Head Over Paws

by Debbie Burns

  “I know it’s late. I’m not even going to ask if I woke you.” She bit her lip, a wide, happy grin spreading across her face. “And I’ll apologize later. I just… I didn’t want to waste another minute.”

  He pulled her in for a hug and pressed his lips against her temple as she stepped inside. “I’m glad you’re here. You know, you can always use the code so you’re not stuck in the hallway.”

  “I used the other one to get in downstairs. But when I got up here, knocking felt more right.”

  It wasn’t until he shut the door that he realized how dark it was in the room. He flipped on the overhead light and winced. There was a lamp on the side table next to the couch that hadn’t been on in more than year. He headed over and turned the switch. He was half-surprised it wasn’t burned out.

  Still standing by the door, she read his thoughts and flipped off the glaring overhead light.

  “Thanks. You, ah, want something to drink?”

  “Sure. A glass of water would be nice.”

  She followed him in and, as he filled two glasses, stepped behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso, pressing a cheek against his shoulder blade.

  “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.” After setting the glasses on the counter, he turned and locked his arms around her, his body responding in more ways than just the warming in his blood. When she was near, he experienced a sense of being alive more profound than anything he’d felt before. The words I love you attempted to push their way out, but he held them back, not wanting them to get in the way of anything she had to say.

  The water was still running. She flipped off the faucet and closed her hands over both sides of his face. “Thank you. For letting me go. For letting me do this when everything between us is so new. You have no idea what it means to me for you to just—I don’t know—to let me figure this out for myself.”

  “Figure what out?”

  “That I wasn’t trusting myself.” She slid her hands down his neck and let them settle over his chest. She stepped closer still and pressed a soft kiss against his sternum. “It’s crazy, and maybe it’s because I was raised on a farm a stone’s throw from a river, but all my life, I’ve been super aware of… Ugh. I don’t know how to explain it.” She pressed her forehead into his chest for a few seconds before meeting his gaze again. “The ebb and flow of life, I guess. Sometimes there’s never enough, and sometimes there’s too much, and sometimes it’s just right. At times, I catch myself thinking things will never be perfect, but the truth is, I’m starting to think most of what comes our way is exactly what’s supposed to.”

  She pulled in a deep breath, and the same smile returned that had been on her face when he opened the door.

  “What I’m trying to say is I realized tonight I’m ready to trust myself. I don’t know how I’m going to get there, but I do know what I’m supposed to be doing, and I know where I’m supposed to be. And just as importantly, I know who I’m supposed to be with.”

  He ran a hand down the length of her hair, lightness filling him like a balloon. “I’m hoping I know the answer to that last part. Actually, I’m hoping I am the answer.”

  She rose up and brushed her lips over his. “You’re the best answer I could have in that regard. I love you, Gabe. I’ve known it for a while, maybe even since that first day I met you. And the more I get to know you, the more it grows.”

  Her lips met his in a kiss that sent a rush of energy over his spine and through his limbs. As it progressed, she slipped her hands into his hair. The need in her fingertips and the gentle pressure of her body against his heated his blood from warm to hot.

  “I love you too,” he answered when she pulled away to meet his gaze.

  “I know you do. And if Morgan wasn’t waiting in the car, I’d be very tempted to head into your room to show you all the ways I mean that.”

  He kissed her again, and his boxers began to gape open for a different reason than the disarray of sleep. “I wondered where he was. We can bring him up, if you want. But full disclosure, Samson’s hogging the bed, and he’s out like a light. If you’re serious, we could always settle for the couch.”

  Her smile grew wide, her teeth shining in the lamplight. “How’s your stock of peanut butter looking?”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Enough to fill the big Kong, at least.”

  “You know, Morgan’s really food-focused. I think that would do the trick.” She lifted his hand in hers and pressed his palm against her lips. “Only there’s something else I want to tell you first. Two things, actually.”

  “Yeah. Anything.”

  “The job back home… I turned it down. I told you that I know I’m meant to be a teacher, and that hasn’t changed. But the shelter, you, my sister… I’m meant to be here, Gabe. Now. Not in another year. I’ll pick up subbing or maybe even a teaching assistant position if nothing opens. Not getting a position for next year doesn’t mean the end of my career.”

  “I want to ask if you’re sure, but you look really clear.”

  “I am clear.”

  Their lips brushed again, and tears unexpectedly stung his eyes. He cleared his throat and did his best to blink them back. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

  “You don’t have to. I already know.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “It opens everything up. Everything, Olivia.”

  “I know. Pretty much everything, I guess. I do have one disclaimer.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  “It’s the other thing I wanted to say. I don’t know how I’m going to do it yet, considering I don’t have steady employment, but I do have decent savings built up. I realized tonight that I’ve never lived alone. Ever. It may be a little early to lay out all my cards like this, but I feel I need to say it now because I realized how important this is to me too.”

  “You want to get a place of your own?”

  “A lease on an apartment or something. And that’s the awkward part. I won’t sign anything too long in the event that…you know, things between us keep progressing like they have been. But this is something I feel called to do.”

  He shook his head, laughing off what felt like a potentially surreal connection. “I understand that. And I’ll honor it. Happily. As far as I’m concerned, what’s between us is for the long term, Olivia. And I’m fine with you taking the steps you need to get us there. The funny thing is, when I told my landlord I’m house shopping, he asked if I knew anyone who might be interested in moving in. It’s something to think about, but if he doesn’t have to advertise or lose out on rent if it goes unoccupied, he said he won’t raise it for the next person. I know for a fact my rent is practically unheard of in this market.”

  Olivia chewed on the inside of her cheek as she looked around. Gabe’s place had called to her from the first time she stepped inside. From the tall ceilings to the molding and brick, it had amazing bones. All it needed was bit of a homemaking to really shine.

  Finally, she gave a giant shrug. “You moving out for your dog, me moving in here for a bit with another dog—it’s a touch nontraditional, but I like it. And so long as we consider still doing that weekend thing we’ve been talking about, I think it could be just what I need right now.”

  He wrapped both hands around her hips and pulled her close. “Thank you for telling me. For trusting me.” He kissed her, holding nothing back. Just when he was becoming seriously tempted to lift her to his counter, he stopped. After honesty like that, this wasn’t something he wanted to rush. “How about you grab that dog and I’ll fill the Kong? And I’m pretty sure I have a few candles shoved in a drawer around here somewhere.”

  Olivia pressed her body even closer just long enough to get his blood boiling. “It sounds like we’ve got a plan.”

  Chapter 30

  The sky was partially overcast with puffy, dark-gray cl
ouds racing across and revealing patches of brilliant blue behind them, making it a bit unclear whether it would rain as forecasted. Knowing all the supplies she and her seventh-hour students needed to haul into the shelter, Olivia was hoping it would hold off for another half hour at least, ideally longer since she’d been told at least one of her students’ service-hour activities would be outside.

  She’d settled in for the bus ride in the seat behind the driver, an older woman who wasn’t very talkative. This gave her time to savor the drive from Westbury Middle to the High Grove Animal Shelter in relative quiet. The fourteen kids who’d been able to attend were scattered around the middle and rear of the bus, and some of their conversation—borderline inappropriate at times as it seemed most middle school conversations tended to be—floated up as far as where she was sitting. Thankfully, the kids were sticking with crude humor and a bit of flirting, but no bullying or anything that she needed to call them on.

  Feeling her phone vibrate in her purse beside her, Olivia pulled it out to find new texts from both Ava and Gabe, who were headed to the shelter separately. Ava was on her way with Morgan, and Gabe was ducking out of his office for an hour after getting Yun to cover a few of his appointments.

  Olivia sent off a text to her sister first.

  Hope my baby boy wasn’t much trouble today.

  Then one to Gabe.

  Can’t wait for you to meet some of these kids. Thanks for taking time out to make it happen.

  Gabe texted back first.

  Wouldn’t miss it. See you in a few.

  Ava took a full ten minutes to respond.

  Here. He did great aside from the items he swiped off the counter.

  This text was followed by bread, apple, banana, and hairbrush emojis.

  Please tell me he didn’t eat the hairbrush.

  He didn’t, but you owe me a new one.

  After half a minute, a new text arrived, this one a photo of a mangled hairbrush.

  Laughing, Olivia sent a thumbs-up and a thankful emoji, then returned her phone to her purse. The bus driver exited Interstate 44 and was heading along the ramp toward Webster Groves when Olivia rose to her knees, facing the students, to relay a handful of last-minute instructions.

  “Listen up, kids!” She clapped her hands to get their attention and waited till she had it to continue. “We’ll be there in just a couple of minutes. Most importantly, remember to keep together until I take another head count after we get off the bus. This is my first real-life field trip with students all on my own. And for those of you who have someone meeting you here, just a reminder that your mom or dad or guardian needs to sign you out tonight before you leave. If not… Let’s not even go there. Raise your hands please so I know you understand and are in agreement.”

  It took a quick repeat of the last part of instructions, but all fourteen kids had arms raised overhead by the time they pulled into the parking lot.

  “Great.” She clamped a hand over her heart. “I also want to say that you guys are amazing kids. Each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you did to make this happen. More than anything else, the compassion and enthusiasm you’ve all shown for this makes my year.”

  From the middle of the bus, one of the girls practically squealed. “That’s your dog by that tree, isn’t it? I recognize him from your pictures.”

  Olivia ducked her head to look out the window. She spotted her sister waiting with Morgan off to the side of the parking lot. He had one back leg raised and was doing his business. “Yep! In the flesh. And you guys can thank my sister for turning down a spur-of-the-moment afternoon property showing to get him here.”

  “Can we get a picture with him for the student paper?” Addison asked.

  “Of course. And I’m sure the social media guru here will want to post it as well.”

  Even though it was hard, Olivia resisted heading around to meet Ava and her dog—who’d already smelled her and was wagging that docked tail a mile a minute—until the kids had filed out and all been counted. “Good boy, Morgs,” she called, giving him a few seconds of petting and additional praise.

  “Guys, this is my sister, Ava Graham, and as you know, my dog, Morgan.” She took the leash as Ava said hi. A new wave of happiness rolled over Olivia when Morgan seemed perfectly relaxed and content to hang by her side. Any worry that he might assume she’d be leaving him behind again washed away.

  She was about to give Ava a rundown of the kids’ names when Megan, Patrick, and Tess filed out of the building, each with a cart or dolly, and Olivia started fresh with the round of introductions. She listed all the kids by name but suspected she should probably grab a handful of blank name tags before the tour and service projects started.

  “So, where would you like everything?” she asked.

  “We were just talking about that,” Megan said. “I think we’ll unload and get it all to the back room. Then organize it from there. The kids can help sort stuff or pick another project.”

  “Sounds great,” Olivia said as she spotted Gabe’s truck pulling in out of the corner of her eye. To the kids, she added, “Let’s work hard, guys. I may or may not have packed a bag full of snacks for a break later.”

  The group groaned appreciatively, and a few begged to have them now with pleading looks as sincere as Morgan’s could be.

  “A half hour won’t send you into starvation, will it?”

  “It could” came with a few grumbles.

  Choosing to ignore the side comment, Olivia waved Gabe over. “Guys, you might recognize Dr. Wentworth from the rescue video of Morgan. I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to step out from his office this afternoon, so I didn’t tell you he was going to join us.”

  Gabe nodded at the group of kids as he locked a hand over Olivia’s shoulder. “Nice to meet you, guys. Olivia has talked my ear off about you. And just call me Gabe. Honestly, if you forget that, I’m fine with ‘Hey, Ms. Graham’s boyfriend.’”

  Olivia rolled her eyes at the collective snickers, shuffling of feet, and even the few gagging sounds that rolled over her students in a wave.

  “Nice, Gabe,” she said, giving him a smile.

  He winked, then nodded toward the back of the bus. The bus driver was opening the doors at the back so they could begin unloading the supplies that took up both sides of the last two rows. “Want me in there or down here?” he asked her.

  “Um, how about you lower them down and we’ll load the carts?” She glanced Ava’s way. “Since you’re in heels, can you do leash duty again for a few minutes?”

  “Sure. Just don’t ask me to hold that snack bag too. He certainly isn’t afraid to test authority.” When Morgan gave her a guilty-as-charged look, she added, “And chase perfectly innocent cats.”

  Olivia clamped her lower lip to hold back her laughter. “They’ll get used to each other. Promise.” She was willing to bet Ava was as smitten with her newly adopted cat as she was with Morgan.

  With the kids pitching in, the supplies were unloaded and stacked in the back room behind the dog kennels in just minutes, and then Megan and Tess herded the middle schoolers back to the front to start the tour.

  After taking Morgan off Ava’s hands again, Olivia joined Gabe and Patrick, who were off to the side talking about one of the kids’ service project options. Samson was sprawled against the back wall, as comfortable as if he owned the place, reminding Olivia that he’d been coming here with Gabe since well before she had started.

  “Assuming the rain holds off,” Gabe was saying to Patrick. “And without hand tools, we’ll stick with raking and pulling weeds where we’re going to carve out the trail.”

  “Are you talking about the trail?” Olivia asked. “You’re just going to start and hope for the best?”

  For the last week and a half, Gabe and Yun had been in negotiations—first with Dr. Washington, and for nearly a week with th
e owner of the jewelry store. Since Ava was acting as a dual agent on the sale, Olivia had been worried about the pressure her sister was under to make the sale happen. So far, though, she hadn’t been showing signs of any real strain.

  “Sort of.” Looking a bit like he was holding something back, Gabe gave Patrick a nod and promised to catch up with him later. “Can you take a quick walk while your students get the tour?”

  “Sure.” Olivia slipped her free hand into Gabe’s as they headed out the back door. With a sigh of reluctance, Samson took his time rising to his feet, then trotted happily out after them, at first single file behind Morgan who was confined by the leash.

  She leaned in to Gabe as Morgan’s attention was caught by a robin hopping about on the ground, and she needed to urge him along. Samson, who remained leashless as always, hung by Gabe’s side when something wasn’t calling his attention to give it a quick sniff.

  He and Morgan had been together several times now, and on walks and outings, years seemed to shed off Samson in Morgan’s presence. It was only when they were hanging out together in Gabe’s apartment or Aunt Becky’s that they retreated to separate spaces and largely ignored each other, acting a bit like stepchildren who were still more focused on carving out their own space than sharing with their new companion.

  “Did I tell you yet how happy I am that you were able to come?” Olivia gave Gabe’s hand a squeeze.

  He grinned. “Once. Maybe twice.” He draped his arm over her shoulder as they headed around the building to the strip of woods separating the shelter from the jewelry store. “Did I tell you how much it means to me to be here for you? And to get to meet your students?”

  She laughed and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “You may have.”

  He stopped about halfway around the side of the building and guided their small group toward the short dog-walking trail that circled through the deepest section of the woods. Olivia had walked Morgan through here several times before he’d become hers. He’d loved the scent stations, especially the boxes with the squirrel and groundhog scents. He could’ve stood around sniffing those boxes for hours.