Page 28 of Wild Dreams

My heart warmed. I couldn't believe I was finally going to get a dog. I'd thought about it, planned for it. But nothing compared to the jitteriness I felt as we pulled up to the building. "I hope no one adopted him."

This time, I didn't wait for Chance to come around. I opened the door and hopped out.

Chance grinned as he pushed open the door for the rescue. Inside, it smelled like animals and dog food.

"Marigold, what are you doing here? I didn't think you were scheduled to work," a woman with the name tag Penny said. "Are you here for Oakley?"

Marigold nodded. "It's time."

"Yay! I was hoping you'd change your mind. Another family applied for him today, but I said he had one more prospect: you."

"I'd like to take him home today." Home. That felt good to say. I'd have another pet to take care of, to love, to fill my home with noise and maybe even messiness.

Penny led us through the door to the back and down the long hallway to the kennels of dogs. She stopped at Oakley's. She unlocked the metal box, and he flew out, skidding to a stop in front of me. I couldn't help but pick him up and cuddle him to me. "Did you miss me?"

"He loves everyone, but he has a soft spot for you. That's how I knew you were the one for him."

I cuddled his soft fur. "I think you're right."

Penny helped me fill out the paperwork. I wrote a check. Then we headed to the pet store to get everything we needed.

Chance talked baby talk to him and was constantly petting him. I was starting to think that Chance was the one who wanted a dog.

We stopped to pick up sandwiches to go, and then headed to my home to get Oakley settled. I let him sniff the grass while Chance snagged my keys and carried everything inside.

Eventually, Oakley lost interest in the yard and wanted to follow Chance, so I let him inside. I unhooked his leash, and he darted around, skidding on the wood floor when he changed directions, searching for Chance.

For the first time in a long time, I was excited about the future. I was confident I was heading in the right direction. The only problem was that I'd vowed to spend less time with Chance, and he was assembling a dog crate in my living room.

8

CHANCE

Iset up the crate in the living room.

Marigold walked in, holding Oakley. "You didn't have to do that."

"I thought I'd get you set up. The bowls are in the kitchen, and the toys are in this basket.

Marigold set Oakley down, and he immediately walked inside the kennel, sniffing every corner.

"I'd put a blanket over it when you're not here so he feels safe and secure."

"I'm hoping we won't need the crate for long. I just want to make sure he's house-trained and comfortable before I let him loose." Marigold turned and walked toward the kitchen where the food was on the counter. "You want to eat?"

She washed her hands while I got the plates.

This time we ate sitting at her table. Her place was quaint. I could see her cooking a meal for one each night and eating at the small table or in front of the TV. Now that she had Oakley, I hoped she wouldn't feel so alone anymore.

Marigold's phone buzzed. "It's Scarlett. She wants to know what time we're going out tonight. I almost forgot about it."

"Oakley probably shouldn't be alone on his first night."

"We can go to a restaurant with heaters and outdoor seating. They're fairly dog friendly here, and I'm almost positive this little guy will attract men."

That idea didn't sit right with me. Everyone was going to love Oakley. He would make Marigold more attractive. But I couldn't be upset when I hadn't done anything to stake a claim. I was just a friend.

We ate while Marigold texted Scarlett back and forth, setting their plans for the evening.

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