to the car and loaded the dogs in the back of the Porsche. Soon they were down in Sausalito and walking the streets. At each open shop, they stopped and asked if they could put a poster in the window to promote the adoption day.
By the time they’d done the main area, half of the posters were gone and the spark had gone out of Ruby’s eyes. “If you like, I can take some of these into San Francisco tomorrow and hand them out. May as well put them far and wide to get the best coverage.”
Ruby
