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“I’m not comfortable inviting you inside.”
“That’s fine. Send Rebel and Alfie out. We’ll just chill on the porch for a bit and let them all run. You can stay inside or join us.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Up to you.”
She hesitated. “If I come out, I’m not going to talk. This isn’t a therapy session.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it,” Zak said with his trademark smirk. “Just good company, that’s all.”
She stared at them all for a second longer, then looked down at Rebel and Alfie who were both glaring at her as if they were personally offended she’d ever consider not letting them join the doggie party outside. With a sigh, she opened the door wide enough to let them out.
The dogs went wild, barking and romping, their tails wagging so fast it was a wonder nobody took flight. Spirit initiated a game of chase that sent dust flying. Alfie, with his tiny legs, did his best to keep up with the bigger dogs and the pure animal joy on his face made Veronica smile.
She watched it all from the safety of her doorway. It felt strange to see so much activity in her yard—but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. There was something about happy dogs that made everything feel a little less heavy.
Zak chuckled as he opened the cooler and passed out sodas. “All right, boys. Let’s get this party started.”
“Come on out when you’re ready,” Donovan called to her over his shoulder as he joined the dogs and pulled a ball out of his pocket, tossing it to Pierce. Zak grabbed the rope toy dangling from his back pocket and waded into the doggie chaos. Sawyer sat on the porch steps, then release Zelda from her harness so she could run, too.
Veronica lingered in the threshold, watching the men and dogs run, and something inside of her shifted slightly.
These men were no monsters; they were survivors like her—broken souls trying to mend amongst their own. She could continue holding on to her fear or give them a chance to help.
And then, gathering her courage like a cloak around her shoulders, she stepped out onto the porch.
“Here,” Rylan handed her an icy can of soda from the cooler. She took it with a nod of thanks and sat on the opposite side of the steps from the men, keeping an eye on the dogs as they played.
Rylan leaned on the porch railing and grinned as Zelda threw herself into the fray. “I need a dog,” he said to nobody in particular.
“Ask Zak,” Sawyer said. “He has an uncanny ability to find people their perfect dog. He did it for Donovan and Pierce. Veronica, too.”
“He picked Rebel for me?” The question was out of her mouth before she even realized she’d thought it.
Zak, who had been engaged in a tug-of-war session with Ranger, glanced over at them. “Yeah, and risked the wrath of my wife. Anna wasn’t convinced, but I knew she was the dog for you,” he said, his tone serious despite the playful growl he let out when Ranger gave an exceptionally hard tug on their toy. “Was I wrong?”
Veronica thought back to those first few days with Rebel, when she kept running off. The initial frustration, the countless hours spent chasing the stubborn dog around the woods, attempting to establish some semblance of control. It had been challenging, exhausting... and healing. The responsibility of caring for the rebellious Doberman had forced her to step out of her own mind, if only for a few hours each day. Without Rebel, she’d still be locked inside her house instead of sitting on the porch with the sun on her face.
She looked at Rebel now, a powerful yet graceful creature that was fiercely protective and loyal. A dog that had somehow known exactly what she needed, had understood her in ways no human ever could.
She watched Rebel tackle Alfie gently, her tail wagging in delight. She saw how the dog’s eyes would occasionally dart towards her, as if checking on her well-being. Alfie had always had her heart, but Rebel meant more to her than she could’ve anticipated when Connelly showed up with the dog.
She shook her head and managed a smile at Zak. “No, you weren’t wrong.”
Zak grinned back at her, his arms spread wide in triumph. “What can I say? I have a knack.” He pointed at Rylan. “Whenever you’re ready, Ry, I’ll find you the perfect dog, too.”
Zak turned his attention back to Ranger, giving the rope one last tug before letting the dog win their game. Donovan had pulled Sawyer into the fray with the dogs while Pierce signed something that made Zak laugh.
Veronica sat there watching them all and found herself smiling. Her heart felt light in a way it hadn’t for a long time.
“I think...” Rylan said, drawing the words out speculatively. “You’ve missed them as much as they have you.”
She side-eyed the trauma counselor. “Maybe.”
Rylan chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. “Deny it all you want, Veronica, but I think it’s clear.”
Veronica merely shrugged, tearing her gaze from the chaos of dogs and men in her yard to glance at Rylan. There was a wisdom in his eyes that made her feel transparent. She frowned and looked away.
“They’re good men,” he added softly. “And they care deeply about your wellbeing.”
“Hey, Vee!” Donovan called out from the yard, holding up a Frisbee. “Wanna give this a toss?”
