some. Seth nodded. “The adjustment has been rough on her. On both of us.”
He was at his wits’ end. In the weeks since they’d moved here, no matter what he did, Taylor had shown nothing but contempt and loathing for both him and Prosperity. She hadn’t made a single friend or become involved in any school activities.
This dog shelter was the first thing she’d expressed an interest in. Seth needed Emily to give her a chance. “Be honest with me,” he said. “Are you going to let Taylor work here?”
Emily caught her full lower lip between her teeth. “Before we talk about that, I’d like to show you around. It’ll only take a few minutes. We’ll go out through the front door, so you can let Taylor know. She can stay here and keep Susannah company.”
Curious to see the place that had finally piqued Taylor’s interest, Seth readily agreed. “Let’s go.”
“Tell me about the dogs,” Seth said, as Emily led him toward the kennel.
At five feet ten in her bare feet and even taller in boots, she didn’t have to look up at people all that often. But Seth was several inches taller, and she had to do just that to meet his eyes. They were an unusual shade of silvery blue, and looked especially striking against the afternoon sky.
“I take in animals that have been abandoned and sometimes abused,” she said. “My job is to find them permanent homes with loving families.”
He absorbed her words with a somber expression. “You haven’t chosen easy work.”
“No, but it can be so rewarding.”
Seth listened thoughtfully. “Is that how you got Susannah?”
Emily nodded. “She was one of the first dogs to come here when I opened my doors.” The whippet, with her injured leg, malnourished body and trembling fear, had quickly wormed her way into Emily’s heart.
“How did you get into this work?” Seth asked.
“My very first job was with a woman who groomed and boarded dogs while their owners were out of town,” Emily said. She’d taken the job so that she could help her struggling mother make ends meet. “She had a soft place in her heart for abused dogs, and fostered and adopted a few while I worked for her. Like all living creatures, they need love and affection, along with a strong dose of patience. Give them those things, and they’re loyal friends for life.” Unlike people, who could walk away at any time and break your heart. “I’ve been in love with dogs ever since.”
“Running this place can’t be cheap. How do you fund it?”
“Through private donations, most of which I raise at an annual fund-raiser the first Saturday in November,” she said. “But I couldn’t do it without my volunteers.” Mentally, she crossed her fingers that she could persuade Seth to sign on as one of them. “The dog groomer I just told you about? She comes in a couple times a month to bathe and groom the dogs. The rest of the time, I get to do the job.” Emily wrinkled her nose.
“I’ll bet that gets messy.”
He flashed a smile she felt clear to her toes. It had been over a year since she’d even noticed a man, and Seth Pettit was a seriously attractive male, tall and solid, with a broad forehead and a strong jaw. She smiled back. “Even when I wear protective clothing, I usually end up a dripping mess. You don’t want to see me when I finish that job.”
He chuckled at that, and so did she.
“You do this full-time?” he asked.
She shook her head. “There isn’t enough money for that, so I double as a web designer—I create and maintain websites. I enjoy the work, plus I get to set my own hours.”
“I’ve been told I should put up a website, but I’m not sure I need one.”
“Can’t hurt,” Emily said. Wanting Seth to know more about the shelter, she gestured around. “Isn’t this a nice space? It used to be part of a ranch that was subdivided and sold off. I rent it from a couple who love animals. They even adopted one of our dogs. They didn’t mind when I turned the garage into a kennel. As long as I pay the rent on time, they’re happy.”
At the kennel, she opened the door and led Seth inside. He moved slowly and deliberately toward the cages, letting the dogs take him in.
“Hey, there,” he greeted them.
Each one took note of his low, soothing voice, and a few wagged their tails.
It was obvious that Seth Pettit had a way with animals. Probably with women, too, Emily guessed, with another flutter of interest.
But she wasn’t about to see him as anything but a potential volunteer veterinarian at the shelter. Her life was very full and a lot simpler without a man in it, and she liked it that way.
After a moment, they headed outside again. “I’m impressed with what you’re doing here, Emily.” He held the door open for her. “Now I understand why Taylor wants to work here.”
“About that,” Emily started, ready to work a deal. It was chilly now, and wishing she’d put on a sweater, she chafed her arms. “Our dogs need friendly, warm volunteers. And Taylor—”
“Hear me out.” Seth held his hand palm up, silencing her. “She’s not a bad kid. She just needs a little time to get used to all the changes in her life. I’m no therapist, but I know in my gut that doing her community service here would be really good for her. What can I do to convince you to let that happen?”
His eyes pleaded for understanding. He didn’t know that he’d provided the perfect segue to the subject Emily wanted to broach. “Funny you should ask,” she said. “The vet who has volunteered here since I opened the shelter just retired unexpectedly. I need a replacement.”
Seth eyed her. “You’re asking me to volunteer at The Wagging Tail.”
Crossing her fingers at her sides, she nodded. Only a few yards from the front office now, they stopped to finish the conversation before stepping inside.
“I have an awful lot on my plate right now,” he said.
“You’re building a practice and settling in. I understand. I’m not asking you for forty hours a week, or even twenty. I just need someone to perform routine health checkups on any new animals we take in, get them vaccinated, and whatever else they need. And of course, to give them the medical attention they might need if they get injured or sick while they’re here.”
“How much time are we talking?”
“You saw for yourself that I only have room for six animals. There are also two quarantine huts where new arrivals stay until they’re cleared to join the others. Probably one to two hours per week, barring unexpected emergencies.”
“So one day a week for two hours?” Seth asked.
“Or more, depending on when we take in a new animal and if someone gets sick. I’ll try not to bother you at night
