Page 7 of Shattered

“So, are you ready to start work?” Keeley joined Aurora at the table and placed one of the glasses in front of her.

She hadn’t seen herself as a dispatcher, per se, but when Abby got sick after they arrived, she realized a position with full benefits was a must. “Sure. I’m kind of nervous, though. I feel like I’m not ready.”

When she first responded to the ad for the data-entry position at Keeley’s security company, Vigilante, she received her first introduction to the Raferty clan and the woman sitting next to her. They hit it off pretty quickly. However, during the interview process, Aurora realized she didn’t have the skills to keep up with the job’s demands. She was a more hands-on type. When it came to muscles and bones and how the body moved, Aurora knew it all. Being a hacker who could dismantle and rebuild sites within minutes and hours, wasn’t something in her wheelhouse. She had very basic computer skills and could navigate the internet well enough to check her email and social media—which was limited.

Instead of laughing Aurora out, Keeley suggested the dispatch job. Of course, the running joke had been, Keeley knew the Sheriff. Wink-wink. Nudge-nudge. It hadn’t been more than two days from the time she walked into Vigilante that she had an interview with Sheriff Kalkin Raferty and had the job.

Kalkin or Sheriff Raferty, as he liked to be called when on duty, gave her the whole rundown of the job. She’d be working rotating twelve-hour shifts, three days a week. The time didn’t bother her so much, until he announced that she’d be working the night shift, once she passed all of the training required of every dispatcher. Since she’d moved there recently, she didn’t have any friends or family to take care of Abby. Nonetheless, she’d pushed it aside or had until Keeley offered up her services to watch Abby while Aurora worked. Which, technically, was why Aurora was at Keeley’s house.

“It’ll get easier,” Keeley promised. “Kalkin, for all his gruffness is a giant marshmallow.”

Aurora cocked a brow. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same man?”

Keeley laughed. The light-hearted tinkling sound cooled her tattered nerves. How the woman did that, she didn’t know. “I’m sure.”

She took a sip of her tea and tried to smile.

“You’re worried.” Keeley tilted her head. “Why?”

Why? Aurora snorted to herself. The biggest and technically only problem she had with her new job was the fact it had been the night shift—7 pm to 7 am. In the grand scheme of things, once she started getting paid regularly, she wouldn’t have to worry about daycare cost or overnight cost, but until then, she was shit out of luck.

But, for one major issue, she couldn’t complain, and come what may, she’d make the sacrifices necessary to keep them cared for. According to the Sheriff, they’d both be eligible for full health benefits on the first day of her job. Something she desperately needed with Abby’s health issues. It also meant she could start building a small nest egg for them, build up a 401k, and save for Abby’s college education. They were home and could now start to put down some roots. Something they both desperately craved.

Sure, she was going to accept Keeley’s offer to watch Abby until she could find a permanent babysitter. It would be smart of her to do so. It just wasn’t a long-term plan. Keeley had her own family and Abby’s health issues were complicated. “I guess you can say I am a bit overwhelmed.”

“Caring for Abby?”

For a split second, she wondered if Keeley could read her mind. “You could say that.”

“You need a day off,” Keeley replied. “You need to recharge.”

Aurora laughed. “If only that was possible.”

“It is.” Keeley grinned. “As a matter of fact, I’m having a little party tomorrow night for Halloween. Why don’t you come? It’ll be fun. You and Abby can finally meet the family.”

“I don’t know,” Aurora hedged.

“Oh, come on, what’s the worst that can happen?”

Aurora snorted. “So much could go wrong.” She shook her head. “You...you barely know us. We’ve only been friends a couple of weeks. I could be the...the Hillside Strangler or whatever.”

Keeley laughed again this time harder and longer. Tears tracked down her cheeks as she sighed. “I think we both know you’re not.”

“What is your deal? What... What are you?” She tilted her head to the side.

Keeley sat up a little straighter.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way. Seriously, no disrespect. You’re different. You trust me without hesitation. You’ve taken us in as though you’ve known us our whole lives. You’ve brought me...us into your family as though we’re supposed to be here. I-I don’t understand.”

Keeley placed her hand on Aurora’s. “Sometimes, kindred spirits know kindred spirits. I see myself in a young girl, desperate to call someplace home. Come to the party. Meet our blended families. Find your home.”

“Okay.” Aurora lifted her chin. “We’ll come.”

“Great.” Keeley beamed. “Just so you know, our parties manage to run late. Once the kids are down, things tend to get a little wild. If you’re not comfortable with that...”

Aurora swallowed hard. “O-okay.”

“Perfect, then we’ll see you tomorrow night.”

---