Page 51 of The Love Shack

“Then I’ll get him another.”

“If you bring him toys—”

“I’ll make sure they’re soft, at least until he gets the dental work he needs, but nothing that he might choke on.”

Grinning, she said, “Sounds like you have a plan.”

He nodded, all serious and sincere. “Thank you, Berkley. I can tell that you care, and that matters a lot. I’ll come by whenever I can to visit him, to volunteer with him.” He dug out a card. “In the meantime, if he needs anything, if anything happens, will you let me know?”

“If only all our visitors were as generous as you.”

He looked sheepish for a moment, then dipped his head with a laugh. He removed his glasses and used the bottom of his shirt to polish them. “I’d completely forgotten the reason I’m here.”

“Visiting a dog is a good reason to forget.” She led Handsome into his living space, gave him a few more of the soft treats and waited while he got comfortable on a blanket. She secured the chain-link door, then gestured for Oliver to follow her into the shelter’s office.

They’d be closing soon. Lunch had been a long time ago and she was already thinking about dinner, but she didn’t want to rush Oliver. His kindness to Handsome meant he deserved her patience.

Fortunately, he had things to do, too, so they did a quick tour of the space she could offer for cat yoga. It was basically the lobby, which had both an interior and exterior door to keep pets from getting out unattended when guests visited. She’d brought Oliver in through the back, where they had open spaces for the dogs to play and get used to leashes, but they also had an indoor training area.

Her shelter, if she did say so herself, was pretty darned amazing—almost as sleek as Oliver’s fitness facility, but not nearly as large.

As he looked around, he asked, “Am I correct that you live in the small house on the property?”

Her warning sensors went off unexpectedly, which left her unsure how to answer.

Immediately, he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I was just...” He shrugged. “Impressed? That the shelter is bigger in comparison. Not that your house isn’t terrific—”

Damn it, she’d made him uncomfortable, and over ridiculous concerns. “No, I apologize. Everyone in Cemetery is aware that I live here, so I have no idea why I...” Freaked out? She hadn’t, not really, but her heart had definitely lurched a little. Berkley shook her head. “Bad experience once, that’s all.”

“Then I hope you have good security set up, not just at your house but here at the shelter, too.”

“We have the basics.” Heck yeah, she did. Out here alone in the woods, with all the animals to protect? She worried about them more than herself. “Thank you.” For the next few minutes, they discussed a possible schedule that would work for the cat yoga, and finally decided on a start date.

“I’ll see if Lark has any suggestions on signs we should create.” He smiled at the mention of her name. “So far, she’s had incredible ideas.”

“I agree.”

“Did she talk to you about a parade?”

They spent a few more minutes discussing the requirements to be a dog walker, but so far, Berkley loved the idea. It’d be a great way to get the dogs out for attention and exercise, and maybe it could become a special event for Cemetery. They could even get Kathleen involved. Maybe create a wagon for her to ride in.

She grinned, imagining what Lawson would think of that.

By the time Oliver left, the dogs were all put away. Whitley brought Hero to her. He’d helped out with the other animals, playing peacekeeper and making sure they each felt included. He was such a great dog for welcoming other canines.

She thanked Whitley for all the extra help, waving to her as she drove off.

Erin had already left for the day, but she’d left a stack of notes for Berkley on the front counter. She picked those up, glancing through them as she headed out of the office building with Hero. On the way, she set the alarm codes and locked the doors.

They closed to the public at six o’clock, but it was always seven or later before she finished up. Not that she minded. For her, it truly was a labor of love. After all, she’d put her heart and soul into her work.

She had nothing else. No family. No significant other. No children.

She reminded herself that she was okay with that. It was a choice she’d made.

As they always did, she and Hero walked the perimeter of the play yard, ensuring that everything was properly secured. They had two layers of eight-foot-high fencing—an interior layer of fences that provided individual runs for the dogs, surrounded by a second fence that enclosed it all to ensure the safety of the animals, and anyone visiting.

The sun hung a little lower in the sky, but it wouldn’t get dark for a few more hours. Lawson hadn’t shown up yet, so maybe he wouldn’t visit.

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