Page 68 of Inherited Light
I flicked my gaze to Cinn who read my mind and helped her wheel toward us as I spoke. “I’ve never enjoyed a job the way I enjoyed this one. In fact, it didn’t feel like work, but rather a labor of love to benefit not only the pets of Little Ivywood, but our family. I hope it keeps the memory of Mabel alive in all of our hearts every time we wash Anabelle in the salon or find Brutus taking up a whole sleeping stall with just his head.”
The crowd pictured it and laughed as Brutus nudged Cat’s wheelchair. Once she had locked her brakes again he gave one loud woof. The crowd laughed harder and I stood at the podium proud of the wonderful people I called my family.
I motioned Foster forward. “It is with deep gratitude I present you with the key to Dalton’s Doggie Daycare. I do believe upon the transfer of this key, you are officially open for business.” I laid the key in his outstretched palm and he wrapped his hand around it, using his other hand to shake mine and then tugged me into a hug, patting me on the back.
“Job well done, Lorenzo. Mabel is watching and I know she’s thrilled with your devotion to her favorite place.”
I nodded, fighting back a few tears thinking about the woman we had mistakenly judged as uncaring when just the opposite was true. She had a secret life at the humane society, something we can be part of now in her death. “She was her own woman, but also a wonderful woman with a kind heart,” I said. “Thank you for trusting in my skills.”
Foster released me and shook his hand with the key in it. “I had no doubt you were the man for the job,” he said. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the addition; you’ll have more work than you know what to do with.”
“I hope so, Foster,” I said, moving aside so he could take the podium again. I stood near Cat while the photographer of the newspaper snapped some images of us all together. Foster introduced Cat before he read the winners of her silent auction. I squeezed her shoulders as I stood behind her, never prouder to be part of this wonderful community.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I held the door to Cat’s van open as she situated herself in the driver’s seat. “I’m going to stop at my apartment and pick up a few more things then meet you at home, okay?” I asked.
She leaned down and kissed my lips. “My heart just skipped a beat when you said home, Ren. Of course it’s okay. I’ll go home and start some dinner and we can eat when you get there.”
I kissed her again, “Sounds perfect. See you in an hour or so. Remember to reset the alarm, just in case.”
She nodded and I closed the door. She waved, backed out of the parking spot, and steered toward the main road of Little Ivywood. I planned to pack up the rest of my clothes in the few boxes I had saved from the humane society project. Once I moved those, the only thing left would be my woodworking tools. Tabitha planned to move in next weekend, which gave me the rest of the week to empty the apartment and clean it. Since the only job I had to do now was Tabitha’s shop, I could take a few hours a day to get the place ready for her. I’d already cleared it with my landlady and she was thrilled my sister would be moving in. She would have a reliable renter and as a bonus, she could keep feeding a Dalton kid.
Foster waved me over to the van where he had loaded the tables from some of the displays. I jogged over and my sister joined him. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked as I approached.
Foster closed the door on the van and leaned on it. “I wanted to be sure you’d be at the tour for the grand opening. I’ve had a lot of people ask me about the recycled products we used and you know more about it than I do.”
“Sure, no problem. I’ll be working for Tabitha by then, so I’ll be there at say 5:30?” I asked and Foster nodded.
“Sounds awesome. I know there’ll be many influential people from the community there. You never know when someone has a project they need a foreman for.”
I held up my fingers. “Fingers crossed. I could use the work.”
Cinn leaned into her husband. “Tabitha said you sold the BMW.”
I rested on the bumper of the van figuring I was in for a long conversation. “I did. I got my full asking price and I put the money in the bank. It should be more than enough to get me off the ground as an independent contractor.”
“You’ve decided then,” she said and I shrugged.
“Considering I haven’t advertised and already have two more jobs lined up, I guess I’ve decided to try out working for myself. I have several guys interested in working for me if I get this off the ground, so I don’t see it being a problem.”
“Have you talked to Dad about it?” Cinn asked. “You know he’s going to notice the BMW is gone at some point.”
I chuckled softly. “He’s been asking, and I’ve been able to avoid him, for now. I’ll get with him tomorrow to talk about it. I can’t change his opinion, but I can do what I think is right for my life.” I waved my hand. “It doesn’t matter; I’ll deal with it tomorrow. Right now, I want to enjoy being with Cat without the murder hanging over our heads.”
“Noah told me while he was here they have a suspect in custody for Xavier’s murder,” Cinn said, her voice elated.
I rubbed my hands together. “He called this morning to tell us. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I know Gretchen and she’s not the type, but I guess a crime of passion can strike anyone. At least Cat can go back to work and I can get to work on Tabitha’s counters without having to worry about her.”
Cinn put her arms around me and I hugged her, swinging her back and forth. “I love you, Lorenzo. I’m happy you’re finding your way.”
“I’ve never been happier than when I hold Cat in my arms, sis. If I have my way, I’ll never let her go.”
She kissed my cheek and left the safety of my arms. “I’ll let you head to the apartment. We’ll see you Wednesday evening.”
“I’ll see you then,” I agreed, waving goodbye.
I hoisted myself up into the truck and started it, grabbing my phone to call Cat. A nice bottle of wine would be enjoyable with dinner tonight, but I didn’t know what she planned to make. If I called her now I had time to stop and get a bottle, chill it at the apartment while I packed, and have it ready to drink for dinner.
