Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(18)

“Dr. Hunter, your one o’clock is here,” Amanda called out over the speaker.

Finishing the last bite of my salad, I got up and threw the container away. “Thanks, I’ll be right there.”

“You okay, Hayden?” Michael asked, concern in his voice.

I grabbed my hairbrush out of my purse and ran it through my hair. “I’m fine,” I lied.

He got up and wrapped his arms around me. “No, you’re not. I saw the look on your face. You were thinking about Jake, weren’t you?”

Halfheartedly, I shrugged. “It’s hard not to. He hurt me, Michael. So did Emily.”

He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I know, babe. But in the end, it’s for the best. It leaves you open to explore new possibilities. Now put a smile on your face and get to work. I have a feeling you’ll have a visitor today.”

“I doubt it,” I grumbled against his chest.

His laugh vibrated in my ear. “Have some faith, sweetheart.”

—

For the past hour, I’d watched Bear hobble around in his walker until he got the hang of it. The heat of the summer sun was a bit much, but he didn’t seem to mind it.

“He’s moving so well,” Kellie announced excitedly.

“Yes, he is. He’s a survivor. I just wish I knew who hit him so I could punch the shit out of them. I mean, who does that?”

“Not everyone thinks like you, Hayden. The world would probably be a better place if they did.”

I laughed and shook my head. “I’m just glad I was able to save him. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a home, but he didn’t have a collar or a microchip. Signs were posted near where he was hit, but no one took the bite.” Judging by his bone structure and size, he was most likely a little over a year old, basically still a puppy.

“Hopefully, we’ll find him a home,” Kellie murmured. “He’s still a young pup. With him moving around as good as he is, you can transfer him over anytime you want.”

“Thanks, Kellie. He’ll love it here with the others. It’ll give him some company.”

Slowly but surely, Bear hobbled around the fenced-in yard, fetching balls left and right. I was amazed at how quickly he’d been able to find the energy. Animals were so resilient. With Kellie being Wilford’s granddaughter, it gave our animals an advantage. I was able to bring them over to her place so they could run around and have fun while recuperating. No other facility in the city had the kind of establishment we had.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a small cup of doggie peanut-butter ice cream and whistled. “Bear, come here, boy!” He started toward me and picked up his pace the second I ripped off the lid to the ice cream. His tongue lolled out to the side and he huffed.

“He’s going to love you forever now.” Kellie laughed.

I set Bear’s treat down and rubbed his back as he lapped it up. “If I had the time and the space, I’d take him home with me. Hell, I’d take them all home if I could.”

Kellie sighed. “So would I.”

When he was done, Bear lay down beside me, his body warm against my leg as I rubbed behind his ears. His fur was golden and soft, and he’d put on a little bit of weight in the past two days. I could still feel his bones, but that’d be fixed once he stayed with us a little while longer.

“I’m going to fatten you up a bit,” I said to him. He lifted his head and licked the side of my cheek. Laughing, I wiped my face off with my sleeve. “I guess you like that.” Then he froze, his ears perking up. I looked up at Kellie and glanced around the yard. “What does he hear?”

Kellie shrugged. “I’m not sure. I don’t see anything.”

Bear slowly made his way to the edge of the fence. I got to my feet and started toward him. “What are you looking at, boy?”

It wasn’t until I got closer to the fence that I saw what he was looking at. Getting out of his truck was none other than Derek McLaughlin. He started up the sidewalk, but then Bear barked and caught his attention. His gaze found mine, and he smiled. “There you are,” he called out.

He strolled toward us. I quickly glanced back at Kellie, whose eyes went wide the second she figured out who he was. “Oh my God,” she whispered excitedly, coming up beside me. “Is that who I think it is?”

His dark auburn hair was slightly wet, and I could smell the fresh soap on his skin. The stubble on his chin had grown out a little more since last night. I liked it.

I laughed. “Yep.” Bear was going crazy at my feet, his tail wagging ninety miles an hour. Derek leaned down and petted him through the fence, Bear trying his best to get as close as possible. “He likes you,” I said.

“He looks like a completely different dog.” He stood and smiled at me before turning to Kellie with his hand outstretched. “Hey, I’m—”

Kellie grabbed his hand excitedly. “Oh, I already know who you are.”

I nodded toward her. “This is Kellie Spence. She owns Furever Yours. She finds homes for abandoned animals.”

Derek let her hand go and nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Kellie stared at him for a few more seconds as if in a daze and then snapped out of it, her attention focused on me. “I have some things I need to get done inside. I’ll leave you two be.” She waved at Derek. “It was nice meeting you, too.”