“Hello,” she greeted, gripping the tall fence and leaning in. “Who’s your friend?”
“Her name’s Abby. She’s a border collie. A little skittish but getting better.” He climbed to his feet, causing Abby to shy away momentarily before following after him as he approached Sunshine.
He gripped the fence on either side of her hands, and their eyes met.
“Hi,” he said.
Her stomach flip-flopped. “Hi.”
“Did you have a good day?”
“Yes. Did you?”
“Better now.”
“Why?”
“You’re here.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks felt hot.
His lips spread into a full smile at her reaction. “You’re cute.”
She released the fence and pressed her palms to her face, hiding the edges of her smile. “I hear Tiny’s new family came by for a visit.”
“Yeah, you just missed them. He looked happy. I’m…glad I got to say goodbye.”
“I never thought I’d be grateful for being knocked over by a giant dog, but I suppose I am.”
“We would have met anyway, since you were stalking me.”
She shot him a look. “Yes, but that was the first time I got to watch you ‘work your magic,’ as Caro calls it. You’re very impressive.”
It was his turn to look embarrassed, but he tried to hide it with a shrug. “You wanna get out of here? We’re gonna be late for our own party.”
“Will Abby be okay?” She glanced down at the border collie now seated at Raum’s feet.
“She’s great. She’s not a fan of the kennel, but she won’t be here long. She just needs a bit of training first. Let’s get Luna and go.”
Twenty minutes later, Sunshine, Raum, and Luna had said their farewells and were walking out the front door of the shelter.
“There,” Sunshine told Luna, who smiled up at her with that silly pit bull grin. “Now you’re mine. I hope you like your new home.”
Luna’s tongue lolled. She just looked happy to be outside again.
Strangely, Sunshine felt her eyes sting. She stopped mid stride and touched a tear that formed at one corner, the droplet beading on the tip of her finger.
“What is it?” Raum asked, turning back.
She held out her finger for him to see. “A tear.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I’m happy.”
Their eyes met. He didn’t speak, but she didn’t expect him to. She could see his emotions reflected in his eyes.We’re here, she thought.We made it.
He snatched her hand out of the air and licked her fingertip. With a squawk, she yanked it back. “Mm, angel tears. Do I have more special powers now?”
