by: Toni Shiloh
Series: K-9 Companions
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
To save her animal shelter, she'll have to work with her biggest foe...
With her emotional support dog at her side, Jalissa Tucker will do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of the local animal rescue -- even ally herself with her nemesis, firefighter Jeremy Rider. As working together dredges up old hurts, putting the past aside could be the key to their future joy...
Love Inspired -- Heartfelt stories that show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives.
Jalissa Tucker stormed through the double doors of the community center where the Bluebonnet town hall was taking place. If the mayor thought she’d sit back quietly while the city cut her funding—dooming the animal rescue shelter to go out of business—he had another think coming. She slipped into a vacant seat toward the back while the mayor droned on about the order of business. So much for arriving late enough to miss this monotonous part and get right to the heart of the matter. Oh, well.
She scanned the open room, surprised at how many of the townspeople had come out. Jalissa jerked back in her seat as her gaze slammed into the form of Jeremy Rider. Ugh. That man was like a splinter. He made subtle digs that got under her skin and wouldn’t budge no matter how much she tugged. Since her best friend had married Rider’s friend, she saw way too much of the annoying man.
He had to be here for some specific reason, though. Maybe he’d come in an official role, checking to ensure the attendees didn’t surpass the building’s capacity limit. Although he wasn’t wearing the Bluebonnet Fire Department uniform, he’d probably come in that vein.
What other reason would bring Rider to a town hall meeting?
“In regard to the town budget, we will be reducing funds or completely defunding certain programs due to a limited amount of resources. Unfortunately, the Parks and Recreation program is in that purview. Funding will be halved, and all requests for new equipment or new programs will require prior council approval.” The mayor paused. “Any objections?”
Jalissa wanted to object on behalf of Bluebonnet’s youth, but she really needed to conserve her energy and voice for the animal shelter. Yesterday she’d learned their usual yearly grant had been denied. If the mayor removed city funding, then Jalissa would be left at the mercy of what little donors remained. Alas, their contributions wouldn’t cover the shelter’s expenses, which meant she’d be forced to cut employee hours, and eventually employees themselves, until she’d have no choice but to close the shelter doors. Not to mention the worry of what would happen to the precious animals. She couldn’t let them be displaced. Her employees could always find another job, but tracking down another no-kill shelter to take the dogs and cats would be difficult.
When no one spoke up, the mayor continued. “Moving right along.” He listed two other programs that would have their funding restricted. A few people objected, and he overruled them but ensured the secretary noted their complaints.
Jalissa rolled her eyes. What was the point of objecting if the mayor wouldn’t actually hear the reasons behind people’s complaints? She’d come here to stop them from removing the shelter’s funding, not to become some footnote in the city memo. Was this how every town hall worked in Bluebonnet, Texas? She’d never been to one before—had really never seen a reason to attend.
“All righty, now, next up is Bluebonnet Animal Rescue.”
She straightened in her seat, clutching her purse strap close to her chest.
“The town can no longer afford to fund the shelter. There aren’t enough folks adopting the pets to defray the cost of operations. The city will henceforth cut all funding.”
She sucked in a breath, trying to scramble for air at the awful pronouncement. One...two…
“Any objections?” The mayor scanned the crowd.
Three... Jalissa jumped to her feet. “I object!”
“Of course you do, Ms. Tucker.” Mayor Douglas heaved a sigh, whipping his glasses off to rub at his eyes. “Kate, make a note of Jalissa’s objections. Moving along to the SAFE program. Regrettably, it will also be defunded.”
“Wait just a minute,” Jalissa started.
“I object,” Rider shouted.
She whirled toward Rider, who stood on the other side of the aisle. “You can’t object to my objection.”
“Actually, Ms. Tucker,” Mayor Douglas interrupted, “he can.”
“But I wasn’t,” Rider said smoothly. He folded his arms across his chest. “My objection is for defunding SAFE. The teens in Bluebonnet need the antibullying program. Having mentors ensures they can navigate the trials of life with someone walking alongside them. We don’t want to isolate our teens, Mr. Mayor.”
“Wait a minute.” Jalissa held up a hand, momentarily stunned that Rider cared about anything other than himself. Who knew the cocky firefighter had a heart? She turned back to the mayor. “I’m not done with my objection.”
“Ms. Tucker, I noted it, and we’re moving right along.” Mayor Douglas peered over the rim of his glasses to stare at Rider. “And we’ll note your objection as well, Mr. Rider.”
“So that’s it?” Rider asked. “You aren’t actually going to do anything about it?”
“Exactly.” Jalissa resisted the urge to stomp her foot. “What’s the point of a town hall meeting if you won’t hear what the town has to say, Mr. Mayor?”
“As stated at the very beginning—” he pierced her with his gaze “—objections will be noted, then discussed at the end. But since you two seem intent on disrupting the order, please tell me what, exactly, you want me to do? I can’t make money grow on trees or rub a magic lamp,” he groused.
Oops. Guess she should’ve made it to the beginning of the meeting, but evidently, neither had Rider. Jalissa drew in a steady breath, fighting for calm and composure before speaking. Her insides quaked as she searched for the right words.
“Mr. Mayor, wouldn’t it be better to come up with a different idea to keep these programs funded that won’t overtax the city budget?”
“Do you think you can come up with a better idea than our accountant?” His bushy brows furrowed like caterpillars burrowing into a cocoon. He directed a pointed stare in her direction. “He’s the one who made the recommended cuts. He looked at the numbers and presented me with the list I’m introducing to everyone now.”
“There has to be a better way, Mr. Mayor,” Rider added. “I’m with Jalissa. You can’t leave these programs with no assistance whatsoever. It won’t help the youth who need SAFE or, in her case—” he hooked a finger her way “—help abandoned animals.” A spark glinted in his eye. “Although, I think it would be better to help the teens and let the animals figure out their own way.”
“You would,” she muttered. Animals were more defenseless than people. Sometimes it felt like she was the only one fighting for them.
Rider smirked, as if he could tell how much he’d irked her.
A hand shot up from the front row, and Mrs. Baker, the owner of the local bookstore, stood. “What about some kind of fund-raiser? Would that help?”
“Yes.” Jalissa clapped. “Great idea, Mrs. Baker. There’s your alternative, Mr. Mayor.” She sat down, watching an array of emotions cross the mayor’s face.
“I don’t have time for a fund-raiser,” he muttered.
“Well, neither do I,” said Mrs. Baker. “But it is a solution.”
Mr. Douglas peered over the rims of his eyeglasses and out into the crowd. “How many of you here want to object to a program that’s being defunded or having funds reduced?”
Hands shot up around the room.
“Fine, then. I’ll talk to our accountant and see if we can put a hold on this for a little bit longer. Give y’all time to do a fund-raiser.”
“Who’s y’all?” Rider asked.
“Why, you and Ms. Tucker, of course.” The mayor smirked. “Y’all wanted another way, you’ve got one. You two will be the official fund-raising committee. Keep in mind, we can’t finance your fund-raising efforts. What you raise will go directly to the six programs listed today.”
“Wait a minute, sir,” Rider said. “If Jalissa and I are doing all the work, shouldn’t the majority of the funds go to the animal shelter and SAFE?”
Mayor Douglas pursed his lips. “If your fund-raising efforts are minimal, then yes, I can agree to that arrangement. However, if it’s enough to fund more than your two programs, I believe it should benefit the town as a whole. Meeting adjourned.”
Jalissa felt her mouth drop, stunned by the bizarre turn of events. What had started out as a crusade to keep her job and save the animals had now turned into her worst nightmare: working with a firefighter. And not just any firefighter, but Jeremy Rider.
Excerpted from An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh. Copyright © 2022 by Toni Shiloh. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
She scanned the open room, surprised at how many of the townspeople had come out. Jalissa jerked back in her seat as her gaze slammed into the form of Jeremy Rider. Ugh. That man was like a splinter. He made subtle digs that got under her skin and wouldn’t budge no matter how much she tugged. Since her best friend had married Rider’s friend, she saw way too much of the annoying man.
He had to be here for some specific reason, though. Maybe he’d come in an official role, checking to ensure the attendees didn’t surpass the building’s capacity limit. Although he wasn’t wearing the Bluebonnet Fire Department uniform, he’d probably come in that vein.
What other reason would bring Rider to a town hall meeting?
“In regard to the town budget, we will be reducing funds or completely defunding certain programs due to a limited amount of resources. Unfortunately, the Parks and Recreation program is in that purview. Funding will be halved, and all requests for new equipment or new programs will require prior council approval.” The mayor paused. “Any objections?”
Jalissa wanted to object on behalf of Bluebonnet’s youth, but she really needed to conserve her energy and voice for the animal shelter. Yesterday she’d learned their usual yearly grant had been denied. If the mayor removed city funding, then Jalissa would be left at the mercy of what little donors remained. Alas, their contributions wouldn’t cover the shelter’s expenses, which meant she’d be forced to cut employee hours, and eventually employees themselves, until she’d have no choice but to close the shelter doors. Not to mention the worry of what would happen to the precious animals. She couldn’t let them be displaced. Her employees could always find another job, but tracking down another no-kill shelter to take the dogs and cats would be difficult.
When no one spoke up, the mayor continued. “Moving right along.” He listed two other programs that would have their funding restricted. A few people objected, and he overruled them but ensured the secretary noted their complaints.
Jalissa rolled her eyes. What was the point of objecting if the mayor wouldn’t actually hear the reasons behind people’s complaints? She’d come here to stop them from removing the shelter’s funding, not to become some footnote in the city memo. Was this how every town hall worked in Bluebonnet, Texas? She’d never been to one before—had really never seen a reason to attend.
“All righty, now, next up is Bluebonnet Animal Rescue.”
She straightened in her seat, clutching her purse strap close to her chest.
“The town can no longer afford to fund the shelter. There aren’t enough folks adopting the pets to defray the cost of operations. The city will henceforth cut all funding.”
She sucked in a breath, trying to scramble for air at the awful pronouncement. One...two…
“Any objections?” The mayor scanned the crowd.
Three... Jalissa jumped to her feet. “I object!”
“Of course you do, Ms. Tucker.” Mayor Douglas heaved a sigh, whipping his glasses off to rub at his eyes. “Kate, make a note of Jalissa’s objections. Moving along to the SAFE program. Regrettably, it will also be defunded.”
“Wait just a minute,” Jalissa started.
“I object,” Rider shouted.
She whirled toward Rider, who stood on the other side of the aisle. “You can’t object to my objection.”
“Actually, Ms. Tucker,” Mayor Douglas interrupted, “he can.”
“But I wasn’t,” Rider said smoothly. He folded his arms across his chest. “My objection is for defunding SAFE. The teens in Bluebonnet need the antibullying program. Having mentors ensures they can navigate the trials of life with someone walking alongside them. We don’t want to isolate our teens, Mr. Mayor.”
“Wait a minute.” Jalissa held up a hand, momentarily stunned that Rider cared about anything other than himself. Who knew the cocky firefighter had a heart? She turned back to the mayor. “I’m not done with my objection.”
“Ms. Tucker, I noted it, and we’re moving right along.” Mayor Douglas peered over the rim of his glasses to stare at Rider. “And we’ll note your objection as well, Mr. Rider.”
“So that’s it?” Rider asked. “You aren’t actually going to do anything about it?”
“Exactly.” Jalissa resisted the urge to stomp her foot. “What’s the point of a town hall meeting if you won’t hear what the town has to say, Mr. Mayor?”
“As stated at the very beginning—” he pierced her with his gaze “—objections will be noted, then discussed at the end. But since you two seem intent on disrupting the order, please tell me what, exactly, you want me to do? I can’t make money grow on trees or rub a magic lamp,” he groused.
Oops. Guess she should’ve made it to the beginning of the meeting, but evidently, neither had Rider. Jalissa drew in a steady breath, fighting for calm and composure before speaking. Her insides quaked as she searched for the right words.
“Mr. Mayor, wouldn’t it be better to come up with a different idea to keep these programs funded that won’t overtax the city budget?”
“Do you think you can come up with a better idea than our accountant?” His bushy brows furrowed like caterpillars burrowing into a cocoon. He directed a pointed stare in her direction. “He’s the one who made the recommended cuts. He looked at the numbers and presented me with the list I’m introducing to everyone now.”
“There has to be a better way, Mr. Mayor,” Rider added. “I’m with Jalissa. You can’t leave these programs with no assistance whatsoever. It won’t help the youth who need SAFE or, in her case—” he hooked a finger her way “—help abandoned animals.” A spark glinted in his eye. “Although, I think it would be better to help the teens and let the animals figure out their own way.”
“You would,” she muttered. Animals were more defenseless than people. Sometimes it felt like she was the only one fighting for them.
Rider smirked, as if he could tell how much he’d irked her.
A hand shot up from the front row, and Mrs. Baker, the owner of the local bookstore, stood. “What about some kind of fund-raiser? Would that help?”
“Yes.” Jalissa clapped. “Great idea, Mrs. Baker. There’s your alternative, Mr. Mayor.” She sat down, watching an array of emotions cross the mayor’s face.
“I don’t have time for a fund-raiser,” he muttered.
“Well, neither do I,” said Mrs. Baker. “But it is a solution.”
Mr. Douglas peered over the rims of his eyeglasses and out into the crowd. “How many of you here want to object to a program that’s being defunded or having funds reduced?”
Hands shot up around the room.
“Fine, then. I’ll talk to our accountant and see if we can put a hold on this for a little bit longer. Give y’all time to do a fund-raiser.”
“Who’s y’all?” Rider asked.
“Why, you and Ms. Tucker, of course.” The mayor smirked. “Y’all wanted another way, you’ve got one. You two will be the official fund-raising committee. Keep in mind, we can’t finance your fund-raising efforts. What you raise will go directly to the six programs listed today.”
“Wait a minute, sir,” Rider said. “If Jalissa and I are doing all the work, shouldn’t the majority of the funds go to the animal shelter and SAFE?”
Mayor Douglas pursed his lips. “If your fund-raising efforts are minimal, then yes, I can agree to that arrangement. However, if it’s enough to fund more than your two programs, I believe it should benefit the town as a whole. Meeting adjourned.”
Jalissa felt her mouth drop, stunned by the bizarre turn of events. What had started out as a crusade to keep her job and save the animals had now turned into her worst nightmare: working with a firefighter. And not just any firefighter, but Jeremy Rider.
Excerpted from An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh. Copyright © 2022 by Toni Shiloh. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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The 5-9 Companions Series:
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Places to find Toni Shiloh:
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