Chapter Ten
1495 Words
Eleanor hummed while she transcribed files into the new computer. The past week seemed like a dream, and she didn’t want to wake up. Despite the hard work, she felt at peace.
Once Eleanor made suggestions for a shredder and computer, Nailah was only too happy to comply. The rescue now boasted a top-of-the-line laptop and printer as well as a shredder, allowing Eleanor to modernize the rescue’s files and dispose of outdated ones. She took a moment to survey the now clean, organized office with a smile. Never before had she felt this sense of accomplishment despite once handling multimillion dollar accounts.
Taking advantage of her inactivity, Bear rose from his pillow bed and walked over to her. He placed his head in her lap and she rewarded him with pets and caresses. It wasn’t just the office that had been transformed. Over the past week, the Rottweiler had come out of its shell and every morning waited in front of its kennel for her. Once he had some exercise and was fed, he spent most of the day in the office with her, becoming her office buddy.
Nailah had suggested it, stating that getting Bear out of the kennel environment would help alleviate his depression. Eleanor agreed to it as an experiment, but found she enjoyed his presence as much as he seemed to enjoy hers. Quite often he would sit next to her and rest his head in her lap while she worked on the computer, allowing her to pet him while she worked. It was probably the most relaxing office environment she ever enjoyed.
Nailah certainly was the kindest employer she ever had, her father included. Every suggestion Eleanor made Nailah hadn’t batted an eye and followed through, allowing Eleanor to modernize and improve efficiency a hundredfold. With proper spreadsheets, Eleanor now had a detailed map of the rescue’s finances through the years and there was a definite trend.
Five or six years ago she could see how Nailah struggled to keep the little rescue afloat and the animals taken care of until they were adopted. However, all of that changed exactly three years ago. Suddenly, the accounts were all brought up-to-date and all bills were paid on time. Add to that the fact Nailah wasn’t shy about purchasing new filing cabinets and even a computer, it was clear her financial situation had drastically improved.
Eleanor was hesitant to inquire about the situation, believing it probably had something to do with Nailah’s husband. From their conversations she knew Nailah met Gus three years ago, so the timing made sense. Though Eleanor had glimpsed him several times when he dropped Nailah off in the mornings and occasionally when he picked her up, she had yet to be introduced. He was like a specter, except a friendly ghost rather than the poltergeist that was her ex.
At the same time, Eleanor couldn’t help but wonder who he really was. What exactly did he do that allowed him so much disposable income?
“Knock, knock.”
Eleanor looked up to see Nailah at the door. Without a word, she entered and gratefully sank into a chair, resting her feet in the other. Eleanor grinned, “Long day?”
“This baby is definitely not making it easy,” Nailah sighed, stroking her stomach. Bear left Eleanor to greet Nailah and curiously sniff her round stomach. “And I still have two months left. It’s only going to get worse.”
“You know, I think it’s time you seriously consider hiring some more help,” Eleanor suggested, “at least until after the birth and probably later too.”
“Yeah, Gus said the same thing,” Nailah nodded. “Of course, if he had his way I’d be a stay-at-home mom. I wouldn’t mind a rest, but I’m not someone who can just sit around all day, either.”
“I know what you mean,” Eleanor agreed. She liked to keep herself busy too.
“But who could I trust with the dogs and adoptions?”
“I almost got all the files updated, so you should be able to work out of the office. What you need is someone to do the heavy lifting and take care of the dogs.”
“But, then what would you do?” Nailah asked.
Certainly, without files everywhere, there was more room in the office, but it wasn’t big enough for two people to work comfortably. They would be tripping over each other’s feet.
“Well,” Eleanor hesitated to approach the subject, “I’ve pretty much got everything set up so I wouldn’t have to be here. I mean, I can still come in and keep things updated so it doesn’t get like it was before, but you wouldn’t need me every day.”
Nailah frowned, disappointed, but she didn’t seem overly upset, which eased Eleanor’s worries. With a sigh, Nailah finally spoke, “I knew it couldn’t last.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you are just too good,” Nailah smiled. “Your talents are too much for a tiny little rescue. You deserve something bigger.”
Eleanor rolled her eyes, wanting to protest, but Nailah didn’t give her a chance.
“Which is why I was thinking, would you like to work for Gus?”
Eleanor blinked, “W-what?”
“Gus needs a new accountant,” Nailah explained. “The last one was fired for embezzling. Apparently, he left quite a mess behind. Gus has been cleaning up the accounts on his own, but it isn’t easy taking on another job when he’s trying to run the rest of it. That’s why I suggested he hire you.”
“Y-you did? But, um, I don’t even know him. I mean, he doesn’t know me.”
“That’s why I told him to come a little early tonight to meet you, sort of like an informal interview,” Nailah nodded.
“Um, it’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but well, I don’t even know how long I’m staying, and I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Elle, do you really want to leave? Or are you just too scared to stay?”
Eleanor hesitated. Over the past week she had grown comfortable and opened up to Nailah more. She still hadn’t told her everything, but Nailah was good at reading between the lines and seemed to have a sixth sense about things Eleanor refused to speak about.
“Forget about everything else, forget your past, forget what brought you here. Forget about the future. Take a deep breath, and be honest—what do you really want?”
Eleanor sighed, listening to Nailah’s gentle mantra. It always seemed so easy when she spoke, but Eleanor could never really let go of her fears. What if… But, if she was honest with herself, she knew the answer to the question.
“I want to stay,” Eleanor finally admitted. “I really like it here. The people, the town, everything. I feel safe and welcome.”
Nailah smiled, “I was hoping that would be your answer.”
“But, if I stay, if he finds me…”
“Then he’ll have to deal with Gus,” Nailah said. “And believe me when I say Gus has a way with those kinds of people.”
Eleanor shot her a confused glance, but for once Nailah didn’t seem to be in the mood to explain, even as the bell alerted them to a new visitor. She stood and waddled to the door. There, she paused to look at Eleanor, still seated and curious.
“It’s okay to set down roots, Elle,” Nailah said. “Trees live hundreds of years through sun and storm after all. And it’s okay to trust. There are people who love you. You aren’t alone.”
Eleanor stared at the door a long time after Nailah had gone. A whine brought her attention to Bear, who had returned to her side. Maybe she could set down roots. Maybe this place could be her home and she wouldn’t have to be a visitor anymore. Still unsure, she picked up her phone and looked at the results of her recent search for nearby rentals.
She wasn’t ready to commit to buying a house, but she did feel like she wanted her own space. Looking at the Rottweiler, another thought crossed her mind. It would be nice to have a four-legged companion share her space too.
“What do you think, Bear?” Eleanor asked. “Want to be roomies?”
The Rottweiler shifted, his whole backend wiggled along with his stump tail. Eleanor thought it was safe to call that a yes. Of course, all the homes she was looking at were further from the rescue than the B&B, which meant she also needed a car.
Maybe she should get a car first?
- Writer
