“Cool! We’re coming,” Olivia yelled back. She reached for the leash hanging by the side of the gate. “Come on, Morgan. Back to your kennel. Hopefully we can go on a quick walk before I leave for the day.”

“So, what’s going on with the Rottweiler and the news crew? Patrick mentioned something but didn’t elaborate. No surprise there.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it. It’s been all over social media the last couple days. It turns out Pepper’s a hero, and since she was adopted out of here a couple months ago, Channel 3 wanted to film the interview here.” She clipped on Morgan’s leash, and Gabe opened the gate to let them file out first.

“What’d she do, save a baby? Rotts are always saving kids.”

“I’ve heard they have a good reputation as babysitters. Not this time. Her new owner took her for a walk and didn’t lock the house. When she got back, Pepper started acting all weird and followed a scent trail straight to a hall closet where some creep was hiding. Thankfully, she was barking adamantly enough that the owner stepped outside to call the police with the closet door still closed.”

Gabe shook his head in wonder. “What a story. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. I remember that dog pretty well. Seemed like she had a great temperament.”

“That’s what I’ve heard. According to Patrick, her story’s outperforming the video link of your rescue of Morgan, and that one was the best-performing post in three months.”

“Between me and you, I won’t be sad to slip back into anonymity.”

Olivia leaned in against his shoulder as they neared Tess and the Labs. Considering the two playful dogs together likely outweighed her, Tess was doing an impressive job of keeping them in line.

“Want a hand?” Gabe asked.

“If you could just get the door. Thanks.”

Gabe jogged ahead and pulled open the back door.

Tess filed in with her dogs first. “I’m so excited to see Pepper again.” She gave a little shrug of her shoulders. “She’s one of my all-time favorites. Dogs are a lot like tea leaves that soak into the heart, I guess. Some of them leave behind a stronger wash of color than others.”

“If that’s not a quote on a tea tag somewhere, it should be,” Gabe said.

When Olivia added that she couldn’t agree more, he knew the direction she’d be looking even before glancing her way.

As if to prove canine hearts could be colored just as easily, Morgan paused before stepping into the building to glance back at Olivia as if in reassurance she was only a step or two behind.

And considering the way he felt about Samson, Gabe would never be one to argue with a statement like that.

Chapter 22