Page 40 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

Sutton had quickly learned that the Paws for the Cause fundraiser was nothing like the stuffy gala she’d expected. It was a smalltown fundraiser that brought the community together with the singular focus of saving furry lives. There wasn’t a person she’d mentioned it to who didn’t want to volunteer.

She’d also learned that she’d gotten in over her head. The planning of the event was massive. There were animal-focused vendors, who sold everything from custom collars to gourmet treats, with a portion of their proceeds going to fund the local animal shelter.

The part that needed the most attention and planning was the pet adoption drive. They were going to have a couple hundred animals up for adoption and it was up to her to orchestrate the event. Which meant coordinating with Bridlewood’s animal shelter, getting in touch with every foster home in the county, and finding all the crates, cages and pop-up play-pens as she could get her hands on.

“How is the fundraiser coming along?” Colter asked.

“It’s coming. I’ve already lined up a few vendors. And I talked to two food trucks who are willing to donate all their profits for the day.”

Colter lifted an impressed brow. “How did you pull that off?”

“A girl can’t reveal all her secrets,” Sutton said not wanting him to know she’d traded babysitting hours in exchange for the support.

A statement that, given the actual secret she was sitting on, felt like it should come with a lightning bolt attached. But he just grinned, oblivious, so she let it go.

“I’d like to sit down with you at some point to go over what you have planned and the schematic for how the fair will be set up,” he said.

“I’d like another week to flesh out the details and find more vendors, if that’s okay.”

“Dr. Porter might have a list of vendors from last year,” Irma said, referring to the previous owner of Full Barn Animal Clinic. “He’s worked with a lot of people in town and around the county.”

“I’ll call him when I finish examining Spicy here and her siblings,” Colter said.

Irma held up a finger. “Before you do that, you have six patients in the waiting room, and two offsite visits later this afternoon. Be sure to consider that before you go saving the day when you know that Dr. Lee can handle the kittens.”

“I’ll pass it off,” he said, but didn’t seem happy about it. “And the call will only take a few minutes.”

Irma clucked her tongue. “You and I both know that’s a lie. Porter will keep you on the phone for twenty minutes, minimum, and spend the entire time telling you how to better run the clinic.”

“Does he still own part of the clinic?” Sutton asked.

“No,” Irma said. “But if you asked the man he’d tell you differently. Retirement isn’t what he expected and a man can only play so many rounds of golf and bocce ball before he starts losing his mind. He spends every waking hour thinking about the clinic and how it can run more efficiently with him behind the wheel.”

Sutton couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Colter. That kind of second-guessing from a mentor had to sting. It reminded her of the time she’d told her boyfriend about Lynlee and he’d told her that the baby would be better off with someone older, someone more “mature.” So she could empathize with the ache of having your judgment doubted, even when you were sure you were doing the right thing.

“I can reach out to Dr. Porter,” Sutton offered.

Irma laughed. “Honey, he’d bulldoze right over you.”

“Well, then I’ll just have to be as immovable as a boulder in a creek and hope he doesn’t notice he’s getting steamrolled until he’s as flat as a piece of paper. Plus, this is my job, let me earn it.”

“If you need backup, you just give me a holler,” Irma said.

“And if he steps over the line, you tell me,” Colter said.

Twice in one conversation. Her reproductive system needed a stern talking-to and possibly a restraining order.

“Do you want me to call Aiden at the shelter about the kittens?” Sutton asked. “See if they have room for the whole litter until they’re old enough to be spayed and neutered?”

Colter froze for a minute, giving her the strangest look. “Maybe I’ll just take them home.”

“You have a date,” Irma said and something in Sutton gave a strange pang. Something that was absolutely, positively, and in no way shape or form, jealousy.

Sure it wasn't. And she absolutely wasn't going to spend the rest of the afternoon wondering what his date was going to wear.

“It’s not really a date. It’s part of my deal with Vivi and my nan. One date with one of the women.” Colter looked at Sutton as if he had to explain it. “It wasn’t my idea.”

“Who’s the lucky lady?” she asked with a bright smile.