Holden scratched his temple, wondering if it was just a fishing expedition about her friend. “Does smell a little funny.”
When they entered the backyard, Lyndsey was there, working with Zena, but their sudden appearance spooked the Chihuahua. She ran behind a tree in the far corner of the fenced-in yard and barked incessantly.
“Sorry,” Gabe said. “Didn’t know you were back here.”
Lyndsey sighed, rising to her feet. “It’s okay. I didn’t know you were going to come in this way, or I would’ve warned you.” She smiled at Holden. “You, I knew about. Thanks for coming. As you can see, she still needs a lot of help.”
“But you’re making progress,” he said. “The fact you were able to get her out here and in the middle of the yard is a good sign.”
And the fact Chief wasn’t reacting to the unstable Chihuahua was a sign that he was a balanced dog with calm, confident pack leaders.
“Uh, guys,” Gabe said, voice low. “She’s making her way here, following the perimeter. Should we do something specific?”
Okay, so maybe his wife was the pack leader.
“Yeah, don’t spook her again,” Lyndsey said. “That’d be helpful.”
His buddy shrugged. “Didn’t do it on purpose.”
“I know, hon. You’re just big and…big.”
Holden snorted at the women’s description of his buddy’s large frame and authoritative personality.
“So, what do we donotto spook her?” Gabe asked, his gaze on the barking dog.
“Don’t make any sudden movements,” Lyndsey replied. “And stop looking at her. It’s best not to acknowledge her presence.”
“Can I breathe?” Gabe asked through a smirk.
Lyndsey looked as if she wanted to swat him, but she glanced at Zena making her way closer, so his buddy got a reprieve. “Let’s put Chief inside with Buster and the others, then sit down out here and talk for a bit. It will be good for Zena to be exposed to humans and voices.”
Holden set a hand on Gabe’s arm. “Wait. Keep Chief out here. He’s balanced and a good example for her to follow. And if your other dogs are the same way, then you should bring them out here, too. She would feel better with a balanced pack, and they will teach her that humans can be trusted.”
“Oh.” Lyndsey lifted a brow. “Good idea. I’ll get them. You two take a seat. I made some lemonade. It’s already on the table, so help yourselves.”
He nodded and followed Gabe to the patio and sat down. As expected, Chief followed and plopped onto the ground by his human until Lyndsey opened the door and the mastiff and one-eyed dog walked out.
Two things happened then.
One: The pit bull rushed over and eagerly greeted his buddies with a round of tail-wagging-butt-sniffing. Two: Zena stopped barking and ambled closer to the dogs, then allowed them to sniff her before she did the same.
“That’s what always happens,” Lyndsey said, sitting next to her husband. “I think Zena has a crush on Buster.”
Gabe snickered. “They all love Buster. He’s a great dog. Lyndsey did good rescuing him.”
Lyndsey elbowed the guy. “Yeah, and you arrested me.”
“Hey, charges were dropped, remember?” Gabe frowned, rubbing his side.
She snorted. “I remember a lot of things.”
Between the couple’s banter and watching the dogs interacting playfully, Holden was thoroughly entertained. “Do you have any leashes nearby?”
Lyndsey frowned but nodded. “Yeah, inside the house and the foster building.”
“Can you get me one that doesn’t have a chain?” he asked, continuing to observe all the dogs quietly socializing.
He was encouraged to see Zena taking part with her tail up and body relaxed.
