“Them?” Kimball teases me, “Or one specifically?”
I huffout a breath and shoot her a look of faux annoyance which has her grinning. “Yes, them,” I insist and cross my arms across my chest.
“They’re both good. Bingo is calming down,” she gets a look of sadness on her face as she shakes her head, “but I’m not sure we’ll be able to overcome his behavioral issues, honestly. I hate it, but there’s no way I can allow a dangerous animal to be in someone’s home. He can’t stay at the shelter indefinitely either; it’s not much of a life for him.”
“I’m sorry, Kimball,” my voice is gruff.
She’s put in so much work with him, and she’s been putting off even considering whether or not he can be completely rehabilitated. Although I know why she pushed off, even considering if it’s not possible, part of me is glad she’s bringing it up now.
“I know,” she sighs, “me too. I’m not ready to give up quite yet, but I have to open my eyes to what is really happening and prolonging this would be cruel.”
“You let me know what the end result is,” I prompt her softly. “If it ends up going that way,” I can’t bring myself to say it and she nods to let me know she understands, “I want to be there with you both.”
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, but I notice they’re glassy with unshed tears before she does. “Thanks,” she murmurs.
I almost chuckle as I watch her shake off those dour feelings and straighten her spine. “Stella though,” she gushes, “is doing so much better. She’s almost completely healed and is figuring out how to get around without the leg we had to take. I’m still in awe of how sweet she is,” I can hear the reverence in her voice, and I can’t help but smile and nod.
I’m very aware of how sweet she is. It’s one of the things that drew me to her the moment I saw her. Even though she was trapped in a cage and surrounded by snarling dogs and so much fucking noise, she sat in her cage quietly while watching everyone. Then she looked at me,and there was so much hope and relief in her eyes that it almost took me to my knees.
Even when I approached her cage, she didn’t bark, growl, or snarl. She simply let me approach her with a look on her face like she understood I was there to help her. Maybe it was silly, but I made sure Kimball was the one to help Stella instead of the person running the shelter in Monroe County.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Kimball would fight for Stella, and I was right. It was devastating to find out one of her back legs needed to be amputated, but the Rottweiler with a heart of gold took it in stride.
I could understand why someone would want to use the dog for fighting, she’s stocky and strong, but I can’t see Stella being very effective. Which was clear from the way her leg was mangled along with far too much of her body.
“I’m glad,” I tell her, relief evident in my voice.
“She’ll be ready to go home soon,” she tells me with a grin on her face like I haven’t told her over and over again all the reasons why I can’t adopt Stella.
It wouldn’t be fair to her.
“Don’t try to argue with me today about it, Sheriff,” Kimball sasses me. “You and I both know Stella would be perfectly happy laying on a dog bed in your home as long as it’s in a patch of sunlight. She’d guard your home and be a good companion.”
“I’m not home enough,” I tell her again, even though the argument feels a little flimsier this time than it did the last.
“She doesn’t need you home all the time, but she does need a home.”
With that she moves down the hallway towards where I know both dogs are. She doesn’t look behind to make sure that I’m following herbecause she knows I am. There’s no way I’ve stopped in and won’t take the time to see both dogs, although I’m not looking forward to seeing the lack of progress in Bingo.
For the first time I’m not looking forward to seeing Stella either. Because I’m not sure I can give her the home she needs.
That doesn’t stop Kimball’s words from rattling around in my head while I take a few photos of Bingo and try not to piss him off to the point of super agitation and then coo while I stroke the fur between Stella’s ears. She leans against me with so much trust that it has a ball forming in my throat which is difficult to swallow around.
“You’re such a good girl,” I mutter the words, amazed at her temperament even though the last thing she could be is gentle and patient.
By the time I leave, I still want to see Helen, but the feeling is tempered with thoughts of Stella finding a home which isn’t with me. I’d be happy for her. But it would also break my heart.
I might not be ready to admit I can give Stella the home she deserves, but I’m able to admit how sad I would be to not have her in my life. Damn it. Getting attached to a dog was not part of the plan.
Yeah, neither was getting attached to a woman.
I almost snort out a laugh at the thought because I sure as fuck drive away from the shelter and head right toward Dogwood Ridge while getting an update from my deputies about what is going on in my county today. It’s quiet and I’m more than happy to take the opportunity afforded to me by it.
The only problem with heading to Dogwood Ridge is I’m not quite sure where to start looking for Helen. As I drive in, I glance at the large compound which is the home of Saint’s Outlaws MC. If I grumble under my breath, no one else is in the car to hear me.
I’m sure Lyons hates having these guys in his town, but it’s his issue and this isn’t my jurisdiction.
I decide to take a side street instead of heading right toward the square in the middle of downtown and circling out from there. And I’m sure as fuck glad I do because I catch a glimpse of Helen’s face, her mouth tipped up into a bright smile, as she steps into a bakery which is far pinker than I’m used to.
