The eviction notice had been a wake-up call. It had clarified how quickly her situation was deteriorating.
“Thank you for your time.” Sarah sat in the leather chair across the desk from Will.
She rubbed Bub’s silky ear for encouragement. But Will had frowned at the adorable stray, a dog she’d roped in at the last minute to seal the deal. If Will Barnes wasn’t an animal lover, her job had gotten much more difficult, but if he was hard-hearted enough to withstand Bub’s tricks, she was doomed.
The shelter was broke and closed to new animals.
Will checked his watch. “Five minutes. Go.”
Okay, she could do this. “Paws for Love is a no-kill shelter that I started supporting a little over a year ago. Now that... Well, as head of the organization, I’ve committed to raising funds for the shelter’s improvement, but it’s not easy.”
“Could be something to do with your beautiful personality,” Will muttered.
The idea that this man, who’d been one of the gangliest math nerds to ever come out of Holly Heights, could hurt her, even if he was speaking the truth, was almost unbelievable. But this was what her life had come to: begging for help from people who’d much rather enjoy her misfortune.
How could people hold her past actions against her when she was trying to do something good?
“Since the funding has stopped, the shelter manager disappeared. I’m doing my best with the volunteers to keep the doors open, but Paws needs investment and soon.” She almost told him about the overdue bills but decided that might smack of poor management to numbers-man Will.
Without fast cash, she wouldn’t be able to afford the basics—food and electricity. Even the local vets who’d been donating time and services would pull their support if she couldn’t keep the lights on. Juggling the bills had become her latest obsession.
“How much?” Will asked as he stared over his shoulder at his computer. Apparently, even five minutes of undivided attention was asking too much.
“A lot. Anything would help. I’ve got an event planned for next month, so if I could get enough to pay the bills for this month and next, I’ll have more options.” For reassurance, she scratched the spot right above Bub’s tail and listened to his tail thump the floor. His happy sigh bolstered her resolve.
“What happened to the other donors?” Will leaned back in his chair, one elbow braced against the armrest. If he was distracted before, his focus now was intense.
“They are...unhappy with my involvement. Some of my father’s business decisions aren’t popular.” There. She’d tiptoed around the truth.
Will raised an eyebrow and waited. The silence between them stretched until Bub shifted to sniff under Will’s desk, breaking Will’s concentration and giving her a chance to breathe.
“You know you’ll need something more concrete than ‘a lot’ to convince me to spend any of Rebecca’s valuable time. Budgets for this year and next, salaries, staffing, capital improvements needed, the percentage of the donation that could go to overhead versus the animals. You aren’t ready for fund-raising. Come back when you are.” He didn’t shy away but met her stare head-on.
“And you’ll refuse to see me then, too.” Sarah shook her head. “I’m surprised, Will.”
“I’m not. Of course you thought you could walk in here and everything would be forgotten because you wore your prettiest dress and red lipstick. That’s the Sarah I remember.” He braced both hands on the chair’s armrests, prepared to...defend himself? Battle? She wasn’t sure.
“Another thing hasn’t changed. I always get my way.” She eased back. “Bub and I are going to stay right here until you agree to at least visit the shelter. I’ll jump through your hoops, but I want you to see what we’re doing when I get my proposal done. Come to the shelter or Bub is staying put.” She tapped her fingers on the arms of the chair. “And you do not want to know how long it’s been since he’s had his walk. He’s a big, thirsty dog. Could have a mess pretty soon.”
She surveyed his office. “Walnut bookcases polished to a high sheen. Leather furniture.” She squinted at the lower shelves. “Are those first editions down there? Bub really likes books.” Was that true? Who knew? Bub played his part like a master, ambling over to nose around the bottom of the bookcase.
Will straightened in his chair, both hands held out as if he were about to spring into action. Would he carry Bub out himself or use his body as a shield to protect his belongings?
“Fine. I’ll come out to see the place, but that’s as far as I’m taking this. If you don’t leave right now and take your dog with you, I’m going to call the police.”
Sarah couldn’t help the pout that had gotten her through a lot of harder discussions. “Aw, you don’t want to do that. Wouldn’t look good for your business to toss people out, would it? And Bub can howl on command.” She’d grab some treats and teach him to tonight, just in case. She held out her hand and the dog moved to stand by her side.
“Don’t expect me to change my mind. I won’t waste my client’s time on any business that’s so poorly run it’s about to close.” He tilted his head. “And when she finds out it’s you asking, I’m pretty sure she’ll thank me for running interference.”
“I was never mean to Rebecca. What’s she got against me?” The waver in her voice was an unwelcome surprise. The shelter’s survival depended on Rebecca, her cash and her friendly disposition. If Rebecca was an enemy, too, where could she go for help?
Sarah wished she could take the question back. Showing weakness would never do.
Bulletproof. That’s the only way to live in this town. Remember.
“My stepsister Jen’s one of her best friends. We talked about her already, didn’t we? Jennifer Neil. Tall, thin...good with numbers, like me. Hit the lottery. Maybe her last name threw you off.” He raised an eyebrow. “Ring any bells?”
Don’t panic. You can work this out, Sarah.
“Vaguely. But none of us are in high school anymore.”
Will crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, she still is. Teaches there every day. Probably keeps the memories alive.” His lips were a tight line as he studied her face.
The hole he’d punched in her hope made it difficult to stand straight and tall. Flash him a smile, grab the dog and live to fight another day. “I’ll be excited and grateful to show you around the shelter. Thank you so much for your valuable time.”
She didn’t think her fear or discomfort could be heard in her voice, but her gritted teeth didn’t much resemble a smile. Still, she calmly, slowly led Bub out of the office, working the dress, the heels and her best features until she stepped back out on the sidewalk. As soon as she passed his window, she collapsed against the brick, closed her eyes and fought back tears.
“That was harder than I thought it would be.” Bub licked her hand and she remembered why fear, frustration and her own embarrassment didn’t matter.
At this point, she was out of options. Difficult was the only way.
Until her father came back for her or she tracked him down.
She fished her phone out of her handbag. No missed call. No text. Nothing to indicate that her father was on his way.
“Time to get back to work. These shoes are beautiful but deadly.”
Bub stood, too, happy to go wherever she was going, but a woman coming down the sidewalk called Sarah’s name before they could take two steps. The dread was nearly immediate. Running into any old “friend”