Midnight Sun, Inc. (Crimson Romance)

by Debbie Vaughan

  A couple of guys of unknown persuasion asked for my number, leaving me flattered but flustered. They were cute — not that I was looking — but the policy on employee/client dating had not been discussed during my interview. I smiled politely and nodded toward the boss. They appeared to catch my drift. Mental note to self — ask the boss. Such information might be useful in the future, but for now, men were off my menu.

  Willy, chased rabbits in his sleep. His little body jerked and lips twitched. It was hard work for him to haul his body without his cart, even on the slick surface of the floor. Since he obviously didn’t intend to stay still, I’d make sure he was in his cart at least for the first part of my shift.

  Others waited to enter as soon as the current guests made way. The night promised to be long, and busy. For the most part, things went smoothly.

  An embarrassing moment occurred as I lead two human guys to their tanning beds. A female vampire stepped out of a spray tan room and walked leisurely to the tanning bed a little further down the hall — buck-naked. Vampires had no sense of modesty. Even through their jeans I could tell Mr. Happy was very excited. The vamp winking at them while showing fang had him twitching beneath the denim.

  Remember to sanitize their beds for sure!

  I kept a straight face and acted as if this was a common occurrence — or so I thought. I realized I had failed miserably when Raf took one look at my face and cracked up! With smothered giggles, and Raf looking over my shoulder, I wrote on a slip of paper, ‘robes or much bigger towels needed,’ and dropped it into the suggestion box.

  About four A.M. the crowds thinned and lack of sleep began to catch up with me. Normally in bed by ten and up at five-thirty, my internal clock was justifiably confused. On autopilot, I kept moving. Beds had to be sprayed, towels picked up and tossed in the bin for laundry pick up. I collected and rinsed the Razorback Red bottles so they could be returned for deposit, while Raf got the second night receipts ready. At four-thirty Tom collected the bag and left for the bank.

  Our shift ended at five, dawn came around six this time of year, so Raf must live close by. I called Jimmy to pick me up. If I could find a cheap car, I wouldn’t need a driver. If not for Willy, I’d take the bus to the clinic but they only allow service dogs.

  Jimmy claimed not to mind, but still … His workday in North Little Rock started at seven, which worked great for my job at the clinic. But, at least for now, he had to get up an hour early to pick me up at the salon, drive me to the clinic and then turn around and drive back across the river to work. I refused to take advantage of him long term.

  Dr. Julie Smith, the vet I worked for, agreed to let me come to the clinic after working at the salon and catch a little sleep on the cot we kept in back for emergencies. I had my own keys. I could put Willy in a kennel, which we both hated, catch a couple hours sleep, and then change into scrubs for my day job.

  Although the clinic didn’t open for business until nine, morning drop-offs started at seven. The kennel staff would start walking, feeding and medicating the boarded animals a few minutes later. No one could sleep through that racket.

  Okay, so the plan wasn’t perfect.

  The day shift dragged in right on time. Jimmy had been waiting for about five minutes. I introduced Raf to Jimmy. Raf seemed thrilled, Jimmy, not. I don’t think it had anything to do with Raf being a vampire but rather his sexual orientation that bothered Jimmy. His homophobia bothered me, but he was my friend and that meant I accepted him warts and all. Still, I felt bad for Raf. I liked him a lot.

  “See ya tonight, Raf.” I planted a kiss on his cheek. He looked a little worn.

  “Honey, you made my night!” Raf said with waggling brows. “See ya. Got to get my beauty sleep.”

  I figured the waggling brows were for Jimmy, who apparently agreed if his scowl was any indication. The ride to the clinic was quiet. “Call my cell if you need me,” he said as he drove away.

  I was too tired to worry about it.

  I helped Willy go potty and tried to get in the clinic, turn off the alarm, reset it, and get bedded down without waking the dogs in the back. While not totally successful, they settled pretty quickly when the lights went out. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I dreamed of naked vampires, who strangely, all looked like Tom. Mmm.

  Screech, clang. Startled, it took a minute to get my bearings. Jennifer was trying to get Willy out of the cage.

  “Sorry!” Jen whispered.

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost eight.”

  Less than two hours sleep — definitely not enough. “Here, I’ll take him.” I rose and held open my arms.

  “Ah, Connie, you might want to get dressed first.” She smirked and gave me the once over. “It’s only a suggestion, but old man Bartlett is in the lobby with Scooter and you might just give him a coronary. Nice tan by the way.”

  “Okay, you take him while I pull myself together,” I grinned through a yawn. “I’m going to lock this door for a sec.”

  “Good idea.” Jen giggled as she left with Willy.

  I snapped the lock behind her and pulled my small case from under the cot. Tottering to the sink on sore feet, I pulled my toothbrush and a washcloth from the case and did my best to make myself presentable.

  Animals don’t care if you stink and wear no makeup, but their owners do. I gave myself a quick sink bath, grinning at my reflection. The lacy bra and panties I wore would have given Mr. Bartlett a heart attack all right! Fresh undies, clean scrubs, socks, a tad of makeup and I went to join the workforce.

  While the team finished walking the dogs, I cleaned litter pans and kennels and put out fresh food and water before checking the charts for those on medication and administering what was necessary. Only a few needed prepping for the light surgery schedule. I managed pretty well.

  Julie, er, Dr. Smith, asked me to go to lunch, her treat. Before I took the first bite of my Santa Fe chicken salad, she told me, “Connie, you need to make a decision, Midnight Sun or the clinic. You almost gave Scooter prednisone this morning instead of his thyroid meds. You’re dead on your feet after only one double shift. I know you’re trying, but you just can’t do two jobs with no sleep. I can’t take the risk. Besides, you’d never forgive yourself if you caused harm to any of those animals.”

  “Oh God! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize … ”

  “Understood and I want you to stay. You’re the best worker I have. I’d give you insurance if I could afford it for all my employees, but I can’t do it for just you.”

  Unprepared to make a decision, I didn’t know how to respond. I had Willy to consider. “I know that. If it wasn’t for Willy I’d never think of leaving.”

  Julie raised a brow. “What’s Willy got to do with it?”

  “He’s snapping at clients.”

  Julie’s other brow raised to join the first. “Since when?”

  “That’s what … somebody said.” For the life of me, I couldn’t remember who. My head seemed full of gray fuzz lately.

  “Maybe you need a little time off. You’ve seemed a little off the mark the past few days. My next appointment isn’t until two so eat up and I’ll drive you home. You need sleep.”

  As we walked back to her truck she paused and pulled me up short with a hand on my shoulder. “Let me know if you remember who said that about Willy. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love that rascal.”

  I nodded. “Mr. Thornton has me on probation until he’s convinced I can do the job.”

  “Talk to him tonight and see where you stand, then go home and get some rest. You’re not on the schedule for Saturday. Call me Sunday night with your answer.”

  We stopped to get Willy. Julie told Jen to call her cell if there was an emergency then drove me home. Dee came out to meet us when we pulled into the drive. If she wanted answers she’d have to wait.

  “Call me Sunday.” Julie called as she drove away.

  “I’ll fill you in later,
Dee.” I closed my door in her face. She’d make me sorry for that, which might worry me later, now, I was going to bed. Kicking off my shoes, I crawled between the sheets, scrubs and all, pulling Willy in with me. I set the clock for six. Four hours sleep …

  CHAPTER 4

  The alarm went off and a warm tongue swiped my cheek. I had forgotten to let Willy potty before bed. Rising, I scooped him up and headed for the door. Dee hurried over. “I’ll tell you while I get ready. Come on in.”

  Dee’s blond hair never moved as she stripped the soiled sheets from the bed, promising to wash them later. I stepped into the tiny shower of my six hundred square foot house. A living room/kitchen combo divided by a bar with a small area for a table, and one bedroom comprised the remainder. The intended in-laws quarters were close, but not too close, to the main house. The space was enough for Willy and me. My rent helped Jimmy and Dee make their mortgage payment.

  As I tried to explain the events at the clinic, I honestly didn’t remember the mistakes Julie claimed I’d made, any more than who had told me Willy was misbehaving. They did say insanity ran in families.

  “Working at the salon is fun but that doesn’t mean the boss will make it permanent.” I yelled over the blow dryer. “I have to give Julie an answer tomorrow. One way or another … ”

  “Just tell Mr. Thornton you’re sorry, but you need his answer now. It’s unfair to your current employer to leave her swaying in the breeze. He’s a businessman. He’ll understand.”

  “You seem to assume I’ve made my decision.” I opened my mouth so I wouldn’t blink while applying my mascara.

  “Connie, the salon pays three dollars an hour more than the clinic and there’s health insurance. What’s to decide?”

  I put on some lip gloss before mentioning casually, “Jimmy didn’t seem to care for my gay co-worker.” I slipped into a pair of black short-shorts and pulled the tee over my head.

  “Sweetie, I love my husband but he is a homophobe of the first order. You know, I know and he knows, although he’d never admit to it. Connie, he doesn’t have to like them. You do. You do, right?”

  “Oh hell, yeah, Raf’s a doll. That’s his name, Rafael. The verdict is still out on Tom Thornton. I mean he’s totally dreamy. Don’t get me wrong. There’s just something hinky about him.” I bent to tie my shoes.

  “A hinky hunk, huh?”

  “He’s my boss, Dee.”

  “Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman who got there by screwing the boss.”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help grin at her. Dee was a liberated woman, confident in her abilities. She had a ton of blond hair, huge bright blue eyes and curves in all the right places. Men fell at her feet. One day I hoped to be just like her, in the confidence department anyway, but I had a few obstacles to overcome.

  I glanced at the clock, “Oh Shit! Dee, go call me a cab or I’ll be late on my second day. Not a good way to keep a job.”

  “Already done. Should be here any minute.”

  A horn blared from the drive. I grabbed Willy, his cart, my purse and Dee grabbed his crate. The cab company didn’t allow dogs un-crated. Thank God, Dee had thought to ask!

  “You got cash? How are you getting home?” Dee asked in mother-hen mode.

  “Yes.” I put Willy in the seat. “I have no idea. I’ll call when I know. Bye!” I gave her a quick hug.

  During the ride in I silently calculated the fare — and gagged at the figure I got. Eating is highly overrated.

  Although I arrived early, my dayshift counterpart left as soon as I walked through the door. Choking back tears I carried fresh towels to the storage closet as Raf stepped out of a tanning room — naked.

  He saw me. I saw all of him. My trembling lips froze in the shape of an O.

  He grinned and snatched a hand towel from my arm, draping it over the pertinent areas. “Sorry, Hon,” he said without emotion. “I thought I’d sneak in some sunshine. Did the bus run early?” He turned to walk away.

  Dear Lord, the back’s as good as the front.

  “I took a cab,” I wailed, as my circumstance overruled my shock. He turned back to offer comfort but I held up a warning hand.

  He grinned unabashedly. “I’ll be quick as a bunny and you can tell me all about it.”

  He was. When I had finished my tale of woe, his shoulder was wet, and I needed to wash my face and reapply my mascara. I felt better having shared my problem with someone.

  I hurried from the restroom to the lobby feeling like a shirker. Raf smiled and pointed toward the office. The boss was in, and I, his first order of business. Oh goody.

  “Come in,” he said without looking up from whatever he was reading. “Have a seat.”

  I sat, expecting the worst.

  “Raf tells me you’re a good worker.”

  I opened my mouth, but he waived me to silence. Fine.

  “I foresaw difficulties with your employment because of your pet, but he doesn’t seem to be an issue after all. Distance from work and lack of transportation are.”

  “I’m looking for a car.” I offered hopefully.

  “You still want this job?”

  I thought it was a rhetorical question until he paused. I replied. “Yes I do, if you’re sure Willy won’t be a problem.”

  “According to this fax no ordinances will be broken, as long as you keep him in line.”

  And if something goes wrong, then what, I’m out of a job?

  “As to housing, we may have come up with a solution,” Raf chirped in my right ear.

  I clapped a hand over my heart. “God, wear a bell!” Sinus rhythm restored, I inquired, “And what is your solution, pray tell?”

  Raf whirled around and sat on my lap. “We’ll be roomies, girlfriend!”

  I never even considered refusing.

  “Oh. My. God. Raf, really?” Then my bubble burst. “Jimmy and Dee need my rent to help cover their mortgage.”

  “Boss, didn’t Cindy mention she was looking for a place, cheap?”

  “Yes, I recall something about her mother driving her crazy. I believe her exact words were, ‘The bitch is driving me bat-shit! I’d move to the moon but I can only afford five hundred in rent!’” Tom did a fair impersonation of Cindy’s nasal whine.

  That was more than double what I paid Dee and Jimmy. Four hundred dollars would tickle them pink and leave Cindy with a hundred for gas. She’d need it.

  “Consider the convenience and let us know — ” Tom started.

  “I’ll call Dee on my break. Raf, can you call Cindy? I don’t want to get Dee’s hopes up.” I wasn’t letting this opportunity slip past.

  “Sure thing, Honey.” Raf gave Tom big eyes and a shrug.

  Tom waved his hand toward the door as the chime sounded. “Customers.” A perplexed smile played along the corners of his mouth.

  Raf and I grinned at each other like reunited long lost siblings. What can I say? It just felt right or just maybe … Cindy’s mom wasn’t the only one gone bat-shit.

  Raf allowed Cindy time enough to reach home. The phone conversation was short. I heard her answer on the other side of the room. She may also have told her Mom to go screw herself. Obviously, theirs was a closely-knit family.

  Too excited to keep still, the extra dose of adrenaline worked in my favor and kept me awake. The three diet Dr. Peppers I drank having nothing whatsoever to do with my high. I took an early break in order to call Dee before bedtime.

  The fireworks danced in bright patterns of color across the night sky. I had forgotten it was Independence Day. I frowned. My memory seemed to be slipping lately. Pulling my cell from my hip pocket, I dialed. She picked up on the first ring.

  “Hello.”

  “I got it!”

  “Of course you did, you ditz! Didn’t I tell you?”

  “No, I believe you told me to screw the boss — which proved to be unnecessary.”

  “Sorry. Still sounds like a plan to me.”

  “Ah Dee, there is o
ne other thing.”

  “What?”

  “I’m moving out.”

  Dee screamed a curse. Jimmy echoed the expletive in the background when she repeated my words. Geeze! I waited until they calmed down a bit.

  “Since you’re so happy for me, maybe I’ll skip the rest of the news.” Jimmy said something about being ungrateful. “I have him a new renter.”

  “Okay … ”

  “Tell your jerk of a husband she’s willing to pay four hundred a month.”

  The screaming resumed.

  “Dee. Dee! I’ve got to get back to work. We’ll talk tomorrow. Oh, and I won’t be coming home tonight. I am staying over with Raf.”

  “You’re what?” Jimmy asked. Dee must have dropped the phone.

  “You heard me you big jerk. Deal with it.”

  “We love you, Connie,” Jimmy said.

  “Yeah, I know. Bye!”

  I folded the phone and stuck it in my pocket. Ever the good citizen, I policed the area, tucked Willy under my arm and headed for the dumpster in the alley. Willy began a low growl. The growl grew more menacing as we grew nearer the receptacle.

  “Hush, Willy.”

  Had he caught the scent of a cat or a rat? I pushed open the dumpster lid only to be greeted by a horrendous odor. Willy’s growl turned to a shrill whine. His hackles stood on end as did mine. Caution aside, I peered through the dark shadows cast by the street lamps. The headlights of a parking car briefly illuminated the container. I saw a face and an arm.

  I screamed bloody murder for all of ten seconds. Bile rose in my throat and spilled onto the pavement.

  Tom was beside me in an instant. So quickly in fact, I am pretty sure what little was left of my lunch landed on the toe of his boot. His sudden appearance coupled with my distress, sent Willy over the edge. He snapped, catching Tom’s wrist as he reached to turn me away from gruesome scene.

  “You’re bleeding,” I whispered. “Willy’s never bit anyone before. I’m real sorry.”

  “I’ll mend.” He ushered me back inside.