“That’s true, but that hardly implies romantic love.”
Cassia giggled and said, “No, but the fact that you are constantly thinking about him and have very erotic fantasies about him might. I had to disappear last night while you were taking care of your needs after thinking about him. I closed off my mind in a hurry. You are going to corrupt my innocence.”
“I need a flyswatter,” Savvy said.
“Do we have a bug problem?” a deep voice said behind her.
Savvy jumped and put her hand over her chest.
“Sorry. I thought that you could hear my footsteps.”
“No,” Savvy said. “An annoying fly buzzing was zooming around my head a few seconds ago, but it seems to have disappeared.”
Cassia laughed in her ear and said, “I’m right here.”
Savvy had to bite her tongue to keep from replying. She didn’t need Rory thinking that she was a nutcase.
“I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been teaching the kids about community and the importance of giving back to the world. Beth and Conner told me about the food bank. Micah, Lucy, and Angie have stocked it and they’ll be giving out groceries and other supplies tomorrow. I was wondering whether it would be okay if I took the kids so they could help, too.”
Micah was a billionaire who partnered with Angie. Her parents had also been billionaires, and the two of them had worked together to fund multiple causes in the area. Angie was married to the alpha of a wolf shifter pack in the shifter world but often came to the human world to take care of her pet projects. Lucy was Micah’s wife.
“I think that would be a wonderful idea,” he said. “We aren’t billionaires, but we have more than plenty. I think that it would be a great experience to meet other people who aren’t as privileged and to realize that they can make a difference for others.”
“Terrific,” Savvy said.
“Has there been any sign of trouble out here?”
“Nope. I’ve been keeping an eye out, and Colby is always outside with us when he can protect us. The kids talked him into playing games with them. Today, they had him hula-hooping.”
“I would have loved to see that.” Rory laughed.
“It was funny. Rosa and Amy had to come out and watch. The kids tried to get them to play, too, but they refused.”
“What about you?”
“Nope. I could never get my hips to move right.”
Rory laughed. He sat down next to her and his knee touched hers. An electric shock nearly made her jump out of her chair. Rory had loosened his tie and the top several buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, giving Savvy a glimpse of his well-defined chest, making her fingers itch to touch him.
They talked about the kids for a few minutes, and he asked, “How do you like it here?”
“It’s amazing. I love the kids. Colby, Amy, and Rosa are like the family I never had.”
“You don’t have any brothers or sisters?”
“No. My mom’s still alive, but we don’t talk,” Savvy said. “I guess I need a shower and bed. We’re going to have a big day tomorrow.”
She and the kids left for the foodbank right after breakfast. Conner, Beth, and Taryn were already there, as were Micah and Angie. She brought her constant companion, a black and white border collie, Apollo, with her.
Drake and Cat fell instantly in love with Taryn, who took them under her wing. She explained the process to them and what their jobs would be.
“She is going to be the perfect big sister,” Savvy said.
“I know.” Beth smiled, rubbing her belly.
The doors opened and people seemed to flood in. People from Angel’s Creek and the surrounding areas came in, hoping to get a hand up in troubling times. Everyone was extremely grateful for the assistance.
Cat and Drake had the chance to meet a lot of kids who didn’t have all of the toys and clothes that they had. At the end of the day, the little ones were just as tired as the adults, but they felt good about the fact that they had helped.