Page 6 of Devoted Enough

“I can put her out if you need to leave.”

Without looking at me, Haven replied, “That’s okay. I don’t mind, and I don’t have anywhere I need to be right away.”

“How is the dog walking going?” I asked as I watched her lift each leg and inspect Lady’s shoes.

Haven’s face glowed with a wide grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back. What was it about this girl’s smile that made me feel…happy? It was unlike any feeling I had ever had; only her smile brought it out.

“It’s going great. I’ve got five now and devised a great way of walking them all simultaneously. It’s a belt I came up with and you attach their leashes right to it.”

My brows shot up. “You’re not afraid of them dragging you?”

She laughed, and I tried to ignore how it felt like a bolt of energy raced through my body.

“They’re all well-behaved dogs. I’d like to learn to do some training someday.”

“What happens when you leave for college?”

She stopped running her hand down Lady’s neck and looked at me. “I’m not going to college.”

“You’re not? How does your mother feel about that?”

She shrugged. “Can’t go to college if you don’t have any money.”

“Scholarship?”

Haven shook her head. “I can’t leave my mom.”

I wanted to ask her why but kept my mouth shut.

“Besides, I have a plan, and if I stick to it, I’ll be fine without going.”

“What does your mom think about your plan?”

“She’s okay with it. She also knows that I’ve gotten a few scholarships, but even with that, I can’t afford to go.”

I kicked a nonexistent rock on the ground. “I’m sorry, Haven.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ve got enough money saved up to hopefully be able to buy my own house someday. I plan on learning how to train the dogs as well. I’ve been reading about it for the last year.”

“Reading about dogs?”

Nodding, she untied Lady and started walking her toward the south pasture gate. “Yeah. And our vet knows a girl who trains, and she offered to teach me. If that follows through, I won’t have to pay for the classes. More money to save up.”

Following her, I marveled at how different she was from most other girls in my senior class. Was it because of what her father had done to her? We hadn’t ever spoken about it again except once when she asked if I had kept her promise.

Haven stopped at the gate before opening it. Once it was open, Lady walked into the pasture. “Will you remove her blanket in a bit?”

“Sure.”

We watched as Lady trotted out to the middle of the pasture where a small group of horses were grazing. She saddled up to Thunder, my horse, and she let out a whinny.

Haven laughed. “Spicy girl.”

“Thunder doesn’t seem to mind,” I said with a soft laugh.

We turned and walked back to the barn, neither saying anything. Once inside, Haven started toward the small office. I assumed she was getting her things to leave.

I walked to a stall to check on another horse.

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