A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold #9.5)(36)
Tammy pointed to the door leading back to the getting-to-know-you room just outside the entrance. “Then maybe we should have this conversation out there, where you can sit, young lady.”
“Oh, yes. You’re right.” Rina put her hand on her large belly.
May followed them out. Evie paused, then glanced back at Alexander. The cat stared at her with an expression that said he wasn’t the least bit surprised by her leaving. After all, humans hadn’t treated him that well. There was no reason for him to trust her, either.
Evie hesitated, then followed the other women out of the cat room.
When they were seated, Rina handed them each several sheets of paper. “This is the layout we used last year at the convention center,” she said. “It worked well. The shelter already has the adoptable pets’ pictures up on the website. I’ve got the advertising started. There will be several mentions on the local radio stations and an ad in the local paper. The posters for the storefronts are going to be ready tomorrow.”
May had her iPad open. “I already have a note to pick them up and deliver them to the various stores.” She smiled. “Glen, Shane and Clay are going to help me. I’m also going to get the flyers.”
“Good,” Rina said. “We want to hand them out to as many people as possible.”
“I would like about a hundred for the dance studio,” Evie said. “My students can take them home.”
Rina smiled. “Great. Kids are my target audience. Now for the adoption itself. The dogs need to be groomed.” She pulled out another list. “Last year I handled most of that, but there’s no way I can be on my feet. However, I have a list of volunteers.”
Tammy nodded. “I’m heading that group. Rina’s been giving me lessons on basic grooming. For the cats, we think a good brushing is enough, and I’m not touching anything that slithers or crawls.” She shuddered.
“Cute matters when it comes to adoptions,” Rina told them. “Sad but true. So we want fluffy, great-smelling pets. Now here’s what we did last year on the actual day.”
They went over how many tables they would need and the layout at the convention center. Rina had another list of volunteers who would be delivering pets that morning. Evie was more than stunned when she realized how many moving parts there were to the event and found herself offering to drive cats and dogs to the venue. She was also surprised at how her mother seemed to have a complete understanding of the logistics involved.
“With luck, everything will be done by one or two in the afternoon,” Rina said. “I’ll be there, and so will Cameron.” She smiled as she mentioned her husband. “He’s working very hard to keep me off my feet, so I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.”
“You need to take care of yourself and your baby,” May told her firmly. “We can handle this. Having Tammy to contact will be a big help.”
She confirmed a few more details, all the while typing on her iPad.
They wrapped up the last of the details, then May and Evie walked out.
“I enjoyed that,” May said. “While I appreciate having plenty of free time these days, I’ve missed the responsibility of having a job.”
“The adoption is a lot more work than I realized,” Evie admitted as they stood by their cars. “But I’m glad to be helping. Thanks for asking me.”
May smiled at her. “I’m the one who needs to thank you. I couldn’t possibly do it all alone. Glen is terrified I’m going to bring home all the animals that don’t get adopted, but I’ve promised I won’t. Right now we have travel plans. Getting a new house pet wouldn’t be fair to the animal. But Rafe and Heidi are thinking of looking at dogs.”
Evie thought about Alexander. She wasn’t sure how a cat would fit in her life. She’d never had a pet before and hadn’t grown up with them, either. For all her love of animals, May hadn’t wanted pets around. Probably because she’d had enough to do with four children and little money, Evie thought. Maybe she should look up cats on the internet and find out what was involved with owning one. The guest room of her townhouse faced south, and there was a small window seat. Didn’t cats like to lie in the sun?
They worked out when they would next meet to discuss the event, then Evie started to say goodbye. But before she managed to get out the words, her mother touched her arm.
“I heard about what happened with your brothers and Dante.”
Evie had managed to forget the incident while they were helping with the animals, so she was unprepared to have her mother bring it up now. She felt herself flush, which was followed by reminding herself she was an adult and what she did in her private life was no one’s business but her own. As good as the words sounded, however, she didn’t exactly remain convinced.
“My brothers need to knock before walking into my house, and I need to make sure the front door is locked,” she said.
“Dante seems very nice,” her mother said. “I hope you’re being smart about things.”
Smart? As in not falling for a man who had made it clear he wasn’t interested in a relationship? Smart as in…
“You’re talking birth control,” Evie said slowly, her stomach clenching as an emotional blow hit directly home.
Of course that was something her mother would worry about. She’d had to deal with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy. The fact that Evie was the result made things a little awkward.