Head Over Paws

by Debbie Burns

  “You still good with coming in? Because if you’ve changed your mind, we can take him for a little walk, then I’ll see you to your car.”

  Somehow Olivia’s hands had found their way to her back pockets; they were shoved deep inside and facing palms out. “I’m good.”

  He opened the door wider and flipped on a light in the main room. “Make yourself at home. I’ll run Samson outside. I’m not sure how much you saw earlier when we dropped him off, but have a look around. Let me warn you now. My housekeeping skills leave a lot to be desired, and I know it.”

  In a flash, Gabe and Samson were gone and Olivia was alone. Her body was humming with unspent energy. She did a slow circle of the living room, doing her best to calm down.

  As nervous as she suddenly was, she was still able to both appreciate the old architecture and get a sense of Gabe’s understated decorating skills. Unlike Aunt Becky’s place, which was decorated to the hilt, Gabe’s walls were largely bare, but the hardwood floors, tall ceilings, molding, and exposed brick on the outer wall made up for it.

  Judging by the way a single throw blanket was wadded up and flattened in the center of the couch, Samson had most likely been snuggled there. On the adjacent coffee table was a nearly empty glass of water, a well-worn book of Missouri state parks and less-explored hiking trails, and several issues of the Journal of Veterinary Medicine.

  The rear portion of the living room had a long dining table, four chairs, and a bench on one side. Based on a water ring and the fact that one end of the table was clutter-free, she could tell where Gabe ate. On the opposite end of the table, there was a laundry basket filled with clothes, a laptop, and a stack of paperwork and mail, all of which brought a smile to Olivia’s face.

  She was getting a real look into the place where Gabe lived out the monotonous parts of life—the bill paying, the laundry folding, the resting and reading, and the snuggling with Samson. And her heart warmed even more.

  Guessing the bathroom had to be toward the back, she headed through the short, wide hallway that opened to a narrow galley kitchen and then two doors, the first of which turned out to be the bathroom, the second, his bedroom.

  Suspecting a surge of panic would fill her if she gave the bedroom any real attention, she headed into the bathroom and shut the door. It was a small space and, probably out of necessity, tidy and organized. His toiletries were on a shelf to the right of a pedestal sink, and the only item on the sink base was a jar of hand soap.

  She peed and washed up and smoothed out her hair in the mirror. Spotting a bottle of mouthwash on his toiletry shelf, she was half-tempted to use it. After a bit of debate, she opted not to and just rinsed her mouth with water. Right before she stepped from the room, she heard the patter of Samson’s paws trotting across the floor.

  “Hey, buddy,” she said, pulling the bathroom door open.

  Gabe had flipped on the kitchen light and was at the sink filling an ice tray with water. He put it in the freezer and gave her a wink. “So, in addition to not being the most domestic of nearly thirty-year-old guys who live alone, I’m also not the best host. I wish I had thought about it earlier, but after a quick look in the fridge, it seems I can offer you a glass of water with the two ice cubes that clung to the tray this morning, milk from a gallon that expired yesterday, a bottle of ginger ale, or a Guinness, but I remember you said you don’t like dark beer.”

  Olivia’s laugh reverberated down into her fingers and toes. “No to the glass of milk for sure. I like ginger ale, but I’m happy with a glass of water right now.”

  He nodded and pulled two glasses from a cabinet near the fridge. “Next time you come over, I’m going to be ready for you.”

  “For the record, I like that you didn’t plan on entertaining me here. And this place is sweet.”

  He finished filling the waters and cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t know that I’d go with sweet, but it’s cheap and enabled me to get through vet school without racking up a lot of additional debt. It’s on my to-do list to find a new place, but it’s clearly not as much a priority as a bunch of other stuff. However, like I said, with Samson having a hard time with the stairs lately, I need to make it one.”

  It was too early in their relationship for her to have the thought that they both needed to find new places to live, but the thought was there regardless. Hoping it couldn’t be read on her face, she headed for the living room and the couch. Its seat was low enough to the ground that Samson hopped up next to her with no effort. When she was seated beside him, he was every bit as tall as she was. Actually, he was a bit taller. He panted in her face, his mouth agape.

  “You’re such a good boy.” She did a double-handed rubdown of his ears. “But that breath.”

  Gabe laughed and took a seat on the opposite side of Samson. He set the glasses on coasters and settled back against the couch, draping his arm across the top and closing his hand on her shoulder.

  “There’s something else I should probably tell you.”

  “I’m all ears.” Olivia twisted in her seat to face him, dipping to the side to look around Samson before he dropped down to curl up beside her. In one big, floppy movement, he rolled onto his back, his feet up in the air.

  With Samson’s furry belly exposed, there was nothing else to do but scratch it as she listened.

  “This feels a little abrupt just to get out in the open, but considering our earlier talk, I feel like I need to say it. It occurred to me on the way here that I’ve never, uh, entertained here. By the time Samson was healed and ready for adoption, Claire and I were separating. I’m not saying I didn’t have a couple, uh—you know what I mean—but I’ve never brought anyone here.”

  Gabe’s hand was still on her shoulder, and hearing his declaration, it was so easy to lift it in hers and press it against her lips. He had amazing hands, sculpted and muscular, and she wanted to memorize every swell and bend and curve. Turning it over, she brushed her thumbs along the length of his palm, appreciating his slow groan of pleasure.

  Samson shifted and leaned his head on her knee, fully aware that he was being ignored. When she was too slow to find his belly again, he let out a long sigh-whine combo in what couldn’t more clearly be a “No, no, not him. Pet me.”

  “Case in point,” Gabe said, laughing. “I’m telling you this because he’s a bit like having a toddler in the bed, and I don’t think he has any concept he could be shoved out for, ah, something other than sleeping to take place. Which I guess most likely means this mission—should you choose to accept it—is probably going to involve a very spoiled senior-aged golden retriever whining at the door.”

  Olivia pressed her lips together. So it seemed they were having a conversation about what in a moment of desire she’d nearly begged to come here to do. Only now she was fully sober and a bit nervous, and her blood flow was no longer pooling south of the border.

  “Not that there’s any pressure to end up there,” he said as if reading her thoughts. “I just figured I should give you the heads-up in hopes that if we do, it’ll be a bit less distracting.” He shook his head, a slight smile passing over his face. “He used to howl at the door when I was leaving for class.”

  “You survived a fire together. It’s no wonder you’re bonded.” Olivia ran her hand along Samson’s belly again, and his tail thumped between Gabe and the back of the couch in thanks. “I can’t imagine how terrifying that was. But look at the good things that happened because of it. You found him and he saved you, and now you’re paying it forward with all the animals you help every day.”

  “There’s no regret on my part, that’s for sure.” Gabe locked his hand around Samson’s big paw. “Which reminds me… Earlier, when you were talking about the pointer, I know you said your world isn’t set up to take him right now, but what you said about him struck a chord. I felt that way about Samson—this need to do more than make sure he was okay or that he’d be c
ared for and treated well the rest of his life. I sat with it awhile, but after some time, I grew clear about it. I knew he fit into my life and I needed to do whatever it took to make sure I got him. Thankfully, some of the shelter staff saw that even before I spoke it aloud.”

  A few tears unexpectedly stung the backs of her eyelids. She cleared her throat, trying to shake them off. “I’d be lying to pretend I didn’t feel that way about Morgan. There are so many other dogs out there in need of loving homes, and a lot of breeds—smaller ones—that would be better suited for the life I’m going to be able to offer, whenever I can actually offer it. I keep telling myself he’ll be better off if he’s adopted by a family with land or, at the very least, a big fenced-in backyard.

  “And I love volunteering at the shelter—so much more than I could’ve imagined—but the truth is, I don’t know if by volunteering there I’m doing myself any favors in terms of getting over that dog. I had him out for a half hour this afternoon. By the end, he was sitting at attention and walking by my side, thanks to a handful of pointers from Patrick. But when I went to put him away, he whined and scratched at the door to his kennel, and my heart felt like it was breaking in two.”

  For a moment, silence hung in the air, and Samson lazily looked between them, his head relaxed and resting against the couch and his gums sagging open in a deranged-looking smile.

  “I wish I could keep him for you until you get settled, but the owner of this building has a hard stop at one animal per apartment. I know because I tried to foster a few animals after I started working with Dr. Washington.”

  “That’s a sweet offer, but I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I’ve been thinking about asking my grandpa. He always has a couple dogs around, but it’s a farm life. He gives them dinner every day and freedom to roam, but his dogs aren’t pets. I just keep thinking I’d rather see Morgan land in a home where someone could really dote on him. Kind of like you said, I’m just sitting with it until I get clear, or at least clearer than I am now. In the meantime, I’m going to keep enjoying the shelter and doling out as much love and affection to him as I can. And no matter what happens, I intend to keep volunteering once he’s no longer there.”

  As long as I have a job and don’t have to tuck tail and go home, that is. But that fear was one she refused to voice. The night was too perfect for that level of indecision to creep in.

  “Yeah? That’s great. It’ll be cool to see you there. I’m there twice a week at least for rechecks and physicals. When it comes to the more complicated stuff, like surgery, the animals are brought to my office. Dr. Washington’s office, technically. For a little while longer, at least. So, I take it you’ve met most of the shelter staff?”

  “Most, I think. Tess and Megan and Patrick. Fidel, too, but he hasn’t done more than nod in my general direction.”

  “Yeah, Fidel’s a little shy till you get to know him.”

  Olivia chewed her lip a second. “Mostly I’ve been working with Patrick. How well do you know him?”

  Gabe cocked an eyebrow. “How well do I know Patrick? That’s a bit of a loaded question. I guess pretty well, considering I’ve picked up on the foods he packs in his lunch, and I never fail to be amazed at his knowledge of the animals who’ve passed through the shelter doors.”

  She debated a second or two before saying the rest. “If I’m being honest, I feel a touch incompetent around him. I realize I’m new and all; he just seems to know everything.”

  “His knowledge of the shelter and the dogs and cats that’ve moved through there—and baseball, too, I guess—is unbeatable. I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it, but he has high-functioning autism.”

  Olivia pointed a finger his direction. “I didn’t know that, and it makes everything so much clearer. I’m surprised I didn’t make the connection. I’ve worked with quite a few kids with that diagnosis over the last couple years.”

  “It’s easier to miss on him than some. But regardless, I know him well enough to assure you that if you treat animals well and have compassion for what you do there, he’ll not only respect you, he’d move mountains to help you if you ever need it.”

  “This helps. Thanks. I’m not going to feel so bad about all that I don’t know next time. Or how much less efficient I am.”

  “Yeah, well, just remember, Megan says even with being such a stickler for routine, he averages about a hundred and fifty percent productivity compared to everyone else.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” Olivia shook her head in disbelief. “It’s still so weird to me, how I was worried about reconnecting with you, yet we found each other again through the shelter.”

  “I think that’s what they call synchronicity. But, if you think about it, it makes sense. A love of dogs brought us together. Why not a shelter too?”

  “You have a point.”

  Gabe’s hand was resting on Samson’s rib cage, and she brushed her fingers over it. Earlier, after they had meandered back along the trail and ended up at Gabe’s truck, things had heated up again before they were interrupted by a carload of people who’d parked next to them. Now that they were here, she was getting the sense that Gabe was holding back out of respect and concern for her comfort, not because he’d lost interest in starting something up again.

  Knowing the longer it went between steamy kisses, the more likely she was to lose her nerve, Olivia took a leap. “So, full disclosure. I could live to be a hundred and not forget how incredible you looked carrying Morgan out of the water.” After a second of debate, she added, “At the time, I think I had too much adrenaline flowing through my veins to appreciate that fact, but thanks to YouTube and Facebook, I’ve had a few more chances for it to hit home.”

  Gabe chuckled softly. “Thanks, but I saw the video. Morgan very deservingly stole the show.”

  “His struggle in the water was heart-wrenching, that’s for sure. But I think that’s what makes your efforts so much more compelling. And it isn’t just me. Have you seen some of the comments under the video link?” She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I’m pretty sure you were proposed to at least once.”

  Even in the dim overhead light, Olivia thought she noticed his cheeks darken a touch. “I chose not to read them. Let’s hope it’s short-lived and I remain anonymous.” He traced his thumb slowly across her wrist. “Because I’m only interested in getting attention like that from one person, and she’s right here in front of me.”

  After letting the compliment roll over her, Olivia shifted in her seat and rose up on her knees. Bracing a hand on the back of the couch, she leaned over Samson and brushed her lips over Gabe’s. She kept the kiss light, lingering long enough to warm her blood all over again. Next, she trailed the kiss along the ridge of his jaw, savoring the hint of late-evening stubble against her lips before moving down his neck to his sternum. She let her lips linger in the hollow before returning to his chin. Below her, Samson shifted and pressed a back paw into her belly.

  Gabe locked his hands in her hair and let out a soft murmur. “I wasn’t sure… I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”

  She pulled back enough to look him in the eye. Suddenly it hit her. Even though it didn’t seem like it, technically, this was a first date. Sleeping with someone on a first date’s a rebound thing, isn’t it?

  Maybe it was sometimes. But she’d been broken up with Trevor for six months now, and there’d been no rebound dating except for the pathetic setups by Ava. Besides, she wasn’t looking for rebound sex. She wanted to sleep with Gabe. And not just tonight. Still, a thousand I-told-you-so’s rose up, words she’d heard from her family and Sunday school teachers and who knew who else, pressing down her excitement with the weight of a sandbag.

  “It’s just now occurring to me that the fact that I hadn’t changed my mind might make you think less of me.”

  She was just starting to sit back when he cupped his hands under her elbows. “Not a chance,
Olivia. You’ve rocked my world. If you’re ready to take the next step tonight, I’m in. If you want to wait six months, I’m a big boy. I’ll wait.”

  “Is it crazy to trust myself that I know what I want?” She gave an exasperated shake of her head. “The truth is, I’ve never felt this clear before. And now that I realize it, it’s a little bit terrifying.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “No pressure, but you know what they say—there’s a fine line between terror and excitement.”

  Olivia sank back on her heels in consideration, a smile rising to her lips to match his playful one. He wasn’t going to pressure her, that much was clear. If she decided to head home right now, he’d let her go without giving her an ounce of guilt. “I think that’s pretty much it in a nutshell. I’m terrified by how excited I am at the idea of being with you.”

  His laugh was soft and easy. “Would you believe me if I said I get it? I’m battling my own round of nerve demons.”

  “I believe you, but I can’t possibly imagine what you’d be afraid of.”

  “It’s like I hinted earlier, it’s, uh, been awhile. I’m a little panicked I’ll disappoint you.”

  Gabe Wentworth, one of the sexiest, most steadfast and genuine men she’d ever met, was worried about disappointing her.

  Unexpected happiness blossomed in Olivia’s chest. So, this was what it felt like to have an honest-to-goodness partner, to have someone who wasn’t just on the same side, but who confided in you, and in whom you could confide in in return.

  She leaned close and brushed her lips over his ear and let her words fall out in a whisper. “I’ll tell you right now, you aren’t going to disappoint me. Though maybe we can give ourselves permission to set the bar higher after we get the awkward stuff out of the way.”

  Their kiss was just beginning to get heated again when Samson decided he’d been slighted long enough. He let out a grunt and rolled over with such a considerable amount of struggle that he passed a long stream of gas. Once he had his legs underneath him, he stood up and planted himself smack-dab between them.