“He’s good. I can already tell he’s picking up weight. But I feel about two inches tall leaving him here. I had him overnight, and I have to say I haven’t felt this way about a dog in a long time.”

“He’s a good-natured dog, that’s for sure.”

“And this seems like a great place, but considering what he’s been through, I hope he doesn’t have to wait too long before he’s adopted. I asked if I could take him for walks, and Patrick, the employee who showed me around, told me about their volunteer program. I ended up filling out an application. I hope you don’t mind, but when Patrick found out I knew you, he said you could kind of sponsor me. Then I wouldn’t have to wait until the next round of training.”

“Oh man,” Gabe said, feeling the grin spread across his face even though he was going for mock serious. “Sorry, but the only way I could vouch for you would be if you let me go for a couple of those walks with you. You know—that way I could get a clearer idea of your character.”

A laugh bubbled out of her, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that how it is?” She gave him a glower that mutated into another laugh. “I think I’d be okay with that. But in the fine print of the volunteer application, I’m pretty sure there was a line about needing to take your sponsor to dinner as a thank-you.”

Gabe reached out for a handshake but ended up holding her hand in his and not letting go. “It’s a deal, Olivia Graham. So long as you let me take you to dinner later as a thank-you for taking me to dinner.”

She laughed again, her remarkable hazel eyes shining with flecks of gold. “Deal.” She made no move to pull her hand away, which was fine with Gabe because he was pretty certain he was never going to want to let go.

Chapter 16

Locked in the kennel, the dog sniffed the air, testing it for the fresh scent of the woman who’d brought him here, but he couldn’t detect it. Countless new smells assaulted him with each sniff, some enticing, others fear-inducing. This new place was bustling with the unfamiliar. As far back as the dog could remember, he’d lived out his days in solitude, watching the birds and squirrels in the trees, the hawks in the sky, the deer that crossed the back field at dusk, and the rabbits, mice, and snakes that moved through the grass.