them got a little aggressive with all the chaos, and when we passed by other dogs at the rescue. But they’re not aggressive toward people, and Gunner is keeping them away from the other dogs. Some of them are scared of loud noises, and you know, I’m sure certain noises trigger fear and aggression. They need their wounds to heal, and that takes time.”
“Emotional wounds, too. The poor things,” she said. “Did you see them today?”
“For a little while. They were happy to see me. The one with one eye cries when I leave him.”
“Do you think Dwayne would mind if we stopped by?”
The hope in her eyes tugged at him. “Darlin’, do you have a soft spot for dogs?”
“For all animals, and I guess people, too. We’re not so different. We didn’t ask for the parents we were born to, the people at LOCAL whose families don’t come see them didn’t ask to be forgotten, and those dogs didn’t ask to be owned by monsters. My heart goes out to them.”
“I dig that big heart of yours. Do you really want to meet the dogs?”
“Yes. Unless you mind? Will it mess up your plans for our date?”
“Not even a little.”
WICKED ANIMAL RESCUE was located on several gated and secure acres in Harwich. Baz’s veterinary clinic and the two animal shelters were set far back from the road, and Dwayne’s rustic farmhouse was on the west side of the property as they drove in. There were fenced areas with smaller shelters for farm animals like sheep, goats, and pigs, which Dwayne occasionally rescued.
“Dwayne owns all this land?” Chloe said as she stepped from the truck.
“He and Baz do. Dwayne lives in the farmhouse over there.” He pointed across the property. “Baz lives above the clinic. Those two long buildings are the shelters. The one on the right is where the rescued dogs are staying. The rescued animals that aren’t from the dogfighting ring are kept in the other one.” He spotted Sidney Carver, who worked with Dwayne at the shelter, coming across the field toward them with a dog on a leash. He’d know that dog’s limping gait anywhere. “That’s Sidney and my one-eyed buddy.”
“Who is Sidney?”
“She’s a canine physical therapist and trainer. She works with Dwayne and rents a room in his house.”
“Brave girl,” Chloe said.
Justin chuckled. “She’s the daughter of a Dark Knight. She’s seen the harsh realities of life, and she’s not afraid to give Dwayne shit. She’s a cool chick, a total tomboy.” Sidney was lean all over, with narrow hips and small breasts. Her brown hair was cut just above her shoulders, and she liked to hide behind it. “I doubt there’s anything going on between her and Dwayne, but you know, it’s Dwayne, so…”
“She’s really pretty,” Chloe pointed out. “Why is the dog limping?”
“He has a bruised hip.” The dog was trying to run to him, barking and whining, pulling against the leash.
“He’s so cute!” Chloe exclaimed. “Come on.” She grabbed Justin’s hand and headed for Sid and the dog, moving like she was wearing sneakers instead of heels.
Sidney said, “Someone’s happy to see you. I swear he’s been looking for you all evening.”
“Hey, buddy.” Justin crouched to love him up. The dog went paws-up on Justin’s shoulders and licked his face. “I missed you, too, my friend. Sid, this is…” He glanced up at Chloe and couldn’t suppress his smile as he said, “My girlfriend, Chloe. Chloe, this is Sid, the best PT and dog trainer on the Cape.”
Chloe looked at Justin with a spark of elation in her eyes, and he knew she was reacting to him calling her his girlfriend because he’d felt the same giddiness when he said it.
Chloe looked at Sid and said, “Hi. I hope it’s okay that we dropped by.”
“Are you kidding? This one thinks Maverick is his daddy.” Sidney slipped her fingers into the front pockets of her jeans and said, “I’ve been with him for the last half hour and he was just lollygagging along, but one look at Mav, and it’s like he’s had a triple espresso.”
“Will he be okay if I pet him?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah, just go slow. He’s been great with people.”
Chloe crouched beside Justin, letting the dog smell her hand. “Hello, sweet boy.” He licked her face, and she stroked his back. “Oh, look at your little ear and all those cuts. Poor thing.” The dog pushed forward, pawing at her lap, and she sank down to her butt to pet