I found Shelley’s number and called her, asking her if she wanted to come help with the animals today. I actually did need the help—the hawk had done well with her surgery and was now recovering, but I couldn’t keep her near all the other animals because they’d be scared. Stress didn’t help healing. So I’d had to rearrange the garage, which took time away from other tasks.
It turned out she was interested, so I figured out some easier tasks she could help with. My paranoia was running wild, though—there was no way Shelley would normally have any interest in doing this kind of work as a sort of high society woman in training. So why was she so interested in getting close to me? I was glad Thomas had warded my home last night.
I heard a car pull into my driveway and saw Shelley step out. “
