Page 76 of Scarlet Vows

The traffic’s quiet enough that I pull the SUV up in front of the shelter in fifteen minutes, and the black-haired beauty lets me in.

At one time, she would have been my type. But Eva isn’t now. She’s not Alina.

But all that goes by the wayside as she takes me through to the dogs. They’re all happy to see someone, and it breaks my heart not to take them all home with me. The grounds arebig enough, but I have enough issues without a whole dog colony invading.

Besides, that’s not a solution.

She opens a cage, and a dog, a corgi mix with melting brown eyes, shuffles out, looking to see if there are treats. Then he sees me.

I bend down and hold out my hand.

“Hi, Albert. I’m Ilya. I know your girlfriend, Alina. I’m a little jealous of you…” I chuckle as he comes up, tail wagging as he pushes his nose into my palm, and then he licks my hand. “See, I knew you were a player.”

Albert gives Eva a glance, and then he barks once, a soft bark that sounds happy. He rushes up to press into me and manages to squash himself between my thighs as I sit, and he puts his paws on one leg.

Then he looks up, his tail going crazy, and I scratch his ears, stroke his soft fur. He makes a huffy sound.

“Oh my,” whispers Eva, a note of sadness in her voice. “My Albert.”

I glance at her.

“I’m very protective. I told you he was special. He guarded his owner when he died for three days until help came. His food and water were almost gone, and it was clear Albert only left his side long enough to drink and eat enough to stay alive.”

“Oh, Albert,” I say. “You’re a good, special dog, aren’t you?”

He huffs in agreement as his tail slaps my other leg, and I scratch his ears again, his little warm, round body pressing against me.

“I’ve only seen Albert react this warmly, this immediately, to two people. You and Alina. With all he’s been through, the kill shelter I saved him from, people bouncing him fromplace to place before that, he’s usually very shy until he gets to know someone.”

“Albert’s forever home could be with me and Alina,” I say. “If you’ll let me adopt him.”

She laughs softly. “I think he adopted you.”

I pick him up, carry him to the front room, and set him on the counter while Eva gets all his things. There are papers to sign, and the shelter sells new bedding, which I purchase, along with bowls, food, and toys.

Of course, Albert watches all this with trusting eyes and some curiosity, but while I keep my hand on his back, something vibrates inside him. It grows stronger until he’s shaking, and it’s not until we look at each other that I realize what it is. Excitement.

He knows he’s coming with me.

Albert whines at Eva, who hugs him. I double the amount of the donation I was planning to make, and then I pay for Albert and all his things.

“He’s had his shots, and he’s healthy.” Eva looks at me. “What do I tell Alina?”

“It’s just tonight that she’ll be in the dark. Tomorrow she’ll have her gift.” I pause. “I might miss her in the morning since I’ll sleep in the guest room with Albert, so if she does come in, please keep it a secret.”

“Then you’ll have to bring him in. I’m not breaking her heart for an entire day.”

“Tell her he was adopted by the perfect couple.”

She smiles. “Deal.”

Once I’ve transferred everything to the car, Eva hugs Albert goodbye. I’m pretty sure this isn’t a forever goodbye; it’s a for-now one. I bet Alina will take him in regularly.

Albert gets in the front seat, and I drive home. I ferry everything in and up to my room before I take Albert with me.

“You’ll have to be quiet. No barking.”

He sniffs the air, his tail working overtime.