Page 7 of Summer Ride

The first time he’d seen the newly remodeled campgrounds, he knew that he wanted to be a part of what she was doing there. Since he hadn’t had a full-time job at the time, he’d agreed to working there three days a week.

When one of the veterinarians at the clinic in town retired and his job became more demanding, he’d cut his hours back at the camp to only two days a week. He worked there on his days off from the clinic and the sanctuary, which meant he didn’t have a lot of free time.

But it wasn’t as if what he did for the camp was hard work. Besides, what else was there to do with his time?

The sanctuary was currently in need of helping hands due to an influx of animals they’d rescued from a hoarding situation, and he figured he’d ask Kara if she’d help out.

He found her in her normal place, in the pool house, mopping the floors. He’d noticed early on that she was a very tidy person. Which had made him realize that he wasn’t.

His small apartment was full of clutter and unorganized junk, which he hardly ever used. When he tried to clean it up, he just ended up tossing most of the stuff out or donating it instead.

“Hey,” he said as he stepped into the air-conditioned building. He’d been working in the barn with the horses and was covered in a layer of dust and sweat. That knowledge kept him standing just inside the door instead of sitting down on one of the comfortable sofas, even though his feet hurt.

“Hey,” she said, glancing up. As always, he smiled when her eyes heated after running over him.

She always looked sexy in her shorts and a camp shirt or tank top. Today, his outfit consisted of a worn pair of jeans and a camp shirt he’d found in his truck and had tossed on.

“I know you have the next two days off,” he started and instantly saw concern in her eyes. “It’s not for me.” He held up his hands. “The sanctuary I work at sometimes could use some extra hands. There was this really bad hoarding situation with cats… and well, we have over two hundred that need bathing, shots, and attention.”

He saw her soften immediately at the mention of the animals in need.

“We could really use the help,” he added for good measure.

“I…” she started but then stopped. “What would I have to do?’

He smiled. “Nothing you didn’t feel comfortable with. Mostly, just lending a hand to our team. Maybe holding or comforting some of the injured ones. Helping give them flea baths or drying them off.” He shrugged. “Or bottle feeding some of the little ones.” He laughed. “Okay, whatever you want out of all of that. There might be some other things you could do as well.”

For a moment, he thought she was going to turn him down, but then she surprised him by agreeing.

“Sure, I suppose I could try. When do you need the help?”

“I was going to head over and start lending a hand right now. A few other camp workers are helping out as well. Dean, Levi, and Scarlett. Anyone else that can break away from the dinner tonight.”

“Oh, okay.” She put the broom away. “Let me grab my things. I can follow you over there.”

“I was going to grab a sack lunch to take along since I skipped lunch. Want me to grab one for you?”

“Sounds good. A turkey sandwich if they have any left.”

“I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” He turned to go. “Five minutes?” he asked over his shoulder.

She nodded and then disappeared into the back room.

Stepping out of the building he did a quick fist pump in celebration. Finally, he was going to get some time with Kara outside of the bedroom. Though he used the word bedroom figuratively, since, so far, they hadn’t once used a real bed.

Two hours later, shortly before sunset, he wondered what he’d been thinking. He’d spent less than five minutes with Kara since they’d arrived at the sanctuary.

The place had more than a dozen buildings, most of which were filled with animals in need. While he had made his way to the medical building that housed the exam rooms, surgical suites, and recovery areas, Kara had been shuffled off to one of the cat buildings to lend a hand bathing the new rescues.

Now he was covered in animal fluids in addition to the sweat and grime from before. Every muscle in his body ached, and he was starving. He hadn’t gotten a chance to eat the sandwich that he’d grabbed for himself at the camp. But most of all, he was horny as hell.

“That’s the last one,” Leslie said. The woman had been with the sanctuary since the first year. Now she was one of the managers that oversaw the facility.

He looked down at the little black-and-white kitten that he’d just operated on. Having to remove a tiny kitten’s leg was never easy. But the little thing was otherwise healthy and would bounce back.

Leslie took the kitten from the table and gently placed it into a crate. It and a few other kittens would be carefully watched by employees or volunteers throughout the night.

“Do you need anything else from me?” he asked, removing his soiled apron, gloves, and mask.