“That’s what everyone thought.”
“Except this other volunteer.”
Cade nodded. He’d learned from Preston that Hope taught at the local high school. None of his high school teachers had looked anything like her. She was a knockout, on the petite side, with auburn hair she wore shoulder length. Briefly, he wondered if she was involved with anyone, but quickly dismissed the thought. No way was he ready for a relationship, and no way would someone like Hope be interested in a loser like him.
As if realizing there was more going on than what Cade was telling him, Harry motioned toward him. “Tell me about this volunteer.”
The question drew him up short; he was unwilling to walk down this path. “What do you want to know?” he asked, as a delay tactic.
Harry shrugged as if it was of little concern. “I don’t know. Clearly she has a lot of heart.”
“And patience,” Cade added. He’d watched her move closer and closer to the kennel until all that stood between them was the wire. As the malnourished dog regained his strength, his aggression grew less pronounced with Hope’s attention and care. Shadow looked for her. As soon as Hope entered the kennel area, Shadow rose to his feet, as if greeting a queen.
“It must have taken a lot of courage for her to go into his kennel.”
Cade agreed. He wasn’t sure how she’d managed to convince Preston to let her try. He hadn’t been around at the time and hadn’t heard the details. All he knew was that on his last visit, Hope was in the yard walking Shadow. Granted, it was a short leash, and it was only the two of them. He’d been awestruck, as had the rest of the staff and volunteers. From what he’d learned, Hope had agreed to adopt Shadow.
“Yeah, she’s got plenty of that,” Cade agreed. As far as he could see, Hope had courage in spades.
“I notice you’ve increased your hours at the shelter. Is it because of…What’s this volunteer’s name?”
“Hope,” Cade answered.
The name seemed to amuse Harry. “Hope,” he repeated. “She certainly seems to be giving Shadow hope for the future.”
Cade silently agreed.
“And just perhaps, you, too,” Harry added.