Page 1

Chapter1

Phillip

I glancedaround the Safe Haven Animal Rescue lobby in awe.The stunning architecture and beautiful façade seemed impractical for a shelter, but also appropriate.Animals deserved the very best, and this place clearly gave them a lovely temporary home.I hadn’t noticed them when I first walked in, but now I took in marble floors and crystal light fixtures.And yet, the space was made welcoming by rubber mats and wall posters and a corner with racks full of toys and beds.

Arthur, the man in charge, also had a welcoming quality to him.With his soft voice and calm demeanor, despite his size, he exuded kindness.His gentle handling of the animals as he’d introduced me to all the dogs in need of a forever home had also connoted a deep love of animals.

Much as I had.But had never been able to show before.

I lost all interest in marble and glass as Arthur emerged from the back area with Wally.

Wally was the cutest dog I’d ever met.His resemblance to me made him all the more likeable.Rotund.Rubenesque.Curvy.Gentle ways of saying fat.Really fat.

“Come on, Wally.You remember Phillip.”Arthur coaxed the dog toward me.

I knelt as best I could, struggling to stay balanced.

“It’s okay.”Arthur started to move toward me.“You don’t?—”

I waved him off.“I do.”I held out my hand to Wally.

The Yorkie slowly advanced toward me.Once he sniffed my fingers, though, he launched himself at me.

“He remembers me.”I wasn’t certain why that surprised me, but it did.

“Of course he does.”Arthur offered a genuine smile, the light in the lobby illuminating his sparkling blue eyes.“You’ve been here twice and spent considerable time with him.He’s a clever boy, and you’ll need to watch him carefully.He’s a little escape artist.”

I eyed the little tan-and-black dog, meeting his curious gaze and laughing at his cocked head.“You’re going to be a good boy and do what I say, right?”

As if understanding, Wally licked my hand.

“He’s also a charmer.”Arthur eyed me.“He’s going to try to convince you that he’s starving.To be clear—he’s not.If you feed him exactly the amount of food that Dr.Louisa prescribed, he’ll slowly lose weight.Well, along with the exercise regime.”

Arthur had told me Wally arrived unneutered, with terrible teeth, a few mats, and zero vaccinations.

Dr.Louisa at the Gaynor Beach Animal Clinic was apparently the shelter’s vet, and from the paperwork Arthur had shown me, she’d given Wally a lot of care before they decided the little dog was available for rescue.

Rescue.

I wasn’t certain I was capable of rescuing him.I certainly hadn’t been capable of rescuing myself.

In the past.Move forward.

Easier said than done.

“You okay?”

I met Arthur’s worried gaze.

And put on my bravest smile possible.“Of course.Just thinking of all the things I’ll have to manage.Also grateful to whomever paid for all his care.That was a lot of work.”

“We have a good fundraising team.”He scratched Wally between his perky ears.

The dog’s eyes closed in bliss.

“You’ve got everything you need to take care of him, right?”

Since my last visit, when I’d decided for certain that Wally was coming home with me, I’d gratefully accepted a care package from the shelter with almost everything I’d need.Again, generous souls helping out.“I bought the food, and you provided the bowls.You’re giving me the leash, the harness, and a raincoat.”