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Ben nodded. “Exactly.”
“I have no idea what’s happening, but we don’t have any rabbits at the moment. If you’re not in a hurry then we can let you know when some come in?” Rebelle said.
“No hurry, thanks that would be great. Come on Kay, I can see kittens!” Ben said gleefully and the young couple disappeared to explore.
Rebelle turned back to Will. “What’s a Jaskier?”
“Someone sweet but annoying,” Will joked.
“Oh. So, a Will then?”
He barked out a laugh. “You made a funny,” he quipped and enjoyed watching her stern features fight a smile.
They turned away as a large burly man came in, his eyes darting around and taking everything in. Will recognized him as the mechanic at Dean’s garage. He couldn’t remember his name, just that his chat was minimal and he knew his way around a car.
“Bear? What are you doing here?” Rebelle spoke softly to the giant.
The giant, Bear, rubbed the back of his neck, looking towards the door like he wanted to run through it. His big hand moved to tug the end of his beard.
“Uh, I was thinkin’ about getting a cat for my mom? Maybe some c-company for when I’m out workin’?” He spoke slowly, carefully, with his southern drawl shortening words like he was trying to save time.
“That’s great. How is your mama?” Rebelle asked.
Will was taken aback by her interest in the husky man and how her voice gentled when she spoke to him. Jealousy tried to nip at him but he pushed it away, he had no right. UsuallyRebelle avoided strangers but was quite confident around their friends now, though he wasn’t aware that she knew anyone else.
Bear’s hand found its way to the back of his neck again and he cleared his throat. “Uh, not too sure. W-waiting for some more test results.”
There was a pause and the guy looked so weary that Will’s heart ached for him. He couldn’t be any older than Rebelle judging by the lack of wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes. Yet there was an air of exhaustion that seemed to age him. When Bear didn’t offer more, Rebelle nodded. “Fingers crossed for good results. In the meantime, shall we find someone who can give her a little joy?”
“Sounds good.”
“The cattery is just there, pop in and have a look and I’ll be by in a second to see if anyone takes your fancy. We’ll find your mama her purrfect match!”
Bear’s lip twitched under his thick mustache. “It’s real good to see you looking so ha-happy, Rebelle,” he said before nodding at Will and heading towards the cattery.
“How do you know him?” Will asked as Rebelle watched Bear leave.
Rebelle got this far off look in her eye. “He was in the year below us at school. I didn’t really know him but one time when I was a bit younger, in the early days Marcus was shouting at me in the street for some stupid reason, and Bear came and pushed himself between us. He got in Marcus’s face, I never heard what he said but Marcus went super pale and it shut him right up. Bear told me if I ever needed help to just let him know and he would help, no matter what it was. I wish I had said something or reached out, but I didn’t.” She drew in a shaky breath, folding her arms over her chest. “I heard through the grapevine that his mom was sick, in and out of hospital and he’s been caring for her. He’s a good man.”
Will found himself owing Bear a debt of gratitude for standing up for Rebelle when he realized something wasn’t right. Although Dean was generous with his staff, Will knew how bad hospital bills could get and made a mental note to see what he could do to help Bear and his mom.
Another couple came in looking for a dog and Will introduced them to Alfie, the border collie mix and let him into the yard so they could play and see if they were a good fit.
Taylor and Beau also showed up to support, which Will was grateful for and he and Rebelle proudly gave them the tour.
Bear ended up adopting Betty and Veronica. As taken as he was with a couple of Parfait’s kittens, he knew they would be too much work for his mom. He needed older cats who were already self-sufficient. A bittersweet pang hit Will at the thought of his girls getting adopted. Although it was amazing, he would miss them.
High on the success of the day, Rebelle and Will buzzed about the shelter, talking to various people and working on the spiel they’d come up with. Will handed out ‘Purrfect Match’ forms and Rebelle answered questions.
Towards the end of the afternoon, Will noticed a man trying to peer into Daisy’s kennel. They had left her crate covered with a blanket to give her some space from all the visitors and they made it clear that she wasn’t available for adoption.
“Can I help you find your purrfect match today?” Will asked in his best salesman voice.
The guy turned to him and smiled, a gold tooth sparkling in the lights. He looked to be older, his skin wrinkled and craggy with gray showing in his beard.
“I was wondering if you’d had any Pitties come in? Wife’s a big fan of the breed and she’s just desperate for one now we’ve retired,” he said.
“No,” Rebelle replied firmly, appearing next to them and Will frowned at her. The guy didn’t react to Rebelle’s shortness, just tucked his hands in his jeans pocket and rocked on his heels.
