Page 43 of Wicked Healing

Luca walked slowly along the center aisle, looking at the animals in the ‘rooms’. “This is amazing.”

She looked around, the smile on her face proud. “I think so. I have a couple of college kids that help here and there, but for the most part it’s all me.” She motioned to a massive white-board on the end wall. “We keep track of who’s coming and going there, and any medical issues or anything.”

This was amazing. He’d thought about what he’d like to do after the military and owning a kennel had been one of those dreams, and breeding Belgian Malinois like Wicked. Probably not an attainable dream. Malinois meant for combat work were bred almost exclusively in Belgium. He knew enough to train, though, as well. It was one of those things that he’d have to think about more seriously now that he had time.

Erin had a look on her face that made him pause. Her eyes were excited, and her entire expression seemed happy. “You love this, don’t you?”

“Of course,” she admitted. “It makes me happy to be an advocate for animals. They have no voice so they have to have people willing to look out for them. Don’t tell anyone but even if the boarders couldn’t pay I would still keep the animals for them. Years ago I learned that some of the airmen being deployed were taking their pets to the kill shelter. That broke my heart. When I have room I still go to the shelter sometimes and take in some former pets, then find homes for them. It’s not their fault the government won’t let them be with their owners.”

Very true. “You’re incredible. I’m very thankful Wicked ended up with you. I don’t think he would have done as well with anyone else.”

She crossed her arms as she turned to him. “Thank you for saying that, Luca. I like to make a difference.”

They wandered down the aisle, Erin naming the dogs as they went. She stopped for a moment at every room and talked to the animal, then moved on. The dogs loved her and basked in her attention. “This evening we’ll come out and play. I let them all into the rear yard and we play ball or frisbee or whatever until they’re worn out. It’s a fun time.”

“That does sound like fun,” he admitted.

They returned to the front door of the kennel. Wicked was sprawled on the shaded concrete, half asleep. Luca untied the leash, then stood there for a moment, debating what to do. He knew Erin probably had work to do but he didn’t want to leave her just yet.

“Want to go to the house? I have something for you.”

He blinked in surprise. “Sure.”

The back patio was becoming very familiar. They walked in through the covered back door and all of the fosters had to come tell them hello. Wicked’s coat had almost completely dried in the arid air so he was allowed in as well.

Luca followed Erin into the living room. She sank into her office chair and handed him a stack of papers. Luca laughed as he caught sight of the logo.

“You haven’t said exactly what you were doing, but I know they’re hiring soon.”

It was a stack of paperwork from the Phoenix Police Department. Luca looked at the papers, not sure exactly how he felt. Then he looked back at Erin. She was bound and determined to hit his emotions.

“Thank you for this. I’m not sure if I’m ready, though.”

She waved a hand. “I know. I was just curious and when I looked it up and saw the dates I thought I would tell you now rather than later. It doesn’t say anything about amputations or anything but I don’t think it matters if you can pass the physical part.”

Curious, he flipped through the pages to the section marked Physical Agility in bold. He used to be able to do everything listed, easily, but that had been months ago, before the injury. Now? He had no idea, but he did wonder.

He also wondered what the requirements for a canine were. Would Wicked even be able to be considered?

“It looks like it goes on a case by case basis,” she said softly. “I’m not pushing you into anything but I hoped it would at least give you an idea of what they expected. And it might be a general guideline if you decide to move somewhere else.”

Luca nodded, lost in thought. Wicked wandered in from the kitchen, the little dog Sophie following him. From a work standpoint, Wicked had several more good work years ahead of him. Could he maybe give him that?

His mind in chaos, Luca gave Erin a considering look. “You know, when I found out that my mother had given Wicked up, I was pissed. Livid. Still am, kinda. But I think it’s the best thing she ever did for us, because it brought us you. I’m very thankful that you’ve come into our lives when you did, Erin.”

Before he could think twice about it he leaned down and kissed her, as easily as breathing. She gasped against his lips, and he grinned. It was fucking amazing he could provoke that kind of response.

When he drew back her eyes had gone dark. One hand was lifted like she wanted to pull him into her again.

Luca suddenly got a sense of how alone in the world he was. Literally, everyone had moved on with their lives, his parents included, leaving him to stand on his own two feet. No pun. Wicked was his partner but even he couldn’t ease all of Luca’s fears for the future. Erin was the first one to give him that glimmer. She’d dragged him out of the hole of depression and into the living again, and he doubted she had any idea of what she’d done.

Luca thought about the way they reacted to each other. Without a glimmer of doubt, he knew he could seduce Erin into a relationship, but he didn’t want her to feel responsible for him. He wanted her to love him, and need him. Luca was man enough to admit that he wasn’t much of a catch right then. No job, basically homeless, enough emotional baggage to fill a dump truck- yeah, he was a real catch. Regret began to fill him as he came to some realizations, standing there looking down at her. Yes, he could take her to bed and satisfy the fuck out of her, but he had to look himself in the mirror in the morning. He was a smart, semi-capable man. He needed to do everything he could to be the man he thought she could see in him.

With that idea in mind, he drew back. Confusion clouded her expression, but she didn’t push. Her hand fell to her lap.

“I’m… a little worn out from our walk today,” he told her, and it wasn’t completely a lie. “I might go back to the apartment and chill for a while.”

“Okay,” she said softly. “The dogs will be running at about six tonight, if you want to join us.”

He gave her a single nod. “I would like that.”

Turning, he left through the kitchen, closing the patio doors softly behind him.

He didn’t join her for dog watching that night, though.

When he got back to the apartment, Luca set the papers on the counter, then dropped onto the couch to think. Erin had done so much for him…them. But it was time that he stood on his own.

Whether he liked it or not he needed to pull back from her a little, and find his own footing.

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