two old. We’ve cleaned her wounds, and she’ll need to keep the mitt on her paw for a couple of days. I’d like to do a round of antibiotics because the side scrape did look somewhat infected to me, but that’s largely out of caution.”
“What’s the rest of the bad news?” Garrick sounded like a guy who had heard more than his share of it over the years, not reacting to the better news about Cookie’s health beyond stretching out a hand for her to warily sniff again.
“I’m assuming you’re hoping to get her off your hands, but our kennel is full of patients who need overnight care. Lydia called the shelter in Bend, and they’re full as well, including foster homes that could handle an injured animal. They can stick a picture of her up on the found page, but they’re not sure they can get her a place before they close tonight. A number of the rescues are in a similar boat—either they’re very breed-and size-specific or they aren’t taking new animals right now. I’ll be honest—her size and her breeds along with the injuries are going to make her a tough placement, especially on a weekend.”
“Heck.” Wide shoulders deflating, Garrick studied his hands, which left Rain to pet Cookie.
“I can work on Grandma. Maybe by Monday, her owners will be found.”
“She said no,” Garrick reminded him. “And she’s got the other dogs to think about. It makes sense. My friends in the country would be good, but they just added a third dog. I doubt they’re going to be up for one more already. I can see who else might be able to help.”
“How about you?” Rain turned on the sort of smile that usually brought him good luck.
“Me?” Garrick blinked.
“Yes, you. You’d be perfect.” Nodding, he leaned forward, waiting for Garrick to embrace the obvious.
Chapter Two
“Perfect?” Garrick echoed Rain, only with a lot more skepticism. He wasn’t sure which set of pleading big brown eyes was worse, Cookie’s or Rain’s.
“Yes. She likes you. And you don’t have any other pets, right? No one else to ask permission from? It’s perfect.”
“Sure, no other pets and I live alone, but she’s scared of me.”
“Oh, at first, maybe.” Rain waved this concern away with a flick of his long elegant fingers.
“She’s a sweetie,” the vet added, nodding along. “A few more biscuits and head scratches, and she’ll be your new best friend. A lot of dogs are skittish around wheelchairs at first, but then they warm up.”
“Maybe so, and I’m not unsympathetic to her situation.” He really wasn’t, and the old him would have likely given in to the twin set of puppy-dog eyes directed his way. “However, in case you didn’t notice, I’m kinda...mobility impaired these days. And unlike Shirley’s, my backyard is hardly suitable for a dog.”
“I have an answer for that.” Rain held up a hand, stopping Garrick’s list of reasons why this was a bad idea.
“Somehow I’m not surprised.”
“As good as she listens, I’m going to bet she’s at least somewhat housebroken. I can come walk her twice a day. And help you dog-proof today. I’ll give you my cell—you can call if she has an accident or spills water or something and you need me.”
“I’m not sure—”
“I’d take the bet on her being housebroken,” the vet said, voice as coaxing as Rain’s. “I can have Lydia give you a bag of kibble to get started, and I’ll prorate our services for the wound cleanup.”
“Just until the owner is found?” Neck muscles tensing, Garrick already knew he was beat.
“Yup.” Rain nodded like the Blazers bobblehead Garrick kept in the truck he hadn’t driven in months.
“Only the weekend,” Garrick allowed. “And we’ll try hard to find her owners or a more permanent place for her.”
“Deal.” Rain grinned widely, and damn, that was the kind of smile that Garrick would promise a heck of a lot more than canine babysitting for. Warmth spread across Garrick’s chest as Rain continued, “What do you say we find the pet store?”
“Ha.” Garrick had to laugh again at his big city assumptions. “We don’t even have any of the big box stores in town. But the feed store will have food and stuff.”
“Good. And maybe a bed—”
“The weekend. Only,” Garrick reminded him.
“Sounds like we have a plan.” The vet hustled them to the front before Garrick could offer more protests. He paid the nominal fee while the vet tech presented him with meds and a small sack of kibble. Judging