The dog probably hadn’t seen it that way, though.
Emily was the Animal Control Officer on duty yesterday when a call came in from the sheriff. He was on a wellness check and discovered the dog laying by her deceased owner. Apparently, the older woman had been dead for two days and Zena hadn’t left her side.
Emily’s heart squeezed and throat heated. No creature was more loyal than a dog. She’d come across countless humans who didn’t deserve that gift, but suspected the deceased woman wasn’t one of them.
According to the vet who’d examined Zena, the dog was in good health other than being a little overweight, but that was a plus, considering her lack of food for two days.
She held out a dog treat and waved it in the hopes Zena would catch the scent or at the very least, see it. Other than letting out a sigh, the dog didn’t move.
“Go on, honey. You need to eat,” Lyndsey urged from behind. “All you had was a little kibble this morning.”
Her best friend had a heart bigger than the moon.
Growing up, Emily had lived next door to Lyndsey, and they’d bonded over their mutual love of animals. While other little girls were playing doctor with dolls, she and Lyndsey hadplayed veterinarian with stuffed animals, which ultimately led to associate degrees in veterinary technology.
Although they shared the same degree, they didn’t share the same passion. Lyndsey’s desire was to heal animals. Emily’s desire was to rescue them. So, her friend got a job with the local vet, and Emily moved to Houston because Harland County didn’t have an animal control program.
But they did now, and she’d jumped at the opportunity to transfer from Houston and move back to her hometown. Emily was proud to serve her community and to rescue local animals in need.
“Come on, honey,” her friend said again. “Just a little bite.”
Emily knew Lyndsey would be the right person to foster Zena. Anyone who invested time and money to convert a building in her backyard into the perfect temporary housing for small animals was someone who’d go the extra mile the dog needed.
There was a cat room with a separate space for kittens, a dog room with kennels, a play area, supply room with a stackable washer and dryer, medical room, grooming room with a washing station, and a kitchen for meal prep. Emily loved the set-up so much, she’d hired the same contractor to convert the outbuilding into a foster area on her recently purchased ranch.
With luck, it would be ready in two months.
The sound of the front door opening followed by two sets of footsteps had Emily watching Zena for signs that she was aware of new people in the building.
Nothing. Not even a blink.
“How goes things?” Mel asked.
The woman ran a non-profit organization called Pet Survivors out of the local shelter. Its mission was to rehome pets that outlived their humans. Something both Emily and Lyndsey supported one hundred percent.
“The same,” Lyndsey replied as Emily backed up and slowly rose to her feet, careful not to make any sudden movements.
“Can I try?”
Emily stilled and knew without turning around that the male voice belonged to Holden…the gorgeous man she’d assaulted with the volleyball earlier. And even if she hadn’t recognized his voice, the way her pulse fluttered and face heated was a dead giveaway.
Stupid body.
Ignoring those reactions, she turned around and shook her head. “Not sure that’s a good idea. Her state of mind is delicate right now.”
Emily didn’t know the guy. The last thing she wanted was to subject Zena to someone who might turn harsh or frustrated.
“It’s okay,” Mel said. “Holden was the K-9 handler in Carter’s unit. He said he’s the best he’s ever seen.”
Holden’s brows rose. “He did?”
Mel grinned. “Yeah. He said you have a natural affinity with dogs.”
“Then, please, give it a try,” Lyndsey said, motioning toward the still unresponsive Chihuahua.
He transferred his gaze to Emily but remained outside the kennel. His respect for her approval gained him several brownie points. Too bad the other kennels were empty. Dogs were fantastic judges of character, but Zena was too closed off to give her a read on Holden.
Still, if there was a chance the man was actually as good as Carter said, then for Zena’s sake, Emily needed to take it.
