More than a hundred people milled about, protest signs at the ready. She sighed with gratitude. Her wonderful supporters, along with the curious public and the valuable press. Several corrals contained rescued animals that were available for adoption. Animal Huggers’ old brown van was positioned for a quick departure. “That’s Shirley.” Addie waved at the woman with the six-foot-tall muscular frame. “She handles the care and feeding of the animals. I’m the public face of the organization, and she’s the foundation.” “She’s nothing like I pictured in the fantasy,” Risk said. “I can just imagine.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to imagine.” Shirley was even less concerned about appearances than Addie, her salt-and-pepper hair hanging to her waist in a thick braid. Even so, she was both handsome and feminine in her long denim skirt and bright pink blouse. “She’s the one person I can count on where the animals are concerned. She’s as dedicated to their welfare as I am.
