Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“ T hanks.” Brielle accepted Ryan’s hand as she hobbled out of the car. “Oh!” She laughed softly as he pulled her into his chest and kissed her until she was struggling to breath. Her weight shifted, and she grabbed his shoulders to stay upright. “You’re gonna make my knees jelly,” she teased. “Then I’ll fall and end up with another surgery.”
Ryan grinned. “Then my job here is done.”
Brielle rolled her eyes. “So your plan is to keep me in casts forever? That’s not very husbandly.”
Chuckling, Ryan grabbed her crutches from the backseat and helped situate Brielle until she was standing on her own. “That diabolical plan has two really great rewards…for me.” He grinned.
“Yeah?” Brielle challenged. “And what would those be?”
“One, you can’t run away from me or beat me on the race track any more.”
“Chicken.” Brielle punched his shoulder.
Ryan grabbed her hand and brought it to his heart. “Two, you’ll have to spend all your time pining away for me at home, and I’ll always know where to find you.”
Brielle smiled and shook her head. “You’re a piece of work, Thatcher.”
He leaned in. “I’m your piece of work… Mrs. Thatcher.”
She still wasn’t used to it. True to his word, Ryan had booked them tickets to Vegas, and as soon as Brielle had been mobile, they’d eloped. No family, no drama, no anything…just two crazy people in love who were done letting others dictate their fates.
Brielle’s friends hadn’t quite forgiven her yet, but she’d promised Estelle they could still throw a party ,and that she could decorate a wedding cake for the occasion, as long as no Underwoods were invited.
Brielle hadn’t spoken to her family since they’d been kicked out of the hospital, and right now, she was fine with that. There might come a time in the future when she wanted to reconcile, but this wasn’t it.
She didn’t want anything to do with her mother’s expectations of perfection, her father’s apathy, or her sister’s jealousy. Those toxic emotions had nearly ruined Brielle’s life, and she wasn’t going to let them in anymore.
There was no denying that the decision hurt, after all, this was her family, but they made their choices and Brielle was making hers. She wouldn’t hold a grudge against them forever. Brielle knew that people changed and she’d give them the opportunity to do so, but until then…a complete separation was her only choice.
“You ready for this?”
She blinked, coming back to their current situation and swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”
Ryan rubbed Brielle’s low back, then leaned in to kiss her temple. “Remember, we’re not replacing him. We’re just helping build our happy family.”
Brielle nodded, and slowly, they made their way up to the front of the shelter. There was a part of her that felt like she was betraying Sparky by looking at dogs. That getting another one would cause her to forget the companion who had been with her through thick and thin.
But Ryan was right. This wasn’t about replacing him. It was about building more happy moments for the future.
The little bell over the door jangled as Ryan pulled it open, and Brielle clumped inside. Graceful in crutches, she was not. Hopefully, she wouldn’t need them for too much longer, because she was so slow that every little granny in Seagull Cove could outwalk her.
“Bri! You made it!” Riley came around the front counter, arms wide and a matching smile on her face. Her bright blond hair was up in a high ponytail, and it swished from side to side as she came over, hugging Brielle and Ryan. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“You’re just excited we’re emptying one of your kennels,” Brielle teased.
Riley laughed. “While that’s a bonus, it’s nothing compared to seeing you with a dog again.” Her face grew solemn. “I’m sorry about Sparky. He was a great pup.”
Brielle nodded, her eyes misty, but she smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Well.” Riley clapped her hands and looked between Brielle and Ryan. “I’ve got several dogs out in the large play area. Why don’t you come on back?”
Ryan walked behind Brielle, letting her lead them as they made their way into the back room. The smell of animals and cleaning agents hit her hard, and Brielle coughed a little.
“Sorry,” Riley said with a grimace. “I’m short staffed right now, so things are a little messier than usual.”
“You do great work, Riley,” Brielle assured her friend. “I don’t know how you keep this place going year after year.”
Riley shrugged. “It’s a labor of love.”
Brielle nodded, knowing that statement was the bold truth. She paused at a kennel where a gangly black puppy was curled into the back corner. “Who’s this?”
“Hm?” Riley looked over her shoulder, then walked back. “Oh.” She sighed. “He doesn’t have a name yet, but he just came in last week.”
“What breed is he?” Ryan asked.
“Some kind of lab mix,” Riley offered. “He…” She hesitated.
Brielle waited.
“He’s going to need a little healing before he’s available,” Riley finally finished.
Brielle looked back at the puppy, then at Riley, her eyebrows raised. “Do you need help training him?”
“Maybe.” Riley chewed her bottom lip. “I might have an idea for him, but it’s going to take time…and the cooperation of someone who might not be cooperative.”
Brielle nodded. “You just let me know how I can help.”
“Well, since you’re the only official dog trainer in town, I’ll be calling you soon.” Riley beamed, her effervescent personality coming back to the forefront. “Okay. We’re almost there.”
Brielle followed her heart pounding more with every step. She could hear yips and playful growling growing louder, causing memories of Sparky to go flashing through her head.
By the time they went through the backdoor into the outside play area, Brielle’s breath was coming in short, rapid bursts.
“You’re fine,” Ryan reassured her. “I’m here. You’re not alone. And if you’re not ready, we can wait.”
Brielle’s eyes locked onto a half dozen puppies racing through the sparse grass. The sight of them brought instant relief. “No,” she whispered. “This is exactly what I need.”
“Have a seat.” Riley carried a lawn chair over, and Brielle sat down, her eyes still on puppies. A pile of them were rolling in the dirt and growling at each other, biting with those sharp baby teeth. They were so darling, and Brielle’s heart pinched in a mix of pain and excitement.
Riley walked over to the bunch and picked up the copper colored ring leader. “I thought you might like?—”
“That one.” Brielle pointed to a puppy that was sitting by itself, tail thumping erratically against the ground as it watched the other dogs, but didn’t jump into the fray.
Riley looked over and smiled. Gently setting down the other one, she walked over and picked up the multi-colored pooch. Walking over the Brielle, she settled the dog in Brielle’s lap. “We call him Cowboy,” Riley said. “He’s got at least three breeds in him, but that black shape on his back kinda looks like a saddle.”
Brielle lifted the dog to her chest, enjoying the feel of the soft baby fur and laughed when Cowboy immediately began licking the underside of her chin.
“Any idea how big he’ll get?” Ryan asked.
“We think there’s some retriever and doodle in there,” Riley explained. “His body shape and hair tell us that, but there’s at least one other breed, which I’m not sure of. He was an anonymous drop off, and I haven’t done DNA testing, though you could easily have that taken care of. I’m guessing he’s about twelve weeks and judging by his size, I’d say he’ll be about fifty pounds.”
Brielle brought the ball of fluff out in front of her, staring into his black eyes. He wiggled, wanting down, but Brielle held still for a moment longer. Gently, she let him sit back on her lap, where he shifted around, then plopped on his belly for a nap. Her hands began to trail through his hair, and a feeling of belonging sifted through Brielle’s chest. “This is the one,” she whispered.
“You sure?” Ryan asked. “Not to make you second guess, but you’ve only seen one dog.”
Brielle nodded, her eyes never leaving the sleeping pup. “I’m sure.”
“Well, he certainly took to you like a training treat.” Riley put her hands on her hips. “He’s been a pretty easygoing personality, but I’ll warn you he’s one heck of a chewer. If he can reach it, he’ll bite it.”
Brielle looked up at Ryan who made a face. “I’m sure we can handle it.”
Ryan chuckled and rubbed his chin. “Guess it’s time to dog-proof the townhouse. ”
“Then let me be the first one to say congratulations.” Riley rubbed her hands together. “I’m so excited for you two. And I don’t even have to worry about him getting his shots or whether you know how to feed him. More vets and groomers need to come adopt.”
Brielle laughed softly and settled further into the chair. She’d forgotten just how amazing it felt to hold something so small. Sparky had once been just like this. Small, soft, and accepting. By the end, he’d been much larger, but every piece of him had been ingrained in Brielle’s heart.
Ryan had already shown her that her heart had the capacity to heal and grow stronger despite losses like pets or family. And hopefully, if they were lucky, bringing home Cowboy would only keep the momentum rolling.
She’d had no idea that after such heavy losses, life could still be so wonderful. With Ryan at her side and Cowboy at their feet, their house was bound to be full of laughter, slobbery kisses and good memories that would last forever.
Brielle couldn’t wait.