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He loved Veronica. Always had. He wanted to help her heal, to be there for her. Yeah, it was too little, too late, but he couldn’t change the past. All he could do now was help her have a future.
And she couldn’t even look at him.
He knocked again, softer this time. “Vee, please. I’m sorry.”
The door opened a crack. “Sorry for what?”
“For being a shitty friend. For not being there when you needed me.”
She scoffed. “You think you can just come here and make everything better? You think you can just say ‘sorry’ and everything will be okay?”
“No, of course not. But I want to try.”
Veronica studied him through the narrow opening of the door, her eyes filled with skepticism. “What’s your plan, then? How do you intend to ‘try’ and fix everything?”
Connelly paused, looking for the right words. He had to tread carefully. “I don’t have all the answers. But I want to be here for you, listen to you, and support you in any way that I can.”
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Support me? Like you supported me when I was going through hell? You disappeared that night. Left me alone and vulnerable. What kind of so-called friend does that? And then the next time I hear from you, it’s that fucking book showing up on my doorstep with a note telling me how sorry you are.”
He winced as her words cut like blades. “I was wrong. I was angry and hurt, and then, after what happened, I couldn’t look you in the eyes, knowing it was my fault. Knowing I left you with those assholes. It was selfish of me to distance myself because I couldn’t handle your pain. I can’t change any of that?—”
“And you can’t change me now. Goodbye, Connelly. Don’t come back.” She shut the door with a resounding thud, leaving him standing alone on the porch, his heart sinking in his chest. He had expected resistance, but he hadn’t expected the strong wall of anger and resentment she’d built around herself.
But he couldn’t bring himself to walk away just yet. He’d known Veronica long enough to understand her stubbornness, her need for independence, and her fierce self-preservation. Those qualities had attracted him to her in the first place, back when they were kids. But now, it seemed like those very qualities were driving them apart.
Okay.
He’d leave her alone tonight, but he wouldn’t let her shut him out completely. He needed to devise a plan, something that would break through that impenetrable wall and show Veronica he was sincere in his efforts to make amends.
He refused to give up on their friendship without a fight.
chapter four
The tires of Connelly’s BMW X7 crunched over gravel, kicking up dust as he pulled off the pothole-filled mountain road and onto the freshly paved drive of Redwood Coast Rescue. Steam Valley, California, was living up to its name this morning, with wisps of mist weaving through the trees like ethereal fingers reaching from beyond the veil. The natural beauty of this place was undeniable, but there was also something haunting about it. The gigantic trees seemed to whisper secrets in an ancient language only the heart could comprehend and cast shadows that danced like phantoms on the forest floor.
Connelly loved it.
What better place for a horror writer to rediscover his creative mojo? If anywhere unlocked the stories buried deep within him, it would be here.
But today was not about his creative problems.
Today was about helping Veronica.
Redwood Coast Rescue had recently reopened after rebuilding from the ashes of a wildfire that ripped through the town last fall. The burn scar still blackened the side of the mountain behind the Rescue, but the land immediately surrounding the new buildings had been replanted. He parked in the lot and took a moment to appreciate the fresh scent of pine that hung in the air. It was a crisp, invigorating aroma that carried with it a sense of renewal.
That’s what this place was—a place for both dogs and humans to find renewal, healing, and a fresh start. Even before he’d come to Steam Valley, he’d heard about Redwood Coast Rescue’s unique approach to rehabilitation, pairing rescue dogs with trauma survivors in a mutually beneficial bond. They’d made headlines before the wildfire and he remembered being glad that Veronica had found a soft place to land. She’d always loved dogs and when Arthur told him where she was, he’d pictured her thriving and making friends and healing.
But then he got here and discovered she wasn’t thriving at all.
Connelly adjusted his worn leather jacket, took a deep breath, and made his way towards the main entrance. The air was alive with the sound of excited barks, and it made him smile.
The Rescue comprised multiple buildings laid out in a star pattern, connected by walkways and surrounded by training yards. Each building served a different purpose—a community center, a pet hotel, an adoption center, Dr. Sasha Scott’s veterinary clinic, and a headquarters for RWCR, the rescue’s tactical K9 team led by a former Army Ranger, Zak Hendricks. Zak’s wife, Anna, ran the rest of the rescue.
The main building gleamed in the sunlight, its vibrant red exterior bright against the crisp blue sky. Inside, the walls were adorned with colorful paintings and motivational quotes, giving the space a cozy and welcoming vibe. The place was so new, it still smelled like fresh paint.
Since he’d called ahead, he was unsurprised to find the Zak and Anna waiting for him at the welcome desk.
“Connelly, good to see you again.” Zak extended a calloused hand. Despite the prosthetic leg that replaced the one he’d lost in Afghanistan, Zak exuded a rugged confidence that seemed to draw people towards him.
