Page 14 of Silver Secrets

“No way, man. You’re all on your own there. I mean, call me or shoot me a message if you need some emotional support, but you know I won’t be coming to visit until she’s gone.”

“I get it. A ten pound, geriatric white fluff ball is really scary.” Gage grabbed his beer off the coffee table and laughed.

Stone stood, plucking the half-full bottle out of his hand. “And for that comment, you can leave the beer here.”

Gage was still laughing when he made his way across the hall back to his apartment. He looked over at the small bed on the floor where Cookie was curled up. God, he had such a soft spot for her.

Dropping down to his knees, Gage gently scratched behind her ear. “Hey, old girl. You just having a sleepy night tonight? Didn’t even want to get up and give me some kisses when I came through the door?”

She was in exactly the same spot he’d left her in when he’d gone across the hall. Her dinner wasn’t touched, and her water bowl level hadn’t changed. The signs were all there over the last few days, and he knew what it meant, even if he didn’t want to admit it. She was ready to go. It didn’t make his decision any easier. He’d sit with her for a few minutes and then call the vet in Rogersville.

Gage gently picked Cookie up, cradling her over his heart. She felt relaxed, her body cuddling close to him. Her eyes were open, but she just gazed up at the ceiling, a small whimper coming from her as he moved his hand out from under her belly to gently rub her back.

“Shh, sweetheart. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

Gage walked to the living room, almost making it to the couch when a knock sounded at his door. For half a second he thought Stone might have come over to apologize for his anti-Cookie behavior, but when he opened the door, it wasn’t his buddy standing before him.

No. It was the brown eyed redhead who had left him in a huff earlier, standing there in an oversized shirt and yoga pants, with what looked like an entire batch of homemade cookies. His mouth watered, and not just because of the baked goods.

“Hi,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I realize it’s getting late and I shouldn’t have just dropped by, but I wanted to say sorry for how I acted earlier.”

“You baked for me?”

Her eyes dropped down to the plate. “Uh, no. I wouldn’t want you to get food poisoning. I fear there are really only two or three things I can cook that we wouldn’t have to worry about, and triple chocolate cookies with chopped macadamia nuts are not it. These are from Sprinkles. Emma told me they are your favorite.”

He stared as she handed the plate over the threshold. But with Cookie in his arms, he couldn’t take it from her.

“Right. God. This is so terribly awkward. I’m sorry,” she laughed. “You’re holding Cookie. I can just set these inside and be on my way.”

He stepped back, and she shot past him, her hair billowing over her shoulders, leaving the scent of lilacs in her wake. Shit. She smelled incredible.

“Thank you for going all the way to Bell Ridge, but that wasn’t necessary. There was nothing to apologize for.”

Sloane turned back to face him. “That’s not true, and we both know it. You stepped in to protect me from a situation that could have escalated to a dangerous level. Do I think that would have happened? No. But you believed that it could have, and you chose to protect me. That means a lot.”

Cookie whimpered, lifting her head and then flopping it back down on Gage’s chest.

“I should go. You were probably just getting ready to turn in with her.” Sloane reached over to pet Cookie on her neck. “Hi, beautiful girl. You be good to Gage tonight. He’s my knight in shining armor.”

“I’ve known it was coming all week, but I think tonight might be the night, Sloane.” Gage’s voice caught in his throat as he looked down at the little dog.

“Oh,” she whispered. “I could…” He watched as she looked around his apartment, her eyes lingering on the darkening sky outside his window. “If you don't want to be alone while it happens, I could stay for a bit.”

He nodded. “I was about to call Ellie to let her know. And then I’ll need to call the vet in Rogersville. Dr. LeMott doesn’t do the procedure at home, and… I don’t like the idea of them being scared when they go.”

“What a kind thing to think about.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know how long it will take them to get here, though. It might be a while.”

“That’s okay. I’ll take whatever time I can get with Cookie before it’s her time to find the Rainbow Bridge.”

Gage shifted Cookie into Sloane’s arms and left them in his living room as he walked to his office to make the phone calls. Ellie had trusted him with two other dogs near the end of their lives in the time since he’d gotten to Silver Springs. It was an honor to be with them when they passed. His soul felt it was just one way he could atone for not being with his family when they needed him most.

After ten minutes, and a sad call to both Ellie and Dr. Daniels, the veterinarian in Rogersville who had helped him with the other dogs when it was their time, Gage made his way back out to Cookie and Sloane.

She was sitting with the small dog cradled in her arms, gently rocking back and forth as Cookie snuggled into the bright pink blanket he’d gotten for her the first night she was with him. He sat on the sofa, his leg brushing against Sloane’s as he leaned in to give the little dog who’d stolen his heart so quickly a few pats.

“Is the vet coming?” she asked.

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