Just One Wish (The Kingston Family #4.5)(22)

No sooner had Norah opened the door than a cacophony of barking sounded loudly around them, all the dogs making their excited presence known.

As they walked past the runs, rooms, and cages, a knot formed in his stomach at the number of unwanted dogs. “I wish I could take them all,” he said over the noise.

Tara put her hand on his shoulder. “I know how you feel. Every time I come in to do a check on a new or sick animal, I want to bring them all home. But for now, Dakota is enough.”

“I still need to meet her,” he said, determined to be part of everything in her life.

“We’ll do that. Now look around and see who draws you.” She spoke into his ear, and his body reacted to her nearness and warm breath.

Reaching over, he slid his hand into hers. “Let’s walk.”

They passed large breeds, small and medium breeds, exuberant dogs, and dogs who hung back, watching warily. He strode up and down the aisle, taking in one side of the cages and then the other.

He paused by a solitary black and white dog with silky fur and big puppy eyes. With a black head and a white stripe along the nose and a white body, the dog was … special. Their gazes met and held.

“That’s a pointer/border collie mix,” Norah said, coming up behind them. “He’s a large breed. Currently weighs fifty-five pounds, and his name is Walter.”

As she explained, Axel and Walter experienced some kind of serious bonding moment. This dog spoke to him without words.

“He’s an owner surrender,” Norah went on. “The family had to move away and into a small apartment. Walter has a lot of energy, and they couldn’t meet his needs.”

Axel stared at the dog. “Can you open the gate?”

As Norah let him into the run, she said, “I should warn you, he’s a” — the dog immediately began to rub up against his jeans — “clinger,” she said, laughing.

Axel knelt down, and Walter leaned farther into him, rubbing his head into Axel’s stomach. In that instant, Axel knew in his heart this was his dog. The only problem was, much like his previous owners, Axel wouldn’t be around to give the dog the attention and exercise he’d undoubtedly need for his energy level. Though he seemed mellow now, Axel had no doubt Norah knew what she was talking about.

Though he intended to buy a big house, what would happen when he was away on tour, like Tara had asked? When she’d laid it out for him in the parking lot, he hadn’t wanted to admit she had a point. But faced with the dog he wanted with every fiber of his being, Axel couldn’t be selfish.

He rose slowly and turned to Tara.

“What’s wrong?” she asked before he could speak. “Is he not the right dog?” Concern wrinkled the corners of her eyes.

He glanced down at Walter, who was still rubbing against him like a cat, claiming him in every way. “No, he’s perfect.” And Axel had a goddamned lump in his throat.

He swallowed hard. “I can’t take him. You were right. I’m not in any position to bring a dog home. I was listening to Norah talk about his previous family and all they couldn’t give him, and it made me realize I’m no better. I might have the space for him, but it’s not fair to bring him home and pawn him off on Cassidy or Sasha. He’s had enough upheaval in his short life.”

Tara glanced at Norah, then hooked her arm into Axel’s and led him out of the dog pen, down the hall, and out into the main room. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

He shook his head. “You tried to tell me.” It hurt like hell to walk away from Walter. Axel wanted to pull the dog into his arms and give him the home he deserved.

“Let’s get out of here.” He glanced at Norah. “Sorry to have wasted your time.”

She treated him to an understanding smile. “I’d prefer you realize now rather than later and have him go through yet another home before being returned here.”

“Thanks, Norah. I’ll see you on my regular day.” Tara waved, and they walked out into the muggy air.

They stopped by the car, and she tapped his arm. “I’m sorry,” she said again.

He didn’t have any words for what he was feeling.

“Do you want to come back to my place and meet Dakota? Or is it the wrong time?” she asked.

He might be in a shit mood, but he wouldn’t turn down spending time with Tara or meeting her dog. His get a pet plan might have imploded, but his win over Tara agenda hadn’t changed.





Tara sensed Axel’s mood and remained quiet on the drive to her house. Despite knowing he’d done the right thing, her heart hurt because he’d so obviously bonded with Walter. Axel parked in her driveway, and she slipped her hand into his as they walked to her front door.

“Hang on.” She opened her purse and sorted through her stuff, finding her key.

No sooner had she opened the door than Dakota came barreling toward them, a white ball of fur jumping on Axel with her front paws.

“Dakota, off,” Tara said as she shut the door behind them.

The well-trained dog immediately placed all four paws on the floor. Tara hadn’t been able to train the greeting out of her, but she listened once she’d said hello.

She kicked off her shoes by the door, then glanced at Dash, wondering if he’d care that he now had white fur on his black clothes. But he was already kneeling on the floor, giving her baby a huge greeting that would only make the hair situation worse. Question answered, she mused.