by Angel who’d gotten wrapped up in the leash. “Yes. I have three dogs of my own, by the way. So along with the dogs in the kennel, Angel will have lots of company and opportunity to interact with other dogs.”
“That would be good. She doesn’t get that chance very often.”
Before she realized it, they had reached the training facility. She glanced back up the hill where the hospital sat, still amazed that the large building somehow hid all this from the main road.
Dusty introduced her to the staff of trainers and gave her an overview of what a typical day would be like for Angel. He showed her the area she would be kept in, and Mikayla had to admit that as far as kennels went, this was quite elegant, with padded floors and more toys than Angel could ever play with.
Outside, she was shown the large play area where several dogs lounged, enjoying the sun.
“Most of the dogs spend the majority of their time outside, so don’t think she will be sitting in a kennel all day.”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t think that. You have a great place here and I’m sure she would be fine. It’s just we’ve never been apart for very long periods of time.”
Dusty stopped walking and turned to face her. “Mikayla, I can help Angel, but you’re going to have to trust me. I know eight weeks seems like a long time, but it’s the minimal amount of time necessary to deprogram her bad behavior.”
Mikayla glanced around once more, and could find no fault with the ranch. She looked at Dusty and could find no fault with the man. “Okay.” She nodded.
She bent to Angel’s level, and the dog pulled on the leash to get to her. “I wish you could understand that I am not abandoning you.” She kissed the dog’s furry head and fought back the tears.
“I’ll take good care of her. You can come see her in two weeks.”
She stood. “I know.”
“Let me take her inside to Sam and I’ll be right back.”
She nodded and looked away as Dusty led Angel back inside. At the door the dog stopped and looked back at her, expecting Mikayla to follow, and when she did not, Angel turned to go back to her, prompting Dusty to tug on her leash.
The dog finally surrendered and followed the man inside. Once they were out of sight, Mikayla walked to the six-foot fence surrounding the play area and released the tears she’d been holding back.
She knew her behavior would seem extreme to Dr. Warren or anyone there. After all, they would only be separated for eight weeks. But no one else understood what this separation meant. It wasn’t just a few weeks apart, it was a broken promise.
Only one other soul in the world knew the truth, that the relationship between her and Angel went deeper than just owner and pet. They were best friends. Not only friends, they were each others saviors.
On the worst night of her life, five years ago, as she lay bleeding to death in a deserted alley, she’d made a promise to the stray dog that rescued her from her attacker. The dog, even after the attack was over, stood over her wounded body like a sentinel, watching, guarding from all comers.
The dog refused to leave her side, even as the blood from her own injuries coated her fur and dripped onto the concrete. That night, she’d promised the dog a home for life. No one would ever separate them. And now, for the first time she was about to break that promise.
Sure, she took trips to do speaking engagements, but Angel had always remained safe and sound in her own home, knowing Mikayla would return. But this was different. This time, Angel would be living away from her home for two months, and Mikayla had no way to assure her she would return.
She felt like the worst kind of betrayer. Hearing the door open behind her, she swiped at her eyes. This was going to be the longest two weeks of her life.
“Okay, she’s all settled in.” Dusty came up beside her, and the surprised look on his face told her she had not gotten rid of all the evidence of her sorrow.
“Hey, relax. I promise you, Angel’s going to be just fine. I’ve been training dogs for over ten years. I know what I’m doing.”
She forced a smile. “I’m sure you do.”
“Come on.” He gestured to a nearby golf cart. “I want to show you something.”
The pair climbed in and Dusty guided the cart toward his house. The closer they came to the house, the more her tension grew.
“Where are we going?” she asked, looking directly at his house in the distance.
Despite the fact that he was certain she knew, still he pointed to the house. “My home. I have some friends there I want you to meet.”
Her eyes widened in terror, and Dusty could literally feel her fear like it was a tangible thing.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean friends you want me to meet—I just met you!”
“It’s okay, trust me.” Dusty was split between her reaction and the strong emotions swirling in the atmosphere around his head. It was the most bizarre thing, but he knew with complete certainty he was feeling her emotions. And what she was feeling was not good.
“Trust you? I don’t even know you!”
He stopped the cart, and she was instantly out of it, walking quickly back up the hill toward the hospital.
“Mikayla!” he called to her, then turned the cart around and followed until he could come up beside her. “Did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head. “I just remembered something I have to do.”
He stopped the cart again. “I just wanted to introduce you to my dogs!” he called after her.
She stopped in her tracks. She turned to look at him. “Your dogs?”
He hopped out of the cart and walked to her. “I thought if you saw them and heard how far they had come it would be encouraging to you.”
The heavy air surrounding them began to thin as she smiled. “Your dogs.”
The calm expression on her pretty face could not wipe away the terror she’d felt a moment ago. He’d felt it as surely as she did. It was the strangest phenomenon he’d ever experienced, but he knew it was real.
He gestured to the cart. “Do you have time?”
She nodded and climbed back into the cart.
As they approached the house, Mikayla could see it was even bigger than she’d thought. “Wow, what a beautiful home.”
“Thank you.” He stepped out of the cart and waited for her to join him. Together they went along the side of the large house, to the backyard where three dogs, a Labrador retriever, a German shepherd and a Chihuahua all lay on the large open deck, bathing in the sun.
The three together, so different and yet seeming in perfect synch, made a comical trio, and Mikayla
