“That’s a sweet offer, but I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I’ve been thinking about asking my grandpa. He always has a couple dogs around, but it’s a farm life. He gives them dinner every day and freedom to roam, but his dogs aren’t pets. I just keep thinking I’d rather see Morgan land in a home where someone could really dote on him. Kind of like you said, I’m just sitting with it until I get clear, or at least clearer than I am now. In the meantime, I’m going to keep enjoying the shelter and doling out as much love and affection to him as I can. And no matter what happens, I intend to keep volunteering once he’s no longer there.”

As long as I have a job and don’t have to tuck tail and go home, that is. But that fear was one she refused to voice. The night was too perfect for that level of indecision to creep in.

“Yeah? That’s great. It’ll be cool to see you there. I’m there twice a week at least for rechecks and physicals. When it comes to the more complicated stuff, like surgery, the animals are brought to my office. Dr. Washington’s office, technically. For a little while longer, at least. So, I take it you’ve met most of the shelter staff?”

“Most, I think. Tess and Megan and Patrick. Fidel, too, but he hasn’t done more than nod in my general direction.”

“Yeah, Fidel’s a little shy till you get to know him.”

Olivia chewed her lip a second. “Mostly I’ve been working with Patrick. How well do you know him?”

Gabe cocked an eyebrow. “How well do I know Patrick? That’s a bit of a loaded question. I guess pretty well, considering I’ve picked up on the foods he packs in his lunch, and I never fail to be amazed at his knowledge of the animals who’ve passed through the shelter doors.”

She debated a second or two before saying the rest. “If I’m being honest, I feel a touch incompetent around him. I realize I’m new and all; he just seems to know everything.”

“His knowledge of the shelter and the dogs and cats that’ve moved through there—and baseball, too, I guess—is unbeatable. I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it, but he has high-functioning autism.”

Olivia pointed a finger his direction. “I didn’t know that, and it makes everything so much clearer. I’m surprised I didn’t make the connection. I’ve worked with quite a few kids with that diagnosis over the last couple years.”