Page 41 of Wandering Souls

Chapter Eight

Abi wrapped her fingersaround the tempered glass coffee cup to stay warm. The hot liquid steamed in the cold morning air but she focused on the group on the large oval playing field. Perhaps one hundred grassy meters separated her from them, putting them mostly out of earshot. Droplets of dew sparkled on blades of grass in the early light as the small gathering moved into a circle formation. A man stood in the center, addressing each of the others. Beside the humans, sat obedient dogs of all breeds.

She watched the young boy tug on a leash connected to a chocolate-colored Labrador. They backed out of the formation, completed a full circle of the group at a jog and then resumed their place, the Lab promptly sitting by the boy’s feet. Impressive, considering the kid looked to be barely ten, but Labrador’s loved to obey and please their owners.

The instructor pointed to an elderly woman and Abi felt herself gasp at the thought of the white-haired woman jogging around the circle. She sipped her coffee and watched as the old lady and the little corgi did exactly that. The pooch’s round bottom jiggled the entire way around, raising a chuckle out of Abi. Everyone else in the circle performed the stunt to perfection and when it finally came time for Ray complete the task, she held her breath.

Had Bruce finally started obeying commands? Or would he scamper off again and embarrass Ray?

To her surprise, man and beast moved as one, stepping back, turning and running at a fast clip around the group until they found their place again. Ray spoke to the dog and Bruce first sat, then dropped down onto his belly. Rewarded with a treat, Bruce looked up at his owner with big blue eyes that desired praise. Ray nodded and scratched him behind the ear.

Abi wanted to cheer them on but she dared not, fearing she’d distract them both. Instead, she took small sips of the hot drink as a cold wind whipped through the lines of spectator seating. Tucking her free hand under her armpit, she watched for another twenty minutes, admiring the way Ray interacted with Bruce. It seemed their relationship had grown from escape-artist and would-be-catcher, to man and his best friend. Joy gathered behind her sternum, warming her from the inside-out.

A half hour later, the group broke, turning toward the club rooms beside the grandstand where she sat. It didn’t take long for Bruce to spot her. Seeing the dog zero in on her, Ray smiled. He gave Bruce a command and they sped up to a jog, covering the distance in no time.

“Morning!” she called as Ray led Bruce from the grassed arena through the gate to the bleachers.

“Go.” He dropped the leash and the pooch made a beeline for her.

Abi set her coffee on the seat beside so she could catch him, he came at her with such speed, but she needn’t have worried. About the same size as a Labrador, Bruce leapt up onto the seat next to her and pushed his nose into her hair. The cold snout made her giggle and the slobber sent a shiver through her. Happy licks and excited barks delighted her.

“Down, Bruce.” Ray’s gentle command saw the dog back to the ground. “This is a wonderful surprise,” he murmured, sitting beside her. Green eyes sparkled and a wide smile greeted her. The stark white bandage on his cheek caught her attention.

“You never told me what breed of dog he is.”

“Australian Shepherd. Like a cattle dog, they like to herd and round things up. A lot of energy, as you know.”

Abi scratched Bruce behind the ears. “You two looked good out there.”

He gave a nod before wrapping an arm over her shoulders. The unexpected hug gave her a pleasant thrill. His warm body called to her and she slid her arms around his torso to return the gesture. Ray embraced her completely, giving her a sense of safety.

After seeing her to her cottage and starting a fire in the wood heater, he’d stayed later than she would have thought. He’d encouraged her to talk and the ease with which she’d confided her feelings about meeting her father shocked her. She put it all down to Ray’s easy-going manner. He had a way about him that allowed her to open up. It probably made him a great detective and while it scared her to be so honest, she felt safe with him.

He’d proven it too many times already, and they hadn’t even known each other a week. When he got up to leave, sometime after midnight, she remembered the disappointment that flowed through her. Wanting his company felt foreign and yet remarkably right.

“Did you sleep well?” he whispered at her ear.

She squeezed him in response. Her first night without a nightmare or flashback in months was pure bliss. “I did.”

He chuckled and pulled back, his hands sliding down her arms before disconnecting. “Why do I get the impression that’s an understatement?”

Touché.She inclined her head in acknowledgment of his insight. “Can I buy you breakfast?”

His face lit up. “That is music to my ears.”

He stood and offered her an elbow. Abi retrieved her glass travel cup and rose. Arm in arm, they made their way out of the Wills Crossing Showgrounds. He greeted several passers-by as they strolled along the pavement. Main Street buzzed with early morning shoppers. Bruce padded beside her, his company as reassuring as that of his owner.

Instead of the bakery, they entered a café. A fire crackled in the hearth and morning diners eagerly chomped on enormous plates of eggs, bacon, ham, beans and sausage. No one paid any mind to Bruce joining them, for which she was glad. The aroma and sounds of sizzling fry pans whet her appetite. They found a corner booth. Ray waited for her to get comfortable before sliding in beside her.

His thigh touched hers under the table, and he glanced at her sideways. Abi bit her lip but her smile wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Sorry,” he hummed, “I should respect your personal space.”

She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. “And yet, you’re still in it.”

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