Page 11 of Tethered Hearts

“Isn’t he adorable?”

Matt’s jaw dropped as his aunt held the dog to her cheek and nuzzled it.

“Well?”

“He’s … cute, I guess.” He’d never been an animal person, only because he’d never had the time. If he were, he would definitely choose a dog over a cat, purely for their loyalty.

“Here.”

Without any warning, Matt found himself with the squirming bundle of white fur on his lap. Two paws landed on the middle of his chest. Its tongue darted out and a wet swipe to his chin made Matt wince. The dog yapped again and then blew a hot breath in his ear as it sniffed its way around his body.

“What are you going to call him?” Aunt Helen sank into the sofa, her face aglow with delight.

“Me? Why do I have to name him?”

“Because he’s yours.”

“Mine?” Matt spluttered, jerking as the pup’s wet nose connected with his cheek. Admittedly, he was pretty cute. And soft. But how was he supposed to look after a dog when he couldn’t walk? Just tie a lead to his wheelchair and follow along behind? How stupid would that look going around the neighbourhood?

“I thought he’d be a good companion for you, as well as a good distraction from everything. Isn’t he gorgeous?”

Black, soulful eyes peered up at Matt from beneath white bangs. How was it even possible for a dog to have bangs?

“How do you expect me to look after him?” He gave his aunt a bland look. If she was expecting him to miraculously leap out of his chair, she was wrong.

“We’ll figure it out. It doesn’t take much effort to play fetch in the yard. I can take him walking and …” She shrugged. “You do what you can do.”

Which wasn’t much. Still, the dog was kind of cute. A terrier of some sort. The soft sighs coming from his mouth and the way he’d curled up in Matt’s lap made him chuckle. His earlier skepticism gave way to the curious possibility that this could be a good idea. “Hey there, buddy.”

Yes, they could easily be friends.

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