“Let him know we’re going to try again,” Kade urged.
“These nice people are my friends.” Josh moved his hand as he spoke, taking a chance on touching the sweet boy. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t bite them.” The dog huffed what sounded an awful lot like a resigned sigh. Daring to scratch the scruff of the dog’s neck, Josh was delighted when the dog seemed to lean his head into Josh’s palm. “I’d say we’re good to go.”
Grabbing onto the side of the kennel, Josh carefully eased himself to an upright position as Kade and Sara Sue lifted the dog. The interesting thing was, the dog never looked at anyone but Josh. He didn’t look at Kade or Sara Sue, or anyone else inside the busy clinic. The dog leveled his gaze with Josh’s and kept it there as if his life depended on it.
Not till he felt the weight of the dog’s head against his hand did Josh realize he’d been scratching the dog’s neck the entire walk to the Suburban.
Katie hurried in front of them, quickly opening the rear doors of the SUV. At this particular moment, Josh was very thankful that this model didn’t have a hatch door but two doors that swung open. This allowed them more room to maneuver the dog into the back. Staying as close to Raider as he possibly could without getting in the way, he locked his gaze with the dog’s and watched his friends settle the animal onto a comfy blanket.
All set to step aside and join Katie in the back seat, Josh stopped short at the pressure on his arm. Still gazing at him, Raider lifted his front paw and almost seemed to be grabbing Josh, pleading for him not to move.
“Well, I’ll be.” Kade ran his hand across the back of his neck. “I haven’t a clue what it is, but this dog really likes you.”
“What do you mean you don’t know what it is?” Josh put his hand to his chest as though the comment were an affront to his character. “I’m a very lovable person.”
Kade burst out laughing. “As long as Raider thinks so.”
“Comedian.” Josh shook his head. “I’m going to ride in back with him.”
Kade shrugged and Katie opened her mouth as if about to say something and then snapping it shut again, seemed to change her mind.
Hanging on to the side, Josh sat at the back then lifted his legs up and inside. He hadn’t dared crawl up and in the way he might have only a month ago. The moving might have upset his equilibrium, or lack thereof. Thankfully, he wasn’t any taller or he’d have had to duck while seated inside. Making himself at home beside the dog, he continued to scratch him, all the while hoping the drive home went by faster than the ride into town.
Katie couldn’t help but keep looking over her shoulder at Josh and Raider. The dog seemed to be perfectly still and actually looked comfortable. Josh was slightly hunched over the dog, scratching its neck and murmuring soft words she couldn’t quite hear. Whatever he was saying seemed to do the trick as the dog kept his eyes closed.
When they finally rode over the cattle guards under the gateway to the ranch, Josh had stopped talking, but the dog appeared to still be sleeping.
“We probably need to rethink our plans.” Kade eased his foot off the gas and Katie wondered which part of the plan he was talking about.
“Raider?” Sara Sue shifted in her seat to see behind her.
Kade nodded. “I know we initially thought the calving barn would be the best place for him to recover, but I’m not so sure.”
Now Josh lifted his head and looked to the front seats. “I could stay with him. Your new barn has plenty of space for man and beast. Just leave me a sleeping bag and we’re good to go.”
“This isn’t Kabul.” Kade rolled his eyes. “If you need to stay with him, there’s no reason you can’t stay in your own bed. But that is sort of what I’m thinking.”
“In my room?” Josh asked.
“Yeah.” Kade nodded. “The floors in the guest wing are vinyl so that’s good for any accidents. There’s a private entrance so it won’t be a long walk to get Raider in and out to relieve himself.”
“And keeping him calm will help him heal faster,” Josh added.
“And,” Katie jumped in, “stop him from ripping out his stitches again.”
“Exactly,” Josh said.
“Then we’re all agreed?” Kade glanced up at the rearview mirror to see his passengers.
“The question is how will your mom feel?” Josh continued to stroke the sleeping dog.
“Delighted to have someone else to fuss over. That dog is about to become very spoiled.” Kade flashed a grin at everyone.
Josh suddenly frowned. “What about Brady?”
“Good question.” Kade sighed.
“I think,” Sara Sue turned to face them again, “Brady will be fine with Raider. He’s proven to be a good K9 mentor with Samson. How Raider will react to Brady is another story.”
