“Unless it comes with a ready-made wife and you get lucky all of a sudden, you’re in for a great disappointment, pal. Both of us are tragic singles and that’s not looking like it’ll change any time soon. You can’t even get Ruby to stick to the seven dates you paid for.” He pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through the contacts before looking at Simon again. “Do you really think I should?”
“Yeah, man. I do. If we don’t get lucky in the girl department, and just for the record – I gave her a temporary pass while they go on the big adoption drive and make the move to the new place - at least we can sit in the garden and complain to each other about being rich and alone. There isn’t anyone else I’d rather do that with. But,” he leaned forward, “I don’t intend that to happen. I’m going to help Ruby move this shelter and then I’m going in for the attack. I will make her fall in love with me again if it’s the last thing I do. And then we’re going to focus on you. There’s someone out there for you, pal, trust me on this one.”
He rolled his eyes despite the grin on his lips. “Give me strength.” Tyler hit the call button on his cell. “Graham, hey, it’s Tyler. I hear we need to have a little chat about a certain property for sale you think might be up my alley, so to speak.”
* * *
Ruby crossed the name of the next volunteer off the list. “One of the girls will help you collect your charge for the move. I can’t thank you enough for offering to help us transport the animals today.”
Mabel Tishler smiled and adjusted the pearl necklace around her throat. “You’re very welcome. Laura and Graham are friends of ours and if they say we should become involved, well, we want to do everything we can to help. They both speak so highly of you too.” The tiny lady in front of her leaned in and whispered, “I might be in the market for a new cat. It’s been a few years since my Toby passed away. I think it’s time. Do you think you can help me, sweetheart? Laura won’t let me go anywhere else and I think she’s right too.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “If I can help some poor dumped animal, I will. Tragic, just tragic what people do to their pets.”
Ruby put her arm around the older woman’s shoulders, loving her enthusiasm and zest for life. “I know I can. How about you give me a call on Monday and we can make an appointment for you to come and see me when I have more time? I know we have some beautiful animals desperate for their fur-ever home. You can sit and spend some time with a couple of our gorgeous charges and make a choice.”
“Graham said you were a sweet thing and would look after me. I appreciate it, now I must go and get my charge and move them to their new shelter.” She picked up her cat cage, the one with Toby picked out in sparkly gems on the top of the door, and scurried away to help.
“Next please.”
“Ruby.” Simon’s voice made her look up.
“Hey. How are you?” She hadn’t expected to see him today. He gave her a warm smile and her heart melted just a little.
“Good. I heard you need help. I can move a few dogs if you like. Give me a couple of the bigger ones.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Simon. Thank you. That was always going to be the most difficult area today so I really appreciate it.” She glanced at her spreadsheet again and chose two of the larger dogs because she knew he could handle them. “If you want to go down to the boarding kennels, Carly is there helping hand over the dogs.” She made a note on a card and gave it to him. “These are the two you’re taking and the address of the new shelter is on the back.”
“I know where it is. Can I catch up with you at the other end?” He stared at her with such hope in his eyes that she found it hard to say no. He really was trying to get back into her good graces again and she didn’t have the heart to fight him. Not when her feelings were still so in tune with him.
“I don’t know what time we’ll finish tonight. We have to get the animals settled and that’s going to take time. It might be better if you wait a few days. I’ll make it up to you, promise.”
He looked back at the line of people waiting to help out. “There must be something I can do to help at the other end.”
She thought for a moment. “Actually, yeah, there is. When you deliver the dogs to the shelter, would you mind going and letting my guys out for a quick play in the yard. They’ve been locked up for hours and I can see them getting into trouble inside if I’m home late. I haven’t given them as much time as I should’ve this week. It’s been so hectic and I really feel terrible about leaving them alone so much.” She pulled her keys out of her pocket and slid one off. “This is the front door key. I have a spare somewhere in the garden so don’t rush back with it. Not sure where I’ll be to be honest.”
Simon took it. “Sure thing.” He slid it in his pocket. “Well, I’ll go and get these dogs moved and catch up with you later on then?”
“Thanks, Simon. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. This week has been total chaos.” So far things had gone well but she was running on adrenaline and coffee. By the end of
