by Sasha Goldie
Finally, I was able to let all the slack out of the leash. The dogs circled each other, wagging and sniffing like they'd been separated from each other all their lives.
Maybe they knew that the two of them were about to make one veteran very happy. I felt like wagging my own damn tail, eager for tomorrow to come. All the people I’d invited had said they’d be there.
Pulling my phone out, I realized I'd had it on silent and had about a dozen messages.
Filtering through, I replied to all with a huge grin on my face. It was all coming together perfectly. All I had to do was keep Max away from my place until tomorrow night.
Corey was covering my shifts, and Sundays were notoriously slow for lunch. We decided to let the new sous-chef run the show, giving him a chance to shine and us a chance to show Max how much we all cared about him.
I spent the rest of Saturday cleaning, watching the dogs to be one hundred percent sure that they continued to get along.
About an hour before the grocery store in town closed, I separated the two dogs, just in case, and headed to town to shop for the party.
"Carson," a voice called as I walked into the grocery store.
Couldn't go anywhere in that small town without someone stopping to talk.
I turned to let Brady catch up. "Hey, Daisy told me about the silent auction, and I called Max." Brady grabbed a cart and followed me into the store. "I want to help. I've got a little bit put back."
If rumors were true, Brady had a lot-a bit put back.
"Max told me they can cost up to fifty thousand," I exclaimed. "I'm worried about how we'll raise that much."
"I was thinking about that. What if we also auctioned off dates?"
"Like a beefcake auction?" My face lit up. "I love that idea."
"Me, too. I know I'd pay a pretty penny for a date with Corey. We need to plan well, and make sure the person we put up on the auction block is not the one that controls the purse strings."
I burst out laughing. "You want us to try to guess which person in town controls the checkbook in the families, then ask their partners to be auctioned?"
"Of course," he said as he picked up a case of sodas.
"Still addicted?" I nodded at his cart.
"More than ever. Corey doesn't even attempt to curb it. He says that if that's the worst thing I'm addicted to, I'm doing okay."
I snorted. "He'll change his tune as you get older and all those sodas settle around your midsection."
Brady shoved me in response. "I'll always have a hot bod."
Laughing, we rounded the corner to the meat department. I loaded up. "We've got to start thinking of parties that aren't barbeques," I said as we picked out ribs.
"Nah, barbeques are fun." He added steaks to my cart. "Here, this sounds good."
"Then buy it for yourself," I said, moving them to his cart. "I'm not feeding half the town steak."
"Oh, but ribs are okay?"
"Yeah, they'll have a piece of chicken and a few ribs, not half a rack each."
We continued joking with each other as we moved around the store. The time with him made me realize all of us had stopped spending time together.
"Brady, we need more get-together time."
"What do you mean?"
"Are you not enjoying yourself, walking around with me?" I started unloading the very full cart onto the counter to check out.
"I am."
"Well, we used to do this all the time. Let's plan some hanging-out time."
He looked apprehensive. "Without our boyfriends?"
"Well, that's not what I meant at all. All of us. Nate and Ian, you and Corey, me and Max. And Tyler will be able to join us soon."
"He'll love that, being the..." Brady counted on his fingers. "Seventh wheel."
"Well, we gotta find him a man."
Once the cart was empty, I moved up to get the bags the cashier had already filled and load them.
"We can start by planning the silent auction together."
Nodding, I pulled out my wallet and prepared to pay. "Good idea. We'll start after the barbeque tomorrow."
"It's a plan."
28
Max
"Yes, your application came just in time. I was about to select a new apprentice."
The trainer's voice came out over my speakerphone as I sat on my couch with a huge grin on my face. "I'm really happy to hear you're taking one on. Being able to train and apprentice and not having to move would be a dream."
"I liked your essay about why you want to become a trainer."
"Thank you, sir." My military training slipped out. I felt like I was talking to my drill instructor. "I was as open and honest as the government will let me be about what happened and how that influenced me to want to work with dogs."
"I think it’s a wonderful motivator. I can see you going a long way in this industry. I've trained veterans before, and the thing that stuck out to me was the ability of a veteran to be patient. That's half the battle with training."
"Yes, especially in advanced training, patience is absolutely vital," I agreed.
"We'll start your official training next week."
I clapped my hands together quietly, too excited to keep still. "Sounds great."
We worked out when and where I needed to come to Bend to fill out all the official paperwork and go through an orientation. He apologized for the Sunday call, but said I'd have to get used to odd hours. Dogs didn't keep office hours.
I couldn't wait to tell Carson. I finally felt like I had news enough to share, to be proud of.
Sure, I knew I'd gone through some shit and come through it stronger, and I was proud of that. But that didn't have anything to do with a career or school.
Becoming an apprentice validated me somehow. I'd made it into something great without help from anyone. This was all me, for me, about me.
Proud of myself, I started thinking of a way to celebrate. I wanted to include Carson but celebrate me.
My therapist would be so proud.
Checking the time, I saw I still had a few hours before Carson wanted me to come over. I'd gotten up early to talk to the trainer. He'd emailed me while I was at work the night before. Luckily, I logged on and checked it before crashing, or I would've missed the call.
I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, skipping down the stairs as fast as I could, then nearly jogging through the garage. "Where ya going?" Ian asked.
Jumping out of my skin, I whirled around. I'd been about to open the door to the parking lot when he spoke from the desk. "What the hell?" I yelled in a strangled voice. "What are you doing here on a Sunday?"
Ian never came to the garage on Sundays. He'd do an occasional Saturday if Nate had a lot of work to do, but never a Sunday.
"Paperwork," he said. "Had to get some stuff together for my accountant tomorrow."
"Okay," I said. "Next time put a bell on or at least turn on a damn light." He had the desk drawers open, but how he was seeing, I didn't know.
"Sure thing," he said with a grin.
"What are you up to?" Squinting my eyes at him, I didn't believe the innocent look he tried to feed me for a second. "You know what? I don't have time to figure you out, Ian. I gotta run."
He laughed as I headed out the door. After the door shut behind me, I would've sworn I heard him say, "See you later," but I ignored him.
Walking into the shelter, I couldn't wait to get my dog. He would be the perfect topping for this day. I'd connected with him every time I'd come to volunteer, and he would be the icing on the cake.
"Hey, Pam," I said brightly as I walked in the door. "How are you this morning?"
She gave me a strange smile. "Hey, Max, what are you doing here?"
What was with the attitude? "Well, I came to do morning cleanup and runs, but I want to adopt Hugo." I spread my arms as I said it, excited for the moment I got to take him home.
Her face froze in a polite smile, her strange attitude even more prominent. "Hugo?"<
br />
I raised my eyebrows at her, nodding. "Yes, Hugo."
"Have you talked to Carson about it?" she asked.
She was being really nosy about the whole thing. "Well, no, but I don't need his permission to adopt a dog."
The problem was that I hadn't talked to Ian, but surely, he wouldn't mind. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.
"It's just..." She straightened some papers on her desk. "He volunteered yesterday and knows that Hugo was adopted. I figured he would've told you."
My great mood crashed to my knees. "No, we didn't cross paths yesterday."
He'd said he had a lot to do, and I'd worked all day. It hadn't been a big deal, I didn't expect us to be together twenty-four-seven.
"Well, I'm sorry to have to deliver that news," she said sincerely.
"It's okay. I'll just go do the morning chores."
Trying not to let myself get too upset, I headed to the back to take care of the remaining pups. They must've had some sort of adoption run because there were far fewer dogs than the last time I'd been there.
Hugo's empty cage mocked me as I cleaned the rest of them. It had already been cleaned and sanitized, even had a sticker on the side that touted the date and time of the sanitation.
Sucking in a deep breath, I refused to look at it again. It wasn’t meant to be. That didn't mean I wouldn’t bond with another dog here.
But the other dogs didn't call to me like Hugo had. I resigned myself to being sad about Hugo, and that it was okay to be sad about a silly dog.
I finished up taking care of the pups, showing them a little extra attention since it didn't take me nearly as long to clean up after them. "Sorry you guys are still here," I told the last one as I led him back to his cage.
"I'm out, Pam," I called after washing my hands one last time. She didn't answer. As I walked through the front office, I noticed a note on the door.
Max - had to run. Lock the door when you leave, please. - Pam
Well, okay then. I guess we'd established I'd lock up on my way out. She could've at least stuck her head in the back and let me know.
After I locked the door, I hit the road. It was a little early to head to Carson's, but he wouldn't mind if I was early. Surely our relationship had progressed to the point that we could pop in on each other.
Carson's neighbor must've been having a party. I pulled up and parked at the curb, but the house beside his had a yard full of cars.
I walked up to his door with mixed emotions. I was still so excited that I'd gotten the apprenticeship but losing out on Hugo because I waited too long and waffled back and forth about adopting him was stinging.
Opening the door, I stuck my head in. "Hello?" The house smelled like he'd been grilling.
"In the kitchen," Carson called. I headed that way trying to decide how to tell him about my new career. I'd wanted to do it with Hugo running toward him. Damn it.
He stood in the kitchen with the biggest grin on his face. "Why are you half-bent over?" I asked.
"Why are you early?" His grin widened, which I wouldn't have thought possible.
"Is that a problem?" I began to laugh as I walked around the island.
"It is when I've got a big surprise for you," he said in a high-pitched voice.
He stood up straight, and a dog ran around the island toward me as the door to the back patio opened. I swung my gaze from the dog now jumping on me to the people standing outside, all trying to see in the kitchen. "Surprise!" they yelled in unison.
"We had a better way to do this planned," Carson said, joining me. Droo ran in from the patio, adding to the excitement of the dog jumping all over me.
"You adopted Hugo," I said in amazement, bent over as Hugo licked me everywhere he could reach me.
"I love you," Carson said as he put his arm around me.
I loved him too, but my focus was all for Hugo. Not even the huge group of friends outside was enough to cut through my shock.
29
Carson
We gave Max several minutes to love on Hugo while we finished up the preparations. He eventually just gave up and got on the floor. After a while, the excited dog brought him one of the tennis balls Pam had brought for him.
"Okay," I said, interrupting his snuggling Hugo in the middle of my kitchen. "Lunch is ready."
Everyone had chipped in, Ian and Nate organizing everything for me. Extra tables and chairs were all over the back yard, and everyone with a dog had brought one. Dogs and kids ran all over the place, yelling and laughing. Barks and playful growls filled the air.
I sat Max down at the table with Ian and Nate, and Corey and Brady. Turning to the crowd, who all had plates full of food and were in various stages of eating, I raised my hands up. "Thank you all for coming." Turning to Max, I smiled as he looked at me expectantly. "Max, I planned all this to ask you one specific question.” The sounds of conversation died as everyone looked at Max expectantly. They all knew what was coming.
He looked around, as if seeking someone to let him in on the secret. His gaze returned to me, ready for the surprise. I pulled a box out of its hiding spot beside the grill and turned back to him. It looked like a necklace box, all black velvet and all.
"So, you were supposed to come to the back yard, and I would have this waiting, and when you came through the gate, I'd hold this out and say, Maxwell, I love you and want to be with you constantly. I think after your stellar performance on Main Street, you return my feelings." I opened the box, revealing a jewel-studded dog collar. "Will you raise a dog with me?"
Max burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "You are something else. Yes, I'll raise a dog with you." He stood and held his arms out, and I rushed into them, relieved that even though he'd come early, it had gone off so well. Our yard full of friends clapped and cheered.
Max's parents were among the crowd, though I was fairly sure he hadn't seen them yet. They stood from their table and joined us. "We're so happy for you both," his mom said as she hugged me.
"I'm glad you're here," Max said as he hugged his dad. "I actually had my own news I was going to announce today. I got the call today. I've been accepted as an apprentice to a master trainer in Bend. I'll be able to train to be a service dog trainer but won't have to leave Three Lakes."
"Oh, that's amazing." I couldn't have been happier for Max. This was the ideal scenario for him. His parents gave another round of hugs, thrilled with Max's news.
"It takes a long time to become certified, but I've never been so sure about anything. I'm more sure about this than when I joined the military."
I couldn't stop smiling at Max. Even as he sat down and began to eat, I just kept smiling at him, totally ignoring my own plate.
"What?" Max asked with a mouthful of food.
"I'm happy," I said simply. "You were clear, just to be sure, that I'm asking you to move in with me, right?"
Max blinked several times. "No, actually." He burst out laughing. "But the answer is still yes."
"Well, it's even better now," I said, finally taking a bite of my chicken. "You're going to need to cut back at the restaurant."
"I guess this is my heads up you'll be moving out?" Ian asked.
"I guess so. But why do I have to cut back at the restaurant?" Max gave me a haughty look. "You think I can't do it all?"
"There is no doubt in my mind that you can do it all. But, if you're doing all your responsibilities with your apprenticeship and working as much as you do at the restaurant, then you'll have no time for me."
"Well, are you going to pay my bills?" he asked, his tone turning skeptical.
"I figured we'd have this conversation in a more private setting, but yes, I was going to offer to help." He had gone through so much alone. There was no reason he had to go at this alone.
"Help me with something in the kitchen?" I stood and held my hand out. Max gulped down a big drink of his tea then took my hand. We walked into the kitchen, both dogs hot on our heels.
"You can't jus
t spring it on me that you want me to be a kept man."
I put my hands on the counter and bent over, laughing. "Listen, a kept man was the last thing on my mind."
Straightening up, I took Max's hands and pulled him close. "Max, I want to help you. I knew you'd be moving on from the restaurant eventually, and I hoped it would be into some sort of training program." He started to speak, an outraged expression crossing his face. "Don't take me wrong. I wanted you to go into some sort of schooling or training only because I knew that is what you want. And I knew that if you agreed to move in with me, I wanted to offer to take care of the finances so that you could focus on bettering yourself and moving into a place that will make you happy."
He pulled on my hands, and I stumbled forward into his chest as he enveloped me into a bear hug. "I love you," he mumbled against my hair.
"I just want to try to give you a leg up," I said in a dry voice.
He pulled away from me and looked down into my face, which I kept carefully serious.
"A leg up?" he asked.
"Yes."
Laughing uproariously, he yanked me back into a hug and we danced around the kitchen, the dogs barking and hopping around us.
"Come on," I said when he'd calmed down. "We have a silent auction to plan."
We joined the party and had a blast, mingling with all our friends. They did a great job showing Max that they considered him as much a part of the community as I was.
Everyone left except for our four closest friends. They were staying late to help us plan the auction. We cleaned up as we brainstormed exactly how to do it.
"We need to do it soon," I said. "Tyler will be coming home in a matter of days, maybe a week or two, tops."
"Which of us knows the most people in the community?" Ian asked. "I'm thinking Brady."
Everyone nodded. "Definitely," I said.
"Okay, Brady, you're in charge of donations." I pointed at him and winked.
"That's fine, but you're in charge of the auction."
