Page 25 of Reckless Harmony

“How old do you think they are?” Emma asked.

“Four weeks, maybe?” Rayna said.

“They couldn’t have been out there that long,” Emma frowned. “Arianna’s only been gone twenty minutes, and she would have told you there was a box on the porch.”

Her frown deepened as Rayna reached for her phone. “Wait, I thought you were getting a doorbell cam?”

“I used the money to help a low-income senior buy food for her dog,” Rayna said.

“Honey, you need a camera,” Emma said. “With the number of sketchy people who drop animals off at your house, you shouldn’t be opening the door without knowing who it is first.”

“Yeah, I know,” Rayna said, texting rapidly. “But there’s always something else that feels more important to buy, and right now, cash is super low for the rescue.”

“Promise me when you get some funds from the auction, you’ll get a new one,” Emma said.

“I’ll try, but our vet bills are crazy high, and our Helping Hands fund is almost empty,” Rayna said.

Her phone dinged, and she read it, relief washing over her. “Thank God. Catelyn can take the babies.”

“Who’s Catelyn?”

“A new volunteer with neonate experience,” Rayna said. “These babies need bottle feeding, and our only other neonate foster is in Jamaica right now.”

She rubbed at her forehead, trying to think past the sudden exhaustion. She’d been looking forward to a hot shower and her warm bed after Emma left, but that wasn’t happening now. “Okay, I gotta get these babies and some supplies to Catelyn asap. Who knows when they ate last.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Emma asked.

“Nah, you go home to your man and get your freak on,” Rayna said. “Love you, Emmy.”

“Love you too, Rayna.”

CHAPTER 11

“You sound tired, love.”

“I’m fine.” Stark switched his phone to his other ear, and one finger typed at his keyboard. “Did you talk to your doctor about the heart palpitations?”

“I did.” His mother sounded as carefree as she always did. “They did some tests and said it’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?” Stark stopped typing. “There is absolutely something to worry about. I want you to get a second opinion from Dr. Moren. I’ll call and book you an appointment.”

“You mean you’ll have Hollis call and book an appointment,” his mother said with a laugh. “I’m perfectly capable of booking my own doctor’s appointment, darling.”

“You are, but I know you, and it’ll slip your mind the moment we get off the phone. Hollis will call you and coordinate a time that works, okay?”

“Sure,” his mother said. “How are things going, dearest? You really do sound quite tired.”

“Just a long day,” he said.

“Any luck getting the third property from your neighbour?” she asked.

He grimaced. “No, but I did have to rescue her from my tree a few days ago.”

“That sounds like a fun story,” his mother said. “Do tell.”

He relayed the entire story, skipping the part where he had Rayna’s tits in his face, and was amused by his mother’s reactions despite how tired he was.

“Oh my goodness,” his mother said when he was finished. “I think I might love your neighbour.”

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