Hell Hounds MC: Welcome to Serenity

Chapter Eight

Eleanor sprang out of bed the next morning, well before her alarm. She felt energized and eager for another day. Dressing, she paused to look at her phone and opened her contact list. Now, it didn’t just display Donna’s name but also Nailah’s and the rescue numbers.

She was slowly building contacts and connections. On the one hand, it terrified her, especially when she thought about leaving or of Arthur finding her. On the other hand, she felt like she had accomplished a huge feat. She never had any real friends, only being able to associate with people her parents and, later, Arthur approved of.

There was no one she could share her most intimate secrets with, no one to confide in. Maybe if she had at least one person like that she wouldn’t have endured Arthur for as long as she did. As much as she feared him finding her, she didn’t want to give up her new friends. Surely, it was okay to stay for a little while longer, right?

At least until she organized Nailah’s files and helped with the rescue.

Then she would go.

Dressing casually, she headed downstairs to find Donna was already up and preparing breakfast. Eleanor glanced at her phone, noting the time was creeping towards five o’clock.

“Donna? Why are you up so early?”

“I’m up at four every morning, sweetie,” Donna smiled. “Besides, you said you were starting a new job. I thought you could use a special breakfast to get you started.”

Eleanor wanted to protest, but her host would not hear arguments. Donna was like a doting mother. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling at all.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now, sit down and enjoy.”

Eleanor did as told. There really was no point to arguing with the older woman. Instead of the usual buffet style presentation, Donna made her a plate of eggs over-easy, bacon and toast. They enjoyed a morning cup of coffee while Eleanor ate.

“So, you never told me. What is this new job?” Donna asked.

“Oh, I’m actually working for a rescue. I’m organizing the office.”

“A rescue?”

“Yeah, Healing Hearts.”

An odd look flashed in Donna’s gaze as she muttered, “Small world.”

She spoke so softly Eleanor almost missed it, but before she could ask what she meant, Donna stood, taking her plate to the kitchen. Eleanor followed with their coffee cups. As she rinsed them out, Donna poured the rest of the coffee in a thermos and handed it to her.

“You’ll need plenty of energy today, but promise you’ll take breaks when you need them.”

“Of course, thank you.” Eleanor accepted the offered coffee. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“There’s no need to thank me for that,” Donna smiled. “There isn’t a person in this world who hasn’t needed a helping hand a time or two.”

With a smile, Eleanor headed out, walking the several blocks to the rescue. Early in the morning, it wasn’t at all unpleasant and, with no people around, she didn’t feel nearly as uncomfortable. She was beginning to suspect she really had become agoraphobic. Perhaps, getting out and working would ease her back into public situations.

Nailah told her yesterday that she started work at six, but Eleanor was welcome to come in later especially as the file cabinets were not due to arrive until afternoon. Yet, Eleanor was eager to continue her work from the previous day. Besides, there was plenty that needed to be done to make room for the new cabinets.

The rescue was just coming into sight when she noticed an SUV pulling up to the curb. Eleanor was hesitant to approach as the couple inside shared a passionate kiss before Nailah eased out of the passenger seat. She paused, laughing at something the driver said before shutting the door. Giving the golden retriever in the backseat a pat, she headed to the rescue’s door, but the man still in the vehicle didn’t pull away from the curb until she safely entered.

Once the SUV left, Eleanor slowly started walking again. It was pretty clear the unknown man was Nailah’s husband. She couldn’t help the sting of envy creeping into her chest. That was the kind of care and consideration she always wanted and would most likely never have. Eleanor sighed, not wanting to become bitter. She was genuinely happy for Nailah and, maybe, someday she might find that kind of love too.

Maybe, someday.

It wasn’t much, but it was worth holding onto. Though, if she was being honest, she didn’t know how she would react if someone showed genuine interest in her. With as many scars as she bore on her soul, who would ever be interested in her?

She was damaged. There was no denying it. Arthur made sure of that. In fact, Eleanor wasn’t even sure she could be intimate with someone. Maybe that was Arthur’s intention from the beginning. After all, he had made it quite clear he didn’t like to share.

Reaching the door, she found it locked and knocked. When it wasn’t answered several minutes later she tried again, only to be met with the same silence. Eleanor chewed her lip, wondering if she had made a mistake. She tried a third time and the door finally opened. A confused Nailah stared at her before suddenly gasping in horror.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Elle!” Nailah quickly ushered her in. “It’s a habit to be here by myself. I completely forgot you were coming.”

“It’s all right,” Eleanor sighed with relief. She watched as Nailah relocked the door and glanced out the window before heading behind the counter. “Do you usually have unwanted visitors in the morning?”

“Used to, not anymore, but it’s still a habit,” Nailah admitted, coming to a sudden halt. “Is that coffee?”

“Yeah.”

“Bless you,” Nailah said as she pulled the thermos close and breathed deeply.

“I don’t think you should drink it,” Eleanor protested, “isn’t caffeine a no-no during pregnancy?”

“Twelve ounces or less a day, but Gus doesn’t let me have a drop,” Nailah took another deep breath, savoring the aroma before pulling away and patting her stomach. “I hope this little one appreciates the sacrifices I’ve made.”

Eleanor laughed, shaking her head as they headed to the back. She planned to start the office immediately, but paused when Nailah opened the door to the kennel area and unleashed a thunder of barking dogs.

“So, what do you do in the mornings?” Eleanor asked.

“Dogs need to be let out in the yard and fed, cats need to be fed, and their litter boxes scooped,” Nailah answered, “then I have to set up the window play area. I have twenty-five animals right now, so it takes a while.”

“Need some help? The office can wait,” Eleanor offered.

“I would love it. I’ll show you the ropes as we go.”

For the next two hours, Eleanor followed Nailah’s lead. She hadn’t realized it yesterday, but the rescue had a backyard with an eight-foot chain-link fence securing it. The dogs were let out in groups of three to five. While they were out, their kennels were cleaned, fresh water and food added to their bowls.

After years of doing it alone, Nailah had the routine down to an art which probably helped her as her pregnancy progressed, but it was obviously becoming more difficult. Eleanor was surprised she hadn’t sought help sooner, but she was starting to learn her new employer and friend was independent and stubborn. Nearing the last kennels, a dog caught her attention. It was a large, black dog with tan markings. As she approached the door it barely glanced at her as it lay curled up in the far corner.

“What’s this one’s name?” Eleanor asked as Nailah led out another dog.

“Oh, that’s Bear.”

“Bear?”

“He’s a five-year-old Rottweiler,” Nailah explained. “His owner passed away and apparently the rest of the family was too intimidated by him, so they surrendered him to the rescue.”

“Intimidated?”

“Well, he is a big dog, but Rottweilers really are sweethearts. They can be very territorial, but they bond closely with their owners. They are very protective and loyal. Bear is having a hard time adjusting to kennel life. He came from a loving home, and he lost his owner, so it’s to be expected. I haven’t been able to work with him as much as I would like, unfortunately. Do you want me to get him out for you?”

“No, I can handle it,” Eleanor assured her before letting herself into the kennel. “Hey, Bear.”

The Rottweiler raised its head at the sound of its name and looked at her with what seemed like a pathetic expression. Eleanor knelt, gently patting him. He whined, shifting so he could rest his chin on her lap.

“I know what it’s like to be abandoned and mistreated,” Eleanor whispered as she stroked the short, black coat over the taunt, muscular body. “But it’s safe here. It’s a good place. Right?”

Bear sighed, seemingly just happy to be given attention. Eleanor chuckled as he scooted closer. If she didn’t know better she thought he would actually try to climb into her lap.

“Want to go outside?” she asked.

His ears perked up.

“Come on, let’s go outside.”

Her voice stirred him and he stood, shaking himself. Eleanor laughed as he licked her face and slipped the leash over his head. She led him to the backyard and turned him loose. He trotted along the perimeter as if on patrol. Perhaps that was the territorial nature Nailah talked about. But he looked a lot happier even joining another dog in a game of tug-o-war.