Page 6 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Dragon

“Please.” She closed the distance between them, half-aware that she was still gripping his rigid bicep. Her eyes searched his face. “I really need your help. I...I’ll help you with whatever you want.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You think you can conjure up five grand with that magic of yours?”

Nora shook her head. It wasn’t technically impossible, but she’d never used her magic for monetary gain. Mostly because she’d never really had to. She’d worked multiple jobs over the past two decades, moving from diner to restaurant to local bar.

“No,” she said. “But there’s got to be some other way I can help you.” She hadn’t figured she’d have to barter for her safety, but if that was what it took to save her skin, so be it.

Those dark eyes studied her again, as if trying to determine whether she was worth the hassle. Then she saw his jaw clench.

“Fine,” he said.

“Oh, thank you so—”

“On one condition.”

Nora blinked at him. “What’s that?” He wasn’t going to ask her to pay with her body, would he? She’d met men like that over the years, and it hadn’t ended very well for them. Not that she’d necessarily object to getting in bed with this particular man.

“I need someone to come with me to the town fair. I plan to make five thousand dollars before the day ends. If you want my help, you’ll have to come with me. You’ll be my assistant.”

She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath. She let out a relieved sigh. “That’s all?”

“It’s not going to be easy. The fair is crowded. And noisy.”

That sounded like an acceptable price to pay. Although she couldn’t help wondering just how safe she’d be hiding out in the open. What were the odds that he wouldn’t find her again? And what would happen when he did? She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress her doubt.

It’ll be fine,she told herself.He’ll protect you.

As if reading her thoughts, the dragon shifter said, “You’re going to be okay. I’m sure I’ve dealt with worse than whoever’s after you.”

She flashed him a smile. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m Henry, by the way. Henry Hilton.” He moved over to his truck. “Why don’t you hop in with me? We’ve got a fair to attend and a long day ahead of us.”

Chapter Three

“We Don’t Rescue Dinosaurs”

It was hard to believe the Sylva Annual Fair had begun just an hour ago.

To Henry, it felt like ten.

“It’s just one day,” he muttered to himself, folding his arms for what felt like the tenth time that morning and sweeping his gaze around at the townsfolk that moved past. “One day, and it’ll all be over.”

Not that it made him feel much better. Time seemed to be moving agonizingly slowly today. A whole day was starting to sound like an eternity. Breathing a sigh, he looked around the park. Only an hour into the event, and the fair had already come fully alive. Color and sound spilled about, the wet grass already littered with wrappers, popcorn and bits of cotton candy.

Dozens of stalls lined the winding pathways, colorful canopies fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. The air was still cool from the rain, and the petrichor carried with it the scent of popcorn and hot dogs. Trees towered over the tents like awnings, and every now and then, Henry felt droplets of rain on his skin as the leaves shook.

He wasn’t the only vendor standing outside his stall. Several others did the same, calling out to potential customers with practiced cheer. Old Earl from the hardware store was trying to show a man the difference between a precision screwdriver and a regular one. Sally from the bakery was offering free cupcake samples to whoever was interested. Even the barmaid from Rubicon Valley, Angelica, was present, inviting adults for a shot of rum or whiskey.

“No kids allowed!” she chirped, a smile plastered on her face as she tapped a sign next to her. “Nuh-uh, Jordan. Adults only.You’re barely sixteen. Now, get out of here or I’ll tell your parents. That goes for you, too, Pete—scram!”

It seemed that the entire town was present today. Kids and adults alike wandered between the stalls, the former darting about excitedly, enjoying ice cream cones, or pointing at brightly lit stalls while tugging persistently at their parents’ jackets. A few of the adults already had looks of exasperation on their faces, although some couples were beaming, holding hands as they approached the vendors.

Henry could empathize with their exasperation. The fair was the last place he needed to be right now. As an animal rescuer, he’d always done his best work in the field—just not when the field happened to be a fairground. He’d rather be in Paradise Woods, rescuing injured or trapped animals before they died from blood loss or starvation, or back at the sanctuary, watching the vet patch them up in the clinic.

Another sigh parted his lips. At the rate this day was going, he just might end up heading to Angelica’s stall for a drink or two.

He turned then, facing his own stall. It had taken him a little over thirty minutes to set up the animal rescuer tent, but Henry thought he’d done a great job. The tent was green, its interior visible through the wide entrance. A couple of tables and chairs sat close to the entrance, a donation jar and a stack of flyers atop one of them. On the other sat one of the boxes of T-shirts he’d packed earlier, along with other souvenirs and some animal feed. A few animal crates sat outside, just under the shade of a green tarp, next to a small sign that read: PETTING.