Page 101 of Last Chance Christmas

“Bring him in.” The sleepiness in the man’s voice disappeared. “I’ll be there in five.”

Cole carried Titan out to the borrowed car and laid him on the back seat. The German shepherd opened his eyes a sliver, then closed them again. “We’re going to get you fixed up soon, Tite.”

Cole hopped into the driver’s seat and headed to the clinic. If it weren’t for the freezing temperatures and dark night, Cole would have sped down the roads. But he couldn’t risk another accident. Not only because he didn’t want to total a vehicle that belonged to the city, but for Titan’s sake.

“Just don’t puke all over the back seats, boy.” Cole frowned when he glanced in the mirror and Titan didn’t respond.

Cole pressed down a little harder on the gas. He couldn’t lose his K-9. They’d bonded as working partners, and Titan had become Cole’s best friend too. As Titan’s handler, Cole did everything with the German shepherd. They’d built trust. And at the end of the day, Cole always had someone to come home to.

I thought we made a good team.

Kianna’s comment rang in his mind.

He’d pushed her away. All because he was scared of what could happen if he got too close.

But it didn’t matter now. She was gone, and the reality that he could lose his other partner was like a patch of black ice that threatened to send him careening over the edge.

He tried to control the outcomes to make life favorable. After one loss with his dad, he didn’t want to risk the same disappointments with others. He couldn’t seem to alter circumstances, no matter how much he tried.

Rejoice in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.

The memory verse flooded his heart.

Forgive me, Lord. I’ve lacked gratitude for what You have given me. I need to praise You for what You do give me and trust You to walk with me no matter what comes next.

Kianna had been right.

In an effort to hold on to the good, he’d pushed away any chance of making more memories. All the wasted time he couldn’t get back now.

And what did Cole have to show for it?

Nothing.

No memories were created while he stayed holed up in his little corner, trying to preserve the life he’d once known.

Before he realized how much time had passed, Cole pulled into the vet’s parking lot. He’d driven on autopilot. All the roads a blur. Thank the Lord he’d gotten here safely.

Brett met them at the door and took Titan from his arms.

The dog stirred, then vomited again on the entryway mat of the building.

“Sorry, man.” Cole scanned the foyer. “Let me grab some paper towels to clean it up.”

Brett shook his head. “I’ll take care of it. I want to collect it to send in for testing.”

Cole paced in the waiting room while Brett checked out his partner. He wished he could be in two places at once and find out what was going on at the animal shelter.

Thirty minutes later, Brett walked back out, his lips thin.

Cole stopped moving and his calf muscles tightened. “How is he?”

“He’s alive. But he has bradycardia and some wheezing in his lungs. I have him on fluids.”

The air whooshed from Cole’s lungs, a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“I also pumped his stomach. What has he consumed within the last twenty-four hours?”

“Food and water.” Cole frowned.