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“She’s settling in. She opened up a bit at the monthly dinner last Friday. It sounds like she hasn’t had anyone there for her in a while.”
“Probably why she stayed after her boyfriend hit her the first time. Is she going to stick?”
“I hope so. I think she feels safe now. She blocked J.R.’s number so he can’t text or call.”
“That’s a good start, but she can always unblock him,” Jillian pointed out.
“True. She went to the animal shelter and adopted a cat.”
“She should have gotten a hoss of a dog like you.”
“I can tell she’s not comfortable around a dog Bruce’s size.”
“Imagine that.” Jillian cracked a grin.
Elizabeth hadn’t planned on adopting a hundred-pound mixed breed dog after losing her beloved poodle. It’d taken her some time getting used to a dog five times Barkley’s size, but now . . .
Maybe she should get Jillian’s read on the messages from the shelter. “Speaking of Bruce, I got a call from a worker at the shelter. She said a guy showed up looking for his dog, and they think it’s Bruce.”
“Did caller ID say it was the shelter?”
“No, it was a local cell number, but she also sent a text with a picture.”
“Hmm.” Jillian’s mouth shifted. “Could be legit.”
“The message said his ex-girlfriend kept Bruce while the guy was deployed and didn’t have permission to take him to the shelter. I guess the ex-girlfriend part of the story explains everything.”
“Maybe they parted on friendly terms. Usually, it’s more a case of the ex not giving the dog back. Though taking a guy’s dog to a shelter is a cold-hearted move.”
“Or maybe the girlfriend couldn’t keep up with the demands of a pet Bruce’s size. Better to take him to the shelter than dump him out in the country.” Sometimes life made you do hard things. Elizabeth hadn’t wanted to take her first rescue dog back to the shelter, but she’d had no choice after seeing what her now-ex-husband was capable of and might have done to Ginger.
“Any chance he’s not legit?”
“They sent a picture, and it definitely looks like Bruce.” She opened the text message and handed Jillian her phone.
“He even has the different color eyes. The guy’s cute.” Innuendo laced Jillian’s statement.
“Is he?”
Jillian tsked and turned the picture back around.
“Are you interested?” The café pager vibrated noisily on the table, and Elizabeth snatched it up.
“I meant for you. You know he’s not my type.”
“Not interested.” Even if the guy was handsome with a great smile and soulful brown eyes, he was trying to take away her dog. She’d had Bruce less than two months, but she’d grown attached. Having a big, intimidating dog around had made her feel safer if Ariana’s abusive ex managed to track her to The Oasis.
“What are you going to do?” Jillian asked when Elizabeth returned with her food.
“I just listened to the message before coming to meet you. I haven’t called him yet.” She knew she was making excuses.
“Guys like J.R. are always coming up with new angles to play people. Don’t give this guy your name or address.”
“I wouldn’t. Any suggestion for a public place with plenty of people around?” No way she’d allow someone to snatch her dog if this was bogus.
“Let me know when you’re meeting this guy claiming Bruce is his, and I’ll check him out first.”
“Can you do that?”
