Kenzie went on. “I think he’ll have an easier time dealing with her when she’s a little older. I was really hoping you could foster her for me—just for a month or so. It’s essential that she begin her training now if she’s going to get certified, but the situation with Gizmo is making that hard for me. He’s jealous.”
Conrad must have misunderstood. “You wantmeto foster the puppy?”
“Yes, please. Just for a little while. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. She’s a really good little girl.”
“Isn’t there someone else?” The last thing Conrad needed in his life right now was some little creature depending on him.
Hadn’t he vowed never to take responsibility for another life again?
Kenzie shook her head. “Most of the people I know work all day or have new babies or dogs. There really isn’t anyone else I would trust with her.”
Well, shit.
“I don’t know how my landlord would feel about my having a pet. She might pee on the carpet or something. He’s trying to sell the place.”
Kenzie glanced down at the worn green shag carpeting. “Anyone who buys this house is going to want to replace this carpet before they move in anyway.”
Yeah, that was probably true.
Conrad was running out of excuses.
“Besides,” Kenzie added, “there are ways to prevent accidents. Puppies aren’t rocket science.”
“I’m not really in a great space now.” He hated having to admit that.
“Neither is Gabby.”
Damn.
The puppy had wandered over to Conrad’s feet. She sniffed, looked up at him through big, brown eyes, a creamy ball of complete innocence.
Fuck.
He was screwed.
He bent down, picked up the furball, and held her. She was small enough that he could hold her in one hand.
She licked his face, her little tail wagging.
Kenzie smiled. “I think she likes you.”
“She probably likes everyone.” Conrad reluctantly set her down again. “I’d like to help, but I have to find a job.”
“How’s the job search going?”
What could he say? It wasn’t going. He hadn’t filled out a single application.
“I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do.”
Kenzie nodded as if this made sense. “How about this? If you have a job interview, you can always drop her by the kennel.”
He supposed that would work. “What about training her? I don’t want her to be an SAR dropout because of me.”
Kenzie laughed. “Training a puppy this age isn’t very involved, and Gabby is super smart. I’ll help.”
Conrad watched the puppy bound around his living room, stumbling over a pile of mail and sending letters scattering around the floor.
“Please, Conrad. It would be such a huge help to me.”
