Ben checked his watch after they finished eating. “They should be open by now. Come on, let’s go!”
Despite knowing that the mobsters were in custody and their plainclothes escort had ended, Ben couldn’t help checking for a tail as they drove. He didn’t relax until they reached their destination without spotting anything amiss.
The drive wasn’t long, but Ben’s thoughts raced. “I know our lives are still dangerous, but I wasn’t leaning toward a guard dog like a German Shepherd or a Doberman. They can be great companions, and if that’s what we fall for, I’m okay with it, but I guess I’m just saying that I was thinking of a pampered pet.”
Erik chuckled. “I’m fine with that. I was thinking along the same lines. And when I checked the dogs they had on their website, none of them looked like a hound of hell.”
“Is there some way to make sure a dog isn’t a shifter?” Ben asked. “That would be awkward.”
“Mark Wojcik has a friend who’s a werewolf,” Erik recalled, thinking about their hunter friend in Pennsylvania. “He hangs out with Mark’s Doberman. As for being able to tell, iron and silver would probably work. Some people say their eyes flash gold. But I think I’ve got enough psychic mojo to get a read,” Erik continued. “I’m also thinking that a shifter wouldn’t get along well with the regular dogs, so maybe don’t pick the one all the others are afraid of.”
“Do you pick up anything from your touch magic when you pet an animal?” Ben asked.
Erik thought for a moment before answering. “My psychometry works best on objects, not living creatures. When I touch a person, I can’t read their mind. I’ll probably be able to pick up on whether they’re hiding something or faking their mood better than just observing them, but I won’t get their whole life history.”
“That’s probably a good thing,” Ben agreed. They had talked about Erik’s abilities early in their relationship, and while Ben had initially been wary, he had come to appreciate Erik’s insights as a secondary form of communication.
“With animals, it’s a little different,” Erik said. “I think it helps me pick up more on their mood than usual, and I’ve wondered if they actually read more from me than I do from them.”
“I guess that will factor in to finding a dog that is comfortable with your ‘something extra’ as well as ghosts,” Ben replied. “They say animals are sensitive to spirits. It would be nice to find a dog who takes ghosts and magic in stride. Don’t want to traumatize the poor creature.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Ben was glad that Erik drove, because he was too fidgety to concentrate. When they parked and got out, Erik came around and pulled Ben into a hug. “Relax. We will find the right dog when the time is right. It’s gotta be easier than dating.”
Considering the disastrous relationships both of them had before they met and fell in love, Ben had to concede that Erik had a good point.
“Hi! Welcome to the Cape Shelter. I’m Valerie. How can we help you?” A smiling young woman with a long dark braid greeted them when they entered.
“We want to adopt a dog.” Ben hoped he didn’t sound as nervous as he felt.
“Fantastic! We have quite a few to choose from, and new dogs come in almost every day. I just need to get you to fill out a form, and then I’ll take you back and introduce you.”
The shelter was clean and bright, with soothing music playing. He suspected that the volunteers and staff loved working with animals and had a commitment to the cause that gave the whole place a good vibe. Ben and Erik sat down at a desk and huddled together to fill out the short form. Valerie beamed when they turned it in.
“This all looks great. Are you ready to meet the pups?”
Ben felt his heartbeat tick up, and Erik squeezed his hand. “Absolutely!”
“We bring all the dogs in together so you can watch how they interact with other pups, and see them in an environment where they’re comfortable,” Valerie told them. “Hang back and let them approach you. That tends to work better than trying to attract attention or going up to them. Let them sniff you. You’ll know if there’s magic.”
Ben tried not to flinch at the word, hoping for good chemistry but definitelynotmagic.
The playroom had white walls, plenty of light, and lots of toys strewn around the floor. A door opened, and a dozen dogs of all sizes poured through, leaping, yipping, and barking.
“Just one,” Erik cautioned under his breath. “We can’t take all of them.”
Ben realized that, even if his heart said differently. He smiled because Erik knew him so well.
A sleek black lab was the first to approach, half-grown and leggy. He looked at them with soulful eyes and allowed a few ear scratches before gamboling off to play with the others.
“He’s cute,” Erik said. “Probably going to get a lot bigger.”
A Pug waddled over, followed by a little white puffball that Ben guessed was a Shih Tzu. The dogs sniffed them and then moved on, apparently unimpressed.
“Guess we didn’t make the cut,” Erik observed.
After that came a gray Pitbull, followed by what Ben guessed was a Collie mix. The Labrador was cavorting with a young Golden Retriever that seemed to be all feet and tail.
