She smiled. “I’m so glad. He deserves people who see how special he is. He’s fully house-trained, likes to ride in the car, plays fetch, walks well on a leash, and doesn’t fuss at other dogs.” Valerie leaned toward them. “I think he’d prefer to sit on a comfy chair and listen to an audiobook, to tell you the truth.”
“You said he came with some of his toys and stuff?” Ben thought that familiar items would ease the transition.
“Oh, yes. Mrs. Thomas wanted him to keep all his special things,” Valerie said. “We’ve just been waiting for the right people.”
They followed her back to the office, and George padded along behind them as if he had understood the whole conversation. Erik signed off on the adoption form and paid the fee, collecting George’s collar and a folder with his papers. George waited patiently next to him, like he knew what was going on.
“Here you go.” Valerie handed Ben a large box. “Bed, leash, toys, and all the rest. You shouldn’t need to buy anything right away to get him settled in. I even put some of the food he’s used to here at the shelter, so you can wait a day or two to run to the store. And if you have any questions, just call.”
Erik and Ben thanked her profusely. Then Erik clipped the leash to George’s collar while Ben stuck the folio into the box and followed them to the SUV. Just before Erik opened the doors, he and George turned around, looking at the same empty space.
“What?” Ben looked around before spotting the faint ghost.
“Mrs. Thomas walked us out,” Erik said. “I think her spirit has been here with him the whole time. Now, she’s entrusting him to us, and she’s ready to move on.”
George whined and gave a sharp bark, wagging his tail.
“She’s gone, buddy.” Erik reached down to scratch George’s ears.
Ben swallowed hard, hoping he and Erik could make George as happy as his late owner.
“He picked us, remember.” Erik bumped Ben’s arm as if he could guess where Ben’s thoughts had gone. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Go ahead and sit in the back seat with him,” Erik said. “Let’s get him a toy for the drive.” He looked into the box and burst out laughing.
“They’re all dragons!” Ben held up a somewhat bedraggled stuffed toy that George gently took from him and held in his mouth. “As in St. George the dragon slayer!”
Ben petted George during the short ride back to the apartment. The dog seemed unperturbed by the ride, looking out the window without much reaction. When they parked behind the store, Ben unclipped George’s tether and snapped on the leash instead, helping him out of the SUV and letting him relieve himself.
“We’re home,” Ben said as George looked all around, canting his head to listen to something only he could hear, and then sniffing the ground with great interest all the way to the door.
When they entered the store, Susan greeted them with a big grin. Erik had called her the day before to let her know that the mobsters were in jail and it was safe to come back. “Erik told me you were going to the shelter. What a fine little gentleman you’ve got there!”
She held out a large dog bone with a ribbon on it and a stuffed llama, both of which she gave to Erik. “Just a little housewarming gift I picked up on the way in this morning.”
“Thank you very much,” Ben replied.
Susan bent to get a closer look at George and held her hand out for him to sniff. “Oh, you are a handsome boy, aren’t you?” she fussed. “I think you’re going to fit right in here.” She looked to Erik. “Are you thinking he’ll be in the shop, not just upstairs?”
Erik shrugged. “We haven’t figured everything out, but that would be nice if it works for him. Ben might be able to take him on field trips some days too.”
“He’s officially my grand-dog now,” Susan warned. “We’re going to be besties; I just know it!” George wagged enthusiastically, as if he followed every word.
“We’re going to get him set up and settled in,” Erik told her. “Holler if you need me, but I’m going to be upstairs.”
“Take your time,” Susan replied. “He needs to feel at home. It’s off-season, so we’ve had a couple of people ask aboutappraisals and some others do a little browsing, but otherwise it’s been slow.”
The off-season was another reason Ben wanted to adopt a dog now. Neither he nor Erik was crazy busy, if they could just avoid old scandals and mafia ghosts for a few weeks. It would be the best time to get George settled and into a routine.
“Let’s go see your new home.” Erik headed up the stairs to the apartment. George followed, unbothered by the steps.
“Here we are,” Erik announced as he opened the door. Ben had George on his leash and carried in some of the dog stuff from the car. Once the door shut, Ben unclipped the leash and let George explore while Erik made a second trip for the rest of his things.
George got busy checking the apartment and thoroughly sniffing everything. “Can a dog hyperventilate?” Ben asked when Erik returned. “He’s definitely going to have our scent when he’s done.”
While George made his way around, Erik put his bed in place and set out the toys. Ben filled his water dish and put dry kibble in a bowl, making a note on his phone of the brand and type so they could get more.
An excited yelp brought both Ben and Erik running to find George rolling back and forth on his bed amid the toys, wagging gleefully.
