The Promise of Love

by Lori Foster

  Sabrina worked her unique magic, helping the dog relax as Roy put in an IV to get her fluids back up.

  All his life, he’d had a knack with animals. Becoming a vet didn’t quite cover all he wanted to do for and with animals, so with his dad’s help, he’d opened the shelter a few years back. Splitting his time between the clinic and the shelter, he used one to help fund the other. The work kept him too busy for anything resembling an active social life. His “dates” were few and far between.

  But then, he didn’t want anyone other than Sabrina, anyway.

  “I don’t think there’s any permanent damage.” When Sabrina stayed quiet, he glanced up and saw the fat tears clinging to her lashes. It didn’t sound in her voice or show up in her touch, but he knew that seeing abuse of any kind left her devastated. “Sabrina.”

  She sniffled and turned her face away.

  “It’s going to be okay.”

  “I know you’ll make it so.” Her chin firmed. “I’m just so . . . furious.”

  Ah. So her tears were from anger, not upset. He should have realized. Many times over the years he’d seen Sabrina get red-eyed and tearful when enraged.

  He preferred her anger any day.

  Hell, he was angry, too. If he found out who had left the poor dog in front of the shelter, in the storm, instead of following the procedure to get her admitted, he’d use every legal venue to see them prosecuted. As a no-kill shelter, they rarely turned down the admittance of any animal. It was cowardly and unconscionable to just abandon the dog, especially in her condition.

  The IV fluids helped alleviate the dog’s discomfort as Roy finished his exam. He cleaned her up with Sabrina’s assistance and then put her in a crate lined with warm, soft blankets and a dish of high-calorie puppy food. Even weak, she seemed hungry and quickly finished off the food.

  “Good girl,” Roy praised gently.

  With her most immediate needs met, the dog watched him, and her little furry face pinched with worry. Roy took one look at those soulful brown eyes and knew what she wanted.

  “Let’s get her puppies back to her.”

  He and Sabrina made quick work of moving the wiggling little fur-balls into the crate. After two grateful thumps of her tail, the momma lifted her head to lick each pup, then settled back and let them nurse while she rested.

  “Little gluttons,” Roy said with a smile. He trailed a fingertip down the back of each pup and then stroked the momma again.

  “She enjoys your touch.” Sabrina watched the animals intently. “But I’m not surprised.”

  “No?”

  She didn’t look at him, but she sounded wistful when she said, “I think you could gentle a bull.”

  Was she thinking of the times he’d gentled her through raging storms? He watched her profile, his heart full. “Touch is important.”

  “Yes.” She settled her hand around the momma’s head, so gentle and easy. The dog sighed. “Especially now when she needs to learn to trust again.”

  Sometimes it drove Roy crazy trying to figure out Sabrina’s thoughts. He didn’t ever want to do or say anything that brought up bad memories for her. Yet because of the vocations they’d each chosen, they would forever be reminded of human cruelty.

  “I think they were mostly just miserably cold and wet before.” Now that each little pup was dried and comfortable, they took right to feeding. He pulled back and closed the crate.

  Sabrina slipped her hand into his. “She’s a good little momma, isn’t she?”

  Because he knew Sabrina so well, there was no mistaking the comparisons she made. Even in the worst of circumstances, most mothers had the instinct to care for their young.

  But Sabrina’s mother hadn’t cared, and neither had her father. She knew that wasn’t the norm, but knowing it and living with it were two different things.

  “When she gets a little stronger, I can bring her and the puppies over for the kids to see.”

  She squeezed his hand and nodded. “They would enjoy that so much.”

  Many times he and Sabrina had coordinated to bring a birthing cat or dog to the children’s residential home where she worked. Seeing what love should be, what Mother Nature intended, helped to heal the most wounded spirits.

  It had helped Sabrina back when he’d first opened the shelter. He’d grown up with a menagerie of family pets, but Sabrina never had. Roy could still recall the way she’d watched the flrst birthing with wonder and how she’d been so emotionally moved. Seeing the process had given her a new perspective on things, and for days on end she’d hung out at the shelter whenever she could just to be near the new mother and her babies.

  Without animal therapy, some kids never understood what should be, because they were so damaged by what had been. They grew afraid to touch or be touched. But animals gave unconditional love, and in caring for them, interacting with them, kids were able to learn to trust again, and hopefully they healed.

  As Sabrina watched the puppies nursing, Roy watched her. Her expression was so tender, so filled with pleasure that it left him edgy with desire.

  He released her hand to put his arm around her shoulders. “You look exhausted,” he said against her hair as much to remind himself of the previous night as to comfort her.

  She slanted him a silly, self-conscious grin. “I look a mess. It’s a wonder the dogs aren’t all howling in fright.”

  “No way.” He liked being with her like this, so casual, motivated by the same things. Ruffling her mussed hair, he said, “You look very earthy.”

  That made her laugh.

  “Seriously, it’s a good look for you—even though I don’t see you like this very often. You’re usually such a girly girl, refusing to answer your door if you don’t have your hair brushed.”

  She poked him in the ribs and laughed again. “I didn’t want to take the time for sprucing up this morning.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it. Besides, you really don’t need makeup.”

  She snorted.

  “You honestly don’t know how pretty you are, do you?” Pretty—and sexy, too. He looked her over, head to toes. Now that the animals were okay and settled, his mind moved on to other things. “Beautiful even.”

  “You’re obviously in need of more sleep, Roy, but thank you, anyway.” She leaned her head against his shoulder in a show of camaraderie. “And thank you for letting me help today, too. I’ve always loved seeing what you do and how you do it.”

  Did she love him?

  Roy shook his head. He would not rush her.

  “I should be thanking you. I’m always a little short-staffed this early in the morning.” Most of his volunteers worked regular jobs or had college classes. They started trickling in after noon, but crack of dawn? Not so much. Chad was the only one he could get to come in that early, and that’s because Chad was paid on the clock.

  As if she hadn’t heard him, Sabrina said, “You make such a difference.”

  “As do you.” Probably in more ways than she realized.

  Very matter of fact, she admitted, “Some days it feels pretty hopeless.”

  “We do what we can, honey, but no one can eradicate cruelty. It’s always going to be a part of our society. Against animals and kids. Against anyone who can’t fight back.” He tipped up her chin. “But you do make a difference. The kids at the home love you.”

  “I know.” She looped her arms around his waist and held on to him. Nothing more, but it was enough. They stayed like that until Abner, one of the bigger dogs that wandered freely in the shelter, came and leaned against them. Since Abner weighed around 175 pounds, he almost knocked them over.

  Laughing, Sabrina went to her knees to hug the massive dog. She came away with black fur clinging to her T-shirt. No matter how much they brushed Abner, he shed. But despite her fastidious manner with her appearance, Sabrina never seemed to mind the messes made by loving animals or kids.

  Abner had been with them for a year now, and although enormous, he was one of the gent
lest dogs they’d ever had. When his owner died of old age, Abner mourned him. But thanks to Sabrina and all the attention she lavished on him, as well as his regular visits to the Children’s Home, Abner now flourished.

  He had the same type of empathy as Sabrina; he might be an old man himself, but Abner loved to mother all the other animals. Sometimes he’d lie on the floor and a dozen kittens would crawl all over him. Abner would wince at the sting of small sharp claws, but he never disrupted them.

  When Abner rolled onto his back in doggy bliss, Sabrina scratched his belly. In record time, he’d become one of her favorites. Abner adored her and vice versa.

  “One day I’ll get a house with a yard, and then I’ll fill it with animals and children.”

  Picturing that, Roy said, “Sounds like the perfect plan to me.”

  She looked up in surprise, and their gazes locked.

  Did she understand that he wanted those things—with her?

  Just then the front door rattled and Jenna, one of the college girls who volunteered between classes, tried to get in. She pressed her face close to the glass and frowned when she saw Roy there with Sabrina.

  “I forgot it was still locked,” Roy said. Chad was now out back cleaning up debris from the storm. He’d use the rear door, not the front.

  Roy strode over while digging out the keys from his pocket. With an umbrella over her head, Jenna waited impatiently.

  The second he got the door open, she sailed in, dripping rain from her jacket and full of energy and enthusiasm. Probably because she knew Sabrina was watching, Jenna dropped her umbrella beside the door, shrugged off her outerwear, and threw herself against Roy for a giant hug.

  “Whoa.” Jenna had been clear in her desire to “hook up,” but she wasn’t usually so physical with him. To ensure that Sabrina knew the embrace wasn’t a common occurrence, he asked, “What brought that on?”

  “I missed you, that’s all.”

  Feeling helpless, Roy tried not to look at Sabrina. “You were here yesterday.”

  Jenna laughed. “I know, and I’m back today. I have a few hours before my classes and figured I could do some of that leftover paperwork for you.”

  Jenna wasn’t much for direct contact with the animals. She was not a girl who liked doggie kisses or mucking out kennels. And no way in hell would she have gotten involved in cleaning up after newborn puppies. But she was a whiz with mailing out flyers, and he appreciated her help.

  Determined to take control of the situation, Roy set her an arm’s length away. “That’d be great. Thanks.”

  Her hand to his chest, she said, “My pleasure. And since I’m here . . .”

  Uh-oh. Roy braced himself.

  “If you’re not busy tonight, I have an extra concert ticket.” Her fingertips stroked him. “What do you say?”

  Sometimes her pursuit wore on him. “Tempting, but I can’t make it.” He took her wrist and moved her hand away from him.

  “Why not?” She looked at Sabrina.

  Roy glanced back, too, and he saw Sabrina’s stiff expression. Jealousy? Or just discomfort at being an audience of one for Jenna’s blatant flirting?

  “I have a lot of work to do.”

  “Oh, come on.” Jenna stepped close again, her air suggestive, her tone more so. “Play a little.”

  He planned to—with Sabrina. “Why don’t you invite Chad? I bet he’d love to go.”

  Disgruntled by the suggestion, Jenna flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Maybe.” She slanted her pretty green cat eyes toward Sabrina. Smile cutting, she nodded at Sabrina. “Am I interrupting?”

  Using that as an opening, Sabrina said, “Nope,” and after giving Abner one last pet, she came to her feet. “I was just leaving.”

  Like hell!

  As she started past, Roy took her hand. She tried to subtly free herself, but he held on and kept her at his side.

  He’d driven, so she couldn’t go anywhere without him, anyway.

  He understood Jenna. She was young and temperamental, and she liked to flirt with him just for the sake of flirting. That he would never return the favor didn’t dent Jenna’s pride one iota. Eventually she’d give up and move on to some other guy.

  “Sabrina was helping with new puppies.” Roy briefly explained to Jenna what had happened.

  Jenna eyed Sabrina with resentful aversion. “You’re like a regular Florence Nightingale, aren’t you?”

  Ignoring the snide tone, Roy answered for Sabrina. “You have no idea.” He kissed Sabrina’s knuckles. “But I’m glad you’re here, Jenna.”

  She smiled.

  “I need to drive Sabrina back to her place.”

  Jenna’s smile fell. “How long will that take? I’ve only got a couple of hours.”

  “Less than half that time.” He held on to Sabrina’s hand when she again tried to pull away. “Chad’s out back cleaning up if you need him. You have my number if anything comes up, but I won’t be long at all.” And then to Sabrina, “Ready?”

  Stony-faced, she said a polite good-bye to Jenna and let Roy lead her out the door.

  Once outside, Sabrina stopped him and propped her hands on her hips. “I don’t need you to drive me, Roy. I can catch the bus at the corner.”

  He shook his head at that idea. “No way.”

  “Jenna came to see you.”

  “She can see me when I get back.”

  Her spine stiffened. “Really?”

  The acerbic tone surprised a grin out of him. “You know I have no interest in her.”

  “Yeah, well . . .” The dark sky drew her attention and she said absently, “That doesn’t stop her from having an interest in you.”

  “You shouldn’t take Jenna too seriously. I don’t.”

  “Looks like it might rain all day.”

  The switch in topic suited Roy just fine. “All the more reason why you shouldn’t be standing outside, waiting for the bus.”

  “I won’t melt, you know.”

  He smiled. “I know.” And now that the night had passed and the streets were busy, any reoccurring storms wouldn’t affect her so strongly. “But I wanted to talk to you, anyway.” Talk, touch, taste . . . He opened the passenger’s door to his truck and waited for her to get in.

  Sabrina waffled, undecided for only a moment before she relented. “All right.”

  She’d barely gotten in before the rain started in earnest. Roy ran around to the driver’s side. He had to turn on the defroster to see out the windshield. The whooshing of the wipers offered a nice backdrop.

  They rode in companionable silence for several minutes. Roy waited until after they were on the main road to ask, “Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

  She tucked in her chin. “That’s what you wanted to talk about?”

  “In part.” A very small part. “Most of what I want to say can be discussed over dinner.” Some place private—like his apartment.

  Or maybe even his bed if he could get her there again.

  She didn’t look like she believed him. “I wish I could, but we have a local guy donating several computers. I need to go pick them up at the end of the day.”

  “So how about I go with you?” They both relied heavily on private donations. “If it’s more than one computer, you could probably use the help loading it all up, and afterward we’ll grab a bite to eat.”

  “It could end up being late.”

  “So?” He turned on the street to the apartment complex. Even though he already knew the answer, he asked, “Did you have any plans afterward?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “No, but—”

  “But what?” Sabrina’s social life was more barren than his. She visited his parents regularly, and she had girlfriends that she liked to shop with. But dates? Few and far between—thank God. “You have to eat, right?”

  “Of course.” She gave an exaggerated huff of breath. “But you certainly have better things to do than keeping me company.”

  “No, I don’t.�
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  “Yes.” She frowned at him. “You do.”

  Ah. When he caught on to her meaning, he grinned. “We’re back to Jenna.”

  Sabrina turned to stare out the window. “I don’t want to tie up any more of your time, that’s all.”

  Silly woman. “I’d rather wait out a storm with you or clean up a fresh litter of puppies than suffer through a concert with Jenna, believe me.”

  That confession left her speechless for a few seconds. “Really?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She searched his face, and finally nodded. “All right, if you’re sure.”

  “Great. We can use my truck.” He pulled into the apartment parking lot.

  When he started to turn off the engine, she held up a hand. “There’s no reason for you to get soaked again.”

  “I have an umbrella.”

  She shook her head. “It’s all right. I was going to take a nice long shower, anyway.”

  Roy pictured that, and his body tightened. He had to clear his throat to speak. “What time did you want me to pick you up?”

  As she opened her seat belt and turned to face him, she said, “I finish up around five.”

  Luckily he had a lot to do to keep him busy between now and then. “Why don’t I pick you up here at the apartment around five thirty, then? That way your car will already be here. We’ll get the computers moved, and when we’re done, we’ll come back to my place.” Knowing it was her favorite, he said, “I’ll grill steaks.”

  For the longest time she watched him, and something soft and warm showed in her blue eyes. Finally she nodded. “Sounds delicious.”

  Yeah, it did. In more ways than she realized.

  He wanted to give her time, to ease her into the idea of a sexual relationship, but every hour with her made waiting more impossible.

  He needed her. Soon.

  For now, just a taste would have to do. It’d help him to get through the long hours of the day.

  Leaning across the seat, Roy took her mouth with his. It pleased him that she no longer seemed so startled by the intimacy.

  The rain left the car windows opaque and sealed them in a cocoon of warmth scented by her dampened skin. Because she’d rushed to leave with him today, her hair was the same as when he’d awakened—tumbled, soft, and sexy. The lack of makeup emphasized her natural beauty.