Chapter 1 #2
Mitchell opened the cage and gently lifted out a white dog with the cutest face.
“This is Daisy. Her owner was killed in a car accident. The police brought her into the practice. She had hurt her leg, and we’ve gotten her fixed up and on the mend.
She is really sweet, and her leg is healing as well as we can expect.
She is always going to be a little stiff because of the injury, but she is super sweet.
” Mitchell gently put Daisy into his arms, and she settled right down.
After a few seconds, she looked up at him and that tongue licked his chin.
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart,” Tyler crooned softly. She gave him another kiss, and he smiled. “She’s got a real tongue on her, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. Daisy is a Maltese mix, probably part poodle. I’ve had a number of people look at her, but because of her leg, they always move on.
She is just as sweet as can be. But everyone wants a perfect dog.
She’s going to have trouble getting up on a bed herself, but I knew her owner.
I’ve looked after Daisy since she was a puppy. ”
Tyler looked into her big eyes and could feel himself falling in love.
“Do you want to come home with me?” Tyler asked, and Daisy licked his chin and nose.
Then she settled down into his arms and rested her head against his chest. “Okay. I’m going to take that as a yes.
” He held her gently. “I know you’re excited, but I have to set you down so I can fill out all the forms that Mitchell needs.
” The truth was, Daisy felt so good in his arms that he didn’t want to release her.
“Okay.” Mitchell led him to the desk area, and Tyler set Daisy on a blanket on one of the chairs.
Then he filled out the forms and made a donation to the shelter for the care of the other dogs.
Mitchell made sure he had the basic supplies, and Tyler took them to the car before returning for Daisy.
He placed everything into the cab of his truck and set off to take her home.
“I hope you like the house. It’s nice enough, but I’m going to have to move some things around so its doggie-proofed.” He kept talking to her as he drove through the snow before pulling into the driveway of his home.
The first thing he did was get Daisy inside, and then he brought in her things. He set up a bowl with food and one with water in the kitchen, then placed her down on the floor.
She walked slowly to the dishes and ate a little before drinking some water.
When Tyler started working in the kitchen, she made her way back to where he was pulling some things out of the refrigerator for dinner.
Daisy sat near the open refrigerator door watching him, and then, once he had warmed up his dinner, sat next to him at the table.
She didn’t beg or make a fuss, just settled at his feet as he ate.
“You really are a good dog,” Tyler told her.
As he was finishing, the doorbell rang. Daisy barked and hurried over, limping a little as she moved more quickly. She barked once more and slid back as Tyler opened the door.
“Who is this?” his neighbor, Anthony, asked, kneeling down.
“This is Daisy,” Tyler said. “I got her today at a dog rescue. I thought she could keep Mom company sometimes. She’s really sweet.
” Tyler watched as Anthony gave Daisy some attention.
Part of him was a little jealous because he had been trying to get Anthony to notice him for a few months now.
Anthony had dark hair and eyes, and Tyler wished he could say something to him, maybe ask him out or something, but he never got up the courage.
“She’s a real sweetheart,” Anthony said. “But it looks like she has a hurt leg.” He kept stroking her, and Daisy soaked it up.
“Yeah. She was in an accident. The vet said to make sure she takes it easy and not to let her jump up and down from the furniture by herself. He said she should get better but that she might always have a slight limp.”
Anthony stood back up, and Daisy came over to Tyler, looking up expectantly.
He lifted her into his arms. “Would you like a beer or something?” He wasn’t sure what had brought Anthony over, but he hoped he would stay awhile.
During the summer, Tyler had noticed on more than one occasion that Anthony tended to mow his lawn shirtless, and that was quite a sight.
“Sure.”
Tyler went to get two beers and handed one to Anthony before taking a seat. He placed Daisy on the sofa, and she settled right next to him. “Is there something you need?”
“Yeah, I guess,” Anthony said. “Ummm… I’m not sure how to ask, but I was hoping…
see, I have a work thing, and my boss is being a real dick about it.
He’s made a big deal about everyone bringing someone to the office party.
My law firm isn’t that big, and I’m hoping to make partner in the next few years.
” He took a big swig from the beer. “Anyway, I don’t have anyone to go with, and I was hoping you might want to go with me. ”
Tyler was shocked. He and Anthony had waved and said hello through the summer and fall, but they hadn’t talked much. Maybe that was because Anthony was just really busy. “When is the party?”
“On the eighteenth, and I’d understand if you’d rather not go with me.
I mean, we say hello and stuff, but I’ve been so busy that we never really get a chance to talk.
But you were always nice, and you helped me out when that tree fell across my driveway and I needed to get to work.
” Anthony seemed a little tightly wound.
“Sure. I’d like to go.” He had forgotten all about the tree incident. “I’m free that day. What sort of dress is it?”
Anthony sighed. “Black tie. I should have said that earlier. I can pay for a rental for you if—”
“I have a tux. A few years ago I had three cousins get married in the same year, so I bought a tux and wore it to all the weddings rather than renting one. It also saved me from having to rent one of those godawful gray things with a purple shirt. So yeah, I’d like to go. Do you want to pick me up?”
“Yeah. That would be great.” Anthony leaned back in the chair, more relaxed.
Daisy snuggled closer, and Tyler gently stroked down her back, wondering how he’d gotten a dog and a date on the same day.
Though this was probably just him helping a neighbor with a work thing.
Tyler needed to remind himself not to get too ahead of things.
He was going with Anthony to a work event.
It wasn’t like he had been invited to a romantic evening at a fancy restaurant or anything.
It was just dinner. And yet, every time he looked at Anthony, he couldn’t help but hope that it meant just a little more.