Chances

5. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Haley“Good morning.” Keira opened the passenger door to the Barkville van while balancing a travel mug in her hand and an oversized canvas tote on her arm. A bright smile stretched across her face as she settled into the passenger seat.

"Morning, chipper." Haley could have sworn her friend woke up with sunshine on her face, no matter how early, or how dire the circumstances. Like today. She loved her friend’s sunny disposition and wished she could muster the same perkiness every day at this early hour. Haley’s needle on the perky meter started moving around nine o’clock, after feeding it a pot of tea.

"God, I can’t believe we’re doing this," Keira put the mug in a holder and snapped the seatbelt across her chest. "Hmmm," she hummed as the scent of coffee filled the space.

"Yeah. Right. It’s definitely a first for us. Is it just me or does it feel like three hours and not three days since the County Attorney asked for our help?" Haley blew a stream of air through pursed lips. "You know how I worried we wouldn’t have enough time to clear the shelter, or have enough volunteers to help with transport and intake of however many animals we may be getting. But we said we would, and thanks to you, Millie, and Julie, we are."

"I guess jumping through hoops is part of our job description." Keira picked up her mug and removed the lid as Haley backed out of the driveway, blew across the escaping steam, and sipped.

"No kidding, girl, but hey, whatever comes our way today, it’ll be fine. We’ll deal with it." Haley glanced at Keira and smiled.

Of course, everyone at Barkville had a hand in moving mountains to help out the county in this time of need. As one of three non-profits accepting animals, it was their time to shine. In a flurry of phone calls, Haley and her volunteers had appealed to every foster parent, friend, family member, and neighbor to foster one of Barkville’s animals, assuring them it would only be temporarily. They needed to make room for the ones coming in from the hoarding situation—the ones in good enough shape to go to a shelter.

"Hmmm," Keira said after a moment. "As bad as this whole situation is, the boarding fees from the county will help with the bills until the court decides the fate of the pups."

That much was true. Haley had dreamed about getting her own shelter, and the universe had granted her this wish. With it came a slew of financial worries, but who in their mutt-loving heart could put a price on the wellbeing of an animal?

Thirty-five minutes later, when Haley and Keira arrived at the property, a police cruiser with flashing lights was directing traffic. The car in front of her slowed to a crawl, causing Haley to slam on her brakes. "Stupid rubberneckers," she muttered as the driver craned his neck to get a better view of a police officer escorting a woman from the house to a cruiser in the driveway.

"Jeez." Keira balanced her coffee, avoiding a spill-over. "That sure woke me up."

"Sorry," Haley smiled. "Think the local news stations will be showing up soon?"

"Heck, yeah. I’m surprised they’re not already here." Keira’s gaze scanned the expanse in front of the unassuming ranch home sitting back on the property.

After giving their purpose for being there, a police officer directed Haley to a grassy area designated for parking on the far side of the house. Animal control, cruelty investigators, and local veterinarians were setting up an examination station a small distance from the front door, where they would check and document each animal taken from the home.

Haley’s van rattled over the uneven terrain to the designated parking area. "Hey, there’s Millie and Julie." Haley waved as they passed the Barkville volunteers, who were unloading several empty kennels and cat carriers from Millie’s SUV. At the edge of the parking area, Haley spotted the volunteer sign-in station where two women in white coveralls were handing out hazmat suits, gloves, and masks to a group of people.

"You know what? Let’s go over there, register, and get our suits." Haley said, shutting off the engine. "We can gear up when we come back for the kennels."

"Sounds good." Haley opened the car door and scrunched her nose. "Oh my God. What a disgusting smell." A revolting whiff of decomposing animal feces drifted on the clear morning air, making her stomach queasy.

"Dear Lord," Keira echoed as she slammed the car door shut and pinched her nose. "This is horrendous. It’s coming from over there," she pointed to the chain-link fence behind the house. "I don’t even want to know what it smells like inside," she said, tipping her chin toward the house.

Signing in at the registration booth, Haley and Keira received their masks, coveralls, and heavy gloves. With protective layers in hand and about to hurry back to their van, Keira suddenly nudged her elbow into Haley’s side.

"Holy s**t, girl—"

"What?" Haley gave a slight shake of her head and raised her brows.

"You’re not going to believe this—""

"What?" Sounding a little flustered to be strung along, Haley followed her friend’s gaze to a minibus parked close to the area dedicated to the animal intake station. At the open door, a man and woman were donning their hazmat gear. A trick of light, or not enough caffeine in her tea, Haley couldn’t be sure, but even as she laid eyes on the guy, her stomach twisted and tied into a double knot.

"No way." It couldn't be. She blinked, and it still was... Austin.

The guy who looked as delicious in flannel shirts and sneakers as he did in a business suit and designer shoes. The same guy who’d moved out of her house—okay, she’d broken up with him—because of her insufferable little hellhound, Max. Well, Austin’s living arrangement had been temporary anyway. Nope, she wasn’t thinking about any of it right now.

Strange enough, somewhere between shocked and annoyed, Haley’s heart had stopped beating, then it picked up a staccato all its own.

"Kei," she said, striving for a neutral tone and failing miserably. "For heaven’s sake, why is he here? Doesn’t he have some Italian loafers to shop for or something?"

Keira, who knew every detail of the argument that led to Haley’s and Austin’s separation, snapped her eyes to Haley. "Ouch. That’s so unlike you, Haley bug. Why not cut him some slack?"

"You don’t think the rumors are true of him being seen around town with a pretty brunette? Haley squinted her eyes. And the woman over there doesn’t have a thing to do with it?"

"But you don’t care, or do you?"

"Come on, Kei. I won’t dignify that with an answer." Haley glared. "Anyway, somehow she roped him into volunteering for animal rescue, so both thumbs up for her." The words left her mouth on a snarky note, and to her own ears, she sounded testy.

"Talk to him or ignore him, Haley." Keira’s tone was mild. "Your choice. Just don’t let him get under your skin."

"Hell, no, girl. Don’t worry—that dog lost its bite."

Austin looked her way just as he zipped up his coverall, and two sets of blue eyes connected. Austin’s reminded her of washed denim, inquiring and exploring her, while hers had to be flashing with irritation. Irritation for Austin being here—why was he here, anyway—and annoyed with how this surprise encounter made her feel. Haley acknowledged him with a nod, her lips quirking into a small smile, but oh no—he tossed back a killer smile that once made her knees weak. Well, not anymore. Even so, her mind tracked back to the time Austin walked into her life.