Page 14 of Savage Ends

Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t allow them to fall.She had gone for minimal amount of makeup today, and there was no way she was going to ruin her mascara.Crying was not in the cards for her.

Several people wanted to get to the dog she was looking at.She moved away and looked around the kennels.There were so many people, and several of the kennels were open.

Her sister and mother were immersed with a couple of the staff.This allowed her to just wander and look.

She grabbed herself a mug of coffee and found herself in the corner, looking out across the kennels, and then she noticed one particular kennel was being overlooked.Some kids would run to the kennel and then leave.Adults glanced and walked straight on by.This really irritated her.All the dogs were looking for a home.

She moved toward the kennel and knew instantly why people were not interested.The dog was curled behind its bed and showed no interest in anyone.Unlike the other dogs who seemed to know they were giving a show, this dog was not.

She couldn’t quite see the dog clearly.The ground was clear outside and the cage was visible.She sat down beside the cage and sipped her coffee, which was fucking awful.But she didn’t want to move and kept looking over at the dog.

She must have made the dog curious at one point, as it lifted its head, and she saw it was a lovely dark brown color.It looked mixed.Maybe a Staffordshire mixed with a pit bull, she wasn’t sure.She just knew she didn’t want to move.

“I didn’t know you were looking for a dog.”

Ava turned to see Pat less than a foot away from her.

“Hey,” she said.“I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

Damn it.She better not blush.That would be so embarrassing.The last thing she wanted was for him to think of her as a child.

“The club took over the general running of the shelter.We’re making sure the dogs go to good homes.Anyone who wants to take a dog has to agree to a home check by one of us.”

Ava could imagine a lot of women were more than happy with that option.

“You’re looking at Bernice,” Pat said.

This made Ava freeze.“What?”

“Bernice.That is what we called the dog.Well, Maddie, she called the dog Bernice, and it stuck.”

There was no way she had gravitated toward Bernice.That was the name of her dad’s dog.She looked toward the cage, and still the dog didn’t move.

“She’s not very friendly, is she?”

Pat sighed.“This is not the first opening day, and ...well, she is often overlooked as she does have a tiny bit of pit bull in her.If you would like, I can open the cage, and you can sit in.”

“Does she come to strangers?”

“No, she doesn’t, but you never know.Some dogs just find their forever person, you know?”

“Do you have a dog?”

“No, not yet.I help take care of a lot of dogs, but right now I don’t have a dog.I don’t even have a place to live.I live at the clubhouse.”

“Oh,” Ava said.She didn’t know what to say to that.“I have an apartment.They changed their pet policy.I think we’re now allowed to have dogs.”She shrugged.“I know my mom and sister are looking for a dog as well.”

“Would you like to sit in?”he asked, flicking the keys between his fingers.

“Yeah, I’d love to.”

She did want Bernice to have some love today.

Ava got to her feet as Pat opened the door, and she stepped inside.Was it her, or did he smell so good?Earthy and woodsy at the same time, with perhaps a hint of vanilla?She was going insane, curious about the way this man smelled.

Stepping into the cage, she didn’t get too close so as not to scare Bernice.The cages were all clean, and she sat down on the floor and waited.Bernice lifted her head and then lowered it.

“It will take her a little time,” Pat said.