She was in real trouble. She’d had a great time last night with Chance. Well, Brock too. But it was obvious by his attention that Chance was the one interested in her.
And as much as she didn’t want to be, she was interested right back. More than once she’d found herself wishing Chance would try to hold her hand during the movie or steal a kiss at the end of the evening. If Brock hadn’t been there, would he have?
It didn’t help that the movie had been a romantic comedy. Her phone trilled, jolting her from her reverie. Mallory’s number appeared on the caller ID.
“So…who were you at dinner with when I called last night?” was the first question out of her cousin’s mouth.
Chloe laughed. “I knew you’d be asking if you heard their voices in the background.”
“Their? More than one?”
“Yeah, it was a friendship outing.”
“Why?”
Chloe laughed. “Because I need friends and I think they picked up on that.”
“Too bad. You need a boyfriend more. So who was the one with the rocker dude, deep DJ voice?”
“That was Brock.”
“Sounds cute.”
Wow. It had been a long time since Mallory had mentioned a guy other than her fiancé in a positive light. Could something be going on in Mal’s relationship?
“He is very cute.” Cuter than your fiancé. Nicer too. “But the other one’s cuter.” Though Mal would probably disagree since they had very different taste in men. “He’s more the quiet observer, so you probably didn’t hear him. He’s adorably shy.”
“Hmm. Does shy guy have a name?”
“Chance Garrison.”
“Garrison. Related to Ivan, your one and only human patient at present?”
“Yep. His son. The other guy was his friend, and he’s very single and avidly looking.”
A pause. “I’m taken.”
“I know.” Chloe also knew hesitation when she heard it. And it definitely preceded Mal’s declaration.
“I want to hear more about this shy guy. Did he buy?”
“Yes. Dinner, a big tub of popcorn, soda and a movie.”
“So he seems interested?”
“I think so.”
A high-pitched squeal came through the phone that Chloe knew was Mal but sounded like her potbellied pig, Penelope. “Go for it!”
“Are you crazy? Romance is the last thing I need right now.”
“You big chicken.”
“Cluck-cluck.”
That evoked images of Mallory’s dream wedding since she wanted her rescue animals to be a part of it.
They’d agreed to be each other’s maids of honor since childhood. But enough talk about marriage. Talking made her think about it for herself, and that day was far, far away.
“You still dreaming of an animal-themed wedding?”
Mallory sighed. “Yeah. Haven’t managed to talk Bert into it yet.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I doubt you ever will.” Or that Bert would actually go through with walking down the aisle at all. That could be a blessing for Mal, who’d hopefully see his true colors before the vows.
“So why aren’t you interested in this Garrison guy?” Mallory asked.
“Because, like my dad, he’s married to his job. It would be the mistress of our lives.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
“It’s true. He has a very important career and not one that could be worked around my schedule. So he’s out as far as potentials. Although I’m flabbergasted and flattered he’s attracted to normal old me. He’s quite the hero.” Chloe sighed.
“You, fan of neon-green everything, eighties earrings and flamboyant hippie-style geometric dresses? You’re nowhere near normal, Chloe.” Mallory giggled.
“Ha-ha. He doesn’t seem to mind my eccentricity.”
“Then you should reconsider. The suits you date always try to put you back in the box, and that’s not where you belong. If shy guy likes you the way you are, you should give him a shot.”
“Tell you what, you heed my advice on men and I’ll heed yours.”
“Ha.” Mal snapped her gum. “On that note, I’ll let you go. Don’t forget, conference call Tuesday with the team.”
“I won’t. Speaking of, how’s Fiona’s replacement working out?”
Another pause. “I’m covering for Mindy quite a bit because she’s in school. Bert’s not thrilled about it.”
“I’m sorry, Mal. I don’t want the program to put tension in your relationship.” Much as Chloe didn’t care for Bert, she did care for Mal. “Do I need to return to Chicago?” The thought of not seeing Chance sent a wave of disappointment through her. Dread over what would become of Ivan crashed behind it.
“Not right now. I’ll manage.”
“You sure?” Mal didn’t sound convincing.
Chloe felt equally torn between Chicago and Refuge.
“Yeah, for now. Let’s hope Mindy can stay longer.”
“Okay. Bye, Mal.” Chloe hung up, glad for the reminder to get her notes together for the call. Everyone attending had questions she’d need to answer, and rather than complete their questionnaires she’d gone to town with Chance and Brock, although that had been way more fun.
She pulled out the paperwork and went down the list of people on her Chicago team. She’d need to construct an identical second team of people either from Refuge or willing to relocate to the area. But she wanted to give the people of Refuge first shot at the positions.
So far, she had twelve openings to fill. She couldn’t do that until the city council gave her clearance.
Two hours later, Chloe’s head pounded from the stress of all she had to do in so little time, plus all that would have to be accomplished, all the people and things that would have to line up and fall into place for this program to get off the ground and succeed long-term.
Her first hurdle was talking the small, old-fashioned town leaders into trying something so progressive.
The tune to the television show featuring Andy Griffith and Mayberry went through her mind, and she chuckled, remembering the small town featured in the old black-and-white series. Nevertheless, she loved it here and appreciated the ability to look out her window and see soybean fields and corn blowing in the breeze while animals frolicked in the outlying woods of the wildlife sanctuary that was next to the B&B.
Quite a culture shock from her former skyscraper window’s view that wouldn’t let her see past the next building. She’d missed small-town living while working in Chicago, yet she had loved her time in the city too.
Of course, meeting Chance Garrison had also been a perk. “Argh! Why can’t I stop thinking about him?”
Midnight lifted his head and looked playfully all of a sudden toward the door. “No, boy, he’s not coming over again today.” Midnight sighed and set his head down.
Chloe knew the feeling.
“Lord, if You think my program will benefit this town that Mom and I have already come to love, help me find a way to make this work.”
Chloe might not go to church, but she knew where her drive, talent and strength came from. She also knew it was given to her for the benefit of helping others. She’d use it to the best of her ability.
Pen reunited with paper, Chloe jotted notes from her Chicago team that would benefit building an identical Refuge team—assuming the city council approved her plan.
“Ugh.” Chloe set the notebook down and rubbed a hand along her face. Once she moved herself to Refuge, she’d need to replace herself on the Chicago team.
“Time for a switcheroo.” Chloe fed Midnight, then opened the Chicago team’s financial books. She needed more funding to get the Refuge clinic off the ground. Time for more grant writing, her least favorite chore.
Chloe pulled the ponytail holder out and pressed fingertips to her temples.
A knock sounded at her door. She grabbed some ibuprofen to fight her growing headache on the way to answer it.
When she opened it, Mandy, Celia and Amber stood grinning like cats with canary feathers springing from their mouths. “Hi!” they said in unison.
“Hi.” Chloe moved aside, glad for the distraction but suspicious of the smirking faces.
Clearly, they were up to something.
“Have a seat. Rescue me from paperwork.”
Rather than enter, Celia burst in and dragged Chloe toward the door. “Nope, chica. You’re coming with us.”
“Wait—what?” Chloe dug her heels into the floor. “I don’t want to leave Midnight alone and—”
Amber snatched the leash and headed toward the dog. “Got him. He’s coming with.”
With Celia still dragging her out the door, Chloe twisted toward Mandy. “Um, where are they taking me?”
Mandy tugged her elbow. “We are friend-napping you.”
They stepped outside in a giggling drove. Two more women waited in a Hummer. “Manny bought it for Celia. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Amber helped Midnight into the back.
“Yes, it’s to die for. Now, where are we going?” Chloe couldn’t help but laugh at the gaggle of women shoving her into Celia’s new ride.
A platinum-blonde woman reached out her hand. “Hi, I’m Sarah Petrowski. We’re taking you to breakfast.”
“Then to show you the greatest places to shop in Refuge,” Amelia Dillinger said.
Chloe smiled. “I remember you from the other night.”
“Yes, and by the way, Miss Maple is a Mister.”
Chloe giggled. “Does Chance know yet?”
“Ben figured he’d let Reece inform him of that.”
The women chuckled together. It felt good to be surrounded by new friends. “Thank you all. Seriously, I so needed this friendly invasion.”
“Sure. And later this afternoon, we’re taking you to a PJ cookout.” Amber clicked her seat belt.
Celia wiggled her brows. “Where Chance will be.”
An older woman added, “As will you. Hi, my name’s Mina.”
“You look like the sensible one of the bunch.” Chloe latched her seat belt and felt a sense of adventure rise. “Please tell me you’re not part of the cupid posse that I see has multiplied from three women to five.”
“Six,” Mina said, then snickered behind her hand.
Mandy grinned. “Mina’s the mastermind behind it all.”
Chloe should protest. She really should.
She should demand they turn this car around and take her back instead of help run her heart and dreams into trouble over a man who was the very reason she couldn’t concentrate on work today.
Instead she found herself sitting back, laughing and enjoying the ride.