Chapter 3
What. The. Hell. He’d been so completely lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed when Skye quit looking at the shelter and instead stared at him.
What was it about her that had him thinking deep thoughts? Whatever had brought it on, he’d end it right now.
The cocky grin came automatically as he quickly covered.
“I’m fine. I was just thinking of a dog that would be perfect for you.
” He led her through two sets of doors that ensured no animals got out.
Cats often wandered the lobby, greeting everyone who came in.
“Thing is, he’s bonded to another beast of a dog, and I’m not sure separating them would be a good idea. ”
Overwhelmed, she turned in a circle to take in the giant glass-fronted room full of playful kittens.
There was a supply area for anyone who forgot the necessities when picking up their pet, and several cat towers, most with older cats stationed on them in one lazy pose or another.
“This is . . . wow. I can hear the dogs, but I don’t see them. ”
“They’re through there.” He indicated the hall, but waited until Nikki, the harried front desk manager, finished a call, then rushed over to them. “Ford, hi.”
“Hi, Nikki.” He accepted a squeezing hug from the fifty-something woman. She was tall and wiry, with short, spiky, flame-colored hair and a zest for life that encompassed not only animals, but humans, too. Ford liked her a lot. “How’s it going?”
“Busy! We’ve had a terrific adoption month.” Eyeing Skye with open curiosity, she offered, “Maybelline is still here though. Did you want to visit her?”
The name amused him. “That’s sticking, huh?”
“Of course it is. It’s perfect for her.” She said to Skye, “The first time Ford saw Maybelline, he named her, because he said no amount of cosmetics would help. She’s a sweetheart, but not the prettiest dog we’ve ever taken in.
She sure does adore Ford.” As if imparting a secret, she leaned in and whispered, “He adores her right back.”
“Aww,” Skye said, gazing at him with new, softer emotions.
He couldn’t take it. “Since I’m here, I might as well check in on her.” He nodded to Skye. “This is my neighbor, Skye Fairchild. She’s interested in adopting. Maybe while you get her info, I could sit with Maybelline.”
“She’ll be thrilled to see you.” Nikki led Skye to a chair in front of her desk and handed her a form. “Go ahead and get started on that and I’ll be right back.”
Ford saw the way Skye concentrated on the questions, her expression so earnest that his heart clenched a little at the sight of her.
As they walked away, he said to Nikki, “She’ll be an incredible pet owner.”
“You said she’s a neighbor?”
“Right next door.” Because Nikki knew him well, he promised, “I’ll keep an eye on things, too. If she needs any help, I’m there.”
Nikki smiled. “Doesn’t sound like she’s just a neighbor.”
There was nothing just about Skye Fairchild. The more he knew, the more he wanted to know. Hopefully, that wouldn’t become a problem.
Fishing, Nikki said, “She’s gorgeous, too.”
“Very.” Though Skye honestly didn’t seem to realize it.
Beyond them, the most godawful racket started, making Ford smile. Apparently, Maybelline had heard him talking. “I’m coming,” he said in a singsong voice, and the frantic howling increased.
Laughing, Nikki turned the corner with him and there she was. Maybelline, all one hundred pounds of her.
Slinging drool and dancing around on her giant paws, the dog looked as if a St. Bernard and Bigfoot had gotten together. Big, muscular, with a massive head, a few scars, and at present, a look of love in her eyes.
Seeing him, she gave a loud woof that shook the walls.
Because he loved her intelligence, he said, “Shh,” just to see one of her better tricks.
The bark changed to a low grumble deep in her throat, like an elderly person mumbling.
“Such a good girl.” Forgetting about Nikki for a moment, he said, “Maybelline, no female has ever loved me the way you do.”
Snorting at that bit of nonsense, Nikki thwacked him on the shoulder. “I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true.” Dates had mentioned love before, but it wasn’t like this. It wasn’t trust and friendship, and a need for a lifetime together.
“You know you want her. Quit fighting the inevitable.” Nikki opened the kennel door and clipped a leash to Maybelline’s collar. With her big butt going in one direction and her head and shoulders in another, the dog wagged her whole body while plowing out to see him.
She was large enough that Ford didn’t have to bend far to hug her, to repeatedly pet her head and neck, whispering soft words to her.
One day he would promise to keep her. How that’d work with his hours, he didn’t know, but if he could figure out a way, he would.
When Nikki said, “If you want to take her out, you can,” the dog nearly yanked him off his feet, lunging to the kennel next door to hers.
“I take that as a yes.”
“But she wants her friend,” Nikki pointed out with a grin.
“A sentiment that’s obviously shared.” High pitched yapping began as a much smaller dog, no more than eight pounds, spun in circles of excitement. A Chihuahua-terrier mix, he wasn’t much bigger than Maybelline’s paw, yet somehow they’d become besties.
God, he loved animals. If he had the means, he’d adopt a houseful of them. “Can I get a twofer, Nikki?”
“Shoot, yeah. If you didn’t let them out together, there’d be no end to the racket.” Because the smaller dog was sneakier than Maybelline, Nikki ducked into the kennel to attach the leash before opening the door so the wee one could join Maybelline.
It was hilarious to watch them together.
“The odd couple,” Ford said, seeing the tiny pooch jump repeatedly to reach Maybelline, only to have Maybelline run her big tongue from one end of the little dog to the other, almost toppling him over.
“I’ll take them out to the yard for a while. Let me know if Skye needs me.”
“I’ll bring her to you as soon as she’s done.”
Nodding, he used a back door to access a fenced area. Volunteers were in the side yards, where trails made it easier to teach the animals the etiquette of being walked, but back here, it was quiet with no one else around.
Maybelline was much calmer now, shortening her long strides so the smaller dog, running, could keep up. Every so often they paused to cuddle and smooch.
Honest to God, his heart was taking a battering today.
Situated beneath a shade tree was one of four picnic tables that Knox had built and donated. Hell of a guy, his buddy Knox. The man could build or repair anything, and often treated work like a vacation. He enjoyed everything he did. Ford envied him that ability.
After he took a seat, Maybelline rested her massive head over his thighs. For such a big, strong girl, she was the gentlest of creatures, and incredibly loving. She deserved a family. She probably deserved someone better than he.
So far, no one had taken her.
People looked at her and saw all the wrong things. They didn’t see her enormous capacity for love. Her sweet nature.
Her vulnerability. Her need.
And why the hell was he suddenly feeling so maudlin?
“Come on, pooch.” He patted the bench beside him, and the smaller dog jumped up, gaining access to Maybelline’s face.
Which he licked. And licked.
And licked.
“It’s getting a little gross, dude.”
Disagreeing, Maybelline sighed in bliss, closing her big brown eyes and accepting all the affection, both from him and the little dog.
“You two are quite the pair. What are we going to do when someone separates you?” He hated that thought so damn much. When you found someone you loved, who loved you back, you shouldn’t let them go. Ever.
Didn’t matter if they matched or made up the oddest pair ever.
“If only I was home a little more.”
Maybelline did that deep rumbling thing that sounded like a cross between a blender full of rocks and a cat purr. If the cat was a pissed-off lion.
“You’d like my friends.” Pretty sure they’d love Maybelline, too. Rock-solid guys, that’s what they were. And the women . . . He really enjoyed having female friends, gaining a new perspective on everything.
Probably what he felt for them was similar to what a brother would feel for a sister. Protective, affectionate, and caring without the slow burn of lust. It was comfortable.
Stroking the dog’s neck, softly playing with her ears, Ford imagined doing this every night. Maybelline would greet him when he got home from work. They’d have dinner, take a nice long walk, maybe a swim.... Did dogs swim in pools?
Maybelline would. And if not, she could sprawl on the deck.
Then they’d crash in front of the TV for a movie or something. “You’d take up the better portion of the couch, but I can get a bigger couch, no problem.”
The smaller dog made a noise, almost like a warning, and with a half grin of amusement, he stroked the little rat.
“You’d both like Rebel, too. He’s my friend’s dog.
” Absurd, but his throat got a little tight at the way the rat leaned into his hand.
“No one wanted him either, but now he has a great family.”
Stop drawing comparisons, he ordered himself—and he didn’t mean comparisons between the dogs.
“Family isn’t everything though. Good friends are the best.” As if deciding Ford was okay, the rat got into his lap and half curled around Maybelline’s head, then burrowed his face under her loose lip, using it like a blanket.
“See, like that.” Both dogs appeared content to sit in the sunshine with him, as long as they were together.
“You two are damn cute—do you know that?”