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Connelly accepted the handshake. “Zak.” He offered a smile to the redhead beside the man. “Anna.”
Anna’s returned smile was kind. “Hi, Connelly. How’s Veronica? We all miss her around here.”
He shook his head. “I wish I had an answer for that. She still won’t talk to me. I’m hoping Rylan will have a few free minutes to talk before I leave.”
Rylan Cross was the new trauma counselor working with the rescue’s Paws for Vets program. Connelly had consulted with Rylan in the past, and the counselor had suggested that Veronica needed to take things at her own pace. But now he wasn’t sure if that was the right approach. Veronica had been doing things at her own pace for years now, and nothing had changed. Maybe it was time to push her a bit.
“He’s not in yet,” Anna said and looked at the clock on the wall behind the desk. “But he should be soon. You’re welcome to wait here, but you’re more likely to catch him before he gets busy if you wait over at the community center since his office is there.”
Connelly glanced out the window at the building she’d indicated. The welcome center sat in the middle of the star, and the community center sat at the bottom right point, closest to the parking lot and straight across from the vet clinic.
He shook his head and turned his attention back to Anna. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you, too. I think Veronica needs a dog.”
“I said that months ago.” Anna grinned and elbowed her husband, all but bouncing on her toes with excitement. “Didn’t I say that?”
Zak chuckled. “Yeah, you did. And I agreed with you then, just like I do now.”
Anna kissed him, then gave his cheek an affectionate tap. “Because you are an intelligent man, Zak Hendricks. Most of the time.”
Connelly smiled at the playful banter. They seemed genuinely happy together and in sync with each other. He and Veronica used to be like that. Their mutual friends always teased they should just get married, because they already acted like an old married couple.
His smile dimmed at the thought.
But now their friendship was barely hanging on by a thread. He couldn’t blame her, though. After what she had been through, trust was not an easy thing to give.
He realized Zak was speaking to him and tuned back in.
“...help Veronica,” Zak said. “We’ve seen the power of the human-animal bond, and I think it could be transformative for her.”
“So,” Anna said, “tell us more about what you’re thinking. What kind of dog do you think would be a good fit for Veronica?”
Connelly ran a hand through his unruly hair. “I’m not exactly sure. I know she loves dogs, always has. But I want to find one that can handle her anxiety, maybe even help her overcome it.”
“Like Alfie,” Zak said softly, almost as if talking to himself.
“Alfie? Can I meet him?”
Zak shook his head. “Alfie was Dr. Firestone’s therapy dog. She used to bring him to sessions. Veronica adored him.”
The silence that descended after that quiet statement was filled with sorrow and pain.
Dr. Amelia Firestone.
The original Paws for Vets therapist had been highly respected and beloved. Veronica had loved her. Trusted her.
And then Dr. Firestone was murdered.
And Veronica retreated to her house.
Connelly dragged a hand through his hair, which was getting too long and unruly. He really had to find a barber in town. “Maybe she needs a dog that will help her feel safe, protected.”
Zak sent his wife an unreadable look.
“No,” Anna said as if he’d spoken aloud. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She turned her attention back to Connelly. “We just had a large influx of dogs come in from a hoarding situation down south. I haven’t finished evaluating them all yet, but a few of them have shown promise as emotional support dogs. If you can give me a few more days, I’ll have some candidates for you.”
Zak leaned against the welcome desk and crossed his arms, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You should talk to Rylan about it, too. He knows the dogs here inside and out. He might have some insight into which one would be the best match for Veronica.”
Connelly narrowed his eyes at Zak. He had the sense the guy wanted to say more, but Zak only lifted his chin toward the door.
