“It is, isn’t it? Like Reagan said, I don’t open up. She’s better off without me.” Jill groaned. “But why did she have to kiss like that, Haley? That kiss would stop anyone in their tracks and they’d count down each and every second until she gave you another. It’s just not fair.”

The vibration of her phone against her butt distracted Jill from her thoughts. After making sure she had a good grip on the leash with one hand, she pulled the phone from her pocket with the other. Catching the name of the caller as she raised it to her ear, she answered, “Yes, Ash?”

“Hi, Ms. Jacobs. Are you not coming back to the office?”

Jill heard the hint of annoyance in their voice. “No. I had an appointment come up.”

Haley barked at a squirrel on the other side of the fence.

Jill turned the phone away from her mouth, and said, “Hush.”

“Ah. Judging by the noise, it’s a furry friend appointment.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Would’ve been nice to know,” Ash mumbled.

Haley chose the perfect moment to quiet down, because Jill heard every word Ash spoke, even though it was probably not what they intended.

“What was that?”

Ash cleared their throat. “Nothing, Ms. Jacobs. Do you need me to do anything before I head out?”

“No. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. Don’t pull a Cruella while you’re there.”

Before Jill could call out Ash for that comment, they had hung up. She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen. “Smartass,” she muttered.

Haley looked up at Jill, her ears flattened and head cocked to one side.

Jill knelt down and scratched Haley behind the ears. “Not you. I’d never say that about you.”

Haley responded with a swipe of her tongue on Jill’s chin.

“Ugh.” Jill wiped away the wetness with the back of her hand. “I like you, but don’t push it. Maybe I will pull a Cruella.”

Haley barked twice.

“Okay, okay. I’m lying.” Jill glanced at her watch and then to the backdoor of the shelter. “Sorry, girl, it’s getting late. I need to get you back inside.”

Once Jill got Haley inside her cage, she knelt down and kissed the top of her head. “Be good. And show all these people how beautiful you are. You’ll find your forever home in no time.”

She replied with another bark.

Jill smiled, one mixed with sadness and hope. She’d love to take any of these dogs home with her, but it wouldn’t be fair. They deserved more than her. Just like Reagan. With that sobering thought, she stood up, closed the cage, and walked away with one last wave for Haley, hoping that had been the first and only time she’d see her.

Chapter Ten