Page 7 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

His thoughts turned to the mystery man with Arthur. Who would come to Cedarwood for six months, only to leave? Probably another baseball player or one of Michael Jepsen’s bandmates. Ever since Michael had disclosed that he was the guy behind the Bandit stage makeup, come out and married his boyfriend, Niall, everyone wanted to bring their musical talents to Cedarwood. One guy said there was something in the water that made his music sound better in the small town.

What did Stone know? He wasn’t a musician, but he doubted there was anything special with Cedarwood other than Michael being there.

He parked in his spot behind the shelter building and headed into the office. He placed the check on the copier and made the copies, then stamped the back of the check.

Wriggles, the shelter mascot, strolled up to him. The sweet basset liked everyone and belonged to no one. He preferred to roam the enclosed shelter grounds and stay with the animals. He knew how to calm the scared critters…like a shelter animal whisperer.

“Hi, guy.” He knelt next to Wriggles and scratched the dog behind the ears. “Who’d you visit today?” He admired Wriggles’ ability to find the most scared dog and to stay with the animal until he or she felt safe. “Lady? Or George?”

Wriggles sat next to him and his tongue lolled.

He knew better than to expect an answer from the dog. Wriggles had a job and he did it well. He also couldn’t talk. Stone stayed on the floor as one of the tabby cats wandered into the office. Wriggles paid the feline no attention.

“Who let Rebel loose?” Stone called. He petted Wriggles with one hand and snagged Rebel with the other. “You’re not supposed to be loose, young man.”

Amy darted into the room. “Sorry. I had Wrigs with me. I didn’t know where Rebel was. He darted out of the cat room when I replaced the blankets.”

“He’s definitely earned his name. He goes where he wants.” Both animals were safe, but he wasn’t thrilled the cat was unsupervised. He’d had thefts before and didn’t want Rebel being taken by someone who wouldn’t care for him.

“I’ll get Rebel back to the cat room.” Amy scooped the cat into her arms. “Come on, escape artist.”

Of the twenty or so felines at the shelter, Rebel had earned his name. He could be a handful and sought out every opportunity to escape confinement. Stone scratched Wriggles behind the ears again, then stood. “I need to take this check to the bank.”

“From your brother?” Amy called.

“Yeah.”

Amy strode into the room. “I’m glad he came through and now Rebel is contained.”

“Thanks,” Stone said. “I’m going to run to the bank. Want anything while I’m in town?”

“I’d love a gyro.” Amy handed him some money. “Please? I’ve been dying for one all day.”

“Sure.” He tucked the bills into his pocket. “I shouldn’t be long. An hour or so? Be back in a bit.”

Amy knelt next to Wriggles. “We’ll be here.”

He trusted his staff more than most people. They knew the reward of rescuing animals and the pain of the not-so-happy endings. Amy was one of his most trusted rescuers. He wished he could pay her more, but he only had so much money to go around and most of it went to the care and feeding of the animals.

He drove into Cedarwood proper and parked in front of the bank. He spotted the gyro truck down the block.Good.He hadn’t wanted to drive all over to find the food truck. He headed into the building to deposit the check. Thank God the bank catered to businesses and stayed open until nine.

“Stone McCartney.” Ari Winebanks grinned. “Did you get another donation?”

“We survive on donations,” he said. “How are you, Ari?” He wasn’t wild about the guy. Ari owned one of the jewelry stores in Cedarwood and refused to sell to the gay community. But he was a member of the chamber of commerce and he’d made two small donations to the shelter in the past. Stone put up with him in the hopes he might make another donation. “Is business good?”

“Booming. It’s almost May—wedding season. Everyone wants to propose in May.” Ari laughed. “This is my best time of year.”

“I’m sure it is.” He’d never bought any jewelry other than a watch for Arthur three years ago.

“I heard there’s a renter for the Baker duplex.” Ari swept his gaze over Stone. “Do you know him?”

“No.” He hadn’t a clue who the guy was.

“Your brother has the listing.”

“So? I don’t know his business.”Christ.He barely kept up with his own life. How was he supposed to know what his brother did on a daily basis?

“Why not?” Ari asked. “What if the renter is a movie star? We could get Cedarwood put on the map.”

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