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tigriswolfTitle: all will turn to silver glass
Fandom: “Supernatural”
Disclaimer: only Dean and Sam aren’t mine. Title from “Into the West” from Lord of the Rings.
Warnings: takes place after “Bedtime Stories” but before “Red Sky At Morning”; mentions of child abuse, spousal abuse, animal abuse, and non-consensual sex(none pertaining to the boys)
Pairings: het in the past
Rating: R
Wordcount: 8885
Point of view: third
Dedication: tru_faith_lostfor being a doll and reading over this.
tru_faith_lostfor being a doll and reading over this. Notes: this story is from the point of view of an original female character. It’s the longest original pov I’ve done, by a whole lot. There is no romance, so please don’t run in fear of a Mary-Sue.
More notes: started for spn_halloweento the prompt Dean vanishes the night before Halloween and Sam has to find him. Then it shifted, mutated, and evolved. Then it wouldn’t shut up.
spn_halloweento the prompt Dean vanishes the night before Halloween and Sam has to find him. Then it shifted, mutated, and evolved. Then it wouldn’t shut up. Kaitlyn’d been working—well, volunteering, since she didn’t get paid—at CAAWS for eight months. She was hoping to make up for what Rich—the fucking bastard—had done to Maggie. Her sweet Irish Setter still limped, even nearing a year after, but Chris had assured her the bones were fully healed.
Her usual shift was 6:30 to noon on Wednesdays, but Annie, the volunteer coordinator, was short-staffed this week, so Kaitlyn showed up at nine Saturday morning, bundled in a long-sleeved T, a sweatshirt, and a ski jacket for Adoption Day.
“Cold?” Annie laughed as she shut the door behind her.
Kaitlyn gave her a fake smile. Even before Rich, she hadn’t liked people. After? Could barely stand them. But Annie did have a point: the heater in the building worked, so she shed her jacket. She’d lived in Louisiana all her life, and loved it—most of the time—but the first stirrings of winter always got to her. In a few days, she’d be used to it, but until then? She’d layer.
Annie returned to her conversation with Lauren, so Kaitlyn walked to Mac, one of her favorites of the dogs. Mac greeted her with excitement and Kaitlyn slipped into the kennel.
“Hey, girl,” Kaitlyn said, sinking to the floor. Mac, half-Doberman and half-pit bull, wriggled into her lap, licking at her face. “You’re such a sweetie,” Kaitlyn told her, rubbing behind her ears, along her back. “I wish I could take you home with me, but Maggie wouldn’t be able to keep up with you.”
Willow, her other favorite, showed her displeasure at being ignored by sharply barking. Kaitlyn patted Mac on the head and stood, let herself out of Mac’s kennel. Mac gave her what she’d dubbed the sadface, but after eight months, she didn’t fall for it anymore. Most of the time.
As she let herself in Willow’s kennel, the boxer almost bowled her over. Kaitlyn lightly ran her hand along Willow’s back, skirting the bare skin of her scar. Kaitlyn bet the shocking spot was the only reason she hadn’t been adopted yet, because she was one of the nicest, most people-loving dogs Kaitlyn had ever met.
She spent quality time with Willow then quickly visited the rest of the dogs, giving swift pats and hellos to each. By ten, two had been taken to PetSmart and a few new ones brought in just for Adoption Day.
She looked at Mac, once again giving her the sadface. Kaitlyn chuckled and padded over to her, kneeling outside the gate. “You know that doesn’t work on me, right?” she asked softly, reaching through the cage. “Sillyheaded puppydog.”
Mac preened, softly woofing. Across the way, Joey—a mix of something—yipped as the door swung open, a small family piling in.
“Daddy, look at the dogs!” the little boy whispered loudly. Kaitlyn was no judge of human ages, but the kid seemed to be about four or five. Or three. She couldn’t be sure.
The man nodded, smiling down at his son. The woman behind them shifted, and the baby in her arms giggled.
Kaitlyn wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. This group would never be able to adopt. There was no way they’d be able to give any animal proper care and attention, not with two young children of their own in the house.
She watched them make the rounds. The parents favored Audrey, an aloof Chihuahua, but the kid liked Mac. She growled at the father, then licked the little boy.
“She doesn’t like men,” Kaitlyn told the parents. “Most of ‘em don’t.”
And she fully supported that sentiment.
The parents thanked her and left.
About twenty after eleven, Monica, the woman in charge of dog adoptions, arrived. Kaitlyn had spent the time between Mac and Willow, and taking Joey out in the second yard with a woman. The two of them got along great and she filled out an adoption form. Kaitlyn read over it—there was a good chance she’d get him.
Annie took the next couple that walked in. They were older, the man reading every flyer about the dogs, the woman following with long-sufferance.
When he stopped by Willow, the woman said, “Mark, no. Not a large dog.”
“Aw, c’mon, Angela,” he whined, sounding about five instead of in his sixties. “She’s so sweet!”
He knelt outside her kennel and Annie began telling him what she knew of the boxer.
“Where’d that scar come from?” Angela asked.
The familiar rage swept over Kaitlyn as Annie related the story.
“One of her owners was trying to train her,” Annie said. “But she wasn’t full grown yet, still had the rambunctiousness of a pup. So when she didn’t get the lesson one day, he splashed bleach on her.”
Angela gasped with horror; Mark said, “I hope he got shot.”
Annie shook her head. “He paid a fine and moved out of state.”
Mark stood. “Can we see her in the yard?”
Annie took the three of them out to the first yard; Kaitlyn stayed in and asked Monica, “What d’ya think?”
Monica grinned at her. “That man fell in love with Willow the minute he laid eyes on her. His wife pities her too much to say no.”
By two, Kaitlyn’s energy was flagging. Joey and Willow’s adoptions were pretty much a sure thing—it’d been a good day. Kaitlyn would miss Willow, but a loving home would be so worth it.
Kaitlyn was in Mac’s kennel when the two guys arrived.
“Dean, what’re we doin’ here?” the taller one asked, following. “We can’t get a dog—where would we keep it?”
“Sammy, you’re such a spoilsport,” Dean said. “I just want to check ‘em out.”
Lauren was in the cat room, Monica on her cellphone outside, and Annie in the second yard with the brother labs, Kurt and Nightcrawler. So Kaitlyn was alone with two large, strange men.
Aw, shit. She felt the panic starting. Kaitlyn buried her face in Mac’s back, the dog whimpering, leaning back against her. Kaitlyn tried repeating to herself that Rich was gone, that these men wouldn’t hurt her, but it did no good—her stomach hurt, her heart pounded, and she couldn’t breathe.
“Ma’am?” a soft voice called from far away. “Ma’am, please calm down.”
“Kaitlyn?” another—familiar—voice said. “Are you alright?”
Lauren. That was Lauren. A woman. Someone she knew. Kaitlyn raised her head. “I—I need to go,” she whispered, arms around Mac. “Please, I need to go home.”
Lauren nodded. Kaitlyn grabbed the side of Mac’s kennel, pulling herself up. The men were gone and she looked around, needing to know where they were for her peace of mind.
Lauren nodded. Kaitlyn grabbed the side of Mac’s kennel, pulling herself up. The men were gone and she looked around, needing to know where they were for her peace of mind.
“They’re with Annie,” Lauren told her, opening Mac’s door. Kaitlyn tried smiling her thanks, but couldn’t keep the expression on her face. She told Mac and Willow goodbye then hurried out the building, Lauren with her. “Call me when you get home,” Lauren asked. “I need to know you made it safely.”
“I promise,” Kaitlyn assured her. “Thank you.”
“You sure you’re okay to drive?” It was honest concern on her face.
Kaitlyn’s responding smile was real. “I’m sure.”
Maggie nearly bowled her over when she let herself in the yard. After unlocking the back door and entering the house, Kaitlyn sank against the wall, Maggie stretching out across her lap. “I’m fine, baby-girl,” Kaitlyn murmured. “Honest. I just freaked, is all.”
Maggie’s response wasn’t verbal; it never was. She just rubbed her head against Kaitlyn’s chest, and Kaitlyn knew what she meant.
“Yeah.” Kaitlyn’s chuckle was bitter. “I thought I was gettin’ better, too.”
It was twenty minutes before she called Lauren, then she crawled into bed, Maggie beside her. She hoped fervently she wouldn’t dream of Rich, but she knew it was a futile wish.
Kaitlyn stayed home on Sunday, going through her library for any books she could donate to the library. Monday, she went to Chris’ clinic, where she worked part-time.
“How’s Maggie?” Rachel, one of the techs asked.
“Good,” Kaitlyn told her. “Back to normal, finally, ‘cept for the limp.”
Rachel smiled at her. “Glad to hear it.”
Kaitlyn worked till noon as a secretary then went home, taking Maggie for a quick walk. Maggie cavorted; Kaitlyn could almost forget how she’d been just after Rich.
“Pretty girl,” Kaitlyn crooned, rubbing Maggie’s ears, dropping to her knees beside the only reason she’d survived nearly a year ago. “Such a sweet, pretty girl.”
The wind picked up, bitingly cold; Kaitlyn stood and said, “Let’s go home.”
Early Tuesday morning, Annie called and asked Kaitlyn is she’d mind coming in that evening. Kaitlyn said of course, and she’d be there at six.
She went to Chris’ until noon, then headed to Wal-mart; her supplies were running low, and Maggie needed more treats.
Rich used to control the funds so tightly it was a struggle getting enough for groceries every week. Now that it was her money, Kaitlyn could splurge.
She often did, but she needed—wanted—so little, it was all for Maggie and the animals at CAAWS.
Kaitlyn made a mental note to see if that couple still wanted Willow.
Daddy’d always told her she had an unhealthy attachment to dogs, but Daddy was a selfish prick so once she got rid of Rich, she decided to disregard everything he’d ever said.
She still flinched whenever Mama called, but she was a grown woman now. It didn’t matter if Mama blamed her for what happened to Daddy—it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t. He was sick, and going after a cop’s daughter was so stupid he got exactly what he deserved.
A man moved too close to her and Kaitlyn shook off her fog, pulled into herself. She needed to get control of her panic before she got put back in the hospital.
All she had to do before going home was pick out what kind of Rotisserie chicken she wanted for supper. She chose original—barbeque reminded her of Daddy, who reminded her of Rich, and the others all tasted awful.
After getting home, unloading the car, and eating part of the chicken—not a lot, though, since her appetite died with Rich—Kaitlyn sat on the couch, Maggie beside her.
“It’s stupid to still be afraid,” Kaitlyn said, stroking her hand along Maggie’s flank. “Both of ‘em are dead now, can’t hurt me—but I still flip if someone gets in my space.” She sighed and Maggie nuzzled close. “They’re dead and buried, pretty puppydog,” she repeated. “But I’m still terrified Rich’ll walk in that door.”
She looked into Maggie’s eyes. “Silly, huh?” Maggie swished her tail and Kaitlyn smiled.
Maggie gave Kaitlyn the sadface as she backed down the driveway, her tail drooping.
Kaitlyn chuckled and said, “I’ll be back, you know. It’s not like I don’t live here, too.”
It wasn’t as nice a house as she’d had with Rich, but it was hers, completely and utterly. And that made all the difference. She’d decorated it in pale blue and dark purple, colors Rich had hated, and had a small garden on the side. Most of the flowers were dead, of course, since it was the end of October, but come spring it’d be a bright, happy spot.
When she pulled into CAAWS, there was one car in the parking lot. She put her purse in the trunk and walked to the door, knocking. A woman hurried over and unlocked it, letting her in.
The dogs started barking, so the woman said loudly, “I’m Sarah,” holding out a hand.
“Kaitlyn,” she answered just as loudly, shaking.
“Nice to meet you.” Sarah turned, striding back to Nora’s cage. “We need to clean the dirty kennels and cycle everyone out.”
Kaitlyn nodded and went to Mac. She looked down the row to Willow and saw a half-grown golden retriever instead. She then turned, glancing at Joey’s cage—a collie was in his place.
“Well,” she said, kneeling next to Mac. “I sure they’re happy.”
Willow’s replacement was a bouncy golden retriever puppy named Shila who wanted to always be the center of attention. Kaitlyn found her adorable.
At half past eight, Sarah took off. “It was nice to meet you,” she said. “Lock the door behind me.”
“See you later,” Kaitlyn replied and did.
It was a quarter after nine when Kaitlyn left. She made one last round. Most of the dogs were down for the night, but they’d be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when she arrived the next morning. All the large kennels were full, and two of the small as well, with Audrey and Dave, a miniature schnauzer.
Kaitlyn checked the catroom, dropping a pat on Mink’s back, then locked all four doors, quickly grabbed her purse from the trunk and slid into her car, hitting ‘lock.’ There were streetlights and city lights, but she hated being outside at night. Anyone could lurk in the shadows.
She turned on the car and a large shape was illuminated by her lights. She yelped, jerking back against the seat. After a moment, she looked again; it was a Burmese Mountain Dog, fluffy and gorgeous. Kaitlyn glanced around, checking for any humans, before getting out of her car.
No dog had ever so much as bared teeth at her; at twenty-nine, she’d long since moved past any thought a dog would attack her.
“Well, aren’t you a pretty one,” she said soothingly, holding out a loosely closed fist. The dog blinked up at her, flicking its ears. “Where’s your person, huh?”
The dog slowly stepped forward, limping slightly on the front right leg. “Are you hurt?” she cooed, running her hand down its neck, along its back.
“There isn’t room for you here,” she said, mainly to herself. The dog rubbed up against her, whining, and she scratched its chest. “I can’t take you to the pound, and all the shelters around here are closed.”
She looked into the dog’s eyes; it gave her one of the best sadfaces she’d ever seen.
“Fine,” she decided. “Maggie won’t be happy, but I’ll bring you home with me. Tomorrow, I’ll get Chris to look you over, and we’ll go from there.”
It woofed slightly. She took that as agreement.
Kaitlyn lightly gripped its ruff, feeling a loose string around its neck; she’d worry about that when she was home. The dog came willingly when she pulled it around the car, careful of the hurt leg. “Can you hop in there?” she asked, opening the left back door.
It did with no apparent effort and she shut the door.
“Luckily,” she said, buckling herself in, checking her passenger in the rearview. “I live a stone’s throw that way,” pointing east.
Maggie was not happy when Kaitlyn got home. Kaitlyn shut her baby in the backyard while she checked the Burmese over in the kitchen, searching for anything that needed immediate attention.
She discovered her find was male. He seemed to be fully grown, but for some reason reminded her of a puppy nonetheless. The leather thong around his neck held a small golden charm. Possibly Egyptian—Kaitlyn knew a lot about Roman and Greek culture, but little of any others. His eyes, interestingly enough, were hazel.
He submitted gracefully to her examination and she realized she wanted to keep him.
“Aw, hell,” she muttered.
Eventually she calmed Maggie down. The boy—she refused to name him because he probably wouldn’t be staying long—rolled over, letting Maggie have dominance.
Kaitlyn found that interesting, but she was too tired to think long on it.
She gave him a cup of Maggie’s food, filled a large bowl with water, and locked him in the backyard.
He was still there in the morning, stretched out by the backdoor.
“Oh, shit,” she realized. “I have to go to CAAWS.”
It was a quarter to six. She had to find somewhere for him because she couldn’t leave him home with Maggie. They seemed to get along, but that was with her present—she had no idea what they’d do with her gone.
She called Chris.
“Kaitlyn,” her friend said, sounding wide awake. “What’s wrong?”
“I found a dog last night. I was gonna bring him to work with me, but then I remembered I have to go to CAAWS and I can’t leave him with Maggie.” Kaitlyn tried to stay calm, but she knew the tears bled into her voice. “Can I bring him to your house? Please, Chris?”
“Take a deep breath, Kate,” Chris told her. “Just breathe.”
Kaitlyn closed her eyes, following the instructions. “I’m sorry,” she said, ashamed. “It was stupid of me to freak out.”
Chris’ voice was sharp. “Don’t talk like that, Kaitlyn. You’re not stupid. Of course I’ll take the dog. Drop him off on the way to CAAWS.”
“Thank you so much, Chris,” she said, relief sweeping her. “I’ll have him there in fifteen minutes.”
Maggie watched them go sadly. Kaitlyn figured that once she’d gotten over the jealousy, she’d liked having company.
Chris met them in her front yard, wearing jeans and a loose shirt.
“He seems fairly easy-going,” Kaitlyn told her. “His right front leg’s hurt.”
“Alright.” Chris knelt beside him and ran her hand down his leg. “He looks pretty good. I’ll give him a once-over at the clinic.” She smiled up at Kaitlyn. “You get off from CAAWS at noon, right?”
Kaitlyn nodded. “I was gonna get lunch somewhere, then come for him, see what you had to say.”
“Why don’t you pick up some Subway and we’ll talk over food?”
“Okay,” Kaitlyn agreed, and took Chris’ order.
“Okay,” Kaitlyn agreed, and took Chris’ order.
The dog whimpered when Chris tried leading him away. “Oh, go on, you silly boy,” Kaitlyn said. “I’ll be back.”
He went easy after that.
Jackie arrived at seven-thirty, when Kaitlyn had already cleaned three of the kennels.
“I’ll take over that,” she said, “if you wanna start the walks.”
Kaitlyn responded, “Thanks. I’ll take Mac first.”
Mac wriggled as Kaitlyn pulled the choke-collar over her head. “Stay still, sillyhead,” she laughed.
“Oh, Pauline’s runnin’ late today,” Jackie called as they went out the door.
Kaitlyn waved to show she heard.
It was a beautiful day. She actually forgot it was Halloween till she checked the time on her cell and saw the date.
The sky was clear azure blue, a slight warm breeze chasing away the chill. She jiggled the leash, trying to take her sweatshirt off.
A sudden shrill noise shattered the peaceful quiet. She whirled around, Mac lunging in front of her, ruff raised.
“Is that…” Kaitlyn listened. Mac calmed, reassuring Kaitlyn they were alone. “It is,” she decided. “Some godawful rock song.”
She tracked it to a dying bush. A cellphone lay at the base, vibrating and lighting up, ringing that annoying noise masquerading as music.
Kaitlyn looked around; it could belong to a worker at one of the businesses lining the street, but instead of wandering, knocking on doors, she could answer a stranger’s phone.
She picked it up, seeing the caller ID said ‘Sam,’ and clicked ‘answer.’ “Hello?”
There was no reply at first, and then a deep voice—Rich—said, “You’re not Dean.”
“No,” she responded shakily—he’s on the phone, he can’t hurt me, calm down, stupid. “I found this cell beneath a bush.”
The silence from the other end was charged. “Where, exactly, was the phone?” Sam—well, she assumed he was Sam—asked quietly.
“Perkins Drive, in front of a computer company.”
Mac pulled on the leash, wanting to continue her walk.
“I have to get back to work,” Kaitlyn said. “I’ll bring the phone with me, leaving it with someone. You can pick it up, okay?”
“Thank you,” Sam said. “Where?”
“CAAWS on Perkins. We’re off Millerville.”
“Thank you,” he repeated. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Kaitlyn finished Mac’s walk and gave the phone to Jackie. “A man’ll be here for it in a few minutes,” she said. “I’m takin’ Ellesar out.”
Jackie didn’t know the full story—only Chris and Meg, Kaitlyn’s therapist, knew everything—but she was aware that Kaitlyn got skittish around strangers and men. Especially strangers who were men.
So Jackie just said, “Okay,” and that was that.
Kaitlyn and Ellesar, a gentle greyhound mix, were at the lot on the far edge of Perkins when the car pulled up. It was old and big and black—a car Rich would have hated. Which immediately endeared the owner to her.
She couldn’t see it after it parked, or the driver, and she resolved to stay at the field until the car left.
After about five minutes, the car pulled out, growling loud enough to frighten the sky. Kaitlyn and Ellesar walked back to CAAWS; she put him in his kennel, freshly cleaned, and let the brother labs into the first yard.
“Is it time to let the littles in?” she asked Jackie.
Jackie thought for a moment. “No. But you’d best go make sure Audrey hasn’t slipped out the back again.”
Audrey haughtily watched Kaitlyn from across the yard, but Dave ran over for attention. “Hey, sweetie,” she crooned, sitting cross-legged against the wall. Dave slipped into her lap, licking at her face. She let peace wash over her after the excitement of the morning, banishing Rich’s ghost back to a far corner of her mind.
Jackie was only too eager to rave about Sam the phone-boy when Kaitlyn carried Dave inside, placing him in his kennel. Kaitlyn held up a hand, saying, “Tell me when the evacuees are out.”
She carried Audrey in next, then went to the rescued bull-dog, Katrina. Katrina’d been pulled out of New Orleans with no collar and major people issues. No one ever claimed her, so they named her after the storm. Her playmate, Abe, also came from New Orleans, but his humans had scattered across the country and never come back for him.
After getting them situated, Kaitlyn sat at the desk and gave Jackie her full attention.
“Okay, first thing I noticed,” Jackie gushed, “is just how big he is.” She smiled, gesturing. “He’s at least six four, Kaitlyn, maybe six five. And he’s broad—oh, lord, he’s even bigger than Donny!”
Donny was Jackie’s husband. Kaitlyn had never met him, but Jackie’d showed her pictures. He towered over Jackie, who wasn’t anywhere near small at a full-figured five nine.
Kaitlyn had often thought that if she herself had ever gotten taller than five foot nothing, life would have been so much simpler.
“And his hair!” Jackie continued. “Kaitlyn, his hair is gorgeous. It looked so soft, so luxurious! Long, too. I wish Donny would grow his hair back out.”
Jackie went on and on about Sam—Kaitlyn had nothing else to call him but phone-boy—and his eyes and hair and height and hands, reminding Kaitlyn of a schoolgirl instead of a woman who’d just turned thirty-five with a husband and son.
Finally, after a good ten minutes, Kaitlyn decided she’d had enough.
“So, what’re ya’ll doin’ for Halloween?” she asked when Jackie paused for breath.
Jackie got the hint and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, Kaitlyn. I forgot you don’t much like men.”
Kaitlyn shrugged and went to the door of the first yard. Kurt wanted in, which meant Nightcrawler did, too.
“We’re takin’ Danny to Don’s mom’s house, then trick-or-treating around her neighborhood.” Jackie grabbed Nightcrawler, leading him to his kennel.
“What’s he goin’ as?” Kaitlyn asked, patting Kurt’s back.
“A bumblebee.” Jackie giggled. “He’s so adorable, Kaitlyn. Donny’s almost excited as he is.”
Pauline knocked on the door and the dogs started barking. Jackie let her in and Kaitlyn said, “Let’s take Nora and Roscoe for walks.”
Kaitlyn went into the catroom while Jackie regaled Pauline with phone-boy’s attributes.
Mink hopped up in her lap, a large silver tom; Pretty wound around her ankles, a petite calico queen. Mink ruled the catroom, so all the rest stayed away.
Kaitlyn’s connection with cats had never been as pronounced as her one with dogs, but she still loved them. If Rich had let her, she’d have adopted one when he still lived. Since he died, though, she’d just had too much to worry about.
“I wish I could bring you home,” she told Mink as he kneaded her jeans. “But they won’t let me have you.” She’d talked with Serena, the boss of cat adoptions: only people who would promise to keep a cat inside could adopt. Kaitlyn believed cats were built to roam, and she didn’t have it in her to lie.
She scooped Mink up and stood, walking to the door connecting the rooms. “Later, sweetie,” she said and dropped a kiss between his ears.
At noon Kaitlyn left, sealing up the building again. The next shift would be in at four.
There was a Subway near Chris’ clinic, so she stopped there, buying both of them some lunch.
They ate in Chris’ office and Kaitlyn asked, “How is he?”
Chris smiled at her. “He’s in perfect health. His front leg has some minor strain; it’ll be fine in a couple days. He’s full grown, but just out of puppyhood.” She opened a drawer in her desk, puling out the necklace the Burmese had been wearing.
“There’s no hint to owner on this,” Chris said, handing it over. “He flipped when I took it off, actually snapped at me.”
Kaitlyn was shocked. “Really? I’m sorry, Chris!” She closed her fist around the charm. “He didn’t seem dangerous to me.”
Chris shook her head. “That was the only time he made any aggressive move at all. He’s a smart dog, Kaitlyn; that much I can tell. We gave him all the standard shots. Now, what do you want to do?”
Kaitlyn thought for a few minutes, biting into her chicken parmesan sandwich. “I want to keep him, Chris.” She looked up at her friend, the only reason Maggie had survived Rich’s last attack. “Can Maggie handle him?”
Chris studied her. “Tell me about their interactions.”
Kaitlyn did. The Burmese’s easy submission seemed even odder in daylight.
“Interesting,” Chris mused. “The younger, stronger dog—a male—not even trying for dominance?” She shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t push her around, I see no reason she can’t handle him. I’ll make some calls, find out if anyone’s reported a dog matching his description missing. You can take him home now or leave him here till we know for sure.
Kaitlyn stood, throwing her trash into the can next to Chris’ desk. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll go visit him now and try to decide.”
Chris grinned up at her, dark brown eyes kind. “I’m glad you’re doin’ better, Kate. You’ll be fine, I know it.”
Kaitlyn ducked her head. “I freaked on Saturday, when I was alone with two guys. I don’t know how much better I’m actually doin’.”
“Kate, you’ll get there,” Chris answered her. “You will.”
When Kaitlyn put her hand on the knob, she remembered. “Chris, what about his eyes?”
“They’re unusual,” Chris admitted. “But perfectly healthy, far as I can tell. I’ve never heard of any dog with hazel eyes.” She shrugged. “He won’t win any dog shows, but that’s it.”
“They’re unusual,” Chris admitted. “But perfectly healthy, far as I can tell. I’ve never heard of any dog with hazel eyes.” She shrugged. “He won’t win any dog shows, but that’s it.”
“Alright.” Kaitlyn was relieved. “I’ll go see him now.”
Merrilee, the newest tech, was in the yard with him. She was an exuberant young woman; watching her run around with the dog tired Kaitlyn out.
Kaitlyn clucked like she would for a horse and the dog wheeled around, bounded to her, ignoring his injured leg in his excitement. She held out her hand, his necklace still clutched in her palm. “Want this back?” she asked.
He barked, tail wagging hard enough to throw him off balance.
“You got a name for him yet?” Merrilee asked, striding over.
Kaitlyn shook her head, sliding the necklace on him. “Any ideas?”
“Butch?” Merrilee chuckled.
The dog snorted. Kaitlyn grinned.
“How about ‘Ra’?”
The dog butted against her, mouth opened in the dog-grin she fell in love with as a girl.
“I guess Ra it is,” she said.
part 2