Page 77 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Twenty
THE SUN,diffused by the crud on the windows, woke Robert. He sat up, surprised to find he was on the couch with a blanket covering him. He smacked his lips, his mouth tasting funky, not unlike how he’d imagine his old gym shoes would have. He moved slowly, trying his best to keep his stomach from heaving up what he hadn’t eaten last night. God, he was never getting drunkagain.
He flicked on the light, then noticed the bottle of aspirin and a glass of water on the table. He grabbed it, took out four tablets, and washed them down. He rarely drank anything stronger than a few beers, so it was no surprise how wasted he got with the bottle of booze he’d gotten for a gift and stashed in the cabinet. What would Galen think if he—
“Oh my God. Galen.”
Everything rushedback to Robert all at once. He was supposed to pick Galen up for dinner last night. Breakfast should already be done and in the steam trays, meds should be given out, and a schedule for driving to appointments should be on the computer already.
Oh shit. He’d fucked up royally.
Robert leaped off the couch and rushed to the door. When he pulled it open, he was brought up short by the sight ofBrady at the desk, confirming Elaine Cassidy’s doctor’s appointment. The smell of eggs, bacon, and hash browns scented the air. When he stepped out of the office, he found Galen slumped face-first on the keyboard of the computer that sat in the common room. Robert decided to let him rest and went to Brady, who smiled at him as he approached.
“What’s going on? Why are you here?” Robert hitcheda thumb in Galen’s direction. “Why ishehere?” Then, realizing how he sounded, he dialed down his animosity. “I’m sorry. Thank you for doing this. I can’t tell you how much it helped.”
A wide grin spread over Brady’s face. “It wasn’t me—it was Galen. He came out last night and asked me if I would be willing to come back this morning to help get everything done. I said yes, absolutely. Then hesat down at the computer and got to work. When I walked in this morning, I found him asleep where he’d been when I left.”
“Don’t let him give you that.” Galen sat up, his eyes bleary. He yawned, stretched, and then scrubbed a hand over his eyes. “This guy? He’s a lifesaver. I tried to help in the kitchen, but I was all thumbs. Brady took charge and told me what he needed me to do. Listening tohim, we got the breakfast stuff done and ready a few minutes before people started showing up.”
Robert’s heart swelled at the thought that they’d done this to help him.
“And what were you doing there all night?”
“That’s something I think we need to discuss in private.”
Brady snickered and his cheeks pinked.
Galen’s eyes went comically wide. “No! It wasn’t anything like that, you brat.”
Laughter rolled out of Robert to see Brady and Galen playing with each other. Maybe Galen had finally started to realize that everyone needed to be treated with respect.
“Well, we can go into the office now.” Robert turned to Brady. “If you’ve got everything under control.”
“Ithinkso. I’m able to read the schedules, but a few people have asked about changing some things. I’m not sure how todo that, but I told them to check back this afternoon.”
“Perfect.”
“You guys go ahead. I’ll bring you a plate of food in a few minutes.”
Robert started to protest because Brady had already done so much, but when Brady narrowed his eyes, practically begging Robert to argue, he held up his hands. “Food sounds good. Thanks very much.”
“Now go with Galen and let me get to work.”
Robert snickeredand saluted. “Yes, sir!”
“Everyone’s a smartass,” Brady mumbled as he turned back to the desk, but he had a wide smile too.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Galen gathered up reams of paper and followed Robert into the office. He sat at the desk, then pointed to the chair on the opposite side. “Sit.”
Robert grinned. It must be opposite day, because everyone was acting a little out of the ordinary. Still,he sat.
“Okay, I’m tired and I need to get home to check on Mouse before she tears through Andy’s clothes again.” Galen laid a stack of paper on the table and flipped it open to the first page. “This is a list of state and federal government agencies that will give grant money to shelters and the like. This is money you don’t have to pay back, but they’ll expect to see your results and will requirean inspection at least once a year.” He flipped to the next page. “These are businesses that would be glad to partner with you. They’d ask for the right to mention support for the shelter in advertising and might ask to interview people, but I told them that would only happen if you okayed it in advance. They were willing to negotiate on that point.” He flipped again. “This is a list of serviceorganizations who will come out and help get the building into shape. They’d do it free or at low cost, and they all have excellent references.”
Robert’s head was spinning. How had Galen gotten this together so quickly? “What’s all this? I don’t need—”
Galen frowned and held up a hand. “Stop. Don’t do that, please. Last night you were crying that you were going to lose everything, and if youkeep going the way you are, you will. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I glanced at the books, and you’re in the red, so unless you want to be the one to tell these people they have to go elsewhere for help, sit down and shut the hell up.”
