Chapter 10
Early the next week Oliver and Shane had just arrived in the morning at the DLO. Norman was working on water damaged packages in his lab while Rita was sorting incoming bulk packages. Oliver was standing by his desk looking for a folder on the credenza behind the desk. Shane had barely settled at her floating workstation before wandering over to Oliver.
"Need help looking?" Shane asked seeing his frustration.
"That would be great. It was a blue one with the Mid-Atlantic reports."
"Found it." Shane leaned over handing it to him.
"Thank you, Mrs. O'Toole." He said absently already immersed in reading his report. She went back to her desk shaking her head at his preoccupation. Picking up where she left of the day before, she started researching bookstores in Phoenix. After finding the information, she sent the letter up a chute and went to help Rita. Taking a break for a coffee refill she went by Oliver's desk freshening his cup. "Thank you." He said without looking up.
"Oliver what is in those reports that is so fascinating?" Shane finally asked.
"There's some restructuring occurring. I was trying to figure out how or when it might impact our office. There's some departmental meetings right after lunch I should find out more then."
"You sound concerned."
"Probably nothing to be concerned about. You know how much I embrace change Mrs. O'Toole." Oliver said smiling slightly.
Shane laughed. When her looked at her slightly surprised, she said, "Oh, you weren't joking." She pressed her lips together to suppress a smile before finally agreeing, "You have become quite adept at change this last year Mr. O'Toole."
He nodded returning to his reports.
After lunch Oliver left for his meetings. Returning halfway through the afternoon. He stopped for a moment at the door watching the two women chatting while they worked. He pondered for a moment at the difference and strength of his feelings for the two wondering at how they'd changed over the last couple years. Glancing at Rita for a moment he felt a protective big brotherly affection. Seeing his grandmother's ring glint in the light on Shane's finger, Oliver felt pride that he could call her his wife as well as a love that grew more complex every day. He sometimes felt it would bring him to his knees. Sensing his presence, Shane looked up smiling at him lovingly before answering Rita.
The peculiar look on his face made Shane wonder what he was thinking. "Mr. O'Toole, did you get the answers for which you were looking?" Shane asked.
"Not entirely Mrs. O'Toole." He answered with a sudden satisfied grin that made her wonder if they were both talking about the same thing. Moving towards them he answered the question he knew she was asking, "It appears administration is starting to consolidate several departments on the east coast and moving them to Georgia. It includes several DLO offices, I don't think it will impact us at this point in time."
That night Oliver took the dogs out while she finished off what was left from the arson case for the CBI. By the time he came back, she was starting dinner in the kitchen.
"That smells great. What are you making?" He asked feeding the dogs in the utility room.
"Parmesan crusted chicken. The potatoes still need mashed." She had changed into yoga pants, tank top and had her hair up in a ponytail.
He placed a kiss on the back of her neck as he came into the kitchen. Oliver mashed the potatoes while she took the chicken out of the oven and added the vegetables to the plates. They sat to eat at the table. "Did you finish the arson case?"
"Yes. Did you hear back from the vet about if they knew anyone that would be interested in volunteering with the shelter?"
"I did. He has a friend that recently retired, and he gave me his contact information."
"I found a couple shelters online that allow pets. There's only one in the area. It's certainly a need locally. The staff is going to want to talk to more than one place. I started looking in other areas of the state but may need to start looking further afield." They spent the rest of dinner discussing the O'Toole Foundation and what needed to be done for the shelter.
After dinner they sat on the porch swing quietly watching the dogs run around the yard. Resting her head against Oliver's shoulder they felt a gentle breeze wash through the yard rustling the leaves on the trees. "It's been beautiful weather this week," Shane commented.
"Yes, it has." Oliver took her hand running his finger over her rings. She'd noticed it had become a habit of his when he was thinking. She found it endearing. They sat peacefully watching the dogs while the sky slowly changed to dusk. Shane shivered a little as the temperature started dropping when the sun started to set. Oliver ran his hand up her arm feeling her getting colder, "Let's get you inside and warm up. You didn't bring a jacket out."
"Would you like some tea?" Shane asked.
"Yes. Thanks. I'll round up the dogs."
Opening the front door to enter the house Shane heard him go to the edge of the steps and let out an ear-piercing whistle. Whirling around in shock, "Oliver O'Toole what may I ask was that?"
He stood there grinning like a little boy, "Bill taught me how on the fourth. That's how they call the dogs in at the farm."
Laughing Shane leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, "Oliver dear we're not on a farm they're barely ten feet away."
"I know but I hadn't had a chance to try it out." He replied with a mischievous grin. The dogs had come running up the steps. "See it works."
Shaking her head, they all went inside. "Hopefully, it didn't bring all the other dogs in the neighborhood following."