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“Can I pick you up, at least?”
“Yes, when I’m done, you can pick me up. I just want to feel normal again, Damien. We haven’t seen or heard from Andy since the rock thing. I really think he’s moved on. Life can go back to normal soon.”
Damien’s only response was a grunt. We were quiet for the rest of the short trip, and when we arrived at his place, he held up his finger again, then unclipped the bunny from my satchel and dropped it into a cylinder.
“Okay.”
“I thought both of your buildings were protected?”
“They are, but I thought you’d feel better knowing the bunny is encased in a place that, no matter how sophisticated a device it is, he can’t hear us.” He took the case and put it in the cupboard and shut the door. “I’ll reattach it before we leave.”
I stepped close and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I didn’t mean it, you know. What I said.”
“I know. You were very convincing, though.”
I looked up. “I love how you look after me. How protective you are.”
He bent and kissed me. “Good. Because that’s not going to change.”
“Good.”
* * *
Deb was chatty and happy when she picked me up the next day. We drove to the store, spending an hour picking up things for activities. Chalk, watercolor paints, cardboard, colored pencils, glue, glitter, and all sorts of other items went into our baskets. I didn’t see any familiar faces, but I trusted Damien and I knew there were people in the store keeping an eye on me, and I relaxed and enjoyed the excursion. Deb and I laughed and joked, came up with new ideas, and my excitement for the day camp grew. The area I taught in wasn’t a wealthy one. Many of the parents both worked, and the day camp helped them have a safe, fun place for their kids to be during the day. The children loved it, and I had enjoyed working the one at spring break. It was part of the school, so I would still be in my classroom some of the time. We were outside a lot as long as the weather wasn’t too hot.
“Oh!” Deb exclaimed. “I forgot to tell you! We can take the kids to the zoo one day.”
“Oh, they will love that!”
She grinned. “I know. And it’s all covered.”
“That’s amazing—how did that happen?”
She grinned again. “Stewart’s company. I was telling him about it, and he just did it. Arranged it all. Got someone to donate the bus, the tickets, even a picnic for the kids.”
“Seriously?”
She looked dreamy. “He is wonderful, Raven. Quiet. Calm. But I get the feeling he sees everything, you know? I told him how restricted our budget was and how I wished we could do something special for the kids like a trip to the zoo, and the next thing I knew, he sent me an email with all the particulars in it.”
“That is very generous.”
“He told me he grew up poor. He knows what a day like that would mean to a kid. It’s the Wednesday of the first week of camp. I already have the permission forms for the parents to fill out and have asked for some volunteers.”
Knowing he’d want to be there, I smiled. “I’ll ask Damien.”
“Great. Stewart is away that week, so he can’t come. I told him he’d already done enough.”
“I’d say so.”
“And he reminded me he wants to meet you. Maybe next week for a double date?”
“Sure. I’ll check on Damien’s schedule.”
We cashed out and went to her car. I glanced around, not seeing anyone, but certain I wasn’t as alone as I thought. We headed to the bar, grabbing a table with enough room for our laptops. We ordered drinks and some munchies to share and had just taken a sip as a group of businessmen walked past us on their way out. One of them stopped, staring at our table. “Deb? What are you doing here?”
She looked up, a huge smile on her face. “Stew?”
He smiled and bent, brushing a kiss to her cheek. He waved at the men leaving and smiled down at her. “Having a drink with some associates. It’s been a day.” Then he turned to me, offering me his hand. “You must be Raven. Deb talks about you all the time—I feel as if I know you already.”
