Page 9 of Silver Secrets

Sloane finished patting down Darius’s coat. “Alright, big boy. Let’s get you over to Mr. Blow Dryer. Can’t let you sit all night with your fur wet. You’ll never find your family if we let your coat get all matted.”

Sloane opened the tub’s door… yes, the shelter had a walk-in tub for the larger breeds, and it was a godsend… and laughed as Darius made a mad dash for the drying station. His big, doofy tongue lolled out the side of his mouth as he looked up at the cookie jar.

“Yeah, yeah, you big lunk. I’ll get you a cookie if you’re a good boy.”

“Can I get the same deal?” Gage’s voice had her standing straight.

“Gage! I didn’t know you were volunteering tonight!” Courtney’s overenthusiastic tone made Sloane shrink back. “Isn’t this a nice surprise, Sloane?”

“Sure.”

“Seems like I missed a party back here. What happened?”

“What always happens? Darius and Betty got into trouble together. Again.”

Gage shook his head. “I swear, we’re going to have to find a family that will take both of them. There’s no separating those two.”

“That would be nice, but most likely Betty will find a home soon and Darius will still be here.” Sloane sighed. The big oaf had been at the shelter the longest out of any of the other residents. Her heart ached for him. “If you weren’t scheduled to be here, why are you?”

“I wanted to check on Cookie.”

Sloane nodded, her eyes searching along the row of kennels to the elderly white fluff ball. “I think she’s slept right through the commotion in here.”

“I told Ellie I’m taking her home. It doesn’t feel like she has much time left. And I want her to be with someone when she goes.”

A painful lump formed in Sloane’s throat. Animals were so much easier to be around than people. They never wanted to know about her past. All they cared about were the treats she fed them, the pats she gave them, or the balls that she threw for them. Their love was unconditional. But when one of them crossed the rainbow bridge, all the pain from her life before Silver Springs overwhelmed her.

“Sloane? You okay?” Gage and Courtney both looked at her with concern.

“Yeah. I just hate that part of life. I wish they could outlive us, you know?” Gage nodded while she continued. “It’s really sweet that you’re going to foster her.”

“It’s the least I can do. Figure the guys will like having her in the office and we’ll spoil her rotten for the time she has left.”

“I’ll have to stop in and give her cuddles, too.”

“I’m sure she’d love that. I know I would.”

She turned back to Darius, trying to hide the smile on her face.

Five

Sloane tapped her pen against her notepad as she neared the end of her session with the last client of the day. A single dad, going through a messy divorce with his soon to be ex-wife. Sloane’s heart went out to him. But somewhere in David’s recent sessions, her client had started to grow more upset. She was trying her best to give him some tools to help with emotional regulation and goal setting, but he seemed almost unreachable during their latest session.

She looked over her shoulder at her desk, where her cell phone was in plain view. It would take her a few seconds to get to it if she needed help. Without warning, he stood, pacing the space between his chair and hers.

“David, I need you to take a breath for me. This agitated state you’re in is escalating, and I’m going to have to end our session here if you cannot sit and remain calm.”

“Am I scaring you, Dr. Sloane? Am I a monster like she said?” David took three steps forward, his hand snapping forward to grab her wrist, squeezing painfully. Her heart slammed in her chest.

“You are not a monster, David. We’ve talked about Lucy’s truth and we’re working on what you can take away from your relationship with her, but right now, you need to let go of my arm.”

Sloane dropped her eyes to her wrist, forcing her brain to focus on her patient and not the invisible thousand-pound weight pressing against her lungs. She slammed her wrist downward, attempting to break the hold he hand on her, but only succeeding in pushing the armchair back. The sound must have been loud enough for Lily to hear, because the next thing Sloane knew, her friend was charging into the room.

“What is going on in here? Sloane, do I need to call for help?”

Lily’s voice seemed to snap David out of his rage. He dropped her arm like it had burned him.

“Oh god. Dr. Donovan, I’m so sorry.”

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