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“People see the word ‘wary,’ and think it’s a synonym for ‘bad,’” Wells said. “I would say my dog is wary as well. Though he’s ancient now, so he’s really gotta think something is wrong to drag himself up off his bed. What do you think?” he asked as she climbed off the bed, feigning complete disinterest as she did a deep stretch, but kept her curious gaze on us.
“I think I’d like to see her in the playroom,” I said.
“I’ll go get someone,” he said, but even as he was turning to do so, one of the shelter workers moved down the row.
“Taking an interest in Matilda?” she asked, giving us a big smile. “I will warn you that we do think she would benefit from a more experienced handler,” she said as she came up to the cage.
“I used to train police dogs,” Wells said.
“Oh, well then, no need for a lecture from me, then,” she said, beaming as she reached for her keys. “Would you two like to spend some time getting to know her?”
“Definitely,” I said, already half in love with the girl.
“Great. Let me grab her for you,” she said, unlocking the cage, and reaching for the leash hanging between her run and the one next to it. “Come here, pretty girl,” she said, and the dog came happily forward, tail wagging, excited to get some time out of her run.
I watched as she let the woman slip the leash right on, then fell into step with her, leaving us to follow.
“What do you think, Matilda?” she asked when we were in a closed room all together, and Matilda was sniffing me all over. Then, a little more coyly, sniffing Wells too.
Wells moved over to the toy box, finding something stuffed, and handing it to me to use to coax Matilda into play.
“She is a bit of a barker,” the woman warned as she took Matilda off the leash, so she could walk around freely.
“I kind of prefer that,” I admitted, running my hands over her soft coat.
“But she walks on a leash like a dream, and she’s not picky about her food.”
I lowered myself to the ground to be able to pet her better, and she surprised me by turning and licking the heck out of my face.
“Well, it seems like she’s got her mind made up,” the woman said, tone hopeful.
Wells moved over, and while Matilda did seem a little wary at first, she let Wells pet her and even started wagging for him too.
“What do you think?” I asked, petting her with both hands now as she sat down, so she could rapidly tap her leg on the floor. “You’re the expert,” I added as Matilda slowly slid to the floor, showing me her belly, silently begging for more.
“It seems like you two are already head-over,” Wells said. “I like her,” he decided with a nod.
“Yeah?” the woman asked, tentatively excited.
“Definitely,” I said, shooting a smile her way. “What now? Can I take her with me today?” I asked.
“You sure can,” she said. “Let me just figure out the paperwork, and grab you her toy and a small sample of her food.”
With that, she left us to bond some more. There was no reason. I was completely in love with her already. All I could think about was how much more secure I would feel in bed with her beside me.
Less than half an hour later, I was leading Matilda into my backseat with her baby and a promise that I had lots more babies waiting for her at home.
“If you want to bond with her,” Wells said, “you can give me a rain check on the dinner.”
“No way. Unless you’re tired,” I added.
“Not in the least,” he said in this smooth way that had my belly flip-flopping.
“I just have to drive to the grocery store to grab my pick-up order, and then I can get right to cooking,” I told him.
“I’ll follow,” he said. Then, sensing my objection, took a step closer, towering over me in a way that felt almost possessive, not intimidating. “I’ll follow you,” he said, voice firm, but somehow softer too. Soft enough to make my belly do a flip-flop.
“Okay,” I agreed.
