Rory (Hope City #7) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,26

And then when I’m no longer a client…”

“I’m sure a working dinner will be fine, but for now, I must run. Thank you for the invitation. As soon as I have more plans for you to approve, I’ll be sure to get them to you.” With that, she turned and walked at a measured pace over the rest of the marble until she moved through the doors, barely breathing until she got outside. Pulling her sunglasses from her bag, she snapped them open, then placed them on her face. Walking more quickly, she didn’t breathe easily until she climbed inside her SUV. Sighing heavily, she drove back to her office, her thoughts in turmoil.

Why wouldn’t I want to go out with him? He’s smart, driven, interesting. And handsy. Rubbing her hand across her forehead, she had to admit Anthony just didn’t do it for her.

A siren was heard in the distance, and she slowed down, waiting until the ambulance had passed safely through the intersection. A flash of Rory hit her, and she swallowed deeply. She’d only kissed him once but felt something she’d never felt before. More than lust. More than friendship.

Safe. He made her feel safe.

Snorting, she rolled her eyes. Yeah, and look how that turned out. Maybe I just don’t know how to pick a man.

9

Three-B-three.

Rory and his crew made their way to the local animal shelter in their district, answering the call for an animal attack with unknown status.

“Is Animal Control on their way?” he asked, wanting to know what they might be facing once they got to the shelter.

“They’ve just arrived,” Shania replied, on her radio to the dispatcher.

The shelter was located on the corner of a large block of brick buildings. “You ever been here?”

Shania nodded. “We don’t get called here often. I think I’ve only been here twice in the last five years. They’ve got a good reputation. The alley behind the shelter is enclosed with a chain-link fence and there are a bunch of dog runs inside. They don’t take in just any animal, and they don’t overcrowd.”

Parking outside, he was glad to see a police cruiser and Animal Control vehicle already there. “Good, we can focus on whoever got bitten and not have to worry about fighting off a dog.”

Hustling inside, he was met with a cacophony of barking, and a young woman ran up, pointing them to the back.

“It’s our director, Glenna Parker. She was dealing with a new dog, and he suddenly turned on her and clamped down on her arm!”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Shania said. “Why don’t you stay here and keep everyone else out, and we’ll go on back.”

Entering one of the large rooms in the back, Rory saw Animal Control taking charge of a large, mixed-breed dog, still barking and snarling. One of the police officers was standing next to the door leading to the alley, talking to a blonde woman whose back was to them as she held the leash to a dog who was barking but appeared under control. In a smaller room to the side, another officer was with a middle-aged woman whose face was pinched with pain and what looked to be irritation, holding a towel onto her arm. He and Shania hustled over.

“I don’t want them putting that dog down,” the woman said, ignoring Rory and Shania as she strained to see what Animal Control was doing in the large room. “I think he was injured when I was checking him out, that’s why he snapped at me.”

“Ma’am, what’s your name?” Shania asked, her voice soothing.

“Glenna. Glenna Parker. I’m in charge of the shelter.”

“Well, Glenna, let’s get you into this chair over here, take a look at your arm, and get you fixed up.”

“I’ve got to give my report,” Glenna continued to protest while allowing Shania to lead her to a chair.

“The sooner we can check out your injury, the sooner you can get to the dogs,” Rory said, unwrapping the bloody towel. Once her arm was exposed and cleaned, he could see she was going to need stitches. “Ms. Parker, you’re going to need to go to the hospital. I’m assuming your rabies vaccine is up-to-date.”

His lips twitched at the perturbed expression she shot his way.

“I’d hardly be working here if it wasn’t,” she sighed heavily, lifting her uninjured hand to her forehead, rubbing gently. “I do apologize for snapping at you.” She snorted, lifting her gaze back to him and Shania. “Snapping. That’s exactly what the dog did to me.