Chapter One
The barren cream-colored walls closed in around her. Loneliness gripped at Tiffany Endicott, digging its ugly claws into her uttermost being until she jumped from her seat on the couch, overcome with restlessness.
This was why she didn’t like to take days off. Busyness was her friend, her mostly constant companion. When she was alone, her brain went into overdrive. Memories of the past seeped to the surface and erupted into a full tantrum of guilt and regrets.
She wasn’t that person anymore, hadn’t been in years. Yet in the quiet solitude of the evenings, her ex-husband’s favorite phrase taunted her.A leopard never changes its spots. How many times had he sneered and told her she’d never amount to more than what she’d been? He’d shouted it at her the last time she’d seen him, as he’d been led away in handcuffs to serve time in prison.
“That’s not who I am,” she said out loud for the benefit of breaking through the lies in her head. “I’ve been drug-free for five years with no temptation to return to that way of life. I broke free from my abuser. I’m successful with a job that fulfils me and helps me to give back to society. Most of all, I’m forgiven, redeemed, and a child of the King.”
With each truth she recited, the lies faded in the distance. But she knew it wasn’t over. It was a battle she’d face again. Maybe not tonight, or even this week, but the thoughts would resurface at some point as surely as the sun would rise tomorrow. Her only consolation came in recognizing that the attacks came less often than they used to. That was progress, for what it was worth.
The nervous energy the memories ignited didn’t extinguish as quickly as her thoughts. Already dressed for comfort in a t-shirt and terrycloth shorts, she slipped on her running shoes, left her apartment, and went for a run.
A late-May sunset began its descent. The brilliant golds, salmons, pinks, and violets soothed Tiffany’s battered emotions. What once had been her ashes became her beauty. While married to Brad, sundown meant Brad’s arrival home from work, and hours of abuse for whatever transgression he perceived she’d committed. There were times he didn’t even bother thinking of an excuse to beat her.
But now, in this new and free phase of life, she saw the sunsets for what they were. An awesome reminder of God’s unwavering grace and mercy, beauty with which to end each day. Sunrises, a new beginning.
She took a turn at the end of her street and jogged for another mile. A neon green posterboard sign at the edge of a yard caught her attention.Puppies: Free to a good home. Maybe that’s what she needed to pull her out from her evening funks. Rachel, her boss, had an adorable golden retriever, Roxie who she occasionally brought to the office, along with Bandit, the dog her husband Aaron had adopted.
And Luna, a former resident of the Hope House, brought Hope, a pit mix she had rescued off the road, to the shelter every week, Luna had taken Hope through all the training to be a registered therapy dog, and the residents loved the furry visitor.
For all her adult life she’d wanted a dog. Growing up, her family had Roscoe, an ornery pug whose cuteness got him out of loads of trouble. He’d been a faithful friend until he passed at the old age of eighteen. When Tiffany had moved out on her own, her roommate had been allergic to dogs. Then Brad claimed he was allergic as well, but the truth was, he just didn’t want to be bothered. Looking back, she was glad Brad hadn’t allowed her a pet. It would have only been another living being for him to abuse.
She’d been so busy getting her life back on track, she hadn’t considered a pet until now. She turned into the driveway, intending to inquire about the free puppies, but stopped after several feet. A dog shouldn’t be adopted on impulse.
Continuing her run, she ran for another mile then turned back. The sign beckoned her once again. Would it really hurt to stop and ask about them? Asking didn’t commit her to taking a dog. Besides, she knew the work involved in taking care of a pet. She’d grown up with one, had taken the primary responsibility for Roscoe once she’d entered middle school.
“I’m doing it.” She walked briskly to the front door and knocked.
A young woman close to her in age opened the door. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I was out for a run and saw your sign about the puppies.” She pointed back to the sign, as if the lady would need a reminder. “I’d like to see them and maybe take one if they are still available.”
The woman smiled but shook her head. “We found a home for the last one this morning. I meant to take the sign down but forgot.”
“That’s okay. Thanks anyway.”
“You’re welcome. The shelter has lots of adoptable dogs if you’re serious about wanting one. That’s where we got our Bella, unknowing she was pregnant.” The lady chuckled. “Boy, were we surprised.”
“I bet.”
A brindle dog with upright ears came to the door and nuzzled her snout against the lady. “This is Bella. She must have heard her name.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“Thanks. We love her, and she fits perfectly with our family.” The lady stroked Bella’s head, and the dog ate up the attention.
Watching the affectionate interaction, Tiffany made her decision. “Thanks for your time. I’ll stop by the shelter tomorrow if they’re open on Saturdays.”
The lady grinned. “They are.”
“Thanks again.” Tiffany left and ran home at a faster speed than normal, excited about the prospect of adopting a dog.
When she got home, she took a quick shower and changed into non-sweaty clothes. She grabbed her keys, intending to run to the pet store and get a head start on supplies. Realizing her impulsiveness, she stopped.
“Be reasonable. You don’t know what type of dog you’ll find, so there’s no sense buying the gear yet.” She laughed at herself but felt better than she had in weeks.
After ordering carryout, she sat on the sofa with a pen and notepad while she waited for dinner from her favorite Italian restaurant to arrive. She tapped the pen while she thought about what type of dog she wanted.
