“A pet is a big responsibility. The decision to adopt one shouldn’t be made on a whim.”
“It’s not a whim. I’ve been thinking about getting a dog and it seems one found me.” One little lie couldn’t hurt. All he knew was that he wanted to take this dog home. He looked at Monica, who nodded her approval.
“If you are certain, then I will be glad to see him go. Love will be the best thing to get him back on his feet.” The younger Dr. Chauvin typed notes. “I’ll send you home with an antibiotic to keep the infection out of his leg and a special food to nourish him and get him back to an ideal weight. All the instructions will be written on the discharge information, but the best thing you can do is keep him quiet and still as possible, plus shower him with love. Any questions?”
He couldn’t think of any on the spot and shook his head.
“If you have no questions, you can check out at the front desk, and they’ll have everything waiting for you. I’d like to see him back in two weeks for a checkup and vaccines.” Dr. Chauvin bent over, rubbing the dog’s head. “You’re one lucky dog. You found your new owners in the nick of time.”
Rex returned to the front with Monica at his side. He handed over his credit card, barely flinching at the bill. Some costs were worth the sacrifice.
Sitting in his truck, he caught a glimpse of the dog in the backseat. Now that he’d committed himself to the dog, he wasn’t sure what to do next. “Should we stop at the store and buy him bowls and toys?”
“You probably have bowls at the house we can use for now. Let’s get him home and settled first.”
“You’re right, the poor mutt needs to get used to his new home, and he needs a name. We can’t keep calling him dog or mutt. Any ideas?”
“Max?”
“Nah, he doesn’t look like a Max. Jasper?”
“Not feeling that. Chance?”
The dog’s ears perked up, and he barked for the first time.
Rex caught Monica’s gaze and they laughed. “Chance it is.”
“What breed do you think he is?”
Catching a glimpse of Chance in the rearview mirror, Rex thought for a second. “My guess is border collie mixed with lab.”
“That’s what I thought.” Monica nuzzled Chance’s neck. “Whatever he is, he’s sweet.”
He agreed. It had been years since he’d had a dog, but he couldn’t see Chance being much trouble. Several minutes later they arrived home. He carried Chance inside, careful not to bump or jostle him.
“Can you sit with him while I find an old blanket to make him a bed.” Giving Chance a soft place to rest, Rex laid Chance on the captain’s chair, unconcerned the sickly dog would try and jump off. “The blanket Mom sent with us is uncomfortably wet after multiple trips in and out.”
“Sure thing.”
His mind reeled as he walked down the hallway. If he were wise, he wouldn’t have taken on the responsibility of a dog right when he had other major changes happening, but he didn’t regret his instant decision a bit. He grabbed the only spare blanket from the linen closet and took long strides back to the living room.
His breath caught in his lungs at the sight before him. Monica, who claimed she had no maternal instincts, sat on the floor next to the chair. She had an arm wrapped around Chance, and her head rested on his torso. Soft, sweet, encouragements to the dog drifted to his ears. Monica was comforting Chance, assuring him all would be well.
His thoughts jumped to the future. If Monica showed this level of tenderness and mercy to a dog, how much more love would she lavish to a child? He couldn’t wait for that day he’d get to find out.
ChapterTwelve
By Mid-October, Monica had sent in her application to UL Lafayette, and found a part-time job working security in a corporate office building. It was lowkey and low stress, exactly what she needed for now.
She spent most of her days staying with Chance during the days while Rex went to work. Some days he’d drop him off at Stella’s, but other days she would rise early and drove to Rex’s house. She loved the morning down flat country roads, watching the sun peek above the horizon.
Chance adjusted well and seemed happy in his new home. He’d gained weight and playfully worked his way into her heart and Rex’s. When he was tired, he snuggled in his own blanket spread out on the floor at the foot of the sofa, assuring he had found a place in this home.
Though Monica enjoyed this new, leisurely pace of life, she missed her constant contact with people. Even Stella got out more than she did. Guilt nudged her when she thought about Lacey and the fact she’d yet to call her.
To her knowledge, Lacey didn’t know she was in town. Outside of Stella and Jenna, who promised not to tell, no one knew about her relationship with Rex, and she preferred it that way for a while longer. Fortunately, Lucas hadn’t made any trips home, and Beau had been out of town on business, or they would have caught on when they discovered her living at their mother’s house.
She couldn’t explain her need for secrecy. A part of her mind that resisted letting go told her it was all too good to be true. After a difficult summer, autumn looked picture perfect and that scared her. She’d learned early in her career perfection was never what it seemed.
