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“It’s not an imposition,” he says gently.

Dale looks between us and points in the direction of the front office. “I’ll just…go grab keys.” He turns on his heel and leaves with the purpose of a man not wanting to be in the middle.

“Let’s get you inside so you can start gathering your things. Logan and Ember will be here shortly.”

“What? No, no, no. I don’t want to be a bother.”

He takes my hand and helps me inside. “Cordelya, it’s no bother or imposition,” he says gently. Once inside, he helps me to the couch where Minna happily throws herself into my side. I set Toby down and wrap my arms around her neck, murmuring reassurances into her fur.

“Alright, where can I start? Furniture?”

“Auggie…”

“I’m pretty sure all these apartments are pre-furnished, to include cooking items. Pictures? knick-knacks?”

“Auggie,” I groan.

“Right. No knick-knacks or pictures, as far as I can see. I remember you had a suitcase from the accident. I’ll grab that so Ember can help you with the bedroom. I’ll start grabbing groceries,” he says, clapping his hands together.

“Thank you, Auggie.”

He meets my eyes and his face softens.

There’s a knock at the still open door accompanied by Ember’s voice, “Man, when you said there was water in the apartment, you didn’t say it was a water feature. I should have brought my wellies.”

“Sorry,” I say from the couch as she and Logan walk in.

Ember smiles brightly. “Oh, that’s not a bad thing. I love my wellies, but people tend to look at you weird when you wear them like normal boots when it’s not raining.”

Logan appears behind her, rolling his eyes. “Read the room, Em.”

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s okay. It’s better to make light of it. The animals are okay, and that’s what matters most to me.”

Logan walks over to Auggie, pressing his hands together. “Where am I going, Count?”

“Pantry pack out. Dale will be back with keys to a new apartment. Ember, can you help Cordelya pack up the bedroom and bathroom?”

“You got it, Count,” she says with a little salute. “Can I help you to the bedroom?” she asks timidly, clearly still feeling guilty over my injury.

I stand up on my good foot, and Ember comes over and throws an arm around my waist. Together we make our way to the bedroom, where she helps me get my suitcase out and on the bed.

She pauses at my nightstand. “I’m gonna say that this is a judgment-free zone, but before I start opening drawers, is there any drawer you’d like to pack yourself?”

I can feel my face heating. “Umm, no. Those are in the bathroom.”

“Bathroom?”

I shrug. “They’ve got waterproof ones that suction to the tile.”

Ember’s eyes go wide for a moment before she smiles. “I knew I liked you. We’ll be having a girls’ night to discuss this further at a later date.”

Girls night. When was the last time I had one of those?

I shove the thought aside, focus on the task at hand, and begin placing clothes into the suitcase.

Dale shows up a bit later with new keys and directions to a new apartment. With Auggie in charge and Ember and Logan's assistance, it takes about an hour and a half from start to finish to get me and the animals moved and unpacked.

When we finish, I’m overcome with gratitude.