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“Glad to help,” Riggs shook Mr. Dewalt’s hand, then turned to Oakley. “Does that work for you?”
“Well, I don’t know. Do you have a place for them? And who will care for them?”
“We’ll have a kennel erected before sundown.”
“Where?”
Riggs cut a look at Gunner. “Behind your cottage?”
“Works for me.”
“Does it work for you?” Riggs asked Oakley.
“I have no clue.” She lifted the second pup trying to climb her torso, and cuddled both of them under the chin.” I mean, it’s Friday and I have to report for duty bright and early Monday morning. Someone has to be available to feed and tend them, to start getting them socialized and—”
“And with luck, that person will be you,” Riggs interrupted. “Will you give me a chance to make it happen?”
Oakley looked from him, to Gunner, and then the pups. Was she crazy? She wanted to say yes. This would literally be a dream come true. She wanted it and was scared to accept, for fear it wouldn’t come to pass. Already she felt a connection with the pups. They trusted her. She could feel it.
But what happened if Riggs couldn’t get the military to agree? What would happen to them? And how would she feel then? She’d never imagined how difficult it would be to have a dream offered to you.
She looked at Gunner. Despite only having known him for a short time, she trusted him. “What do you think I should do?”
“Well, I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but it seems that the people in charge of Sanctuary intend to incorporate canine treatment and need to have dogs specially trained. You’re the military’s top trainer and they want the best.
“Now, I heard Riggs say it’s for the soldiers who come through the place and those who might never haveto if they work with a dog you’ve trained, but let’s look at it from another angle. This kind of program puts Sanctuary a step above every other rehab and adjunct training facility in the country. “
“Is that true?” she asked Riggs.
“It is. Grady and Mason want it to be the best in the world, so they keep coming up with new ways to help their country’s warriors who have suffered to defend that which they swore to defend and protect.”
“But I don’t see how they can convince the military to let me finish out my time here.”
“Sometimes you just have to trust,” Riggs smiled. “Or at least give us a chance to try. Can you do that?”
“I—” she wanted to. More than anything. “I…” she felt the relaxed bodies of the pups against her, their bellies against her chest. Could she walk away from the chance of a dream coming true?
“I can do that, but first we need to test these guys to determine how much wolf they have in them.”
“I think we have the person to make sure that happens fast,” Riggs replied.
“Oh?”
“My dad’s wife, Naomie. Have you met her?”
“Yes. She’s amazing. But can she make it happen before Monday?
Riggs laughed. “Girl, you don’t know Naomie. Nor have you seen her lab.”
“Okay, but even if they have the necessary percentage of wolf genetics, someone needs to start working with them right away.”
“Like I said, let us try. Deal?”
Oakley took a deep breath and nodded. “Deal.”
And with that one word, she took a step toward something she’d wanted for most of her adult life.
Chapter Five
