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Rylie turned her back on the lies and headed back to her car. She wasn’t going to let this one thing ruin her day.
An hour and five minutes later, she knocked on the back door of Sierra Animal Rescue, and waited for one of the kennel technicians to answer. Sundays were her favorite day of the week. She got up early, went to church, and then stopped by the cemetery to say hi to her dad. She changed out the flowers by his headstone, and traded in her church clothes for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. After visiting her dad’s grave, she always needed a pick me up, which is why she went to the rescue. Spending a few hours with adorable dogs and cats always brightened her spirit.
The door was pushed open and Tayler Gibson smiled at her. “Hey, Rylie! The dogs were just asking where their special treats were.”
Rylie laughed and handed the basket of freshly made dog biscuits over to the other woman. “I would never disappoint the fuzzbutts.”
They moved inside and walked down the hallway until they reached the end of the kennel area. A white tub with clear liquid sat at the edge of the concrete with a blue bleached-stained towel on the other side.
“What’s with the tub?” Rylie asked.
“We had a puppy come in with parvo today, so we’re just being cautious.”
“Oh, no! Poor baby. Is he going to be okay?”
Tayler’s lips flattened. In her late thirties, Taylor’s hair was in a crew cut, and her blue eyes were filled with shadows. Rylie didn’t know how she was still running the rescue; after some of the things Rylie had seen as a volunteer, it tore her up inside.
“Mya took him to the vet, but he was pretty emaciated, so we’re not sure if he’s going to make it yet.” Rylie’s eyes filled with tears, and Tayler squeezed her shoulder. “I don’t want to make you sad; I know this is your happy time.”
Rylie sniffled, wiping at her watery eyes. “Thanks. Is Raider still here?”
At the mention of Rylie’s favorite dog, Tayler snorted. “Yes, and he’ll probably be here until you decide to take him home. I swear, that dog only tolerates the rest of us. When people try to visit with him, he just ignores them.”
Rylie didn’t want to be thrilled by this news, but she secretly was. Raider was special, and she’d wanted him from the first time she’d seen him. “I’m still looking for a place that allows pets. There aren’t a lot of rentals in Sweetheart.”
Tayler frowned. “You’re looking for a new place? What about Asher?”
“Oh, we broke up. I am staying in a friend’s pool house until I find something permanent.”
Tayler’s face brightened. “Well, good for you. I didn’t want to say anything, but I never liked that guy. You can tell there is something really wrong with a person who doesn’t like animals.”
“Thanks, Tayler. If you hear of any rentals, can you let me know?”
Tayler nodded. “I’ll keep my ear to the ground if I hear of any place that takes pets. Does it have to be in Sweetheart?”
“Well, not too far outside. I don’t want a long commute.”
“Understood. You go have fun and I’ll take these to the other residents.”
Rylie smiled and slid the homemade peanut butter treat she’d made especially for Raider from her back pocket. She stopped just outside his cage and said, “Hey, buddy, did you miss me?”
At the sound of her voice, the muscular pit bull bounded to his feet and let out a series of booming barks. His long thin tail wagged straight in the air and his gray body wiggled with joy.
Rylie’s heart warmed as he ran for the door of the cage. The burns on the left side of his face and ear had healed months ago, but the hair would never grow back there. She grabbed his leash off the gate and after unlocking the heavy metal door, stepped inside. She kneeled and was immediately drowned in doggy kisses. Laughing, she wrapped her arms around Raider and kissed him on the side of his head.
“I missed you too, bud.”
Rylie had fallen in love with the dog the first time she’d seen him. He’d been locked in a cage in the infirmary, growling at anyone who came near. He’d been brought in by a Good Samaritan who had seen a bunch of boys light the poor dog on fire. The man had put out the flames and rushed him to the rescue. They’d been keeping him on antibiotics and pain meds while he healed, but he didn’t trust anyone and they had to sedate him in order to treat him.
But Rylie had seen past his aggression, recognizing the fear in his eyes. He’d had his trust completely broken and needed to learn that not all humans were evil.
So, she’d come in every morning before work after Asher had left, sat outside his cage, and talked to him. Sometimes she even read him stories. Several weeks passed and when she showed up, Raider’s tail would wag. He started taking biscuits from her and soon, the staff was following her lead. He stopped growling and the first time Rylie took him into the yard, she learned that he loved to chase a ball.
She’d begged Asher to let her adopt him, but he hadn’t wanted a dog. She’d started slowing down her visits after that, knowing she couldn’t have Raider hurt. Yet people kept passing him over because he was aloof with everyone but her.
Rylie sat down and let Raider climb across her lap and roll over for belly scratches. “You are such a big goofball.”
His upside-down smile never failed to delight and cheer her, and she leaned over to kiss his nose.
