Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
The early afternoon traffic moved easily, sunlight flashing through the palms as they headed into Beechwood. Essie drove with both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, the radio off. She didn’t need it. She’d much rather talk to Blaise, who was currently occupying the passenger seat.
“I really appreciate you coming with me,” Essie said after she made the turn. “I know you’ve got a lot of your own stuff going on. Not to mention Beau to look after.”
Blaise smiled from the passenger seat. “I’m happy to do it. And you obviously asked because you wanted to do this right. I love that. And I love the thought that I can be a part of a rescue dog finding a new home.”
“I’m probably going to ask a ton of questions.”
“That’s all right,” Blaise said. “Any guidance I can provide, I will.”
“That’s exactly why I wanted you,” Essie said. “I don’t trust myself not to fall in love with every dog I see. I need someone who knows about dogs and can help make sure I end up with the right one.”
“I’ll do my best,” Blaise said. “I can also tell you that you’ll probably know when you find the right dog. It’s like something clicks in your heart and your head at the same time.”
“I love that.” Essie loosened her grip slightly on the wheel.
She’d read the rescue’s website more than once, memorized some of the descriptions, and studied the photos.
Still, she felt unsure about the decision.
Excited, but a little anxious. Frank had said he trusted her.
She wanted to get this right. To find a dog they would both love.
A dog that would become part of their family.
The rescue was just on the edge of Beechwood. It was housed in a low, sun-faded building with a big, bright sign and a handful of cars in the lot. Essie parked and turned off the engine, glancing at Blaise. “I’m excited and nervous.”
Blaise grinned. “Imagine how the dogs feel.”
Essie laughed. “I bet.” She exhaled. “All right. Let’s go check them out.”
Inside, the air smelled like cleaning solution and dogs, but in a good way. A volunteer greeted them and asked how she could help.
“I called earlier. I’m Essie Rodrigez-Holt. I’m here to see a dog I saw online,” Essie said. “Her name is Maple.”
The volunteer’s face softened. “She’s in the back run. Come on.”
They hadn’t even reached the gate before the barking started. No aggression but plenty of excitement and energy. Dogs being dogs.
Then Essie saw her, recognizing her instantly from her photos on the site.
Maple stood a little apart from the others, tail wagging low and steady. Medium-sized, maybe forty pounds. Medium-length brown coat with a white blaze on her chest and one white paw that made her look like she’d stepped in paint.
Essie gave a little wave. “Hi, Maple.”
Maple looked up, curious. She trotted closer.
Essie stopped short. “Oh,” she said quietly. She hadn’t expected the dog to come when she heard her name.
“She’s so pretty,” Blaise said.
Maple sat at the fence and tilted her head, eyes calm and attentive.
Essie could feel herself melting. “She looks intelligent.”
“She does.” Blaise leaned closer. “I love how bright her eyes are.”
Essie crouched, knees protesting slightly. She rested her hands on her thighs. “Hello, Maple,” she said. “You look like such a nice dog. You’re certainly a very pretty girl.”
Maple leaned forward and pressed her nose through the chain link. When Essie held out her hand, Maple sniffed once and licked her fingers, tail still wagging.
Essie was already falling in love.
They took Maple into the meet-and-greet yard. The volunteer clipped on a leash and handed it to Essie. Maple walked beside her easily, not pulling, like she knew exactly how to behave.
“She’s about two,” the volunteer said. “Came in as a stray. No chip. Knows basic commands. Smart as a whip. Housebroken, as far as we can tell.”
Essie looked back at the volunteer, still holding the leash loosely. “Can you tell me what kind of dog Maple is?” she asked. “I’m sure mixes can be hard to pin down, but I’d love to have some idea.”
The volunteer smiled. “We get that question a lot. Our best guess is that she’s a Sheltie mix of some kind. Maybe a little hound in there too. Like I said, she’s smart and she likes having a job to do. Even if that job is just walking politely on a leash.”
“That sounds promising,” Essie said. Maple was beautiful, whatever kind of dog she was.
“She’s not high-strung,” the volunteer went on. “She enjoys activity, but she’s not frantic about it. She’s happy with a good walk every day. She’s also past the puppy stage, which helps.”
Blaise nodded. “The puppy stage is not for the faint of heart.”
Essie laughed. “I’ll take your word on that.”
“We think she’d do well with someone who’s home a fair amount,” the volunteer added, glancing at Essie. “She bonds quickly, but she’s not anxious when left alone for reasonable stretches. And she’s been very gentle with everyone she’s met here.”
Essie’s fingers tightened slightly on the leash as she looked at Maple. “She seems so calm.”
“That’s a good word for her,” the volunteer agreed. “She’s had a rough start, but she’s resilient. She’s ready for a real home.”
Essie nodded, then stopped and glanced down. Maple looked up, then sat.
“She’s so pretty,” Essie said. “And alert.”
“She is,” Blaise agreed. “She really seems to be paying attention to you. Almost like she’s taking her cues from you.”
Essie swallowed. “I didn’t even know what I was looking for.”
“That’s how it works sometimes,” Blaise said. “But when it’s right, it’s right. What do you think?”
Maple’s shoulder brushed Essie’s leg. When Essie reached down, Maple leaned her head into Essie’s hand like she was asking to be loved. Her fur was so soft, and those big brown eyes were impossible to look away from.
Essie laughed, breath catching. “She’s really sweet, isn’t she?”
“She’s one of the sweetest dogs here.” The volunteer smiled. “We like to say the dogs decide and I think Maple’s made a decision.”
Essie’s heart was so full she could almost cry. She crouched down to talk to Maple. “Do you think you’d like to come home with me? You’re awfully sweet. I promise to take the best care of you. My husband, Frank, will, too. You’ll love him. I think he may end up spoiling you rotten.”
Maple licked Essie’s nose.
Laughing, Essie straightened and looked at Blaise. “This is her. If she’s willing.”
Maple thumped her tail a few times against the ground.
Blaise grinned. “Looks like you’ve been chosen.”
Essie nodded, already imagining morning walks and the quiet companionship. “I’m ready.” She glanced at the volunteer. “Let’s do the paperwork.”
“Fantastic! Maple, you’re going home!”
Maple stood and pressed her body firmly against Essie’s leg, giving a soft little woof.
That was all the answer Essie needed.
The paperwork didn’t take long after that. Essie listened carefully, signed where she was told, asked the practical questions she’d meant to ask and a few she hadn’t planned on. She handed over her credit card, adding a donation to the rescue as well.
When the volunteer clipped a temporary collar around Maple’s neck and handed Essie the leash for good, Essie felt the weight of this new responsibility, but also a quiet sense of rightness. The last time she’d felt something like that was when she’d said yes to Frank.
She supposed this was almost that important.
Blaise smiled at her as they walked out. “You did good,” she said. “You made a fantastic choice.”
Essie glanced down at Maple, who trotted along at her side like she’d never been anywhere else. “I could not be happier,” she said.
They stopped at PetWorld on the way back, because Essie refused to bring a dog home unprepared.
With Blaise’s help, she filled a cart with the brand of food the volunteer had recommended, two stainless-steel bowls, a thick, comfortable bed, a package of chicken treats, a new leash, and a collar with pink leaves on it, which seemed made for Maple.
Blaise added a chew toy to the cart without comment.
“She’s going to need something to gnaw on,” Blaise said. “Trust me.”
“I believe you,” Essie said. Impulsively, she threw in a stuffed teddy bear that was labeled as chew-proof.
By the time they pulled into Essie’s driveway, Maple was calm in the backseat, watching the world go by through the window. Inside the house, Essie set the bed near the sliding doors where the breeze came in off the water. Maple sniffed it, circled it once, then lay down with a satisfied sigh.
Essie hugged Blaise. “Thank you again.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Blaise said. “Call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
After Blaise left for home, Essie just stood there, watching Maple. She could already picture morning walks along the beach, the two of them getting their steps in while the sun came up. Frank would join them when he got back. It would be good for all of them.
Essie sat down on the couch and took out her phone. “Maple, sweetheart, look at me.” She snapped a few pictures of Maple.
She chose the cutest one and sent it to Frank. Meet Maple. She’s home.
She’d text the Queen Bees in a minute. First, she just wanted to watch Maple a little while longer. Essie smiled. The house didn’t feel so quiet anymore.