“Truly, Padawan,” she replies in a serious voice, then blushes. “Ah…I did it again. Sorry. I—”
Clasping my hands together as if in prayer, I bow slightly and say in my best Yoda voice, “Be there before four, I will.”
She stares at me for so long that I finally shrug and say, “I have four older brothers. All of them fans. My sister, too…even my parents. Growing up, we had lots of movie-night marathons. It was, like, a rule that you had to be there.” Warmth suffuses me as those memories bubble up. For once, my past is nice, comforting. The laughter of my siblings fills me with bittersweet emotions. I miss them so much.
A strange look covers her face, one that I can’t quite read. “That sounds very nice” is all she says before abruptly walking away.
“See you this afternoon,” I call out.
Over one shoulder, Saylor waves at me, but she doesn’t reply. Maybe she regrets telling me about the opening. Maybe she was just being nice. Maybe none of that matters because I’m tired of doing nothing now that I can do something.
Pivoting, I make my way to my apartment. In no time at all, I have my laptop open and Google is pulling up the Web page for Forrestville Animal Shelter. To my thankful surprise, it’s a no-kill shelter that’s growing faster than they have room or money. But apparently, they’ve been allocated enough money to hire a tech. Pretty sure “tech” is code for “new girl to clean up poop and take out the trash.”
Of course, I click on the link to apply for the job. I’m a farmer’s daughter, after all, and I can muck up crap with the best of them. Although it has been years since I’ve gotten my hands dirty. Years since I’ve held baby chicks and lambs.
Everything was years ago. Everything better about my life took place years ago.
My throat tightens and tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to cry. I’ve cried enough because of that bastard Penn, and he won’t get another tear out of me.
—
“You came,” Saylor says as soon as I walk inside the front office. Her voice is filled with disbelief, but the look on her face is something very close to happy.
“Said I would.” I sit down in the chair directly in front of the desk, taking in the room. It smells of animals, mostly dogs…but it’s not off-putting—more like a barn after a good rainstorm.
Saylor busies herself with cleaning off her desk. “Give me a sec, and I’ll bring up your information.” Pushing at her glasses, she focuses on the large computer screen in front of her. “There you are.” Her eyebrows rise. “You raised lambs and a calf?”
“Farmer’s daughter and former 4-H’er,” I reply, hoping that my experience is enough.
“Um…well, do you have any recent experience with animals?”
My face falls. “No.” How could I when Penn refused to allow a dog or cat in our home? He claimed it was because we had to move so much while he was on active duty, but once he got out…I knew he refused in order to punish me. He couldn’t stand the thought of my attention being diverted away from him by anyone or anything. “I…uh…I’m a fast learner.”
Saylor gives me a small but sweet smile. “You were really good with Padme.”
“Animals usually like me, and I usually like them.”
“That’s the kind of answer I want to hear.” Her smile turns into a grin. “You’re honest, and I like that.”
“I try to be.”
“One last question.”
My heart starts to beat like it has taken flight. “Yes?”
“You don’t have any work history for almost six years? Did something happen to you?”
I got married and after the first year, he forbade me from working anywhere, that’s what happened. But I can’t share that with Saylor. “My husband was in the Army and we moved around a lot.”
Her dark gaze goes to my left hand. “You’re married?” Then her eyes widen. “Ack! Don’t answer that. Sorry.”
The genuine expression of horror on her face makes me want to hug her, and I haven’t felt like touching anyone for a long, long time. I lean forward and give her a wink. “Don’t worry. I won’t report you.” I wouldn’t know where to report her, even if I wanted to.
“Omigosh. Thank you.” Saylor jumps to her feet, extending her hand. “You’ve got the job.”
My mouth drops open for a second. “I do?”
She nods happily, even as her arm falls to her side. I should have shaken her hand.
“B-but I don’t have the experience.” Ugh. Why am I saying this? Oh, wait, I know, because of Penn.
“You’re only good at one thing, Evangeline, and I’m mighty glad you’re so damn willing,” Penn says, playfully slapping my butt cheek as he gets out of bed.