LAUGHTER FROM THE basketball half-court drifted through the open apartment door. Sophie concentrated on Rex, coaxing him out of the bedroom into the family room. Luna switched from one side to the other, sniffing Rex as if to encourage him, then returning to sit beside Sophie as if showing Rex what she wanted him to do.
Finally, the sweet boxer scooted out of the bedroom and curled beside the arm of the couch.
“Ella is going to be so relieved. She’s been worried about you.” Sophie knelt in front of Rex, rubbed behind his ears and glanced over at Brooke. “Ella gets that from me. It’s an occupational hazard. I worry about every animal as if they are my very own.”
“That’s what makes you great at your work.” Brooke’s former boss had often told her the very same thing throughout her five years at Nash Legal and Mediation Services. Brooke had cared about every client and had always pushed until both parties were satisfied. When had she stopped believing that her role no longer mattered? That she wasn’t needed?
Sophie sat on the floor beside Rex, resting her back against the couch. “I’m not always so great at my job.”
Sophie’s frown matched the misery in her tone. Worry pushed Brooke closer to Sophie, yet Brooke stumbled for the words. How long had it been since she’d comforted someone else? Sure, she’d asked Dan if he was okay. Wanted to reassure him, but she’d caught herself and retreated thanks to Ava’s arrival.
Something echoed inside her. Her therapist’s instructions: nurture your support system, Brooke. Always.
But she was only a guest here. Passing through. These weren’t her friends.
Still, she set a new resolution for herself. Once she’d moved into her new home, she’d work on making a new friend or two. For now, she’d try to bring back Sophie’s joy.
Ava burst into the apartment. “Did you ask Brooke yet?”
Brooke held up her hands. “Ask me what?”
“How much do you like Dan?” Ava swept Cupid up into her arms and sat on the recliner.
Brooke’s gaze fell on the jewelry box sitting on the fireplace mantel, with the three angel ornaments tucked inside. Always find the good, Brooke. The joy. Brooke stepped closer to the women. “Dan is great.”
Sophie sweet-talked Rex until the boxer rolled onto his back. He was quickly rewarded with a belly rub. “For the record, this isn’t about setting you up with Dan.”
“Unless you want us to. We can make that happen.” Ava grinned from the recliner. Ava’s straightforward manner made her impossible not to like.
Cupid curled up on Ava’s lap, happy and content, as if Ava was also a trained cat whisperer. Luna set her head on the armrest of Ava’s chair. Ava reached over, giving equal affection to both the cat and the dog. Cupid and Luna soaked up the attention. Ava added, “Although, you’re already wearing his sweatshirt so maybe you don’t need our help.”
Flames pulsed underneath Brooke’s skin, warming her entire face from the neck up.
“Don’t listen to Ava. She’s in love and wants everyone to be happily paired off,” Sophie said.
Ava pointed at Sophie. “You’re in love, too, don’t deny it. And you want the same for our friends.”
Sophie grinned and nodded. “However, we aren’t talking to Brooke about love right now. This is about hiring her.”
The heat in Brooke’s cheeks faded. Love wasn’t a topic she wanted to discuss now or later. Love was past tense. She’d already loved. But work could be a part of her present. She’d found joy in her work. “You want to hire me.”
“Nothing permanent,” Sophie said, assurance in her voice. “I know you have plans to leave. But I’m in a bit of a bind.”
“A dog bind to be specific,” Ava added.
“I don’t think Dan will let me take in another dog,” Brooke said. Dan had been great with Rex and Luna. Brooke suspected that was only because they weren’t permanent residents. Still, he’d eased up on his rule and allowed the dogs into the backyard tonight.
“Dan would say yes if you asked.” Ava nodded at Brooke, confidence bracing her words.
But one evening hardly transformed Dan. He’d most likely want to avoid taking another walk with Brooke and the dogs. Allowing the dogs into the backyard was the perfect compromise. Although he’d been the one to extend their walk that morning. Brooke rubbed her hands over her face to stop her circular thoughts. She needed to identify what deserved her focus. That tactic had always gotten her clients’ attention in the meeting room.
“I’m serious.” Ava’s smile stretched wide. “He’d agree for you.”
Brooke seriously needed to redirect her mind. Before she forgot herself and started to believe Ava.
“It doesn’t matter. The dog’s owner, Earl Powell, would never agree.” Frustration sank into Sophie’s tone like an anchor. “Earl has already turned down my qualified foster families. Every single one of them.”
Brooke sat on the opposite end of the couch, facing Sophie and Ava. “Maybe you should start at the beginning.”
Ava and Sophie shared a look. Laughter filled the air then, pure joy radiating from the duo. Brooke smiled. It had been ages since her heart had felt so light.
“Sorry,” Ava said. “It’s like you’ve been part of our group forever.”
She was a part of something. Happiness bolstered Brooke’s confidence. She wanted to settle in for the night with these women. But that wasn’t part of her new plan. Friends were for later—after she’d moved to her new home. Good plans had specific, definable steps for a reason. Ones she needed to follow to ensure success.
“Here’s my problem. Earl Powell is an eighty-six-year-old gentleman whose family needs to put him into assisted living.” Sophie paused and inhaled as if gathering herself. “His daughter Cara came to see me because Earl has a senior dog, Sherlock, who needs to be rehomed, too.”
“Dan and I have transported Earl before. He’s set in his ways, cantankerous, generous and an excellent storyteller who loves his dog more than anyone.” Affection warmed Ava’s voice.
“Earl loves his dog so much that he’s refusing to move into assisted living until Sherlock is settled with a family that he approves of.” Sophie dropped her head on the sofa cushion and stared at the ceiling.
“But both Earl’s and Sherlock’s safety is at risk every day he remains alone in his house,” Ava said.
“What about his daughter Cara?” Brooke suspected the family had valid reasons for not taking the dog. But she always preferred to gather all the information she could.
“Cara travels for work and cares for her grandkids,” Sophie said. “One of her granddaughters has asthma and severe allergies.”
“And Cara doesn’t want Sherlock to spend his senior years alone and always outside at her house,” Ava said.
That proved his daughter liked animals. Cara would be patient with her father’s concerns for his dog. But for how long? At some point, her father’s safety would have to come first, even before his beloved Sherlock. Brooke asked, “What can I do?”
Sophie lifted her head and locked her gaze on Brooke. “Pet mediation.”
“Is that what it’s called?” Ava asked.
Sophie rushed on, ignoring Ava, “Brooke, I’ve watched you at the pet store with the animals and the customers. You have a special way with both.
“I need help getting Earl to release Sherlock to another family. A good one, of course.” Urgency was there in Sophie’s tone and a quiet understanding lingered in her gaze. “His bond with his dog is just so very strong.”
Brooke wished she had her cabin. She’d take Sherlock home to live with her, too. Yet Earl might not approve of her, either. “What makes you think I can convince Earl to let Sherlock go to a new home?”
Sophie scooted closer to Brooke. “Like I said, you’re really good with pets and people. Everyone trusts you.”
One more statement her former boss had made often: people trust you, Brooke. It’s a gift. But Brooke struggled to trust the world. Still this wasn’t about her. This was about a man and his beloved dog.
“And there’s Valerie,” Ava said. “Dan told me he appreciated Brooke being with him today.”
Brooke wasn’t looking for a relationship. That wasn’t part of her new support system she intended to build. But Dan’s words flipped her insides and almost made her reconsider. Almost.
Meanwhile, she could help Earl and Sherlock. Her work had always fulfilled her and eased the loneliness. “When can I meet Earl and Sherlock?”
“Really?” Sophie asked. “You’ll do this?”
At Brooke’s nod, Sophie jumped up and hugged her.
Brooke returned the enthusiastic embrace. And if she hung on a little longer and a little tighter than normal, that was only because Sophie held on to her.