Chapter 9 Ben #2
“I’ve tried not to get my heart set on too many details up front,” Ben admitted. “I was hoping it would be one of those ‘love at first sight’ things and we’d just know the right one.”
Erik nodded. “I like that. Almost letting the dog pick us. When do you want to go? How about first thing in the morning?”
“Really?” Ben felt poleaxed, but his heart thudded in excitement. “Oh, my God.”
Erik laughed. “Yes. Unless you’ve got something else going on. We don’t have anything coming up for the next while, so we could be home to get everyone settled in. Before we have the next potentially world-ending supernatural catastrophe.”
Ben stepped forward and kissed Erik on the lips. “I love you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Erik kissed him back. “You know, we need to decide if the dog gets to sleep on the bed. I’ve heard that dogs can be almost as disruptive to sexy times as small children.”
“Long-lasting chew toys. Bribery is a great distraction,” Ben said. “I’ve gotten tips from other couples. We’ll figure it out.” Ben threw his arms around Erik. “We’re getting a dog!”
Tired as they were, despite the late hour, Ben couldn’t help looking around the apartment as they got ready for bed.
“We could put the dog bed there, or there.” He pointed to the foot of their bed or a nearby corner. “Food dish and water bowl can go in the kitchen nook, where we won’t trip over them. We’ll find out what the shelter has been feeding it and pick up some of that food for starters.”
“We can ask around for a good vet,” Erik added as he stripped out of his clothes and pulled on sleep shorts and a T-shirt.
Ben watched him disrobe appreciatively, knowing that they were both too tired to do anything strenuous tonight. Even the buzz of excitement over becoming dog parents would fade, and they would crash and burn with exhaustion after all that had happened.
“We’ll need a ball, toys, a collar and leash, plus a harness for in the car.” Ben stripped and dressed for bed.
“Didn’t know you were into that,” Erik teased.
Ben rolled his eyes. “Stuff for a bath—for the dog. And we need to find out about dog training classes. It’s a big commitment.”
Erik pulled him close. “It is. And we’re up to it. But I’m dead on my feet. So try to stop bouncing, and let’s get some sleep so we can get to the morning faster.”
Ben kissed him again. “I’m going to see if I can put myself to sleep thinking of dog names like counting sheep.”
They climbed into bed and kissed again, slower this time but without heat or urgency. Just being warm and comfortable helped to slow Ben’s racing thoughts, and he felt the exertion of the last few days begin to take its toll.
Ben woke in the morning, having slept like a rock. Nightmares didn’t wake him, and neither did an adrenaline surge about going to look for a dog. With the dome and the window safely gone and their attackers in custody, they didn’t have to worry about mobsters outside their door, at least for now.
“You were really zonked,” Erik said as Ben dragged himself to the bathroom. “Or maybe I was. I didn’t hear a peep.”
“We were both exhausted,” Ben admitted as he reached for his toothbrush. “But I’m still excited for today.”
“I checked the shelter hours,” Erik told him after they had both showered and dressed. “By the time we finish breakfast and drive over, they should be open. There’s a whole process for would-be dog parents.”
“I read it.” Ben made coffee while they talked. “As far as they know, we have normal, safe, boring jobs without any supernatural stuff or Mafia hitmen.”
“We do have normal, safe, boring jobs,” Erik countered. “The ghosts and the Mob are extracurriculars.”
“Like hobbies?” Ben joked.
Erik rolled his eyes. “Some people watch crime dramas. We just take that a couple of steps further.”
“They want us to describe what our normal schedule is, and they’ll ask questions about what we want to do, like hike, go boating, that sort of thing, to make suggestions about what sort of dogs might or might not like that,” Ben continued.
“Then we get to play with the dogs and see if we find love at first sight.”
“We’re clearly going to need to lie about our normal schedule, at least what it’s been like recently,” Erik pointed out. “Ghosts, mediums, magic, and Mafia shoot-outs probably won’t make a good impression.”
“I’m sure we can sound boring and normal if we really try,” Ben replied.
“You know it might take more than one visit,” Erik cautioned. “I don’t want you to be disappointed if we don’t find the right match immediately. We can go back as many times as we need to, and check some of the shelters in the area too.”
“Is that just good advice or do you have a sixth sense about it?” Ben asked.
“I feel hopeful, but nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone I’ve ever talked to about adopting said that they knew when they saw their forever pup. I’m trying to stay open to possibilities.”
Ben leaned in and kissed him. “You’re going to be an awesome dog father.”
“Isn’t that the movie with Al Pacino?” Erik quipped.
Ben checked his watch after they finished eating. “They should be open by now. Come on, let’s go!”
Despite knowing that the mobsters were in custody and their plainclothes escort had ended, Ben couldn’t help checking for a tail as they drove. He didn’t relax until they reached their destination without spotting anything amiss.
The drive wasn’t long, but Ben’s thoughts raced.
“I know our lives are still dangerous, but I wasn’t leaning toward a guard dog like a German Shepherd or a Doberman.
They can be great companions, and if that’s what we fall for, I’m okay with it, but I guess I’m just saying that I was thinking of a pampered pet. ”
Erik chuckled. “I’m fine with that. I was thinking along the same lines. And when I checked the dogs they had on their website, none of them looked like a hound of hell.”
“Is there some way to make sure a dog isn’t a shifter?” Ben asked. “That would be awkward.”
“Mark Wojcik has a friend who’s a werewolf,” Erik recalled, thinking about their hunter friend in Pennsylvania.
“He hangs out with Mark’s Doberman. As for being able to tell, iron and silver would probably work.
Some people say their eyes flash gold. But I think I’ve got enough psychic mojo to get a read,” Erik continued.
“I’m also thinking that a shifter wouldn’t get along well with the regular dogs, so maybe don’t pick the one all the others are afraid of. ”
“Do you pick up anything from your touch magic when you pet an animal?” Ben asked.
Erik thought for a moment before answering.
“My psychometry works best on objects, not living creatures. When I touch a person, I can’t read their mind.
I’ll probably be able to pick up on whether they’re hiding something or faking their mood better than just observing them, but I won’t get their whole life history. ”
“That’s probably a good thing,” Ben agreed. They had talked about Erik’s abilities early in their relationship, and while Ben had initially been wary, he had come to appreciate Erik’s insights as a secondary form of communication.
“With animals, it’s a little different,” Erik said. “I think it helps me pick up more on their mood than usual, and I’ve wondered if they actually read more from me than I do from them.”
“I guess that will factor in to finding a dog that is comfortable with your ‘something extra’ as well as ghosts,” Ben replied. “They say animals are sensitive to spirits. It would be nice to find a dog who takes ghosts and magic in stride. Don’t want to traumatize the poor creature.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Ben was glad that Erik drove, because he was too fidgety to concentrate. When they parked and got out, Erik came around and pulled Ben into a hug. “Relax. We will find the right dog when the time is right. It’s gotta be easier than dating.”
Considering the disastrous relationships both of them had before they met and fell in love, Ben had to concede that Erik had a good point.
“Hi! Welcome to the Cape Shelter. I’m Valerie. How can we help you?” A smiling young woman with a long dark braid greeted them when they entered.
“We want to adopt a dog.” Ben hoped he didn’t sound as nervous as he felt.
“Fantastic! We have quite a few to choose from, and new dogs come in almost every day. I just need to get you to fill out a form, and then I’ll take you back and introduce you.”
The shelter was clean and bright, with soothing music playing.
He suspected that the volunteers and staff loved working with animals and had a commitment to the cause that gave the whole place a good vibe.
Ben and Erik sat down at a desk and huddled together to fill out the short form. Valerie beamed when they turned it in.
“This all looks great. Are you ready to meet the pups?”
Ben felt his heartbeat tick up, and Erik squeezed his hand. “Absolutely!”
“We bring all the dogs in together so you can watch how they interact with other pups, and see them in an environment where they’re comfortable,” Valerie told them.
“Hang back and let them approach you. That tends to work better than trying to attract attention or going up to them. Let them sniff you. You’ll know if there’s magic. ”
Ben tried not to flinch at the word, hoping for good chemistry but definitely not magic.
The playroom had white walls, plenty of light, and lots of toys strewn around the floor. A door opened, and a dozen dogs of all sizes poured through, leaping, yipping, and barking.
“Just one,” Erik cautioned under his breath. “We can’t take all of them.”
Ben realized that, even if his heart said differently. He smiled because Erik knew him so well.
A sleek black lab was the first to approach, half-grown and leggy. He looked at them with soulful eyes and allowed a few ear scratches before gamboling off to play with the others.
“He’s cute,” Erik said. “Probably going to get a lot bigger.”