The Shelter Director

By Lauren Shiro

She’s one of those people. Shy, quiet, humble – Jen is the kind of person that would give you the shirt off her back and then ask you what else you need. Jen is incredibly generous and compassionate. She may not be a movie star, but she’ll treat you like one. She works diligently to help save cats. She sacrifices her life and stability to accommodate her partner. She gives until it hurts, and her reward is a devastating diagnosis. What will her life become? She is one of the most beautiful souls you’ll ever meet; Jen’s story is the sixth amazing tale in the Loving Her series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: VanillaHeart
• Release date: Mar 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311242136

Book preview

The Shelter Director

Loving Her, the series Book 6

by Lauren Shiro

Copyright 2014 Lauren Shiro

Published by: Vanilla Heart Publishing on Smashwords

Ebook Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Table of Contents

Dedications

The Shelter Director

More Great Books by Lauren Shiro

Lauren Shiro

Series Dedication

I dedicate this entire group of stories to the loving memory of my grandfather. My hero, my rock, my greatest fan. He always encouraged and supported my writing. It is because of him that you are reading these and I wrote them. Thank you will never be enough. Rest in peace, RPK. You are greatly loved and missed.

Book Dedication

To my very dear friend, Sylvia. You taught me how to play in life and in art. You are a wonderful person, a treasure to everyone who knows you. Thank you for blessing me with your love, talent and joy!

The Shelter Director

Okay, thank you. Jen hung up the phone. She cradled her face in the palms of her hands.

Knock, knock. A familiar quiet, effeminate voice broke through her thoughts.

Jen slowly pulled her head upwards.Oh, hi Fred. She paused.What’s up?

Just checking on you. We’re still on for tonight, right?

Jen sighed.I don’t know, Fred. We just got turned down for that grant. I’ve got to try to figure out some way for us to get money or we may end up losing this place.

Listen, Fred said flamboyantly as he sat himself down in front of her desk.I know there’s a lot going on and that you are working hard to save this place. But you need a break, too. If you don’t relax, you’re not going to do yourself or the kitties any favors. He paused for a moment.Besides, you can check out the ballerinas and I’ll scope out the ballerin-os! He laughed at himself.

Jen chuckled along with Fred. She looked at him. Her expression spoke volumes through her silence. He could see the concern in her eyes, and yet there was an undeniable plea for a reprieve.

You promised! Fred sang.

Okay, she huffed.I’ll go, but I still gotta figure this out.

You’ll be fine. Fred leapt up out of the chair.To the ballet! Ta ta for now! He skipped out of her office.

Jen laughed to herself.What did I get myself into? She shook her head.

The tall redhead ballerina caught Jen’s attention as soon as she leaped onto the stage. Her movements were beyond graceful: they were fluid, liquid.Wow, Jen whispered.

You think she’s hot? Fred whispered in her ear.

Jen sat staring at the tall dancer. She didn’t answer.

Must be, Fred said to himself.

Jen watched the entire ballet completely smitten by the dancer. It was as if she were a dream: this ideal woman that only Jen’s imagination could conjure. Tall, lean, graceful; she was the epitome of femininity. A woman Jen could only create in her mind: such women did not exist in the real world. Even if they did, they most certainly would not want anything to do with her.

Go wait for her. Fred coaxed Jen.

No, I couldn’t. Jen argued.

Why not? Just go wait in line. Ask her for an autograph or something.

She won’t even notice me. Jen sighed.

How do you know? Just try. Fred waited for a moment.You like her, right?

Jen nodded her head yes.

Then give yourself that one moment to talk to her. Just one minute of your time.

I couldn’t. Jen argued.

Jen you need to live it up! You’re always so quiet and shy. Stop holding yourself back. Just talk to her. Give yourself that experience. It’s not going to hurt anyone, right? Fred smirked.

Okay, Jen replied trying to conjure up all the courage she had.

Nervously, she walked towards the crowd and slowly weaved her way through all of the people to stand closest to where the dancers were exiting. One by one they strolled out, still graceful even just walking.

Suddenly, like an angel, the redhead appeared. For Jen, it was almost as if the rest of the world had stopped and melted away into nothingness as she watched the dancer walk. Nearly breathless from this vision, she inhaled deeply, preparing herself to speak loudly. Yet, all that came out was a squeak.Excuse me. Her voice was so quiet, Jen could hardly hear herself. Her hand accidentally brushed the dancer’s arm at the same time. Realizing that she had touched the divine dancer, Jen quickly withdrew her arm.

The dancer stopped in place and looked around until her gaze fell upon Jen.

Uhhhh…hi. Jen spoke again sheepishly.

Well, hi there! How can I help you? The dancer’s voice carried loudly. Her southern drawl contrasted with her image.

Oh! Jen struggled to think of something to say.You gave an excellent performance tonight. Jen felt the blood rush to her face. She was quickly growing uncomfortably warm. She felt herself blushing, so she turned away so that the dancer wouldn’t notice.

"Why,