Paisley
Letting the chores fill my head allows me time to work through the past hours. After the mishap in my kitchen, we all sat on the porch eating some of my lemon blueberry bread. Ollie ate three slices, telling me how good it was and he hadn’t had anything that tasted like it since he was back home at the family ranch in Montana. I learned quite a bit about him. Like he isn’t permanently in the wheelchair, just until he’s recovered from his injury, along with the many surgeries he’s had. He didn’t share, but something really bad happened overseas and he lost not only some of his team but was injured as well. From how he talked, I guess he wanted to be in the military for life. Something about how much work it takes to become a Navy SEAL, I don’t understand it all. Natalie and Charlie added some info as he struggled to talk about stuff. Guess it’s still too raw. I could tell he’s struggling to find his place now in the world, and man, can I empathize with him. Been there and I could write a book or ten.
When everyone is done, both ladies offer to help, along with Ollie. I never turn down help so I had to try and figure out what each of them could do. I had a list of chores that needed to be done today so I assigned them their jobs. Ollie, of course, wants the feline house, mainly to see his kitties. Natalie gets the small animal house and Charlie is going to help muck out the stalls in the barn with two of my volunteers. Damn, this is awesome having extra hands around the place. This upcoming weekend is another open house/adoption event here at the farm, so with the three of them lending a hand, I’m going to take advantage of my good luck. I explain to them what’s needed. The three of them sit here giving me their full attention. When I am done the trio heads off to take care of their chores as I clean up the mess and load the dishwasher. Grabbing my list, I check off what Natalie, Charlie, and Ollie are doing, which really takes quite a bit off my list. Looking it over, I decide to clean out the reception and the adoption areas so it will be ready for our adoption event. Taking extra time in these three outside arenas so that potential adopters will be able to meet their future forever fur baby. Shit, even though we try to keep everything clean it takes me a good hour or so, and I’m sweaty by the time I’m finally finished. Seeing Joe coming my way I wipe my face on my T-shirt.
“Hey, boss, I showed Ollie where his cats are and left him to it. All the pens are clean as a whistle and most of the dogs are in the runs or large pens getting some fresh air and exercise. Left the three recovering from injuries in their pens but gave them each a dental bone ’cause they couldn’t go outside. What else needs to be tended to today? I still can give you a few hours. Merty is at her treatment with our youngest daughter, so would rather be here than worrying my frigging head off ’til she comes home.”
Knowing his wife has cancer, I totally understand it. Again, been there, done that. But didn’t have the support team Merty does. Touching my chest for a brief minute I push those thoughts back where they belong, in the past.
“Okay, thanks, Joe. How about the back barn? Sorry, I know most hate that job, but do you mind? There’s only a couple back there but probably needs some attention. I’ll be there as soon as I finish this last pen. Okay?”
Joe just smirks my way and heads off to the pigpen, literally. It’s where we keep any pigs, goats, or anything else that comes along. Right now, we have I think three goats and two baby piglets. Smiling to myself, I think does it ever get mighty dirty and smelly back there. Yuck, not my favorite barn to work on and clean. But it needs to get done. Getting back to my own cleaning again, my mind shifts to Ollie and how he makes me feel when I’m around him. So much is running around in my head: Joe and his wife Merty, cancer, my history, my secrets, and finally Ollie. Needless to say, lots going on up there, thank God I got plenty of room.
I’m so deep in thought when I hear a noise behind me. I shriek, turning around, hands to my chest. Natalie and Charlie are standing together at the gate. They take in my reaction, shocked. As I try to catch my breath, Charlie examines me closely as Natalie smiles softly.
“Hey, Paisley, didn’t mean to startle you. Just wanted to let you know we’re done and are going to take off as we have to run, got some stuff to do. And no worries, one of the new guys will be available to pick Ollie up when he’s done. Just tell him to call the office and ask for Noodles.”
I walk toward them trying to get myself back in control.
“Oh, thanks so much, you two. Natalie, I’ll let him know when I see him. I think Joe said he’s in the feline house. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help today. Means a lot, truly. Even with the volunteers, the shelter keeps growing and our name is getting out there. As usual, more animals come in compared to those getting adopted. Hoping this weekend’s adoption event finds some forever homes for some of these fur babies.”
Finally, Charlie stops studying me and glances at Natalie, who smiles and nods.
“Hey, Paisley, we were talking. How about we come over on Saturday morning with our men? We can all help out for a bit. I’ll talk to Mark to see if there are any of the new guys who he can persuade—no, really I mean order—to spare some time here. They have quite a few guys who are either new or in the process of coming on board. Natalie and I were thinking maybe, somehow, we can get them out here regularly to give you a hand. Both Mark and Jackson are really into community service so can’t guarantee anything, but we’ll do our best. Thanks, this was fun. I haven’t been around horses for a while and didn’t realize how much I missed their company.”
When it hits me what these wonderful ladies are offering, it brings tears to my eyes as I get emotional. They not only gave me some of their day today but maybe opening a new concept for volunteers. They are acting like we’re friends, why else would they donate their time today and this upcoming weekend. And throw in additional hands volunteering their hubbies.
“You two are awesome and I’ll take as many extra hands as possible. This weekend all my volunteers will be here. Even with all of them, I could use additional help. Again, thanks so much. I’m speechless at your generosity.”
Natalie comes forward first, giving me a hug, then Charlie gives me a half hug with a squeeze. As I watch them walk away toward their car, I’m truly grateful because I’m extremely exhausted and there’s no way in hell I would have gotten everything done that they did. Maybe now I might be able to get some time to try and relax. Well, until it hits me that Ollie is still here and will be until he’s done and can catch a ride home. That thought gets my pulse pounding as I head over to the canine/feline building to see what he’s up to.
Entering the side of the house, not seeing anyone, I head straight to the larger area in the back because I’m assuming Ollie will be there since that’s where the new addition of cats he found are being housed. As I look around, all the cages are cleaned. Even the playroom is straightened up. Only thing not taken care of are the top cages, which gives me an idea of who’s been busy.
Finally arriving to the new cat area, I see the gleam of Ollie’s wheelchair before I see him because he’s leaning over at the edge petting the momma cat. All the kittens are up and moving all around his chair. The look on his face is simply breathtaking to me. Knowing how trauma can affect a person, my heart hurts for him. What I went through was hard, but I can’t imagine what he’s been through. The ladies filled me in a bit but didn’t want to break confidence or whatever they told me when I asked them some questions.
Quietly I stand inside watching him. The muscles tense in his back as his one arm continually strokes momma, while I can hear him murmuring to her. Occasionally, if a kitten gets close enough, he gives them some loving with his other hand, though the little ones are more interested in the new climbing thing right in front of them. As I watch, one of them claws their way up Ollie’s leg. He leans back laughing as the kitten makes it to his lap, turning around again and again until it gets comfortable and starts to fade to sleep. As I giggle, Ollie hears me and looks my way. The look, oh my God, as he takes me in, first going up then down my body. His eyes make my body feel like it’s burning up. Knowing I’m grubby from today’s work, I can feel my face turning red as I shift from one foot to the other. Suddenly I’m nervous as hell, which is so silly.Not like he can chase me down, this SEAL with wheels.
With that thought, my giggles turn into an all-out laugh. Shit, I crack myself up when I’m exhausted. He just raises an eyebrow, never saying a word. At that I can’t control it, I snort before breaking out in uncontrollable laughter.