Page 61 of Love Unwritten
“Wool farm incident gone wrong.” My chest throbs at the various scars littering her body.
Dahlia’s bottom lip wobbles. “Remind me to never buy anything with wool again.”
I offer her a small, reassuring smile. “Rafael is working on shutting the place down and finding new homes for the other sheep, but he’s run into a few legal issues.”
She rises from the floor and picks at a few pieces of hay that stuck to her clothes. “I’m surprised he finds the time to do all this with his work schedule.”
“It’s important to him,” I reply.
Her eyes soften around the edges. “I know. He’s always been this way ever since we were kids and he wanted to save all the stray cats around town.”
“He did?”
“Oh yeah. Josefina hated it.”
“Why?”
“She calls them an invasive species.”
My nose twitches with distaste. “Really?”
“Yeah, but that didn’t stop Rafa from feeding the cats when she was sleeping.”
A laugh slips out. “Sounds like his fascination with strays started at a young age.”
She glances down at Bacardi. “I think he sees himself in them.”
My heart acts up again, missing a beat. “How?”
“That’s not my story to tell.” She moves along to the next stall and changes the subject, acting like she didn’t peel back one of Rafael’s many layers.
I always knew Rafael had a soft spot for his animals—that much became obvious when a part of my job description included taking care of them—but I never thought to consider why my boss was adamant about adopting so many abused animals. I stupidly assumed it was because he saw a documentary or something equally moving, but Dahlia’s statement hints at something deeper.
Something I wish to uncover, if only to get a better understanding of the mysterious man who keeps his soft heart hidden behind a thick block of ice.
I think he sees himself in them.
Everyone knows Rafael was adopted by Julian’s parents, but the reason why they did it isn’t public knowledge. Sure, people made their own assumptions about his upbringing, but I never paid much attention to town gossip. As it was, teenage me could barely be in the same room as him without blushing, let alone listen to stories about him without giving away my crush.
I’ve come a long way since those shy, awkward days, but that doesn’t mean I’m immune to a man with a tragic backstory and a love for broken, discarded things.
Sundays aren’t usually my free day, but Rafael gave me the day off anyway since I had already agreed to grab coffee with Cole. He offered to order for me at the Angry Rooster Café, so I walk past the counter and search the entire shop for him, only to come up empty.
I pull out my phone and text him.
ME
Hey. Are you here yet?
His reply is instant.
COLE
I slipped out the back exit.
ME
Please tell me there is a good reason you’re hanging around the dumpsters.