Chapter 15

Spotting Megan’s Enclave in the shelter parking lot at seven o’clock the next morning brought the same sweet relief as when Kelsey had painstakingly finished the 5K run she’d signed up for on a whim last year. Better yet, the lot was otherwise empty. No one else was here. She couldn’t think of a time when she’d needed her friend’s advice more than at this moment.

Unlike on the last several days, Kelsey turned off the ignition rather than letting her bright-yellow Corolla idle while she zoomed inside to put away whichever dog she’d brought home. She stepped out and stretched her exhausted and overworked body, then popped open the back door to let Millie, a senior golden retriever and last night’s companion, clamber out.

After giving Millie a quick potty break, Kelsey headed inside to find Megan sitting crisscross on the floor in the front room in a patch of sun. Chance, the shelter’s resident blind Cairn terrier, was snuggled on her lap. He looked as content as could be, curled around Megan’s swollen belly, his head and hind legs draping off onto the floor.

“I was wondering if you’d been by already,” Megan said. “Seems like you’ve been keeping longer and longer hours the last couple days.”

Chance lifted his head off Megan’s lap, sniffed the air a second or two, gave a quick wag of his tail, then dropped back into cuddle mode. Chance might be blind, but he knew the staff by scent and sound. Normally, he was quick to greet Kelsey at the door, but Megan’s undivided attention had proved too much of a distraction.

“I won’t argue that, which probably explains why it feels more like a month than a week since I’ve worked a full day here.”

Megan’s smile was sympathetic. “Are you in a big hurry, or do you have a few minutes?”

“I’ve got some time,” Kelsey said, thinking of all the things she hadn’t shared during her and Megan’s short phone calls the last few days. And then there was last night. Just skimming the surface of all that had happened a mere few hours ago would take more time than she could afford to be away from the Sabrina Raven estate. “Let me get Millie put away, and I’ll be right back.” Kelsey picked up on the wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee halfway to the kennel doors. “Thank God you started the coffee. I didn’t take the time at home. I’ll grab a cup and be back in a sec, and I’m guessing you don’t want one?”

“No thanks. I’ve had my morning herbal tea,” Megan said. “Quitting caffeine wasn’t as hard as I feared it might be, though if I wasn’t brewing up a baby, I doubt that would be true.”

“Better you than me,” Kelsey joked as she headed into the back with Millie. She got the sweet-tempered golden set up in her run, remembering to put in her favorite chew toy, a worn stuffed animal monkey, then made a quick stop in the break room for a steaming mug of coffee.

It had been well after two in the morning the last time her sleepless self had looked at the clock before finally dozing off. No wonder she’d slept through her five-thirty alarm this morning.

She returned to the main room, sipping her coffee. “I meant to ask… With the expansion that’s planned, will there be room for a sofa or two? Because if that’s the case, I may never leave.”

Megan hadn’t moved from her spot on the floor against the wall. She smiled. “A sofa would be much nicer than those plastic chairs up front and much softer than this floor. But you’re right… We’d never go home. So, how’s ‘the op’ going?” she asked, making air quotes and referring to Kelsey’s comment yesterday afternoon about Kurt’s pragmatic solder-like views on the rehab.

“Oh, where to begin,” Kelsey said. She sank to the floor and scooted back to lean against the nearest adoption desk. “We haven’t had a floor date in eons.” Katrina, their resident three-legged cat, spotted Kelsey’s open lap and hopped down off the counter in front of the cat kennels where she’d been napping. After a quick stretch, Katrina claimed Kelsey’s lap and started to purr even before Kelsey began scratching next to her cheek. Plenty of cats like me fine, Kelsey thought, thinking of Mr. Longtail. “Remember that night we sat out here till midnight playing and cuddling with that abandoned litter of Saint Bernard puppies?”

“I was thinking of that the other day. They’ve got to be close to three years old now. We still get Christmas cards from some of their owners.”

“I remember reading some last year. Hey, did I tell you that Pepper’s definitely pregnant? She’s due in three or four weeks, Kurt’s guessing. Right around the time of your reception.”

“Aww. I don’t think there’s anything cuter than Rottweiler puppies with their portly little bodies and big heads.”

“I know. I can’t wait.”

“Hey, you bringing up the reception reminds me… Did you find a dress? I’m still happy to go shopping with you, if you’d like.”

“If you’ve got the time, that’d be great. My mom wants to go with me, but I don’t have to tell you how we’ll never agree. She won’t like anything that isn’t extravagant or full of sequins, and I won’t like anything that is. Thanks for inviting my parents, by the way. I’ve been meaning to tell you they got the invitation. That was nice.”

“Of course. I love your parents. And while your mom is awesome, I agree you probably shouldn’t go dress shopping together, unless it’s for a dress for her. A love of frills that runs that deep almost certainly has to skip a generation.”

Kelsey giggled. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married in two weeks.”

“Why ever not?” Megan smirked, patting her growing belly. “Because I only met my fiancé eight months ago? Or because I’m headed to the altar a solid six-months pregnant?”

Megan and Craig would be flying to a private island off the Georgia coast for their nuptials. Craig’s two kids—both of whom had spent enough time at the shelter that Kelsey felt confident saying they were truly spectacular kids—would be going with them. Megan’s mom, stepdad, and two younger half siblings would be there as well. Afterward, Megan and Craig were staying behind for a few days’ private honeymoon. Then, a day or two after the newlyweds returned home, there was going to be a large reception about an hour away in the Missouri wine country. They’d rented out a winery for the event and a few dozen rooms in a nearby inn for guests who wanted to stay overnight.

Before the rehab at the Sabrina Raven estate was even a thought in the wind, Kelsey had decided she’d like to stay overnight, thinking it would be a fun break. Now, she was wondering how she’d find the time to get away at all. She also thought of how she’d RSVP’d that she wouldn’t be bringing a guest. But now, after last night, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she should be bringing a date. But she hadn’t even known Kurt a week. Trying to imagine how their relationship might progress over the next several weeks was like trying to envision the true vastness of the oceans from the mere glimpses she’d had while standing on the beach.

“Funny, but none of the above,” she said in answer to Megan’s playful question. “It’s because eight months and one day ago, your life was one way and now it’s totally another, and it still suits you perfectly. Like a fairy tale almost. And look at all the good things that have happened since you two met. And it’s not just you and Craig and his family. The shelter’s undergone a complete turnaround because of you two.”

Megan gave a humble shrug as she scratched Chance’s belly. One of his back legs thumped the air rhythmically, matching the beat of her scratches. “I’m very blessed. I’ll give you that. If you want to know the truth, I was sitting here taking it all in. The baby did this whopping somersault when Chance barked as I walked in, like he or she knows how much I love this place. That’s what I was doing when you pulled up, sitting here with Chance being thankful.”

“And that’s why you deserve every good thing that’s happening to you.”

“It’s going to happen to you too, you know.”

Kelsey wasn’t positive her face flushed until Megan called her out on it.

“Kels, I can’t believe I missed it, but something’s up, isn’t it? Because all of a sudden you look like Chance when he’s eaten something he wasn’t supposed to but isn’t sure that we know yet.”

Kelsey giggled. “It’s that obvious, huh?”

“Totally. Was it Kurt? What am saying? It has to be Kurt. I saw those looks you were giving each other the day when the dogs arrived. And I’ve been on the other end of our phone conversations lately.”

Kelsey curled forward into a ball, pressing her forehead against the top of Katrina’s head. The curious cat twisted in her lap and started to lick Kelsey’s temple.

“I really like him, Megan,” she said, sitting upright again. “He’s so good with the dogs. And he’s sweet. He’s got the worst ADHD I’ve ever seen. Unless he’s focused on the dogs, which he’s incredible with, he pops around the house doing chores like a Ping-Pong ball. And he’s a really good person. He was raised by his grandparents. His mom was only sixteen when he was born, and he never even met his dad. And he’s seriously a dog whisperer, if I didn’t mention that already.”

Megan nodded slowly. “I can see why you’d be attracted to those qualities. The only thing you forgot was that he’s so hot, he’s smoking.”

Kelsey dragged her hands through her hair. “I’d like to say you get used to it, but I haven’t yet. I swear, it’s like my pulse is racing all day, and half the time I’m salivating. I’m not even kidding.”

“So, have you told him how you feel, or are you keeping all this to yourself?”

“What would I tell him?”

“A few of those things you just told me might be a good way to break the ice.”

“I think it’s already broken. I took him on a walking tour of South City last night. We got stuck out in a thunderstorm, and we ended up making out in a bus stop shelter.”

Megan pressed the flat of her hand against the floor. “Stop! You’re kidding! Why didn’t you break down the door starting with that?”

Kelsey shook her head, exasperated. “I was working up to it. Megan, what am I supposed to do? We work together. It’s going to be weird.”

“Weird? It’s going to be sexy as hell for you; that’s what it’s going to be.”

“I don’t know that though. Something could go wrong. A lot could go wrong. And then I’d still be stuck in the middle of a rehab with him.”

Megan lifted Chance off her lap and got up to join Kelsey. She sank beside her on the floor against the adoption desk, more awkwardly than normal because of her belly. “Kels, listen to me. You’re the best person I’ve ever seen when it comes to working with people. You have an easy confidence and kindness that pours off you. There’s no reason in the world that confidence shouldn’t extend into your relationships.”

“That’s different though.”

“Does it have to be?”

Kelsey chewed her lip, which was chapped from all of last night’s kissing. “What if everything goes wrong?”

“Are you hearing yourself, Kels? You’re the queen of positivity. Do yourself a favor, and let that positivity extend into your love life. You deserve it. What if everything goes right?”

Closing her eyes, Kelsey let her friend’s words sink in. Megan was right. Kelsey had worked hard to always see things in a positive light. She’d simply have to find a way to put aside her fear and doubt. “It’d be easier if he wasn’t so cute,” she said, voicing her fears. “If he was just average.”

“It might be easier, but would it be as fun? And give a pregnant lady a break, will you? The suspense is wearing on me. Details, please. Lots of them. Including how you guys left things.”

“You don’t even want to know,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes. “It was like a dream at first. Better than a dream. It was like a fantasy. It was just us and the night and a storm and a bus stop shelter. It went on, like, forever. My lips are actually raw. But kissing him was the best thing I’ve ever experienced. Absolutely, hands down, the best. He’s an amazing kisser, and he was knee-bucklingly seductive without being too handsy for a first kiss. Or at least a first series of kisses. But then this loud honking brought us back to reality. Awkwardly back to reality.”

“How so?”

“It was the MetroBus driver. It had practically stopped raining and the bus had pulled up, and all of a sudden we were being honked at. The driver wanted to know if we were ‘getting on or getting off,’ and it was so embarrassing. There weren’t that many people riding, but the ones who saw us applauded.”

Megan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “That’s not so bad, Kels. Look at the bright side. You’ve got one hell of a first-kiss story.”

“Maybe so, but wait till you hear what happened next. That was enough to stop the kissing, but we held hands the rest of the way back, and we laughed about how the driver had looked at us like we belonged in jail. But as we got closer to the house, all these thoughts kept racing through my head like ‘Do I sleep with him?’ and ‘If I do, will the same thing happen that happened with Steve?’ and stuff like that. It was so stressful. I didn’t know what to do.”

Megan nodded slowly. “And? What’d you decide?”

“Nothing. Everything fell apart from there. When we got back, the house had been vandalized. I know it was one of the protesters. It had to be. A brick had been thrown through the lower-right front window. There was a message tied to it, and the wording was too close to what they’d said that day we talked for it not to be them.”

“Those wicked people. What’d it say?”

“‘Creatures of the devil won’t find their heaven on earth. Euthanize now before it’s too late.’”

Megan gasped. “That’s horrible. That’s worse than horrible. There’s an implied threat.”

“I know. We called the police. Thankfully, Kurt had written down all the protesters’ license plates and the makes and models of their cars. Since it was only one window, I’m not sure how actively the police will pursue it. Yesterday, when the protesters didn’t show up, we thought maybe they were giving up. Now I think they’re just ready to play dirty. After putting a brick through the window, I doubt they’ll show up to protest today.”

Megan pressed her lips together. “Yeah, about that. You sounded like you were dealing with enough yesterday when you called. I didn’t want to add more stress. They didn’t show up there because they came here.”

“Oh shit.”

Megan nodded. “I know, Kels. It sucks, but they stayed next to the road. The police drove by several times. And the people who know us are really showing their support. It’s going to be okay.”

Kelsey let out a sigh like a deflating balloon. “I hope so. At least now I’m too worried about what kind of stink the protesters are going to cause here to worry about it being awkward around Kurt. Speaking of which, I’d better get going. He really needs me there to help with the feeding routine.” She gently scooted Katrina off her lap and stood up, then extended a hand for Megan. “We’re starting to work volunteers into the schedule so we’ll be able to give all the dogs a bit more time, which they desperately need. There are so many dogs you’re going to love when you get to know them, Megan.”

“I already do, from all the stories you’ve told.”

“Did I tell you I’m bringing Orzo today? A few of the dogs seem ready for phase two of ‘the op,’” Kelsey said, making air quotes.

Megan gave Kelsey a tight hug. “I love you, girl. And I know I’ve told you, but you’re rocking this. And as far as Kurt goes, my advice is to give it one day at a time. Eventually you’ll know if he’s worth the awesome love you have to offer.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m not sure if it’s hormones from that baby in your belly or what, but I swear you’re starting to sound like Oprah. But thanks. And as for the protesters, have you tried unleashing Patrick on them? Once he starts relaying stats, they won’t even know what hit them.”

Megan laughed. “Patrick. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”

* * *

By the time Kurt spotted Kelsey’s bright-yellow Corolla pulling into the circular drive at eight o’clock, he was starting to feel a touch foggy-headed from lack of sleep. From his unbelievable experience with Kelsey to coming home to the threat and damage from the protesters, he’d been completely wired last night. He’d only managed to doze a couple hours before abandoning the idea of sleep entirely around four thirty, and that wouldn’t be enough to keep him going all day.

His early morning had been worth it though. He’d extracted the broken window and was the first patron through Home Depot’s doors at six that morning. He’d purchased five motion-sensor floodlights and a temporary single-hung window, as well as a few No Trespassing signs. He was wrapping up the installation of the floodlights when he spotted Kelsey’s car. He’d put four of the lights around the house and one on the garage.

Ida had walked over a little after seven with a fresh, wrapped-in-wax-paper bacon-and-egg sandwich that had tasted almost as good as Kelsey’s kiss. Ida had hung around for twenty minutes or so and watched Kurt work before heading home. She’d seen the police car on a trip to the bathroom last night and had been concerned. The kind old woman was troubled not to have witnessed the act of vandalism herself. She’d heard an unusually loud and quick eruption of barking as she was drifting to sleep just before nine. Kurt suspected it had happened then. But both his and Kelsey’s cars had been in the drive. How had the vandals known no one was here? Or had they not cared? Likely the power had still been out, and they’d assumed no one was inside.

Kurt gathered the empty cardboard packaging and dumped it into the outside recycling bin as Kelsey parked and turned off the ignition. He headed over to meet her, wondering if it would make things easier between them to kiss her as soon as she stepped from the car. It might, he thought, but it would also make it harder to focus on the dogs, and there were thirty-seven of them waiting inside, needing his and Kelsey’s undivided attention.

“Hey,” she said, glancing down before making eye contact.

The reason that she was quick to look past him to the house was nerves, he realized.

“Those floodlights are new, aren’t they? I’ve never been able to get the exterior lights to work. It’s always been pitch-black out here after dark.”

He gave a one-shouldered shrug. He still had the floodlights in the on position, and even in daylight, they were bright. “I just finished installing new ones. Cross your fingers they don’t overload that iffy circuit panel. So long as they don’t, I’m betting they’re effective. I texted Jim, your volunteer electrician, about coming out to have a look. He’s going to stop by later this afternoon. And Patrick texted. He’s coming out earlier today to work with Devil. He should be here by the time we’re done feeding. Or, as he put it, about ten minutes to ten.”

Kelsey grinned. “He’s a prompt one, our Patrick. And that’s awesome about the lights. But did you sleep at all?” Her delicate eyebrows knotted into peaks as she studied him, apparently past her earlier wave of shyness. “You’re getting dark circles under your eyes.”

“I’ll catch up tonight. Promise.”

“I hope so.”

She bit on the corner of her lip, calling his attention straight to her mouth. She didn’t seem to have a clue that she stirred him to life like a pharaoh that had been disentombed after a millennium of stillness. Or, for that matter, that by now there was hardly a surface of the house, porch, or yard where he hadn’t at least briefly imagined their bodies joining together.

Last night, she’d fit against him so perfectly. Her mouth was supple and yielding. Her skin, at the least the small bit he’d experienced, was like silk, and her curves churned what had previously been smoldering desire into an inferno.

“You slept on that worn-out couch in the front parlor, didn’t you? I’m betting you didn’t even take your shoes off.”

He smiled. “There’s something to be said for being ready.”

Kelsey let out a soft sigh. “I found out the reason they weren’t here yesterday was because they were protesting in front of the shelter.”

“If they show up there today, then at least I won’t have to waste any time looking for them,” Kurt said, cocking an eyebrow.

“You and me both. Megan and I talked about sending Patrick out to them. No one can outtalk Patrick. He’s got a photographic memory.”

“He can talk all he wants. As for me, there’s a lot I’d like to do, but talking’s not high on my list.”

Kelsey pursed her lips, clearly not liking his comment. He suspected she was debating whether to call him on it. Behind her, through the open car door, there was an almost inaudible whine. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought Orzo.”

“Thanks,” Kurt said, switching to a lighter topic, “but I’m not really the pasta-for-breakfast type. And Ida was kind enough to bring over a sandwich about an hour ago.”

“Ha. That was sweet of her.” She glanced toward Ida’s house. “I really need to move it higher on my to-do list to bake her something in return.” She shut the driver’s-side door and opened the back passenger door. “And I know you know I was talking about our little corgi. Kurt, meet Orzo. I don’t allow myself to pick favorites, but if I did, it might be him.”

Kurt sank to a squat and let the brown-and-white corgi sniff his hand. He noticed that the dog’s tail was relaxed, not curled down around his haunches or forced upward on display. Orzo wagged it a few times before facing the house and sniffing the air.

Inside, not surprisingly, the house was starting to smell like dog, and Kurt had all the windows wide open. “What’s his story? Seems like he should be adoptable.”

“He is. Very. Like all our dogs really. He’s a special case though. His old owner operated a struggling bakery. When it started going under, she stopped buying dog food and fed him bakery leftovers. The woman’s mother finally brought him to us. Orzo came in so overweight he could barely walk. He had high blood pressure and was on the verge of being diabetic. But he was a rock star when it came to getting healthy. After six months of exercise and a healthy diet, he was cleared for adoption. That was a month ago. He’s had a few people show interest, but most folks are wary because, even with the weight loss, his sugar levels are a little off. He was almost adopted once, but that’s a story for another day.”

Kurt gave the puppy-faced corgi a gentle rub on the back of the neck. “The world is full of stories, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Kelsey agreed, “but I’m a firm believer that most of them are happy, or at least they wind up that way.”

Kurt stood and smiled, resisting the urge to pull her in for a deep kiss. How was it that in the few short hours of sleep he’d had, he’d dreamed about her again? They’d been inside the house, in a warm, sunny room upstairs. The room had a fresh, bright coat of paint, and they were lounging in a wide, comfortable bed. They’d been talking, and their fingers were entwined. The almost-constant ache he carried in his groin around her had fallen dormant. Instead, his chest was bursting with a sense of connection that didn’t come from sex, or at least not from sex with just anyone.

In real life, he’d never felt that connection with anyone, though last night he’d felt a brush or two of it with her. He’d had buddies and even dogs in his care that he would have laid down his life for, but he’d never been in love. Being the son of Sara and who knows who else, he wondered if that gene might be missing in his DNA. But he was also a descendant of his grandparents. They’d spent their lives loving each other, despite differences in culture and family traditions and religious beliefs. His grandmother was a devout Catholic. His grandfather was an atheist. Yet, even in their subtle, understated way, their love for each other had been immense. Why should it surprise him that some innate part of him seemed to want to make this old mansion his home and Kelsey his wife?

He’d only met her a week ago, and the old house belonged to the shelter. And inside, it was full of dogs who needed breakfast and a break from their kennels, and then some serious one-on-one training.

Thankfully, foggy-headed as he was, not only was there still a half a pot of coffee warming in the kitchen, but he could count on the occasional brushes of fingertips or elbows with Kelsey to keep him stimulated. “Speaking of happy stories, we should get to work ensuring that a few more end up that way.”

* * *

“We’ve got to get this on video,” Kelsey said later that afternoon, reaching into her pocket for her phone as Zeus dipped into a play bow next to Orzo. “Patrick, you don’t by any chance have the shelter’s DSLR in one of those pants pockets, do you?” Then, seeing that he was taking her literally by the way he cocked his head in contemplation—probably wondering how she could be insensible enough to think the bulky camera could fit into one of the pockets in his cargo pants—she added, “Kidding.”

Both dogs were on leashes—Zeus with Kurt and Orzo with Patrick—and had spent the last fifteen minutes walking around the front and side yards together. Now, they were hanging out by the side of the house under the massive oak trees whose leaves were turning yellow and orange.

Kurt had remained cautious, even though from the start it seemed as if Zeus was nothing but happy to have Orzo’s company. Kurt kept Zeus engaged by issuing commands and rewarding him with gentle pats, praise, and a couple treats here and there. When asked to do a command, Zeus seemed to forget the presence of the calm corgi merely feet away. He sat at attention, lay down, and heeled according to Kurt’s instructions.

Finally, Kurt gave the Argentine mastiff free rein the length of the leash. And the only thing Zeus seemed interested to do with it was play. When his play bow wasn’t enticing enough to draw Orzo in, he wagged his tail and barked, then spun in a tight circle and dropped into another play bow. Picking up on his energy, the corgi wagged his tail and barked in return.

Kelsey, the only one of the three observers not holding a leash, had just pressed Play on her phone when Zeus rolled onto his back and Orzo stepped in close to lick his cheek. Suddenly, Zeus was on his feet and moving in a blur. Kelsey flinched before realizing the two dogs were full-scale playing. A grin broke out across her face as she recorded them dropping into play bows respectively and circling around one another in a crazy, wild dance. Zeus was easily four times Orzo’s size, but he didn’t seem to know it. He rolled onto his back a second time, wriggling his big, white body. Orzo came up next to him, not quite tall enough to see over Zeus’s barrel chest, barking and wagging his tail. The little corgi even turned around to expose his back, a sign of play and relaxed submission.

The romping went on for several minutes, with Zeus twice getting excited enough to jump up on Kurt to try to lick his face. The giant dog was big enough to reach it too. Even excited as he was, Zeus heard and listened to Kurt’s command of “Down.” Unfazed, the Argentine mastiff dropped back to all fours and then went back to playing with Orzo.

Finally exhausted, the two dogs stood side by side, mouths agape, looking as if they were wearing big grins as they panted. After a few seconds, Orzo plopped to the ground and collapsed onto his side, tongue lolling, resembling the pasta he’d been named after. Zeus leaned over to lick the side of Orzo’s face before sinking to the ground to rest as well.

After zooming in, one at a time, for a close-up of each of their contented faces, Kelsey finished recording. She fisted the sleeve of Patrick’s polo in disbelief. “Patrick, if this is half as good as I think it is, you have to get this on Facebook today.”

A few years ago, Patrick had taken over management of the shelter’s social media accounts. At first, it had seemed like a strange turn of events, considering Patrick’s difficulty discerning emotions, but his posts were well edited and spot-on, and he always ran the more emotional posts by Megan or Kelsey first. Once they added the adjectives and adverbs that made the story shine, he saw to the ins and outs of posting at the right time and ensuring the right followers saw and reposted the content.

Over the last few years, their social media following had increased tenfold. Kelsey was willing to bet this large Facebook following had helped Channel 3 choose to focus on the High Grove Animal Shelter over other area shelters six months ago for the weekly pet adoption stories the station had decided to produce.

“I suspect it’ll be as good as you’re hoping,” Patrick replied. “That was something. I agree with you, Kurt. It’s unlikely Zeus spent any time in a fighting ring.”

Kurt nodded. “He’s going to have an easier path than most of the other dogs we’ve taken in, that’s for certain. There are a few others inside who could end up in the same comfortable place with other dogs, but time will tell.”

Kelsey understood that most of these dogs would only be placed in single-dog homes. Significant ring time had left many of the dogs inhabiting Sabrina Raven’s home with as many emotional scars as physical ones. From here on out, they’d live quiet lives, and their new owners would need to agree to keep them out of dog parks and heavy crowds. But at least they’d be placed in loving homes. They’d get to experience what every dog should.

Her real hope was that the dogs would turn out to be more resilient and trusting than anyone expected. She liked to imagine every one of them not only learning to trust people again, but also learning to trust other dogs too.

Kurt and Patrick had Zeus and Orzo on their feet, and the group was heading around to the front of the house when Kelsey spotted a plain, white van pulling into the driveway.

“Looks like Rob’s on time,” Kurt said. “Patrick, let’s get these guys put away so as not to cause any more stress for our new arrival than necessary.”

Kelsey’s heart thumped in her chest. In all her years working with dogs, she’d never been as moved by one as she’d been by the resilient pit bull. “Patrick, here,” she said, passing him her phone before he headed inside. She didn’t want to get distracted and forget to give it to him later. “Take my phone with you when you head back to the shelter, please, so you don’t lose any quality in transfer. I’ll pick it up tonight when I drop Orzo off.”

Patrick slipped her phone into one of his deep pockets and buttoned it closed before leading Orzo inside to the deluxe travel crate where the ready-for-a-nap corgi was spending his downtime today.

Kelsey headed for the driveway where Rob was stepping from the van.

“How you holding up, young lady?” He walked toward her, hand extended, and ended up pulling her in for a hug. “I sure do appreciate all the work you’ve taken on here. You’re making a difference, that’s for sure.”

“It’s been an honor to be part of this. And I’m learning a lot too.”

“I expect you will. Hell, I expect my old mentee could teach me a thing or two anymore. He’s a regular old dog whisperer, his buddies tell me.”

“I won’t argue with you there. It’s something to watch him work.” Kelsey followed Rob toward the back of the van. He opened the double doors and stepped back. She was surprised to find close to fifteen crates, each with a dog inside. “Where are the other ones going?”

“Couple hours away. A little rehab place outside Jeff City.”

“That’s great. I’m so glad you’re placing so many dogs.”

“We’ve been lucky.”

“Kurt said the pit bull is doing pretty good,” Kelsey said as Rob zeroed in on the nearest crate.

“Frankie? He’s something, I tell you. A survivor. And a character at that. He really likes his tennis balls, so I’ve got a couple up front to give you. And before I forget, his stitches come out this week. His vet’s information is up front too.”

“Okay. Sure. And it’s Frankie? Was that his name?”

“It is now, unless you can think of a better one. The boys named him. We never found out jack about him. The asshole that was fighting him so hard probably never bothered to name him. He had four dead dogs dumped out behind the shed where Frankie was kept. There were two others in crates still alive. One made it and went to a woman I know over in Illinois. The other pit was humanely euthanized.”

Kelsey felt her eyes tear up. How could someone be so heartless? No, soulless. “Can I see him?” she asked, blinking back tears.

“Sure thing. For all he’s been through, he’s been a love sponge around people, which makes me think he wasn’t living in the place where he was confiscated for long.”

“Let’s hope not.”

Rather than asking her to help lower the crate as Kelsey expected, Rob pinched the door lock open and took his time clipping a leash onto Frankie’s collar. Kelsey’s emotions were stirred up from Rob’s words, so the tears stayed close to the surface as she watched the beautiful silver-blue pit bull emerge from the crate. The remarkable dog stopped calmly at the edge of the van floor, looking around the yard and blinking his eyes in the bright sun.

In the scheme of things, it hadn’t been that long since Kelsey had laid eyes upon him. The swelling on the left side of his face had gone down considerably, though with his stitches, his expression still looked stuck in a wink and a half smile.

Kelsey let out something that was between a laugh and sob. “He’s beautiful.”

“Blue-nose pits are quite beautiful, if you ask me.” Rob patted Frankie confidently atop his shoulder blades. Then, to Kelsey’s surprise, he wrapped his arms around the dog and lifted him carefully down to the ground. “Don’t want him tearing any stitches trying to jump.”

Kelsey fished through her pockets and was happy to find a few leftover treats. She sank into a squat and let Frankie approach her. Keeping the treats back for a moment—knowing Kurt wouldn’t approve of her offering a treat at the front end of a greeting—she let Frankie sniff her empty right hand. His eyes were the same silver blue as his coat and as clear, bright, and intelligent as those of any dog she’d ever met.

After a few quick sniffs, he turned his attention to her other hand, the one hiding the treats. His ears perked forward, but he waited patiently. She brought her left hand forward and let him swipe the treats off her palm. He crunched them in a few chomps, then began to lick her palm contentedly.

“I know a love connection when I see one,” Rob said, passing her the leash. “Other than keeping him clean and dry while he heals, you won’t have any problems with him. So long as you keep him out of direct contact with other dogs until he’s had considerable retraining. Maybe forever.”

Kelsey nodded. “I understand.” She pressed one hand against Frankie’s chest and scratched him gently with the tips of her fingers. “From here on out, Frankie, you get a total redo. It’s only the best for you, promise. Cozy beds, great foods, and people who love you. And how about homemade popsicles on Sundays? Beef, chicken, peanut butter, or pineapple—your choice. And I can tell you right now, that sweet face of yours is making it onto next year’s calendar. Everywhere you turn, you’re going to get nothing but love.”

Finally, Kelsey stood up. “Kurt and I set up one of the upstairs bedrooms for him,” she told Rob. “So long as he doesn’t mind stairs, he won’t have to be crated in the same room as other dogs. Once he settles in and is used to being here, we’re going to try offering him free roam of the room too. We started the same thing with Pepper, the Rottweiler, today. I’m sure you remember her. She’ll be next door to him. She’s had free roam of her room since midmorning but still went into her kennel to nap. Otherwise, she’s either been watching out the window or sitting behind the stair gate that’s blocking off the room. She seems to enjoy being around people.”

“You might be surprised how many of them do. Often in cases like this, it’s as if they don’t connect the job they’re given with the person who cares for them.”

Kelsey was opening her mouth to reply when she realized they were no longer alone. Kurt and Patrick were back. She’d been so focused on Frankie that she hadn’t heard them approach. Kurt was watching her intently, and Patrick was fastening the buttons of his side pants pocket.

“Afternoon,” Kurt said, nodding at Rob. “That pit’s looking better already. Looks like the vet really had skills.”

Yesterday afternoon, Kurt had told Kelsey that Rob had shown him the “before” pictures that would be used in court. They were something she knew she was better off never seeing.

“Afternoon, son,” Rob said cheerfully. He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “I’m doing okay on time if you’d like to show me how some of these guys are progressing.”

“Yeah, of course.” Kurt glanced at Kelsey, motioning toward Frankie. “You okay walking him around the yard a bit? Patrick, you’ll stay with her?”

Patrick glanced at his watch. “Yes. I have twenty-four minutes before I need to leave.”

Kelsey pressed her lips together as Rob’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Clearly, he was trying to decide if Patrick was joking, even though his expression was serious.

“Perfect,” Kurt said as if that was just the answer he was looking for.