Page 3 of Cooper's Salvation
She heard murmuring, and then, “Hey, sweetness. What’s wrong?”
Praying she could get through the call, she simply replied, “I can’t go into the details right this second, but is it possible for me to come and stay with you for a bit?”
“You know you don’t even have to ask. The guys would love to see you too.”
“Thank you, my friend. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way, and I promise I’ll tell you everything when I get there.”
“See you soon.”
Choking back a sob, Kara hung up, gathered her keys, and made her way to the reception area.
“Darby, I have to go out of town for a while, but please let Penny know I’ll call her later. Please lock up for me tonight, and I’ll see you when I’m back.”
The receptionist she shared with her partner, Penelope Hardy, started to ask if she was all right, but Kara simply didn’t have it in her to deal with the inevitable platitudes that would follow. All she wanted was to find a quiet place to fall apart in private. With a wave, she left the clinic, her mind in a fog of grief.
* * *
Three months ago ...
The early morningcool was welcome before the heat of day hit. Sitting on the tiny porch in front of her room, Kara took in the view. A couple of the rescue horses were running around one of the paddocks on the Healing Heroes property, stretching their legs and burning off some excess energy.
Sunlight shone on their glossy coats – coats that hadn’t been so shiny when they’d first arrived at the sanctuary. Kara was incredibly proud of everything her friend had achieved. Loved the vision Tori had and the work that she did.
This place had been as much her saving grace as any veteran who came here to learn to deal with their PTSD and find a canine companion who understood their unique circumstances and needs. When she’d asked Tori if she could come stay, the other woman hadn’t so much as hesitated to welcome her. She couldn’t believe she’d been here so long.
When she’d reached out to Tori, shattered and hurting, she’d only intended to stay a few weeks, maybe a month at the most. These past nine months had been some of the hardest of her life. While the loss of her parents at the age of five had been traumatic, Tom’s death had knocked her feet out from under her. She’d withdrawn from life, and her entire world had shrunk to the acreage that lay before her.
Tori being the stubborn, amazing, loyal friend that she was had refused to take payment from her for her stay. So instead she’d volunteered her services as the onsite veterinarian for the duration of her stay. She’d tended the dogs that were rescued and brought in, in turn saving money on vet bills for the sanctuary, allowing Tori to use the funds elsewhere.
It was during one of her clinics that a gorgeous German Shepherd had been brought in, having been abandoned on the side of the road with her five puppies. The mama dog had been starving and dehydrated, but Kara was grateful that was all that was wrong with her. They’d nearly lost one of the puppies, and in nursing the little tyke back to health, she’d fallen hopelessly and irrevocably in love with the bundle of fur.
They’d formed a strong bond in the weeks she’d tended the young dog, and already at such an early age she displayed traits needed for a therapy or service dog. Kara had named the puppy Tammy as a nod to her late husband, and Tammy always seemed to sense when she needed her most.
As she’d sunk to the ground one afternoon, unable to hold herself up under a wave of emotion that had hit out of nowhere, Tammy had crawled into her lap, licking her tears and cuddling her little body into Kara’s. The floodgates had opened, yet the dog hadn’t wavered in her attempts to bring comfort to the distressed human.
When finally the tears had stopped, the dog’s coat soaked, Kara’d known there was no way she’d be able to leave the puppy behind when the time came to return home. Making a generous donation, she’d become Tammy’s proud fur-mama.
Drinking the last mouthful of coffee, Kara reached down to scratch behind Tammy’s ears just as a vehicle came into sight, slowly steering down the drive toward the offices. Not able to tell what kind of vehicle it was from the distance, curiosity burned bright. She wondered if it was another rescue drop off.
“Come on, Tammy-girl. Lazy time’s over. Mama needs to get to the clinic.”
Stowing her coffee mug, Kara grabbed her keys and locked up behind herself. The puppy trotted along beside her as Kara took a slow stroll over to the clinic, sniffing and exploring as they went.
Dogs barking and excitedly jumping against the side of their kennels caught the puppy by surprise, and she scampered around to Kara’s other side. Laughing, Kara bent to pick up the little dog. “Up you come, sausage.”
Tori was already waiting for Kara as she let herself into the clinic. “Good morning, gorgeous. How are you today?”
Kara hugged her friend. “I’m good. Thanks, love.”
“I was talking to Tammy.”
“Smartass.” Kara swiped at Tori as the woman reached to take the puppy from her.
Snuggling the wriggling bundle, Tori laughed. “Seriously though, how are you today?”
“A little better every day. In fact, I think it’s time I headed for home. I’ve been a nuisance long enough now.”
Her friend didn’t pretend to take a swipe — she landed a hefty backhand against Kara’s shoulder. “You’re lucky I don’t kick your ass, woman. You are always welcome, and you are never a nuisance.”
