Under Her Wing

by Ronica Black

  Jayden knelt and called her other pups over. She loved on each of them, as did Kassandra. “I don’t like hearing that you’re afraid. No one should feel that way in their own home.”

  Kassandra loved on the dogs in silence, paying particular attention to Dax.

  “No pressure,” Jayden said. “Just wanted you to meet him.”

  Kassandra smiled. “Thanks,” she said softly. She straightened and looked around. “You have a nice home.”

  Jayden showed her the living room. “Thanks. Grandma liked her space. We always had animals and they always lived inside with us.”

  “It was your grandmother’s?”

  “Yes. She lived in this house for fifty-five years.” Jayden walked to the bookshelf and retrieved a photo. She handed it to Kassandra. “That’s her when she and my grandpa first moved in. You can see the front porch in the background.”

  “Wow. She was beautiful.”

  “She was a looker.”

  “I can see the resemblance.” Kassandra looked at her. “The hair and eyes.”

  “I used to get that a lot. People used to think I was hers. Might as well have been. I always got along better with her than I did my mother.”

  Kassandra returned the photo. She looked as if she wanted to ask a question but changed her mind.

  “Anyway, that’s the story on the house.” She placed the photo back on the bookshelf. “Mel and I have remodeled quite a bit over the years.”

  “I can tell. It’s nice.”

  Jayden scratched Dax on the head. Most of the other dogs had assumed their positions on the floor or couch.

  “You like to read,” Kassandra said, eyeing the bookshelf.

  Jayden turned to follow her line of sight. “I do.”

  “You like noirs,” she said softly.

  Jayden smiled. “Guilty.”

  “So do I.”

  “If you see anything you like, you’re welcome to borrow it.”

  Kassandra flushed a little. “Thanks, but—”

  Jayden held up a hand. “No pressure.”

  “Okay.” She smiled and then looked away bashfully.

  Jayden had the feeling that she didn’t trust easily. Didn’t let people in. She was so guarded, afraid to let others help her.

  “I’ll keep offering,” Jayden said. “But there’s never any pressure. I like to help my friends. It’s what I do.” She offered a smile and eased her hands into her pockets. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the place.”

  They said good-bye to the dogs and headed back out into the heat.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kassandra walked with Jayden around the property. The day was hot and the sun was bright, so Jayden tried her best to give a quick tour. The shelter, along with Jayden’s house, sat on seven acres. Horse property surrounded Jayden’s, and the area seemed very quiet and peaceful. People just wanting to care for their animals north of the city.

  Kassandra wondered if she could see the stars at night out there. She’d have to ask Jayden sometime. Kassandra loved the night sky. It reminded her of childhood trips to Baja. She’d sit out by the soothing sound of the ocean and stare up at the millions of stars. It had been the most beautiful thing she’d seen to date.

  “Something on your mind?” Jayden asked as they headed for the front office once again.

  “It’s a nice place,” she said. And it was. The grounds were nice, well kept. The trees were large and provided much-needed shade. She even had wildflowers growing in some areas. “You’ve done a good job.”

  “Thanks. That’s always nice to hear.”

  Kassandra wanted to ask her about books, the stars, her dogs, her home, but she didn’t dare. She was afraid of her interest and more afraid of the answers. What if Jayden was intelligent, funny, sensitive, and caring? It was already looking like she was. And that only intrigued her more. Which scared the hell out of her.

  “You can ask me anything you want,” Jayden said just before they entered.

  She seemed to be reading her mind, and Kassandra panicked, hoping her interest wasn’t written all over her face.

  “Okay.” She tried to smile, but she knew it wasn’t relaxed. So she looked away as they entered the air-conditioned office. She breathed in deeply and followed Jayden to her desk. The air felt good, instantly cooling the sweat on her skin. She sank into a chair and tried not to stare at the gleam of sweat on Jayden’s tanned skin. Her high cheekbones had been kissed by the sun, causing them to slightly redden. Yet her gray eyes remained cool, like tempting pools in a landscape of hot desert.

  “Here you go.” Jayden retrieved two bottles of cold water from the mini fridge behind her desk. She handed one to Kassandra.

  “Thank you.” Kassandra opened it at once and drank.

  “We keep cold water everywhere. In that fridge in the warehouse, in here, and in the old vending machines throughout the property. You don’t have to have change. Just push the button.”

  Kassandra nodded, recalling now that Jayden had said something about them earlier.

  “Please make sure you stay hydrated. It’s the number one rule while working here in the heat. Now,” she said while digging through her file cabinet, “it would probably help you to read over these files on the kids.”

  She set a stack in front of her. “It helps to know their history and home life. I had to fight for most of that information. The kids, they don’t like talking about home.”

  “I seem to be finding that out,” Kassandra said, thinking of Tony.

  “Most of it I found out on my own. The kids trust me, for the most part.”

  “I can see why. You really care.” Kassandra knew it wasn’t easy getting personal information from teenagers. It must’ve taken Jayden quite a while to get that much information.

  “These ten are lucky. They still have guardians who care. Those that don’t…they don’t tend to last very long here.”

  “It’s all about the home life,” Kassandra said.

  “That’s why I treat these kids like family. To me they are. To the dogs they are.”

  “I understand.” She wished she could do more for her students at school. “I have a student, one who doesn’t like going home.”

  “That doesn’t sound good,” Jayden said. “Has he told you why?”

  “Bits and pieces. It sounds like the mother is mostly gone and the uncle has parties where people pass out all over the house, including the boy’s bed.”

  “Oh, geez.” Jayden dug through a Rolodex. “Do you think he’s neglected?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know what to think. He looks clean and groomed, and though he’s lost weight lately, he looks like he eats. What really concerns me is he says he doesn’t go home sometimes. He has a secret place he goes to, and worse yet, no one at home notices when he’s gone.”

  Jayden plucked a card from her Rolodex and began copying the information on a notepad. Then she fingered through other cards and did the same.

  “Do you know anything else? Is there another family member you can contact?”

  “No. I’ve spoken to the counselor before about him, and she said she’d look into things, but I don’t feel like she really gets it. She doesn’t know Tony like I do. He clammed up when I told him I was going to speak to her.”

  Jayden tore off the piece of paper she’d written on and handed it over. “Sounds like he’s afraid he’ll get put into the system. Like maybe he’s been there before.”

  Kassandra eyed the paper. “He said something about being locked up.”

  Jayden pointed to the paper. “Those are numbers to hotlines, help lines, and addresses to shelters. The last number is for my friend at Child Protective Services. Give him a call. He’s probably going to suggest that you file a report. They’ll investigate.”

  “You’re right. I think this is what he’s afraid of. He’ll be so upset.”

  “But he’ll be alive. He’ll be fed with a warm bed.”

  “Will he? God, I just really d
on’t want to let him down. He feels like nobody cares.”

  Jayden met her gaze. “The best thing you can do for him is to listen, be there for him, and call my friend. I know it isn’t easy. These kids, they all think they can handle it on their own. But they need help.” Jayden’s voice softened. “I’ve had to make several of these calls, and each time it tore my heart out. But letting it go…no way. The streets, they’re no place for a kid. If he’s sleeping on the streets or an abandoned place, think of the danger he’s in. I had a kid once, she was running away after school and sleeping in a motel. Wasn’t long before a pimp found her and had her turning tricks for him just to earn her bed at night.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  “When I found out, which wasn’t easy to do, by the way, I made the call and she got put in the system. She hated me at first, but she comes to visit now. She’s doing okay.”

  Kassandra pushed out a long breath. “Thanks.” She held up the paper before folding it and putting it in her purse.

  “In the meantime, if you want to help him, bring him a bag of food every day. Enough for three meals. Give him those numbers and addresses. Give him change for the pay phones. And tell him you care and you’ll be there for him.”

  Kassandra nodded. “Okay.”

  “If you ever have questions or just need an ear, you can call me. Sometimes dealing with this stuff…it’s heart wrenching.”

  Kassandra felt her heart warm. “Thank you.”

  “He’s lucky he has you.”

  The front doors chimed behind Kassandra. Jayden looked up and smiled, and Kassandra turned to see a young boy with blond hair jumping up and down in front of the counter.

  “Jayden, I’m here. I’m here!”

  Jayden rounded her desk and Kassandra watched as she walked to the counter, swung open the door, and let him through. He threw his arms around her, obviously catching her by surprise.

  “Whoa there, guy. Take it easy or you’re going to squeeze me to death.” Jayden smiled at Kassandra. “Where’s your mom?”

  The boy released his grip and looked up at her. “Mom said she’d be back at six. She’s going to run some errands.”

  A staff member, a woman who had Allie on her name tag, spoke up from behind her desk. “Yeah, she called. I told her it was fine.”

  Jayden gave her a look. “You didn’t tell me.”

  Allie pointed without looking up. “It’s in your message pile that you never look at.”

  Jayden placed her hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Kassandra, this is John. He’s going to be helping me out today.”

  The boy stuck out his hand. Impressed, Kassandra smiled and shook it. “Nice to meet you, John.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Where did you learn to shake hands like that?” Jayden asked.

  “My dad.” He grinned. “He said it’s important.”

  “It is,” Kassandra said. “You did a very good job.”

  He sat on the chair next to her and swung his knobby legs. “I’m here to work with Cooper.” He tugged on the bill of his Arizona Cardinals ball cap. “Who do you work with?”

  “I think I’m here to work with the kids.”

  “Like me?”

  Kassandra laughed a little at his eagerness. “Maybe.”

  “Cool! And you can meet Cooper. He’s gonna be my dog if Jayden fixes him.”

  “He is?”

  “Yeah. That’s why I’m here. I’m gonna help her fix him.”

  Jayden stood in a relaxed position with her arms crossed over her chest. She was smiling, obviously enjoying the exchange.

  “What do you say, bud? You ready to get started?” she asked.

  He stood at once. “Yep.”

  Jayden wrapped her arm around his shoulder and led him toward the warehouse door. “You’ll be okay for a while?” she asked Kassandra.

  “Yes.” Kassandra held up a file, knowing she had a lot of reading to do.

  “Some of the teens are already here. I’ll send some your way when I see them.” She disappeared through the door with John who was already chatting away.

  Kassandra relaxed, drank her water, and dug into the files. Most of the kids sounded a lot like the students that attended her school. Small crimes, truancy, school suspensions, running away. She knew the stories all too well. But Jayden had been right. All ten of the kids seemed to have one or more guardians that still cared. By the look of the notes, it seemed that Jayden had good communication with the guardians. She spoke to them regularly, checking in on the kids to see how they were doing at home and school. She was also in contact with the probation officers.

  Kassandra was impressed. Jayden really did care about these kids. She had birthdays highlighted, favorite foods, colors, and hobbies noted. And she took great care in placing certain kids with certain dogs. And all the kids had gone through hours of training.

  She closed one of the last files as Billy and Gus walked in all grins. “Ms. H.!”

  “You’re here!”

  Gus embraced her, followed by Billy. Both the boys had a bottle of Coke in their hands, and Gus was smacking on gum. Both wore the green polo shirts with the shelter’s emblem on the breast. And both had on khaki shorts, though they were worn lower than the other staff’s. Gus had on yellow work boots, and Billy had on high-top sneakers. Their shoes were covered in dust and their skin glistened with sweat.

  “I see you guys have been working hard.”

  “Can you smell us?” Gus asked playfully. “Because Billy stinks.”

  “Shut up, fool, I do not.”

  She pointed at the Cokes. “Where did you get those?”

  “The fridge in the warehouse,” Billy said, taking a swig.

  “We hide them in the drawers under Beaumont’s bottles of green tea.”

  “Yeah, we need something normal every once in a while. Other than water and that tea stuff she drinks.”

  “We got chocolate hidden, too,” Billy said. “But don’t tell. Beaumont doesn’t like sugar. She’s like a health freak.”

  Kassandra held up her fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  “Come on, we’ll take you to the new intakes and show you what we do.”

  Gus led the way, followed by Billy. They both stopped at the door, downed their Cokes, and then hid them in the trash bin.

  “She must be really serious about the sugar,” Kassandra said.

  “You have no idea,” Gus said, smiling.

  They pushed through the door and entered the warehouse. It was less stuffy than it had been before, and Kassandra noted large fans in the corners. But what she really focused on was Jayden, in the center of the floor space, kneeling with a dog. John was about twenty feet away, intently focused on the dog. She watched as he called the dog, encouraging him by patting his knee. The dog, who was called Cooper, hesitated at first, but with Jayden’s gentle persuading, he eventually walked slowly up to the boy and took the treat.

  John praised him well, but he didn’t get overexcited. He remained very calm, scratching Cooper on the chin. Jayden approached, all smiles. She high-fived him and knelt to praise Cooper. Then she had John kneel and give Cooper another treat and she took his hand and helped him stroke the shy dog. She spoke softly to him as they stroked Cooper, words Kassandra could not hear. But the scene was touching, and Kassandra found herself heating like she had when she’d stared at Jayden’s eyes and sweat slicked skin.

  She looked away, afraid someone would see her staring. But Gus and Billy were over at the supplies, sifting through collars and grabbing two light leashes. When they caught sight of her, they motioned for her to follow them into the private medical room, the place where they had kept Lula. She entered a little warily, still remembering the emotion that had overcome her when she’d first held Lula after her ordeal. It had been a moment she’d never forget.

  “We’ve got two new ones today,” Billy said, setting the leashes on the table. He moved to the stainless steel kennels where two small dogs were l
ying on soft blankets. One dog, a small brown Chihuahua, was jumping at the door and barking, tail wagging. The other dog, a white poodle mix, was cowering in the corner.

  Kassandra’s heart surged at the sight and she had a longing to hold the scared one and comfort it. “Where are they from?”

  Gus took the clipboard off the door of the white one. “This is Cookie. She was given up because her family had to move into a place that didn’t allow dogs. She’s three years old, spayed, vaccines current. But she’s afraid. Says here she’s afraid of everything. People, leashes, dog toys. Says she was around toddlers who tried to carry her often. So she would do best around adults. Temperament is good. No food aggression.” He looked at her and rehung the clipboard. “Poor girl.” He pulled on latex gloves and tossed some to Kassandra. “I’m going to get her out,” he said to Gus, who was also putting on gloves.

  “All right, bro, I’ll take no-name here.” He paused to read the clipboard. “This little guy is young. Less than a year old. Found in a home with ten other Chihuahuas. Owner was a breeder, couldn’t handle them all anymore.”

  “He has no name?” Kassandra asked.

  “Nah. Says the owner had no names for them. She was still trying to sell them.” Gus opened the door and took the little dog in his arms. He spoke softly to him and held him close. “He looks like a Juan,” he said with a smile. “Yeah, a Juan Pablo. That’s what his name will be.” He held him up and the dog tried to lick his face. Gus laughed. “I think he likes it.”

  He placed him on the table and got busy slipping on a collar, while Billy carefully picked up Cookie, the anxious poodle mix. He cooed to her and held her close. Kassandra could tell she was trembling.

  “It’s okay, mija,” Billy said to her. “No one will hurt you here.” He, too, placed her on the table and collared and leashed her. When they were ready they lifted the dogs again and headed out the door, crossing to the back warehouse doors. The grass lots sat just outside the doors. The boys carried the dogs to two separate lots, where they stepped inside and closed the gates. Billy encouraged Kassandra to follow him inside with Cookie.

  He set her down on the grass, and she cowered near his feet. Kassandra knelt and spoke softly to her, trying to get her to come to her. But Cookie merely whined and lay on the grass.