Page 7 of Wandering Souls

Bruce tilted his head to the side, his ears twitching as if trying to understand her words. Somehow, she suspected the innocence hid a very cheeky side character.

Abi ended the call without leaving a message. She secured the leash to the pole of the veranda and went inside to fetch her car keys. As she locked the cottage, Hollywood stepped into view. He appraised the dog with a half-smile before giving Bruce a pat.

“I see you found a companion on your walk.”

She chuckled and released the lead. “I think he found me. He belongs to someone named Ray Wells. Do you know him?”

He nodded. “Local copper. You’ll probably find him at the station in town.”

She remembered driving by it on her way here. “I’ll take him in. I’m sure Mr. Wells is wondering what happened to his dog.”

Hollywood took a breath and looked at her, as if trying to figure her out. “Do you need anything, Abi? Can I help in any way?”

Abi led Bruce to her Jeep and opened the passenger door. The dog leapt up into the vehicle without hesitation and waited. “That’s very kind, Hollywood, and I appreciate your offer. Right now, the fresh air, sunshine and quiet are doing wonders.”

His jaw squared and a muscle twitched as he contemplated her reply. Galahs flew overhead, shrieking loudly. Abi glanced upward to see their pink chests and gray wings streak across the sky. Had he done his research on her? Did he know why she was really here? Dropping her head, she smiled at him and hoped he was the honorable man she’d read about.

He gave a small, gentle nod. “I’m here when you need. Do you want me to call ahead to the station and let them know you’re on your way?”

She swung the passenger door closed, being careful that Bruce was well inside. “I already tried. Maybe I’ll get to give Mr. Wells a nice surprise.”

He laughed and nodded. “Give him my regards while you’re there.”

They rounded the bonnet of the all-wheel-drive and he held her door as she climbed in behind the wheel. “Will do.” She fastened her seatbelt and took a breath. “I’m fine, Hollywood. I have some flashbacks every now and then, and this leg hasn’t finished healing, but I will be okay. I just need some time.”

His smile widened and he stepped back to shut her door. Abi rolled down the window. “That’s why I built this place. In the meantime, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

So he’d said before. She wondered what he saw when he looked at her. She slid the key into the ignition and started the engine. “Thank you, again.”

“Anytime, Abi. See you later?”

She nodded and released the park brake. In the seat beside her, Bruce stared eagerly out the front window. “Copy that.”

It only took her ten minutes to reach the nearest town, Wills Crossing. Its quaint Main Street was lined by square buildings reminiscent of 1970s Australia, though there were glimpses of contemporary culture here and there. Some of the newer architecture clashed with the old, like the police station. Its glass and concrete structure stood in stark contrast to the weatherboard buildings around it.

Abi pulled up at the curb out front and stopped the engine. Beside her, Bruce turned to the passenger side window and pressed his nose to the glass. His solid body moved as his tail wagged in anticipation.

Reaching over, she buried her fingers in his coat and scratched lightly. His head swiveled toward her, his blue eyes full of hope and trust. When she smiled, he did a full three-sixty-degree spin in the seat and leaned across the console to touch his nose to her cheek.

The seemingly innocent contact brought tears to her eyes. Her throat tightened and she had to resist the urge to hug the dog. In the short time she’d known him, his company completely distracted her and gave her something else to think about.

“Are you ready?”

Bruce blinked at her.

“Hopefully your owner is here.”

She pushed open the door and sucked in a breath at the chilly air invading the cab. When her feet hit the road, she grimaced as pain rocketed through her thigh. Maybe she’d been overzealous with her walk, but then, she might never have come across Bruce. She turned back toward the dog and beckoned him to cross the seats. He came, waiting until she took his lead before jumping down.

Walking him along the path to the sliding doors of the police station, Abi felt a strange sense of nostalgia overwhelm her. Knowing her father had once been a cop drew a weird connection to this place that made no sense at all, but her heart wouldn’t hear reason. She half expected him to appear on the other side of the doors ready to greet her, which was just crazy.

She blinked in surprise to find the foyer empty when the doors slid open. Chuckling at herself, she led Bruce into the warm building and smiled at the older woman with the purple Dame Edna glasses behind the counter. Probably in her fifties, the brunette smiled down at Bruce and then at Abi.

“Boy oh boy, is he in trouble.”

Abi opened her mouth to speak but the woman disappeared through a doorway, leaving them alone in reception. The dog nudged her hand, drawing her attention.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered, scratching his ears. “I’ve got your back.”