Page 18 of Crossroads of Betrayal
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Unable to sitin his cabin any longer, Zeke tentatively pushed open the door to the building marked as the kennel. The scent of dry dog food and clean fur met him at the threshold. He’d braced himself for loud barking and jumping dogs but was instead greeted by silence and Tucker sitting behind a narrow desk, hunched over a computer. His white T-shirt showcased doghair as much as the ink that circled his biceps.
A huge black Labrador retriever laid in a plush dog bed. He lifted his head, but the rest of his furry body stayed still.
Tucker glanced up. “Hey, man. Just give me one second. I’m placing an order online. I hate not supporting local businesses, but Truly’s Trading Post stopped stocking the biscuits the dogs love. You can head back and see the pups if you want. I won’t be long.” He nodded toward the area behind where he sat, separated by a half-door.
He dipped his head in acknowledgement then disappeared into the wide hall. Cages lined either side, the fencing made out of black wrought-iron and classier than anything that separated the yards in the neighborhood where he’d grown up. Black mats shaped like dog bones sat in front of the cages, announcing the names of each animal who sat quietly and watched him, tails wagging wildly.
Smiling, he strolled down the tiled aisle. “Y’all might be the best-behaved canines I’ve ever seen before.”
“Might be?”
Tucker’s good-humored chuckle turned Zeke around. The lab trotted over to his side and sniffed his hand before he ran a palm along his back.
“That’s Otto. He’s mine, but he likes to come into work with me. Thinks he’s the boss around here.”
Zeke studied the half dozen or so other dogs waiting to be sprung loose. “Aren’t they all yours?”
Tucker shrugged. “Technically, they belong to the retreat, so they’re Brooke’s dogs. But I like to claim them. They’re like my kids.”
“Did you train them all?”
“Yes and no.” Tucker scratched his chin and unlatched the nearest gate. “Some, like Ruby here, were K9 dogs from local police forces that were injured and could no longer work. Those dogs were already trained, but I worked with them to turn them into therapy dogs. She also needed rehab to get over her injury.”
A sweet German Shepard sniffed at his feet then sat in front of him, big brown eyes pleading to give her attention.
“Others, like Archie over there, needed more time and attention.” He flicked his wrist toward a golden retriever who Zeke swore was smiling with his mouth wide open. “Archie couldn’t make it on the K9 unit, so I took him in. They all live here, although I take them home with me from time to time for extra affection. But they have a good life now. Given lots of love and plenty of exercise throughout the day. Not to mention how much comfort and support they offer to many of the guests.”
“Sounds like a lot of work on your part,” Zeke said as he threaded his fingers through the soft fur on the top of Ruby’s head. She leaned forward, her big body pressing against his legs. “Have you always been a trainer?”
A shadow of despair skittered across his face, darkening his blue eyes. “I worked on the K9 Unit for years. I trained Otto before he was injured during an operation, then we left the force together. Him because he couldn’t get over the limp, me because I couldn’t trust myself after my mistake cost my partner his life. I came back home to Pine Valley and found the place I was meant to be as soon as I met Brooke. The rest is history.”
“And how exactly does this type of therapy work? Petting a dog is supposed to help my shoulder magically heal? What do I do, strip down and let her lick where the bullet ripped through my flesh?”
Tucker snorted out a laugh. “The dogs won’t heal your shoulder. This is more for emotional support. Especially for guests who suffer from PTSD, which honestly, almost everyone here does. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with sitting down and spilling their guts right away, or even doing other types of classes with art and music and that shit. Dogs are easy. Just give them attention and let them love you.”
Zeke couldn’t help but think of Grace. He wished she’d just let him love her, but she’d made it clear that wasn’t in the cards.
So why was he here? Why torture himself being so close to the woman who’d broken his heart?
“So what’s your story?” Tucker asked, as if reading his wayward thoughts. “You mentioned getting shot in the shoulder. You out of commission until you recover?”
Zeke rubbed the back of his neck and searched for the quickest way to answer the question. The circumstances that led him here were messy and unconventional at best. “I’m a firefighter. Got hurt one night and haven’t healed all the way. I heard about this place from a friend, and after I spoke with Brooke, I packed my bags and came straight here. I’ve worked with physical therapists and doctors for weeks, but she offered a different approach that worked for her. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
He'd leave out the part about his friend setting him up for disaster when his past collided with his present. He wasn’t sure what Grace’s coworkers knew about her life before she came to Crossroads Mountain Retreat but based on watching how she interacted with everyone around her, he assumed she hadn’t told them much. He wouldn’t be the one to spill her secrets.
Tucker frowned. “You’re a firefighter who got shot while on the job? Sounds complicated.”
“You have no idea.”
“Well, I won’t pry, but I’m around if you need an ear. But even better, looks like Ruby’ll be around to help you through whatever you need.”
Zeke smiled down at the sweet dog who’d stayed glued to his side through the entire conversation. “I’ve always wanted a dog. Love animals but just never given a chance to own one. Maybe after this, I’ll make it more of a priority.”
Crouching, he slung an arm around Ruby’s neck. “So what’s the next step? I can come in and just hang out with her?”
“That’s up to you. There are a few options based on your needs. We can schedule time each day for you to come and be with Ruby, or any other dog—although I do recommend sticking with the same one. It usually helps to establish that bond. Or, if you want to take her back to your cabin for the entirety of your stay, I can set you up. Take over her toys and food, make sure you know her schedule. She’ll stick with you around the retreat, or you can bring her back if you need a break.”
