Chapter 14
Another two weeks flew by with the same schedule. Scarlett ate with Sledge, met for PT, service dog training, and then worked at the community center. Debbie always greeted her and took her under her wing.
“A couple of the kids have come down with the flu. They can’t serve the food.
Can I count on you to help pass out the frozen meals?
On the weekends, we close right after lunch.
Usually, we do inventory for the following month, but since José and Lucas will be leaving us soon, we’re coming in early on Sunday,” Debbie said, giving her the instructions.
She stood against the wall, greeting families as they came in for the extra food. The strong scent of cologne filled her nose at the same time as Jeremy approached the table.
“I’ll take a casserole,” he said gruffly.
“There you go. Did you want some frozen rolls to go with it?” she asked pleasantly.
“Put them in the bag,” he ordered. “Did the Winters send you down here to make everyone see the good they’re doing? What’s more pathetic than a blind chick serving food?”
“I…I, no,” she said, surprised by his outburst.
“Jeremy, you’re holding up the line,” Barb said firmly. “I have fresh, hot chili over here.”
Debbie moved to Scarlett’s side. Like a protective mother hen, her voice turned stern. “I don’t care for your tone. Scarlett volunteers like the rest of us and you have no business harassing her.”
“I’m fine,” Scarlett shoved the food at him. “Have a great weekend.”
Debbie tsked as he walked away. “I don’t know what’s gotten into that man. He used to come in and help with the kids. Over the last year, he seems mad at the world. He didn’t scare you, did he?”
“No. He didn’t,” she murmured as another family approached. She smiled and greeted them, passing out the food.
When she finished, Sledge picked her up. “How did your day go?”
“Good. What about you?” she asked.
“Kim and my baby girl called. They’re coming up again for another weekend.”
She heard the excitement in his voice. “Oh, I can’t wait to meet them. Kassie asked me to come to a party next Saturday night. It felt kinda weird to say no, but I’m not sure why she asked me.”
“When I arrived, she invited me to dinner with the team. They take hands on to a whole new level,” he said as he drove past the parking lot.
“Wait, where are we going? You passed the hospital,” she exclaimed.
“I’m supposed to take you someplace else,” he said mysteriously. A minute later, he stopped the van and opened the door. He went around, helping her out.
“Why did we stop?” she asked.
“Trust me, Sassy P,” he said, leading her up the sidewalk.
They walked into the training center, and Scarlett scowled. “I already did PT today and worked with Ice. Have you lost your mind?”
“Surprise!” The room echoed with voices, and she stopped in midstride.
Allie approached and took her hand. “We wanted to celebrate your work here. You’ve done a great job.”
“You celebrate everyone?” she asked, confused.
“No. We celebrate when we partner a service dog with his handler. You two have done amazingly together. Ice may officially go home with you tonight.”
Scarlett’s mouth dropped open. Her heart raced at hearing Ice barking his way down the hall from the crates. He ran directly to her and she knelt, petting and rubbing him excitedly. She hated every time she left him.
Allie commanded him to sit. “Here are the rules. You still must attend training. He’s to go everywhere with you.
Lisa explained your rights. I doubt you’ll get any flak from anyone here, but we want you and him to work on bonding.
When you come here, we work, then we give him playtime.
Don’t let him loose in places that aren’t secured.
I know it seems simple, but it’s about learning and adjusting. ”
“Did you hear them, Ice? You can return to the hospital with me. Oh, I don’t have a bed, food, or toys. Sledge, can you take me to the store?”
“Don’t worry, Scarlett,” Lisa said. “We packed enough food to get you through Monday. Candy will take you to town and work with you there. Ice has his favorite toys with him and I have a copy of his medical records for you.”
Scarlett took the harness from Lisa and secured it to Ice, without any issues. Excitement filled her, knowing how great they worked together.
“I’ll take this stuff to the van. Come out when you’re ready, Sassy P. I gotta get a picture of you for Rocker, showing you sashaying out of here like a pro,” Sledge said, his voice full of pride.
“Thanks, Sledge. I couldn’t have done this without you, Rocker, and Rayne.”
“You’ve saved our asses enough times. Consider it our thank you,” he said, before taking everything outside.
“Keep our number on you at all times. If he somehow gets loose, he has a tracker on and a chip,” Allie informed her. “Spend this time bonding and getting comfortable with taking him out. You’ll run into more questions while you’re out in the real world.”
Scarlett hugged her. “Thank you, Allie. I’ll take great care of him.”
She took his harness with one hand and her cane with the other and walked out all by herself. A sense of relief came over her and her confidence soared, knowing she didn’t have to depend on anyone. She and Ice were a team, and for the first time since the accident, she didn’t feel like a burden.
When Scarlett returned to the hospital, she hurried to her room. Sledge carried all of Ice’s things inside and helped her get everything set up. The van left in an hour to take her to the community center.
“Shoot,” she exclaimed out loud. In all her excitement, Scarlett forgot about going to the movies with Ty. What if he didn’t want to take a dog with them to watch the film or have Ice in his truck?
A light tap on the door caught her attention. “Congratulations, Scarlett,” Kassie said. “I heard you and Ice officially graduated.”
“Thank you. Do you by chance have Ty’s number? He volunteered to bring me home this evening, and I didn’t know I’d get to bring Ice back with me.”
“If you’ll give me your phone, I can add his contact information. Then, I’ll dial it for you. I’m headed back to my office to feed the twins, but I wanted to tell you we’re very happy for you and Ice,” Kassie told her as Scarlett handed over her cell phone.
Kassie added the digits, pressed send, and handed it to Scarlett before leaving. The phone rang three times before Ty picked up.
“Hello,” he answered.
“Hi. It’s Scarlett. I’m afraid I’ll need to cancel this evening. They let me bring my service dog to the hospital today.”
Ty remained silent for a moment, making her uneasy.
“Are you cancelling because you’re nervous about taking him to the theatre?” he asked.
“No. When I accepted the invitation, I didn’t know they planned to graduate us to full-time.
It’s not fair to ask you to drag along my dog, too,” she admitted softly, feeling discouraged about cancelling.
She and Ice came as a team, and they needed to have each other’s six. She refused to go without him.
“Scarlett, do you and Ice want to go to the movies?” he asked gently.
“Yes,” she answered truthfully.
“Then I will pick you both up after your shift,” Ty emphasized. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“We’ll see you then,” she said, hanging up the phone. Scarlett placed a hand on her midsection, feeling the butterflies flittering in her stomach. “It appears you and I have a movie date tonight, Ice. Shall we grab some lunch before work?”
Ice nuzzled her hand. Scarlett rose, making sure she carried poop bags, his dinner ration, and his water bowl.
After lunch, they boarded the van and reported to work. As if the entire town knew about her and Ice’s pairing, everyone congratulated her. The day seemed to fly by and before she knew it, Debbie informed her Ty waited in the dining room.
Scarlett fed Ice his dinner, then took him out to the back of the community center for a bathroom break. When she entered and washed her hands, they walked together toward the front to find Ty.
“Hello, Scarlett,” he said, approaching her left side.
“Hi. I want you to meet Ice, my service dog,” she said, uneasily.
“May I pet him?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“Hi, Ice. It’s nice to meet you. Scarlett failed to tell me what a handsome boy you are,” he said, petting him behind the ears briefly. “I made dinner for us and have a little patio in the back, enclosed with heaters. Do you need anything for Ice before we go?” he asked.
“No. We’re good. I fed him before we came to find you. I’ll need to take him for another potty break before the movies,” she explained.
“I know the perfect spot. Shall we get going?” Ty asked.
Scarlett nodded, still unsure about how all this might work. She signaled Ice to lead her out. Ty fell to her right side and took her hand as they strolled down the sidewalk and around the back of his restaurant.
“I’ll be right back,” he assured her as they entered the covered gazebo. She felt the heat from the small outdoor furnace. “There’s enough room for Ice to go under the table or sit next to you, whichever you prefer,” he informed before leading her to a chair.
Scarlett sat and signaled for Ice to sit beside her. A few minutes later, Ty appeared with one of his staff. They set two trays on the table and his employee left.
“I have water for Ice,” he told her as he removed the covers from the plates.
Scarlett removed the water bowl, and Ty filled it halfway. She placed it near her four-legged friend, who seemed entirely at ease with his new surroundings.
“Thank you. It’s cozy back here,” she said, reaching for her napkin. “What did you make us tonight?”
“Since we’re eating junk food later, I made us farmer salads and your choice of shrimp, chicken, or salmon. I didn’t think you wanted a heavy meal before you taste my popcorn masterpiece,” he said, placing a salad before her.
“You bet I don’t. I’m open to all new experiences,” she told him as she felt for her silverware on her right.
“What type of meat do you prefer?” he asked.
“May I please have the salmon? After you mentioned Bear brought it from Alaska, I wondered if it tasted different from what you get at regular restaurants. There’s no telling how long it stayed frozen there.”
“Bear usually goes twice a year to Alaska. Since he’s married to Julie, started working for Leo, and Tommy’s in school, I don’t know when he’ll go,” Ty said, serving the fish.
“What will you do if you run out?” she asked, leaning in and inhaling the aroma. Everything he made seemed like a culinary masterpiece.
“I have a supplier in Seattle, but I prefer Bear’s business. How did your first day go with Ice?” he asked, sounding eager to hear about her experience.
“Everyone congratulated us, and Ice behaved beautifully. They told me I’ll have more questions as we navigate going places.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt more self-conscious.
It’s not him, I’m afraid I’ll do something wrong.
They prepared me for everything, but I’m worried someone might get offended by us.
Allie mentioned an incident she experienced and she’s a pro. ”
Ty placed a glass of tea beside her plate. “The way I see it, Ice resembles an extension of your left hand. He’s a part of you and no different than a wheelchair, a walker, or an oxygen tank. If someone can’t accept he’s a medical necessity, then they have the problem, not you.”
“What about people who have an allergy to dogs? I hope I don’t run into any of them,” she sighed.
“Eventually, you will. It doesn’t change anything.
I know you don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, but have you ever thought of how you might feel if you found yourself in the middle of the road with no cane or anyone to help you?
It’s not about entitlement. If you have the opportunity to stay away from someone without sacrificing your safety or his, then I know you’ll do the right thing,” he assured her.
“Thank you,” she murmured as she mixed the dressing in her salad.
“For what?” he asked.
“For making me see this in a different light,” she confided.
“Don’t dwell on the problem, Scarlett, work around it. You’re a smart woman. Everyone’s talking about how quickly you and Ice were paired and how well you made a great team. In the meantime, let’s eat. We have popcorn and candy waiting for us,” he coaxed.
She picked up her fork, marveling at how a man like Ty remained single.
He turned her fears into solutions without making her feel dumb or silly.
After their initial greeting, he ignored her dog and focused on her.
He made her feel normal and capable of doing anything.
She only hoped she lived up to his hype.