Chapter 7
Jesse
The dog was lying on Laida’s lap the entire ride home. I said, “He really likes you.” Laida just kept quietly rubbing his head and coat, smiling, and staring down at… Then I realized, “He needs a name!”
“What?” she asked, daydreaming.
“He needs a name. What should we call him?”
Laida looked up at me and said, “Thank you.”
“We should call him thank you?”
She laughed. “No, I mean, thank you. Thank you for coming by and helping me. I know you weren’t going to come by until tomorrow. I appreciate it, so much.”
Smiling back at her, I said, “Of course. I’m just glad he’s ok. So! What about a name?”
Laida stared down at him. “Hmmm. What if we just start saying names, and whatever name he responds to will be his name?”
Letting out a chuckle, I said, “I like that idea. How about Ace?” No response.
“Well, that’s not his name.” Laida laughed hard, and it made me giggle. Her laugh was warm and cheerful. She was so content at that moment.
She went next. “Maverick?” Nothing.
We took turns calling out names hoping something would stick and he would respond. “Ranger.” No dice.
“Scout.” She shook her head when he didn’t move.
I tried, “Bear.”
Laida scoffed, “Bear? Who would name their dog, Bear?”
Shrugging I reasoned, “I don’t know. A lot of people name their dog, Bear. Especially if it’s a big dog.”
She smirked, “Good point, but it doesn’t look like it’s his favorite. He’s got this copper and white coat. What does he look like?” She asked me.
“Marble, maybe.” Our furry friend chuffed in disgust.
Laida shook her head ‘no’ again and brought up, “He looks like Rust.” As soon as she said it, he picked his head up. “Is that your name? Rust?” Then he laid his head back down. “We must be close. Did you see him perk up?”
Shocked, I agreed, “I did. What about Rusty?” When I said that, his tail started wagging uncontrollably, his head perked up, and he started licking my face.
Laida was so ecstatic she started squealing.
“Rusty! Your name is Rusty?!” Rusty turned toward her and practically climbed up her shoulder, licked her face, and tried to bury himself in her arms. “Wow!!! That foot isn’t bothering him too badly.
Alright, Rusty, calm down.” Every time she said his name, he got even more excited and snuggled himself back into her.
We stopped at the store to get a leash, food, kennel, bed, bowls, some toys, and dental treats.
Laida stayed in the truck with him while I shopped.
Whatever we were missing, we could pick up later.
When I came out, they were asleep on the front seat.
I set everything in the back of the truck and quietly got inside.
Rusty barely moved. He opened his eyes and lifted his head to acknowledge me but then laid it back down on Laida’s lap.
She had one her arm draped over his body and was leaning against the door.
It was a quiet ride the rest of the way home.
Home. It seemed like an absurd thought since we hadn’t even solidified if we were dating yet, but it did feel that way.
It was an easy thought with Laida. I hadn’t considered being with another woman since my ex, but Laida is special.
There is something different about her and I find myself thinking of her every second of the day.
From the moment I saw her in the firehouse, I knew she was someone I wanted to know more about.
She’s quiet and a little reserved but was slowly opening up to me.
We really hadn’t been able to spend much time together since that first week that I met her.
Still, there was chemistry in that kiss, but it was scary at the same time.
I didn’t know if I was ready to date again.
I wanted to spend more time with her. Work was settling down and my routine was set, so I was optimistic that it would be easier. My mind kept drifting back to my hand on her leg and her hand on top of mine at the Vet’s office. The touch was electric and we both felt it.
I finally pulled down the long gravel road to her farm. When I parked the truck, Rusty hopped up and nudged Laida with his nose under her chin. “Hey… oh my goodness, I fell asleep.”
Smiling at her, I said, “I didn’t have the heart to wake you. You’ve had a long day.”
“So have you. I’m sorry this monopolized your evening.”
I fixed my eyes on hers. I didn’t want to mince words.
“I can’t think of better way to spend my night.
” The connection with Laida felt instant and I hadn’t been able to shake it.
It was frustrating being so damn busy at work that I couldn’t spend as much time as I would’ve liked with her.
I love my job, and for a long time, it’s been all I’ve needed, but meeting Laida changed that.
As we got out of the truck, I grabbed Rusty’s new things. Laida started walking with Rusty toward the porch and he was walking fine. The doctor was right, so I breathed a sigh of relief.
Rusty started pacing once we got inside and I had a feeling he was thirsty, so we got him all set up with a bowl of water and some food.
He started scarfing the food and lapping the water up as soon as we laid it down.
Poor guy must’ve been starving. Laida said, “I’d like to kennel train him just until we can get him into a routine.
This is so unexpected, and the house is still a construction zone. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
In agreement, I said, “Yeah, that makes sense. He’ll be okay.”
After we let him outside to do his business for the night, I put him in his bed, inside the kennel, closed the door, and put a blanket over it to keep him warm.
I had a dog growing up and learned that dogs see their family as their pack.
If you completely shut them off from their new pack, it won’t be long before they start whimpering, so I left the blanket cracked a little.
This way he could still see us and didn’t feel alone.
Rusty watched us through weary eyes as we made small talk, and within minutes, he was snoring.
Laida said, “I’m exhausted. And I stink. I never did get to shower after working in the yard.”
That was my cue she was ready to be alone. “Right. Well, I’ll go…” but she cut me off before I could finish.
“Do you want to stay for a while? I have wine and some snacks. I just need to shower. I’ll be quick, but I totally get it if you’re busy.”
Not wanting to miss the opportunity to spend more time with her, I eagerly answered, “No! No… I mean, I’d love to stay for a drink.”
She blushed, “Make yourself at home. You know your way around. I’ll be back down soon.”
I watched her turn and go upstairs. All I could think about was that she was about to be naked in the room above me, and I wanted to follow her.