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Oh well, we’ll struggle together.“That would be amazing.But only if I’m not putting you out.”

“Not at all.”He held up a finger, clearly indicating I should wait.

I did while he went to the back.

He emerged a few moments later with Neil.Who offered another wide smile.

I managed to smile back.

Arthur grabbed the bag of Wally’s toys, and we headed out.

The drive to my place was tough for me.Was I supposed to make small talk?Be unobtrusive?I didn’t do people, and I wondered about Arthur as well.Neither of us spoke—which was fine—and soon he arrived at the address I’d provided.

My house was the smallest on the street, but well-maintained.Notmyhouse.The one I was residing in.Thanks to some nice guy, James, whom I’d met for the first time yesterday, who rented out this house at below-market rates to people who needed help.I hated that I needed help, but was no longer too proud to ask for it.

“You live in James’s house.”Arthur grinned.“He’s my best friend.I was his very first guest.”

Aw shit.If the men were best friends, then chances were Arthur knew of his friend’s benevolence.“He’s been very kind.”I might’ve been shy yesterday, but I had been grateful and expressed that gratitude to James in an embarrassing torrent of words.

Anthony, my social worker, had sort of ended my rambling thanks.

And didn’t it suck ass that I needed a social worker?Pride goeth before the fall.Wasn’t that the expression?I’d never been overly prideful.But I had fallen.

Badly.

“Thanks so much for the ride.”

We exited Arthur’s vehicle, and he removed Wally from the crate he’d been secured in.

Arthur put him gently on the ground and handed me the leash.

Wally squatted to pee and then, without warning, crouched and pooped.

“Oh crap.”Literally.And heat flooded my cheeks.

“Never fear.”Arthur pulled a doggie bag from his pocket and, before I could do anything, had Wally’s impressive poop scooped.He tied off the bag.

I took it from him.

“Always take three on your walk.If not more.You never know when you might need one.Or four.”Arthur eyed Wally.“And I’ve also met people who ran out or forgot.So you’re their hero.”

I was no one’s hero.Never had been.Never would be.

I told him, “I have one of those things that attaches to his leash.That has the bags in it.”

“Brilliant.You’re all set.”Arthur met my gaze.“Are you going to be okay?”

Man, my nervousness must really be showing.I drew in a deep breath.“Yeah, we’re going to be okay.”

Because we had to be.

Arthur nodded, rounded the hood, and was soon in the van and driving away.

I gazed down at Wally.

He looked up at me with the most trusting dark-brown eyes.His last owner had loved him so much but only managed to express that with food.Well, she was gone, and I was his human now.

“It’s just you and me, buddy.”