“Really?” She tilted her head, gazing speculatively at the dog. “Do you suppose he’s that intelligent? Instigate a call and then wait for a response? Maddie said that he was one of the smartest dogs Elaine had ever seen. But that would take an amazing degree of—”
“I don’t care,” Metcalf interrupted. “I just want to get out of here and finish the night in my own bed without having to dog-sit your lion wannabe for one more minute.” He stalked past her, carefully avoiding brushing against Harley. “You owe me, Kendra.”
“Yes, I do.” She was stroking Harley’s throat, and the lion-growl was almost like a purr. “And I’m grateful. I needed that time alone with Olivia before I brought Harley into the mix. Thank you, Metcalf.”
His scowl turned to a grudging smile. “You’re welcome. Just don’t ask me again.” He paused as he opened the door. “I take it you have plans to pawn off this mutt on Olivia? She is blind, so I guess that makes some kind of sense. Does she think she needs a Seeing Eye dog?”
“Absolutely not.”
He gave a low whistle. “Are you in trouble…”
The door closed behind him.
He was probably right, she thought wryly. She gave Harley a quick hug before grabbing the leash she’d put on the foyer table. She clipped it to his collar and got to her feet. “Come on. It’s time we got to work. Elaine thought you were worth the effort and we’ve got to convince Olivia that you’ll make a good team. Who knows? Elaine might even have planned on doing this herself.” She wrinkled her nose as he gave a lion-bark. “Or not.”
But Harley was staring at her alertly and took an eager step toward the door.
“Okay, I’ll follow your lead. I guess we’re in this together.” She opened the door. “Elevator or stairs?” But Harley was already pulling her toward the staircase, and she had to run to keep up. “Whatever…”
Two minutes later Harley was jumping on Olivia’s door with his full weight. When Olivia opened it, he whirled into the living room of the condo like a golden tornado. He turned round and round in a dizzying circle and then lifted his head and roared.
Olivia’s jaw dropped. “What the hell is that?”
“Harley. I think he’s excited to meet you. I haven’t seen him act like this before.” Kendra entered the condo and slammed the door. “He’s Elaine’s latest project. He has a few problems but nothing we can’t work out.” She ran over and put her hand on Harley’s head to stop him from bark-roaring. “If we can keep the super from kicking him out. Metcalf said he was causing a disturbance when I left them alone together.”
“Imagine that,” Olivia said dryly. “Does he look as fierce as he sounds?”
“No, he looks like a big, adorable mutt who needs a home…and a job.” She paused. “He’s a Seeing Eye dog, Olivia.”
She stiffened. “Oh, no,” she said fiercely, “Don’t you dare try to do that to me, Kendra. You know I don’t want a service dog. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can. You’re the most independent woman I know. Heaven forbid you get a little help from man, woman, or child.”
“Or dog,” Olivia said through set teeth. “I realize that the Seeing Eye program is a valuable service and it’s fine for those who need it. I don’t need it. I refuse to let myself need it. I’ve gotten along just great on my own all these years. Now take this animal out of here.”
“I’ll do that after I’ve told you everything Maddie told me about Harley. Just listen to me,” she pleaded. “Elaine deserves that you at least know what you’re refusing.” She quickly recounted all that Maddie had told her about Harley; she ended urgently, “He reminds me a little of us when we were kids. We were both a little broken and having to make the best of everything we were to survive. That’s what Harley is doing, but he doesn’t know how. But maybe he could learn. Because besides being brave enough to risk his life trying to save that little boy, he’s very smart.” No response from Olivia. Kendra desperately tried something else. “And he likes you. I can tell. He seemed to know exactly where he was going when I brought him here. And you saw how happy he was when you let him come in.”