An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh

Author:Toni Shiloh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-26T14:09:47+00:00

* * *

“Thank you very much.” Rider smiled at the woman who added a twenty to the donation jar.

She declined the tax write-off slip and thanked them for working to save Bluebonnet programs like SAFE. Her daughter was a member of the mentorship program and had begged for a pet when she heard about the adoption event. They were walking away with an Old English sheepdog.

Jalissa walked up and sighed. “I’m so glad Rover got a new home.”

“Do you name all the pets?”

She shook her head. “Most of them come with names. The ones that used to belong to another owner. We just name the abandoned ones that come without tags or any form of identification.”

Rider couldn’t imagine anyone abandoning a pet, but he knew that was a common tale. He looked at all the happy smiles, the eager looks on kids’ faces as they gazed up at their parents in hope. He could see why people would feel endeared toward pets, but he wasn’t sure why Jalissa was.

“Why the shelter? Why is it so special to you?”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This was my first volunteer position. I started coming here as...” She waved a hand in the air. “Doesn’t matter the reason. Once I fell in love with the pets, I sought a job here. Then I got a degree in business to make myself more appealing for promotions.” She shrugged. “I’ve never left. Never loved anything more than soaking in the affection the animals are so willing to give.”

Rider could understand that. It was one reason he always liked hanging with his uncle and aunt. They’d always greeted him with a hug—more like a pat on the back, in his uncle’s case—and were eager to hear, and truly listen, about his day. But staying at their house wouldn’t have garnered him a job. It made sense why Jalissa wanted to save the shelter.

“Thanks for sharing that.”

“Sure.” She nodded as if unsure what else to say or do. “Um, I’ll go help the others.”

“Right.” Couldn’t have her hanging around and being friendly, could he?

Stop it. No judgment. I don’t see you trying to be kind first. Which was true. His feelings still warred with the hurt of the past. He could forgive her for the barbs she threw at him in the present day—especially since she’d divulged the info about her dad—but what was her excuse for high school?

Ask her.

Rider ran a hand through his hair, then smiled as a man stopped at the register.

“I’m interested in adopting one of the cats for my little girl.” He pointed to a young kid holding a kitten.

Val smiled and immediately jumped into the spiel she’d repeated for every potential adopter. Once the gentleman and his daughter walked away with the cat, Rider turned to Val.

“How long have you been with the shelter?”

“About five years. Jalissa is wonderful to work with.”

Who would have imagined? Be nice, Rider. “That’s good.” He offered a stiff smile. “She seems to really care about the animals.

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