31. Jensen
31
JENSEN
N essa had practically floated into the house after meeting with Coach Turner. She’d had a lightness about her that I hadn’t seen since she’d come to Blackstone Falls.
After changing into clothes to coach and practice in, she’d run back out the door, promising to meet me at the Merry Pawmas Adoptathon at Vetted Paws after she showered. She’d been so excited about coaching that she hadn’t asked too many details on the event—only to text her the address.
She was in for a real treat, and I couldn’t wait to see her face when she walked into the chaos that would undoubtedly ensue.
Vetted Paws had been the brainchild of Sorren Mackay and Tanner Holiday, Marine Corps and Air Force veterans respectively. The dog rescue worked tirelessly to take overflow dogs from kill shelters and pair them, with the appropriate training, with veterans.
Even though they’d only been up and running a few years, several articles had been written about their passion, dedication, and overall success rate. The most recent had been picked up by a national news outlet resulting in several citations and awards for service.
But more than all of that—they’re making a difference in our community, and that’s definitely something I can get behind.
My phone buzzes as I buckle my seatbelt, and since I’m already running late, I snatch it up from the cupholder.
MASON: Are you coming?
JENSEN: Yes
JENSEN: But I had to turn around because I forgot the diaper bag
MONTANA: You need to get here before Ellison adopts another dog
ARCHER: Another?
MONTANA: Cullen Andrews is here dressed up as Santa and if you adopt a dog you can get the dog’s picture with Santa
ARCHER: And?
MONTANA: And obviously my fiancée adopted a dog because she wanted to have a picture with Santa
ARCHER: You’re serious aren’t you
MASON: I already picked out a couple dogs to show Bea
JENSEN: Oh good it will keep the pig company
MONTANA: Kindly fuck off sheriff
MASON: Play nice
MASON: also one woman told Bodhi she’d sit on his lap even if he’s not Santa
BODHI: you weren’t supposed to repeat that
MONTANA: that’s hilarious
JENSEN: I’m sorry I missed it
BODHI: just wait—you’re next for this fuckery
ARCHER: it’s for a good cause
BODHI: I’m helping Mason pick out dogs for your girl
ARCHER: oh come on we don’t need a dog
BODHI: oh look these two are a bonded pair
MASON: #savage (laughing emoji)
JENSEN: Bodhi has first dibs on holding Remi
MONTANA: he doesn’t need anything to make him hotter for the ladies
BODHI: I will find you a rescue goat
MONTANA: come on man that’s not nice
BODHI: oh look, free to a good home
BODHI: (picture of brown goat with white heart on face)
MONTANA: I’m tapping out
BODHI: I bookmarked it just in case
JENSEN: I can’t wait for the day a woman comes and knocks you on your ass
MASON: That’s what I keep saying!
BODHI: Keep it up Sheriff. I’m about to start handing out your number the next time a woman asks for mine
ARCHER: That happening a lot over there?
MASON: Like you wouldn’t believe
JENSEN: You’ll have to take that up with Nessa
MONTANA: WHAT?!
ARCHER: Thank God I don’t have to lie anymore—Miss Thelma already bailed me out once
MASON: Aw man you still get nervous like that?
ARCHER: Bea says it’s endearing
MASON: Also there’s no way no one else saw that coming
MONTANA: I’m sure they’re both coming plenty
JENSEN: I’m silencing this chat now
Chuckling, I throw the phone onto the passenger seat and start heading toward Clementine Creek. I’m sure I’ll have a couple dozen messages by the time I arrive, but that’s a problem for later.
Right now I just need to get there before Bodhi starts waging war on our friends and any unsuspecting townsfolk who want to proposition, flirt, or otherwise engage with him in any manner. My lips twitch because he reminds me of a couple of other broody guys I know who’d been completely knocked on their asses by their now wives.
It’d been fun to watch and I was happy for them—really happy—but I never wanted that for myself.
Not before Remi.
And not until Nessa.
Pulling into the parking lot, I’m not surprised it’s still packed. Sorren and Tanner had been gearing up to make this the biggest adoption day in Tennessee. They’d coordinated with other agencies and shelters to make sure everything went off without a hitch, and if all the smiling people walking out is any indication, I’d say they’ve done just that.
Grabbing Remi from her car seat, I settle her into the carrier and wrap my jacket around her as I hustle across the lot. The sign for Vetted Paws is lit up with white lights, the wooden American flag with the cut steel words the perfect embodiment of this place and the men who made it a reality. Pulling open the door, I’m hit with a blast of hot air and a mix of excited chattering and barking dogs.
“Sheriff!” Mason yells from the corner of the room, and I make my way through the crowd, shaking hands and making polite conversation before finally reaching the group. Bodhi has his back to the corner, his arms crossed over his chest while his eyes dart around the room. His body is tense, but there’s something strange about the way he’s scanning the crowd, like he’s looking for someone.
“Remi needs a dog,” Montana says, bringing me back to the present, a spotted Catahoula Leopard Dog sitting at his feet.
“Good lookin’ dog,” I reply, letting the dog sniff my hand before scratching under its chin.
“She’s four, and Ellison fell in love with her immediately—wants to name her Queenie.”
“Where is she now?” I ask and he sighs as Mason snickers.
“She’s in the back looking at a Mountain Cur. A litter of puppies was left in the box in Arkansas and one of the rescues contacted Sorren to see if they could bring them here.”
I nod, my chest squeezing at the thought. “Where’s Bea?” Archer’s gaze slides to Bodhi whose lips twitch.
“She took our bonded pair of Goldendoodles home.”
“Do they have names?” The question comes out impressively even considering the way I’m trying to stifle my laughter.
“Carl and Lady.”
Slapping him on the back as he shakes his head, I turn my attention back to Mason. “What about you two?”
“We’re bringing home a Rottweiler named Moose and a Golden Lab named Birdie.”
“Max! Look at him!” Ellison squeals as she holds up a brown-and-black brindled puppy, “He looks like a Roo, doesn’t he?”
“He sure does, Eddie,” Montana says with a grin that matches Ellison’s.
“Let’s get them over to see Santa and then we can get our babies home!” Turning to me, she smiles. “How are you tonight, Sheriff?”
“Good, Ellison, thank you.”
“Where’s Nessa?”
“She was asked to coach the women’s club team for their final game, and they had practice. She’s been really excited about it.” Looking at my watch, I add, “She should be here in a little while.”
“Well, I’ll probably miss her so tell her I said hi and I’ll text her about book club.”
Book club?
“Sure thing,” I reply, but the way Ellison is looking at me says she knows it’s the first time I’ve heard of it. I’m not sure why it bothers me but it does. Nessa and I aren’t technically together because she’s adamant Blackstone Falls is only a temporary stop for her. But a book club feels like putting down roots.
Ellison studies me, and I have to school my expression before I give any more of my inner musings away. It’s a conversation I should have with Nessa instead of playing the what-if game in the middle of the adoptathon.
As if she approves the decision I’ve made, Ellison gives me a small nod then places a quick kiss on Montana’s cheek. The rest of us watch as Montana and Ellison, Queenie and Roo in tow, all head toward where Cullen Andrews is indeed dressed like Santa.
Looking down at Remi, I smile as she wraps her little hand around my finger. “Let’s go get you a puppy.”