Sheltering Hearts Part 6

And Dory lifted hers.

When she walked inside, she found Sophie sitting on the sofa in her nightie, apparently waiting for her to come inside.

"You were kissing Clay," Sophie said.

Nothing but the truth in our house, Dory reminded herself. "Yes," she said. "I was." Dory reminded herself. "Yes," she said. "I was."

"Good. I like Clay."

Dory chuckled and tilted her head. "Are you sure you're only eight?"

"Are you going to marry him?"

"Right now I'm going to be his good friend. I'm going to have a date with him one of these days and you and Austin will have a sitter so I can have a grown-up date. When men and women who are all grown up become very good friends, they sometimes kiss. Only if it's okay with both of them, but it has to be okay with both of them. Do you understand that?"

She nodded. "Is he like a boy boy friend?" friend?"

"Well, I haven't thought about this a lot yet, but I guess he is. Like a boyfriend."

"Good," Sophie said. "I wondered if we'd ever get us a boyfriend! Night, Mommy."

"Night, sweetheart," she said, almost laughing out loud.

CLAY K KENNEDY HAD TO report for his twenty-four-hour shift the very next morning, and one of the first things he did was tell his buddy Charlie what had happened to Dory as a result of the incident in the parking lot. report for his twenty-four-hour shift the very next morning, and one of the first things he did was tell his buddy Charlie what had happened to Dory as a result of the incident in the parking lot.

"You're kidding me?" Charlie said with bark. "That old creep."

"That's what I thought. He had a few pretty negative things to say about Dory's commitment to her foundation. In fact, he said some real negative things about single mothers on the job-like he couldn't be bothered because they have to miss work for the kids sometimes."

"I've missed work because of situations with kids!" Charlie said.

"I have a sister who runs into this kind of att.i.tude at her job-and if she couldn't hold that job, my folks and I would be supporting her."

"Well, I have an ex-wife, and I do the best I can by her and the kids, but she's still gotta work. And she doesn't need that kind of resistance."

"I told Dory we'd lend a little support to her foundation. They're on a shoestring and need everything from donated food items to money. Probably mostly money."

"I'm on board," Charlie said. "The rest of these guys will do anything to look like heroes. But that's not the first thing we're going to do."

AT ABOUT TEN IN the morning, the rig pulled into the grocery-store parking lot and a bunch of firefighters sauntered into the store. Right up front, smiling one of his big smiles, was Mr. Sills, the manager. "Welcome, gentlemen, welcome! If there's anything we can help you find, please let us know." the morning, the rig pulled into the grocery-store parking lot and a bunch of firefighters sauntered into the store. Right up front, smiling one of his big smiles, was Mr. Sills, the manager. "Welcome, gentlemen, welcome! If there's anything we can help you find, please let us know."

The firefighters shopped regularly, and for a big crew, too. Not only did they feed their own house, they had frequent drop-ins from cops and highway patrol who didn't have a gang meal going on at their stations. Firefighters were famous for making huge, wonderful meals. Clay supposed it was worth some good money to the grocer.

"We're not shopping today, Mr. Sills. In fact, we stopped by to let you know why we won't be shopping here anymore. I heard through the grapevine that you let that cashier go-the one who helped out when that young woman was under attack in your parking lot."

"Oh?" he said, eyebrows up, as if totally surprised.

"Dory Finn," Clay said. "You fired her for that."

"Oh, that," he said. He laughed uncomfortably. "I'm sure that can be worked out. It was one of those, you know, spur-of-the-moment reactions."

Charlie stepped forward. "Were your comments about not hiring single mothers because they were undependable spur-of-the-moment, too? Because I'm divorced, Mr. Sills, and I try to take good care of my family, but my ex-wife needs her job, and fortunately she doesn't have a boss as unsympathetic as you. Nah, I'm getting my groceries somewhere else."

"My mother raised me alone," another firefighter said. "Come to think about it, we've had at least a couple of United States presidents raised by single mothers, including the current one. Guess that means it must pay off to give them all the support we can-pay it forward, if you get my drift."

"Gentlemen, I'm sure this was exaggerated."

"I doubt it," Clay said. "A lie would cause Dory's tongue to fall out."

"Tell her to come and see me-we'll work it out."

"I'll run that by her, but she's already got another job, and this one actually caters to single moms, knowing what a great work force that can be," Clay said.

"I'll pa.s.s the word, too," Charlie put in. "I'm telling all my friends, neighbors and family. I have quite a large family around here. I doubt they'll want to get their groceries here any longer."

"Me, too."

"Me, too."

"I guess that sums it up, Mr. Sills. We completely disagree with your take on single moms. So...gee...have a good life."

And they departed in force.

SUMMER WAS ALMOST upon the land. School would be out in less than a week and Dory Finn's life had taken an entirely new direction. She woke up earlier and earlier each day, too excited about the prospects that lay ahead to sleep. She started each day with a cup of coffee at the computer she kept at home, working for a while before the kids woke up. upon the land. School would be out in less than a week and Dory Finn's life had taken an entirely new direction. She woke up earlier and earlier each day, too excited about the prospects that lay ahead to sleep. She started each day with a cup of coffee at the computer she kept at home, working for a while before the kids woke up.

After taking them to school, Dory went to her new office at The Single Mother's Resource Center. Before they had a center, it was difficult to get a large number of their volunteers in one place at the same time, but that was no longer an issue. For meetings they gathered at the center. There was also s.p.a.ce now to leave their essential items-like posters and fliers advertising the upcoming single moms' conference; the gift baskets that would be given away; the food and supplies that were being collected for their food closet. Their July conference would be held at the local Presbyterian church. The pastor and his wife had turned out to be major supporters, willing to do anything and everything to help them.

The shelter they maintained for families of domestic abuse stayed full, always with a waiting list. But they were successful in moving women and children through there pretty quickly, making room for the next ones. It was a small house, but a safe one. And their goal was to eventually have more than one, or at least a larger one.

Things were so much more organized, with one person in a static location to ride herd on all the projects and people involved. And because they now had an address and business cards were scattered everywhere, people who needed them were calling and stopping by. It was not at all unusual to have a woman with kids in tow drop in to the center. Sometimes she needed absolutely everything; sometimes she was merely curious or even wanted to help as a volunteer.

And of course Dory had a new volunteer-Clay Kennedy. He was organizing a compet.i.tive baseball tournament between area firehouses. An entry fee would be collected, admission would be charged, a big barbecue would follow the playoff games-for a price-and he had managed to arrange for the food to be donated. It was destined to make a bunch of money for the center-money they could put to very good use. And it would probably become a popular tournament, with compet.i.tive players going after the t.i.tle year after year. Clay was also regularly picking up food items for her closet.

And he was kissing Dory whenever possible. Sometimes they'd duck behind a tree, only to be caught. Sophie would say, "You're kissing again!" and Austin would say, "Blllkkk!" She suspected Clay enjoyed getting caught. It was like marking his territory with the kids. If she didn't have evening meetings and he wasn't doing his twenty-four hours at the firehouse, they often had dinner together followed by a private meeting on the front porch after the dishes were done.

Just the evening before, he had some things on his mind-a new dimension to this still new relationship.

"We need a better game plan for summer," Clay said. "On my days off, I want you to let me take charge of the kids so you can be at the center. I'll get them to T-ball and Little League practice and all that stuff. It takes the strain off you a little bit so you don't have a hard time adding ball games to your schedule, because I know you really want to go to as many games as possible-and you have kids in two different leagues. Know what I mean?"

Boy, did she know! Between her work with the center and the kids' activities, it was sometimes a push keeping the schedules straight. "I appreciate the offer," she said to Clay. "But that's too much. We're not your responsibility."

"I want to do it, Dory," he said. "It's not something I have to do, and I don't have any ulterior motives. It's not about getting closer to you-though I'll take any invitation I can get." And then he grinned. "They're good kids and I'm good with kids. I can get a letter of recommendation from my sisters. They take complete advantage of me."

"Do they, now?" she asked with a smile.

"Absolutely. And speaking of my family, the rest of them want to meet you. We have to pick a day you can come to a family picnic, meet the whole gang."

"Have you been talking about me?"

"Not really. I brag. No one can believe I have a girl as beautiful as you, so you have to give me credibility and meet the family."

"Are you getting a little ahead of yourself?" she asked him. "We're pretty new, you and me."

"Nah, we're not new. Kissing is new. Watching the kids is new. But we've lived next door to each other for months and know plenty about each other. Besides, those kids of yours? They tell everything. If I forget to put on a turn signal, they'll rat me out."

True enough, she thought. They saw everything, heard everything, told everything. Besides, she was totally hooked on Clay, only because he was wonderful. Generous and kind and loving and tender. So they did just as he'd suggested. Dory and Clay worked out a schedule that eased her load a little bit by letting him help out with her kids sometimes. Her children were ecstatic-they'd far rather have Clay at their practices and games than her!

She thought about this as she sat at her desk in her office, and of course it made her smile. She was alone in the house that served as the center. It seemed it was either crawling with people and thus distractions, or quiet like this.

But not quiet for long. She felt a presence standing in her office doorway and looked up to see Mr. Sills standing there. He was a short, bald man who got red all the way to the top of his head when he was upset. Right now he was exceedingly pink.

"I hope you're satisfied, Miss Finn."

"Mr. Sills?" she asked, standing from her cluttered desk. "I don't know what you mean."

He walked into her office. "Oh, don't play coy, Miss Finn. You launched a campaign to ruin my business, and don't deny it!"

"What?" she asked, appalled. She came around her desk. "Mr. Sills, I wouldn't do something like that, no matter how upset I was with you! What in the world are you talking about?"

"Those firemen, they said they were going to stop shopping at my store and spread the word to their family and friends. All because I had to let you go! And I'm not going to kid you, Miss Finn-I resent resent it! But in order to undo the damage, I'm willing to give you your job back." it! But in order to undo the damage, I'm willing to give you your job back."

"Oh, for heaven's sake," she said. "I already have another job, Mr. Sills. It's not only one I'm more suited for, but it needs me as much as I need it. But I'll speak to them-the firefighters. I'll insist they go back to your store, and try to un-spread their word to family and friends. They shouldn't have done that-it was wrong."

"You will?" he asked.

"Of course, Mr. Sills. I told you, I'd never do anything like that. But please, let's not kid ourselves that it's about me. I think it has a lot to do with your att.i.tude toward single moms, and that they're too much trouble to employ. My next-door neighbor Clay is one of the firefighters who was at the store the day we had all the drama in the parking lot. It turns out he has a sister who's a single mom and he looks out for her and his nephews the best he can. Apparently he took your att.i.tude more personally than I realized-and obviously doesn't appreciate it."

Mr. Sills muttered something, shaking his head.

"What was that?" she asked.

"And one of them has an ex-wife who's a single mom, and another was raised by a single mother...."

Dory crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, so you already knew this wasn't about me, but about your bigotry. Maybe I should just stay out of this-it sounds like you made your bed."

Mr. Sills seemed to shrink a bit. "Listen, Miss Finn, my receipts really dropped off the last several weeks. If you know a way to end this moratorium, I'd be most appreciative...."

"You need an education," she said. "First of all, the only category you can lump single moms into is that category where they don't have partners to share the responsibility of the kids, and that makes life that much harder for them-their jobs that much more essential. Many of them are widows or victims, and they need our help. All All our help! Maybe you should come to our conference for single moms, sit in on some of the workshops, see if you learn something." our help! Maybe you should come to our conference for single moms, sit in on some of the workshops, see if you learn something."

His expression was all pain-he'd clearly be mortified. "Ohhh, Miss Finn..."

"Or you could donate to our food closet. You have a lot of product that's perfectly good but can't be sold-like disposable diapers in a crushed box, dented cans of vegetables and soup, that kind of thing. As long as it's safe, we can use it."

He brightened at once. "And you'll speak to your neighbor?"

"And we have single moms looking for jobs all the time. You're hiring from time to time. You could free up a position or two for us."

"Ohhhh...." he moaned.

"If qualified, of course," Dory clarified. "But even without the food and the job, I'll still speak to Clay. Of course, I'll tell him the whole story, about how I tried to get you to-"

"Done!" he said. "I'll have the unusable items stacked in the stockroom weekly and you can go through them, and I'll give you a call when we have a position free. But only for an interview-the job candidate has to be qualified."

She smirked at him. "Mr. Sills, don't kid a kidder. I was a hard worker. You're going to miss me."

"You were more than adequate...."

She laughed at him. "I think we can work together, Mr. Sills. I'll call off the firefighters and you give me all your damaged but completely safe stock and let me send you job applicants when you have openings. And for good measure, we'll put a nice big poster advertising our single moms' conference and our resource center in your front window."

His eyes brightened at that. "I suppose that could lure my customers back."

She lifted an eyebrow. "It might give the illusion you've joined those of open minds and loving hearts," she said. "Only you and I will know the truth."

He scowled at her and she laughed.

Dory put out her hand. "Do we have a deal?" she asked. He nodded and took the hand. "Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Sills. Please, take some of my cards and leave a stack at your customer service desk."

"Don't push it, Miss Finn...."

"Your compet.i.tors do that for me," she said. "Happily."

He took the cards from her, though he made a face. And she thought, what a piece of work! But she laughed and thanked him.

Once Mr. Sills had gone, Dory grabbed a couple of files off the top of her desk and turned to the filing cabinet. Still chuckling, she had begun to file them when she felt a couple of very sweet, very familiar arms slip around her from behind, followed quickly by some of the hottest, sweetest lips she'd ever known right against her neck. She giggled.

He turned her around and kissed her. When their lips parted he asked, "Was that Sills from the grocery I saw leaving?"

"It was," she said. "I hear you've been a lot of trouble for him. Boycotting his grocery and all."

"You weren't supposed to hear about that. He had it coming, the old jerk."

"I won't argue that, but your move was vindictive and I'd rather not resort to that. I believe what goes around comes around and I just don't need any bad karma. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah, but he did have it coming and he is an old jerk."

"We made a deal-donations of food and et cetera, plus a shot at job openings in his store for our moms. I'm good with that. I think I actually intimidate him," she said, and laughed. "He didn't realize I have such influential friends. Now, what are you doing here?"