To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,63
to increase. It only took a moment for a spry, gray-haired woman to pop in from the back. Jeans with water sprinkles on the front, feet in rubber boots much like what Samantha wore, and a long-sleeve T-shirt completed her outfit. Her gaze was sharp, and she smiled as she looked at him.
“Welcome to the shelter. What can I do for you?”
“I saw the sign.” He winced as a look of confusion passed over her face. “Sorry, a sign at the vet clinic. It said you could use donations.”
Her eyes sparked with recognition, and she nodded, smiling widely. “Oh, Sam’s place. God bless her for putting a sign in her reception area. Lord knows that sweet girl is the best! Believe me, we can use anything we can get. Food, old towels, newspaper, money. Hell, just this morning the printer in the office crapped out on me!” She shook her head and laughed. “Of course, with all these animals around, that’s probably the least offensive thing that’s crapped on me!”
His lips twitched. “I’m sure, ma’am.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “I appreciate the respectful salutation, but around here, I’m just known as Betty.”
“Nice to meet you, Betty. I’m Joseph.” He looked around, suddenly uncertain. “Um… I’d like to help. I guess… I’m not really sure what you need.”
Betty waved her hands around. “We work on a shoestring budget, and I rely mostly on volunteers. My husband retired a couple of years ago, and he helps out, too. We’re run by grants, donations, and a whole lot of prayers, and if you came here to donate anything, I’ll consider it an answer to a prayer!” Another sigh escaped her lips, and when she looked up at him, a specter of sadness passed through her eyes. “I’ll tell you something that I haven’t even told Sam yet, and that is this shelter may have to close.”
His body jerked slightly. “Close?”
Betty’s name was called from the back, and she said, “That’s my husband. Come on with me, and we can talk while we check on the animals. I’ve got a volunteer who’s coming in a few minutes, and she can watch the front.”
He nodded and fell in step right behind her as they moved through a doorway and down the hall, passing several doors. He peeked through an open doorway to the right, seeing a storeroom with bags and cans of food on the shelves. To the left, he heard meowing and through that door could see a large, clean room with crates. Some were empty, but others were filled with cats and kittens.
Continuing to follow her, they came to a much larger room in the back where clean kennels held a variety of dogs and puppies, each with their own fenced run that gave them exercise and sunshine. A gray-haired man dressed in a similar way to Betty was just turning off the hose.
“Sid, this is Joseph. He came by to make a donation. This is my husband, Sid. All-around handyman and excellent kennel washer!” She clapped her husband on the back, her wide smile still present on her face.
The two men shook hands, and Joseph recognized his face. “It’s nice to meet you. I believe I’ve seen you at the American Legion.” His gaze dropped to the embroidered Navy insignia on Sid’s shirt. “Navy, sir?”
Glancing at his own shirt, Sid smiled as he nodded. “Many years ago, but yes.” He looked up and held Joseph’s gaze. “Were you in the service?”
“Served in the Navy also.”
Interrupting, Betty said, “Joseph, we were just heading back to the house for a coffee break. We live just behind the shelter. We’d love to have you join us.” He opened his mouth to politely decline when she added, “We don’t often get a chance to have visitors.”
“I’d be honored, thank you.” She still hadn’t told him what she meant by the shelter closing and hoped the topic could come up. He followed them out the back and down the short lane to a small, two-story brick home. The grass was neatly trimmed and flowers were planted along the front. A large tree provided shade for the front porch. As soon as he entered the house, the scent of vanilla struck him, jolting his mind back to a memory long buried.
“I made some banana bread yesterday, and Sid always says it’s better the second day after the flavors have had a chance to mix together. I’ll fix a fresh pot of coffee,” Betty said.