“I could ask around and see who wants a dog, but with you being engaged to Rick and all, I can’t see the problem. Rick’s a dog lover. When he was a boy, he’d bring home all sorts of strays. Drove his mother crazy.”
So Rick was rescuing even back then. “I wonder how many of the animals he saved were females,” she asked wryly.
Dr. Sterling laughed. “It takes a strong woman to handle one of those Chandler boys. You and Rick will be just fine.”
She realized then she hadn’t told Dr. Sterling they weren’t engaged nor had she corrected his assumption that she’d be around to handle Rick Chandler. Not because he wouldn’t listen like most people in this town but because the thought of taking care of Rick, of being the woman to handle him, held a great deal of appeal. More than she’d admitted to herself until now.
“Of course I’ll post some signs in case someone’s missing this fellow,” Dr. Sterling said, unaware of her inner turmoil. “In the meantime, he’ll need a bath and tomorrow when my assistant’s in we can update his shots to be safe.” Assuming she’d keep him.
And she would, Kendall thought, making a spur-of-the-moment decision. Of course she’d have to make it clear to Hannah that if his owner reclaimed him they’d have no choice but to give him back. But if not, she had herself a dog. A responsibility and a commitment unlike any she’d undertaken before.
She eyed Dr. Sterling warily. “I don’t know anything about having a pet. And I don’t have dog shampoo or food or . . .”
“Relax. Like infants, dogs don’t come with instruction manuals but just like babies, they let you know when they’re unhappy. They like to be cleaned, fed, and loved. I’m certain you can handle that. Plus you have me at your disposal. Rick too.” He gave her a reassuring smile, not realizing he’d hit at her weakest spot.
How could she trust anyone to be there for her? She’d never trusted anyone, never relied on anyone except herself. Oh, there was Brian, but because he’d needed something in return, she’d been guaranteed his cooperation. As for Rick . . . they’d passed the point of a bargain and Kendall felt as if she were free-falling without a net.
“Now for the specifics,” the doctor continued. “Any mild people shampoo will do just fine on him and I have a bag of food for you to get started. Wait here,” he said before disappearing out the examining-room door.
“What am I going to do with you?” she murmured to the dog who merely wagged his tail happily. Half an hour ago he was wandering the streets and now he looked at Kendall, trusting her to take care of him. Apparently they were taking that leap of faith together.
His tail swished back and forth. Happy. It seemed to be his permanent disposition.
“Okay, Happy. I think you’ve named yourself.” She pet his head again, he licked her free hand and Kendall fell a little bit in love. Another jump into that new train of thought.
“Here’s a book. Seven Days to Successful Dog Training. ” Dr. Sterling walked back into the room, dog food under one arm, book in hand. “I have a feeling you’ll be needing it.”
She laughed since the first thing she’d told the doctor was about his accident in the entryway. He’d told her to bring in a sample so they could check for disease. She shuddered at the unpleasant memory and had a hunch there’d be more incidents like it before she and Happy were through. “Thanks, Doctor.”
“Denis, please. And you’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call at nine to make an appointment. At least your aunt’s house has a big yard for him to run in. Rick can play catch with him. Wheatons need daily exercise.”
“No apartments?” she asked, thinking of her normal lifestyle when she wasn’t in Yorkshire Falls. A lifestyle that was beginning to seem more lonely and confined than she’d ever imagined. Yet how could having a huge stretch of highway and endless possibilities ahead seem lonely? The answer lay in this town, its people, and in her relationship with Rick. Whether she had the ability to trust in it all was something else altogether.
“An apartment is doable just not preferable. I always urge people to ask themselves what’s fair to the dog. This guy’s thirty-five pounds but he’s underweight. He’ll gain when you take good care of him and he’s an outdoor-type dog. He needs his space.”
Just like Kendall did. Or thought she did. Confusion swirled inside her. Her business had taken a huge step forward, her sister had made friends, and she’d inherited a dog.
“Will I see you at the slide show tonight?” Dr. Sterling asked.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good. Any questions that arise, you can ask me there.” He grinned and opened a drawer, pulling out a collar and a leash. “You’ll be needing these too. Once you pick up your own things, you can return them. No rush.”
Kendall nodded, dazed. In one short day, she’d further cemented herself into the fabric of this small town. She didn’t know if she was ready for Yorkshire Falls any more than Yorkshire Falls was ready for her.
Rick picked Kendall up at eight-thirty, knocking on her door as usual. An effusive barking greeted him from the other side of the door. If the sound of a dog wasn’t enough of a surprise, seeing Kendall swing the door open, her hand wrapped around the leash of a hairy pooch shocked him even more.
“Come on in before he gets out.” The dog shuffled to escape his confinement and Kendall struggled to keep him inside.
Rick slipped in and slammed the door shut behind him. “Where’d he come from?” No sooner had he asked than the four-legged dog leapt up and put both front paws on his chest.
Kendall laughed. “He likes you. Happy down!” She yanked the dog off him.
“Happy?”
“Look at that tail wag. Can you think of a better name for a dog like him?” She shrugged.
“I don’t know his real name since he wasn’t wearing a collar when I found him.”
Kendall had taken a stray dog into a home she didn’t plan on staying in and she was smiling about it? Rick figured he’d worked one too many long shifts or he was seeing things. “You found him?” he asked, dumbfounded.
“Actually he found me. Outside. Either way, I think he’s mine. Dr. Sterling says he’ll put out some more feelers but preliminary calls haven’t turned up anyone missing a pet.” As she spoke, she absently rubbed Happy’s neck with her hand. She’d obviously done this before and perfected the motion since she knew just the right spot and the dog nearly rolled over in ecstacy and delight.