Cash’s breath hitched. He opened his mouth and then closed it again.
I guessed that was a no.
All right then.
“You know, it’s amazing how often people buy cheap collars and they just… fall apart,” I said. “See it all the time. Dog’s lucky you found him wandering after that and rescued him. That’s what happened, right?”
Cash snorted and ducked his head. “Yeah. And you’re not giving him back to them?”
“Not a chance in hell,” I said. “You did good, Cash. Just, if it ever happens again…”
“Don’t do it?” he whispered.
“No, make sure you tell me so we don’t post the picture on Facebook.”
“Okay.” Cash snorted again and then, after a beat, leaned his head on my shoulder. “Thanks.”
I desperately wanted to bring my hand up to touch his face, or his hair—for comfort, for consolation, or just to feel even closer to him—but I didn’t. I sat there and concentrated on the weight of his head leaning against my shoulder, and the way the warmth seemed to flow into my body from the point we touched.
It felt good.
I could have sat like that for hours, and I wanted to, except I had to see a man about a goose.
Getting bittenby a goose hadn’t been on my bingo card, but given how the day had gone so far, I couldn’t say I was surprised. It still stung like hell, though, and Kayla’s smirk when she saw my injuries didn’t help.
“I’m sorry about that,” Bobby said for the third time as he settled his bill. He had the goose tucked up firmly under his arm, but I stayed behind the counter just in case she decided to try and take another chunk out of me.
“It’s fine,” I said. “My fault for not moving faster.”
Bobby petted the top of Lucille’s head. “I’d best get her home before she gets cranky.”
I held a tissue against my bleeding forearm. “You mean she’s not crankynow?”
Bobby chuckled. “Nah, that was just a love tap. Now why don’t you go back and see your new dog? Maybe Cash will help you name it.”
“It’s not—” I started to say, but then I stopped. Because itwasmy dog now, wasn’t it? And even though it was theworstpossible time to get a dog, I found I didn’t hate the idea. In fact, I kind of liked the way he curled up behind my knees at bedtime, despite the snoring. There was something grounding about the weight of him. Something simple and solid and real. Hell, I didn’t even really hate the snoring. “Yeah,” I said instead. “Maybe.”
Once Bobby left with Lucille and Kayla went home, I took a minute to duck into the treatment room to disinfect the goose bites on my forearm and slap some Band-Aids over them. Then Igrabbed a clipboard and went into the kennel room where Cash was still sitting on the floor with the dog.
The dog was curled up in his lap as Cash stroked him gently. “Who’s a good boy?” he asked quietly. “Is it you, dog? Yeah, it is. You’re safe now, okay?”
The dog gave a contented sigh and melted further into Cash’s lap. I felt a pang of envy, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to the dog’s totally relaxed state or Cash touching him so tenderly.
Cash looked up when I stepped into the room but for once he didn’t flinch.
“Hey,” I said, crouching down next to them.
Cash’s eyes went wide when he saw the Band-Aids on my arm. He whispered, “Lucille?”
“All birds are assholes. Ask any vet.” I reached out and petted the dog. “So you wanna help me with this guy? It’s time for his cone to come off, for starters.”
Cash pushed the dog gently off his lap and stood.
We headed through to the treatment room, and the dog trotted behind us. I thought of the first time Cash and I had been in here with the dog. Hopefully this time wouldn’t be as dramatic, what with all the blood and the fainting. And if Cash stuck around after instead of vanishing into the night, that would also be good.
Cash lifted the dog onto the table and held him in place, telling him what a good boy he was while I checked his ear. The intradermal closures had healed perfectly, and I took a moment to be proud of the neat work. I took the cone off and the dog shook his head vigorously, his ears flying and his tail thumping against the table.
I turned away to put the E-collar on the side table, and when I turned back, Cash was curled over the dog, hugging him tight. He lifted his head and caught my gaze, his eyes shining.His throat bobbed before he spoke. “When does he go to the shelter?”
