All Yours

  All Yours

  Tory Baker

  Contents

  Untitled

  1. Kori

  2. Nathan

  3. Kori

  4. Nathan

  5. Kori

  6. Nate

  7. Kori

  8. Nate

  9. Kori

  10. Nate

  11. Kori

  12. Nate

  13. Kori

  14. Nate

  15. Kori

  16. Nate

  17. Kori

  18. Nate

  19. Kori

  20. Nate

  21. Kori

  22. Nate

  23. Kori

  24. Nate

  25. Kori

  26. Nate

  27. Kori

  28. Nate

  29. Kori

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Tory Baker

  Humbled beyond imagination, I have so many amazing people that I could dedicate this book to. My readers, editor, proofreaders, the sprint group that has me up at four o’clock in the morning to write the day away, the one person who’s been in my corner for the past four years, and also to my children. You’re the reason I breathe, I love you to infinity and beyond.

  1

  Kori

  Most girls my age are getting married and settling down, but that’s not how life is panning out for me. Even the older women in our small town ask, “When are you going to find a nice man and settle down?” I just smile and say, “When the right one comes along.”

  I’m not picky, but the few dates I have been on, the guys just aren’t what I’m looking for. One was thirty-three and living in his mom’s house. Now that wouldn’t really be a problem, except he bragged about how she packed his lunch, did his laundry, and even made his bed. He wasn’t for me.

  The next guy a friend set me up with, yeah. That was even worse, he was a macho man, over muscled, and liked a different kind of juice than I would have for breakfast. And, yes, he told me this.

  I quit going on dates after those disastrous ones, figuring my life was destined to continue on its path. I’m happy, really, I am. Well that’s what I tell myself. The dog shelter I run keeps me busy and happy. Add into that the high schoolers that come to volunteer and receive hours for their scholarships, there is never a dull moment. It’s close to Christmas and that seems to be when we’re at our max capacity with displaced dogs.

  My heart breaks, some of the animals we keep are getting older in years and it takes way too long for them to be adopted out.

  That’s why I’m planning on doing a huge Christmas adoption party. We’ll have it broadcasted on the local news channel, our Facebook page, and even have flyers put up all -over town.

  “Hey Kori, I have the lights you asked me to get,” Colton, one of my volunteers tells me.

  “Thank you, can you put them on the counter? I’m going to put them up when we close for the day.”

  “Sure, uh. Are you going to need help putting them up?” he asks. He’s tall and still growing into a young man. He’s actually one of my better volunteers, never questions what I ask him to do, and even shows the new kids the ropes. When he finishes up the hours he needs for his scholarship, I’m going to ask him to work part time. There are only two other part time employees, and I know I’ll need more help, as more animals come in each and every day.

  I shrug my shoulders and say, “No, I’ve done it the past couple of years. Especially since Dad retired.”

  That’s how I inherited the shelter — my dad was the best there ever was. He volunteered for everything he could, then when he got older, he decided he was ready to spread his wings and do something for himself. Now, he and mom are out RV’ing all over the country.

  “If you need help, my uncle and I can come help you,” he offers.

  “That’s sweet of you to offer. I may take you up on it,” I tell him and we both return to work. Him adding photos into our website’s database and me, well, I venture to the kennels. I’m thankful every day to have a job that doesn’t really feel like a job, but boy does my heart ache for the animals. I’d take them all home if my apartment complex would let me.

  I puff out an air of breath and go towards Max, our newest addition. He came in filthy and was so skinny you could count his ribs, now he’s been here for a few months. Max is healthy, his coat is a glistening chocolate color that ties well with his main breed of a Labrador. He’s the happiest dog you could ever meet, and I know when he finds a home, I’ll be the one in the corner crying of happiness and sadness.

  “Hey Max,” I say as I go to his kennel, hook him on his leash, and then we head towards the yard for him to roam.

  2

  Nathan

  I walk into my sister, Melanie’s, house, my stomach is already grumbling with the smell of roast beef, carrots, and potatoes.

  “Hey Sis,” I say, making my way into the kitchen.

  “Nathan, what a surprise,” she comes up to me, coming in for a hug.

  “Yeah, I finished a job up early. Figured I’d come see how you and Colton were doing. You two need anything?” I ask her. She’s a single mom, not by choice either. She thought she found her mister right, turns out she found mister right now with Colton’s dad.

  “We’re okay, I swear it. I’d love if you’d stay for dinner. Colton should be home anytime now, he’s helping Kori out at the shelter today,” Melanie tells me, with a sparkle in her eye.

  “That’s great and yeah, I’ll stay. What do you need help with?” I ask her.

  “Set the table?”

  “You got it.” I set the plates, utensils, and napkins on the table, then head back into the kitchen to see if she’s ready for the rest, when I hear Colton come through the side door. It slams closed. I time it perfectly before my sister hollers, “What have I told you about letting the door slam? You’re going to break the glass in the door one day and then what are you going to do?” I see the exasperation on her face. It can’t be easy on her to be a single mother, but I know she loves Colton with all of her heart.

  “Sorry, Mom,” he’s sheepish when he comes up to her. She wraps him in a hug.

  “How was your day?” she asks him.

  “It was good, Miss Kori is about to start decorating the shelter for her big adoption event. We’ll be getting busier soon,” he replies. Damn, I’ve seen Kori around town, a lot and every time I see her, it punches me in the gut with how beautiful she is. She’s done so much for Colton, I never wanted to rock the boat and approach her for anything more…yet.

  “That’s good. Wash your hands. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes and don’t forget to see hello to your Uncle,” she says, as she turns back to the oven.

  “Hey Colt.” I don’t care how old he is, I’ll still wrap him up in a hug every time I get to see him. His father took off a few years ago and ever since then, Colton was in trouble one way or the other. I had to step in and help Melanie out with him, she was at her wits end.

  “Hi, Uncle Nathan, uh. Don’t hate me, but I offered our help to Miss Kori in case she calls,” his face is red in color, as if he’s embarrassed.

  “I got no problem with that. We good to help your mom out this weekend while she’s at work?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, I only work half a day on Saturday, then I’ll be right home.”

  “That’s good. Go do as your mom said, so we can eat,” I tell him, when we pull apart.

  I watch him walk towards the hallway. He looks so much like I did at his age. The only difference is he has his father’s light coloring. Melanie and I both have a deep olive skin tone complexion, and his is fairer.

  I shake my head and make my way back to see if there’s anything I can do in the kitchen.<
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  3

  Kori

  “Son of a biscuit eater,” I say for the tenth time this weekend. We closed our doors earlier today and after sending everyone home, I decided to get the lights up on the outside of the shelter. I probably went a little crazier this year than last year, but I wanted to make it amazing for the event.

  I flip the breaker again, the lights come on for a minute, and then fizzle out. I blow my hair out of my face and clean everything up. I’ll have to make a call to an electrician on Monday morning, no way am I calling one on a weekend. I would bleed money if I did that, especially where this is only one breaker that keeps tripping.

  Closing the panel box, I finish picking up the ladder, extra lights, boxes, and take them back to the storage shed.

  As I’m storing everything away. I remember Colton telling me his Uncle and him could help, I wonder if he knows anything about electrical panels.

  Pulling my phone out, I pull up Colton’s name and text.

  Hey, I know you mentioned your uncle is an electrician, is there any way he can come check out the shelter’s breakers?

  I go into the reception area and look at everything I’ve done in a short amount of time. The Christmas tree is up, there’s garland on the check-in desk, and stockings are hung for each employee and volunteer. If only I could finish lighting it up.

  I took Max out of his kennel today while I worked around here. He’s now snuggled up on a dog bed we keep out. Most days we rotate a dog or two out and keep them up front with us.

  “What do you think, old boy?” I ask him, his tail is wagging. He has no idea what I’m talking about but he’s happy just the same.

  A buzz vibrates in my back pocket, I pull my phone out and see Colton responded.

  Talked to my Uncle Nathan and gave him your number, he should be there early tomorrow morning, but may text/call beforehand ☺

  “Yes!” I shout with glee. If I can save some money by using someone on the side, it will really help out. Max gets up and shakes his body around in happiness. I take his front paws as we dance around and relish in the moment.

  We settle down and I respond to Colton,

  Thank you so much, huge life saver!

  I move things here and there a little bit until they’re perfect before heading home. I loathe being there by myself, but there’s nothing else to do here. Well, except maybe sleep with the dogs.

  Max is back in his kennel and I say my goodbyes to the other animals and lock up.

  “See you guys tomorrow,” I tell them all. Some may think I’m crazy for talking to the dogs, but I know they love the attention.

  Making my way to my car, I see the lights I have strung on the roof line, the bushes, and even on the columns. I can’t wait for tomorrow to see if Nathan can work out why things aren’t working.

  4

  Nathan

  Helping out Kori was the last thing I thought I’d be doing on a Sunday morning, a day I never get off. Sure, I have nothing planned but that was the plan. Nothing but me, the couch, and football.

  When Colt asked me if I could look at her electrical panel, I couldn’t say no. She’s helped him stay out of trouble, even now he’s been on the straight and narrow, maybe, just maybe, this is the in I need with getting her attention.

  I unplug my phone from its charger and text her before getting ready.

  Hey Kori, this is Nathan. I can be at the shelter around 10, if that’s good for you?

  I wait to see if she responds but she doesn’t right away. While waiting to hear from her, I get dressed in a pair of jeans, white tee shirt, and a flannel. The fall months are long gone and we’re steadily heading into winter.

  Grabbing my wallet and my phone, I head downstairs and towards the kitchen. I bought this house a few years ago. It was newly renovated. Nothing like I really wanted, but I was tired of renting when I could be investing.

  If I had my way, I’d have a home on a couple of acres, the house would be more lived in, and I’d renovate it with my own hands.

  Turning on the kitchen light, I go to work making myself some breakfast. I may own my own electrical company, but my down time is something I pride myself in. My employees know this too. In fact with it being so close to the holidays, they’ll be off or rotate if there’s an emergency, if not for the most of it. I’ll take as many calls I can. I want them to know their families come first, plus with me being single and only having my sister and nephew, well, I have no problem allowing them the comfort of being home with their families.

  I finish making my breakfast of eggs and toast along with a cup of coffee. Man, do I love this single serve coffee maker.

  Once I plate everything, I make my way to the couch and catch up on what’s going on in the world of ESPN. I’m so lost in the latest report on football that I almost forget I’m waiting on Kori.

  “Shit, I forgot to take it off silent,” I grumble to myself. I look down at it and see that she texted close to thirty minutes ago.

  Hey, thank you so much. That would work perfectly.

  After seeing her text, the time, and how much of it I wasted on the television, I shake my head, pick up my mess before heading out the door. Who knows what I’ll be getting into at her place.

  5

  Kori

  I knew Nathan would be at the shelter today. I wasn’t going to dress my absolute best, because well, I’ll still be working while I’m here, but I also didn’t want to wear my Sunday comfies either. Something tells me joggers and an oversized tee, no makeup, and my hair up in a knotted mess would look highly unprofessional. I’ve seen him a time or two and Colton is always quick to insert something about him here and there, but actually meeting him hasn’t happened, yet.

  I chose to put on a pair of leggings, the kind that help suck you in, in all the places you need help. Especially the stomach area. After my binge session with pizza and wine last night, I definitely need some help. The grey sweater I’m wearing is still comfortable and warm enough to not need a jacket on top of it, then I paired it with a pair of cute booties.

  My hair, that’s brown in color with highlights of warm reds and soft ash blondes for the winter months, that is another story. Usually I’ll go lighter for spring and summer, but when it’s this time of year, I keep it richer in tones. No matter how much I tried to get away with putting it in a bun, I couldn’t. Instead I opted for leaving it down with loose waves. The one thing I did forgo was makeup. There was no way I was doing that on a Sunday, I barely wear it during the week as it is. I lucked out in the skin department and can get away with a swipe of blush, some mascara, and lip gloss if I do need to wear it.

  This is as good as it’s going to get. I walk through the shelter and hear the dogs playing, a few of them are outside running around, and some are in their kennels. The one thing my dad decided on was making sure they had room, even inside the kennels. Plus, we always keep their bedding freshly laundered. That’s a task in itself most days.

  I smile at Wanda, a part time employee and say, “Hey, how’s your Sunday going?”

  “It’s going good. The dogs are happy, so I’m happy. What are you doing in here today?” she replies. She’s been with us since Dad retired. Her kids moved away after college and she wanted something to keep her active, but not monopolize all of her time.

  “I have an electrician coming by, the dang lights keep tripping the breaker,” I huff out.

  “Well, hopefully, they’ll get it all figured out for you.” She goes back to working on the computer and I mumble, “Fingers crossed.”

  I head towards my office deciding to catch up on paperwork while I wait for Nathan to get here.

  Once I make a mug of coffee, thankful that Wanda already made a pot, I fire up my laptop and get to working on our social media marketing. I knew if I wanted to get the word out for a big adoption event in time for the holidays, this was the time to get things set up and programmed for the upcoming week.

  Getting lost in the world of Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter, I’m interrupted by my phone ringing on my desk.

  “Hello,” I answer, finally taking my gaze off of the screen.

  “Nate Russel is here to see you,” Wanda says into the phone.

  “Thanks, I’ll be right out.” We hang up and I run my fingers through my hair, hoping I’m going to make a good first impression. I may be a young business owner, but I still want to be taken seriously.

  With one last cleansing breath of air out of my system, I make my way towards Colton’s uncle.

  6

  Nate

  I’m waiting in the front office of Sunshine Animal Shelter with my hands in my pockets, taking in my surroundings. Kori really does love Christmas if the outside, and now the inside, it definitely shows how much work she puts into decorating.

  “Hi, you must be Nathan. Colton has told me a lot about you,” her hand reaches out to mine. I engulf hers and look into her dark brown eyes. It’s like looking into rich molten chocolate, a smile that is from the heart, and not to mention a body she’s trying to hide but can’t. She’s perfection and I know with only one glance she’ll be mine for the rest of time.