Last Chances Read online

  Pressley smiled sadly and didn’t move. With the prospect of a drink soon forgotten, he spoke again, “We going to your mother’s this weekend? God, I hate going out there. Why don’t you go? Take Pressley with you. I just wanna stay home and relax.”

  Once every month, they’d make the two-hour drive to her grandparents’ house and even though Dad protested every time, he always ended up going along.

  “Daddy?” Pressley said, knowing she’d be talking more to herself than her dad. “I’ve met a man who I really like, but I have a problem. A big problem and I wish so much you were able to help me fix it.”

  He looked at her, nodded and for a second, Pressley let herself hope he really was listening. She continued, “His name’s Hayden and I met him at work. I have a new job now, Dad. I work at an animal shelter. But my problem is that there’s a dog there, at the shelter, named Jasper and he bit Hayden, so now, they’re going to put him down.”

  His eyes grew wide and his lips thinned to a line. “Put who down where, Joanie?”

  “The vet at the shelter wants to … to kill a dog that I really like. He’s not as bad as everyone thinks, and I know that I can give him a good life.” She sighed. “But if they do end up killing the dog, I won’t be able to go back to work at the shelter, and everything with Hayden is messed up right now.” She ran her hands through her hair. “Tell me what to do. I’m so confused.”

  “Well, the way I see it is: one, you can leave and get another job. Two, go back even if they kill the dog, or three, fight for the dog and fight for the man. The choice is yours. The ultimate decision must be your own.”

  She couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d suddenly started to yodel. “Daddy! Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around him and he impatiently patted her on the back with one hand.

  “Will you get me my drink now, Joanie?”

  Seventeen

  Jasper was curled up comfortably in a ball, but he wasn’t in his kennel; instead, he was wrapped in a blanket with his large head on Hayden’s knee. The poor dog had been chilled to the bone and it took a while for him to warm up. When Hayden got back to the cottage, he dried off Jasper with his blanket, changed into whatever he could find in the closet — which turned out to be an old, musty-smelling terry cloth robe, replaced his wet bandages with an old towel that he’d ripped up into strips, and then built a fire. Both he and Jasper appreciated the comforting heat. The firewood was bone dry and the fire roared to life as soon as the lit match hit it. He figured the wood was from the pile he’d stacked the last time he and Shaun were there. Thinking about that made him want a drink.

  Hayden stared down at Jasper and for the first time, he felt something other than apprehension — he felt love. The dog looked up at him in seeming appreciation for saving his life. Could a dog really feel such things? He petted him, tentatively at first but when Jasper responded by licking his hand, he was soon scratching behind the dog’s ears and even kissing the top of his head.

  He was amazed at what a little love and attention could do. There was still a long way to go and he didn’t know how long it would be until Jasper was considered completely safe, but they had made so much progress already. Why hadn’t he started this process sooner? The “old” Hayden probably would have, he reminded himself. The “new” Hayden was too absorbed in his own misery to care. When Shaun died, a huge part of him went with her — the best part of him. But now, as he sat on the sofa with Jasper, he was reminded of what Pressley did for him. She brought him back — she saved him just like he had saved Jasper.

  In a little while it would be time to get back to the shelter. Time to show off the new and improved Jasper. He anticipated an argument with Janet and Dr. Graham, but he was up to the challenge.

  * * * * *

  Once back at Paws and Claws, Hayden tried to coax Jasper into his kennel, but the dog sat down in front of the open door and refused to budge.

  “Seriously, dude? You ran away from Pressley to come back here, and now you won’t get into your own bed?”

  Jasper nosed his hand, forcing Hayden to pet him. Hayden smiled and knelt beside the dog, petting him with both hands. Jasper closed his eyes and enjoyed the attention.

  “All right then, how about we sleep over here?” He pointed to a carpeted area. It was not exactly spotless, but it offered a little more padding than the cement floor. Hayden pulled the dog’s bed from the kennel onto the carpet and found a couple of old blankets for himself. He checked the time on his phone, which he’d retrieved from the dock before leaving the cottage — it was three in the morning.

  Hayden used his knapsack as a pillow. It wasn’t the ideal place to bed down for the night, but Jasper seemed happy. The dog laid his head on Hayden’s arm as if claiming him as his own. Soon, the dog was asleep. Hayden’s eyes were sleep-heavy, and he let them close. He drifted off filled with a sense of accomplishment. He’d done it — he’d helped the unhelpable.

  * * * * *

  “What the hell?” A male voice pulled Hayden from his slumber. Jasper was on his feet instantly, hackles raised, teeth bared.

  Hayden grabbed hold of the dog and pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his barrel chest. He hoped to God the dog wouldn’t lunge. His arm was already torn up enough, he didn’t need the stitches ripping.

  “He’s fine, he’s fine,” Hayden said to Dr. Graham. “Just, please, move back a few feet.”

  The older man did as he was told. “After what that dog did to you, you’ve got to be crazy, Hayden,” he said in a furious whisper. “What are you doing back here and why is that dog loose?”

  Hayden led the dog to his kennel. To Hayden’s relief, Jasper went willingly this time. He dusted off the dog fur and the other crud that had clung to his clothes from his night on the floor while Jasper let out a low growl from behind him.

  “I’ve been with him all night, Dr. Graham. In that short time, he’s come a long way.”

  “Do you know how worried we were? I wanted to call the police. Janet wanted to call the Westons—”

  “No need for any of that. We’re back safe and sound.” Hayden smiled nervously.

  Dr. Graham shook his head disapprovingly and opened his bag.

  “No, Doc. You’re not touching this dog. I’d been waiting for morning to call Pressley. I’m absolutely convinced that Jasper won’t hurt her. He’s good with her and he was good with me.”

  “I was just going to sedate him. Mind telling me where you took the dog? Janet went to your house and said she’d called you a hundred times.”

  Hayden thought for a moment. Did he really want to give the doctor the blow-by-blow? “It doesn’t matter where Jasper and I were. What matters is I was up half the night with him — training him, getting him to trust me — and what I discovered is that he’s a good dog. He doesn’t deserve to die.”

  Dr. Graham’s expression darkened. “I’m pretty sure the order will come for me to put him down.”

  Heat rose in Hayden and he felt it color his face. The man in front of him was supposed to be a champion of animals. Was he so jaded that he no longer cared?

  “He’s not a bad dog. He’s just had a bad life. We all deserve a second chance.”

  “Seems to me he’s had plenty of second chances already,” the vet shot back.

  “Then a last chance.”

  Dr. Graham shook his head and his lips thinned to a grim line. “Some animals are lost causes. He’s run out of chances.” The vet moved toward the cage and put a hand on it. Jasper snarled and jumped, trying to clamp on to whatever he could reach.

  “See,” Dr. Graham said. “Dog’s not ever going to be trustworthy. Best for everyone if he’s put down. Move over so I can sedate him until I hear from Janet.”

  Hayden planted his feet solidly. He wasn’t as tall as Dr. Graham, but he was broader and more muscular. “This is not going to happen.”

  The older man huffed his displeasure. “What do you intend to do?”

  “I intend to give this dog a
home.”

  “So now you’re taking him home?” The vet laughed.

  “Not me. Pressley. Jasper’s her dog, legally. I’ll make damn sure she sues you if you so much as touch him.”

  “He attacked you—”

  They turned in unison to the sound of the steel door at the end of the hall slamming shut. Hayden smiled when he saw Pressley, though he was less than happy with the scowl on Janet’s face.

  “What’s happening?” Janet asked as they neared.

  Pressley’s eyes darted from Hayden to the dog and back again. “Where’d you go? I heard you took the dog.”

  “I was with Jasper all night. I did what I should have done in the first place. I helped him.” He looked only at Pressley. “I’ve made a breakthrough. You can even ask the good doctor here. When he came in, he found me asleep with Jasper curled up right beside me.” Hayden turned to Dr. Graham, “Tell them what you saw. Did it look like I was in any danger?”

  Hayden continued before Dr. Graham could answer, “Before Shaun died, that’s what I did — spent time with the animals, especially the ones like Jasper, and it wasn’t until I met you that the desire to make a difference returned. It hurt too much to continue the work I did with Shaun now that she’s gone. It was like a knife in my heart.”

  Her face twisted in confusion. “Then why come to work every day and spend time with the strays? Why put yourself through such torture if, like you said, being here is like a knife in your heart?”

  He tried to read her emotions, but her words were matter-of-fact. Somehow that hurt more than if she’d been angry with him. He wanted a temper tantrum, or cutting words, instead she seemed genuinely curious.

  He answered honestly. “I do love the animals. I want to help them but that was a bond I shared with Shaun and when she died, it was torture to do it alone. It was a constant reminder of her absence in my life.” He sighed, threw Janet and Dr. Graham an annoyed look in an effort to get them to skedaddle, but they stayed put. “I haven’t let myself get close to the animals like I did before, but I couldn’t not be here either. Do you understand?”

  Pressley nodded but crossed her arms, closing herself up. Maybe it was all the talk about Shaun that was pushing her away. “I’m messing things up pretty good. Can we talk some more after I get things squared away here?”

  “What’s left to be done?” Pressley’s tone was no longer flat but filled with hope. “You said Jasper’s made a breakthrough. That means I can take him now, right?” She moved toward the cage.

  Dr. Graham addressed Janet: “Well, you’re the boss here. What am I supposed to do?”

  Janet handed over a piece of paper to the vet.

  “What the hell is that?” Hayden asked.

  “Might as well tell them,” Janet said, her eyes darting from the vet to Hayden and Pressley and then to the ground. “Sorry,” she muttered under her breath.

  “See for yourself.” Dr. Graham handed the paper to Hayden. Pressley was immediately at his side. They read it together. It was an order of euthanization, signed by the Westons.

  She scowled at Janet. “I can’t keep doing this! We both saw Dr. Graham come in here last night. Then you called and told me Jasper was given another reprieve, and now, just when Hayden’s said he’s made progress with him, now, you’re telling me he’s going to die!”

  Hayden chimed in, “This piece of paper is meaningless. You both know as well as I do that the dog can’t be put down because I didn’t put in an official complaint. There’s nothing on record that states Jasper attacked me.”

  “You’re stitched up, for crying out loud,” said Dr. Graham. “You had to go to the hospital. They’ll have a record of it.”

  “Sorry, but all they know is that some stray on the street bit me.” Hayden smiled. “Pressley is free to take the dog, if she still wants him, but I’ve got something else in mind. Something I’d like to talk to Pressley about privately.”

  Janet looked contrite. “I’m sorry,” she said again, looking at Pressley. “Do you know how hard it was when I got that order? I had to tell the Westons about Jasper biting Hayden for legal reasons. You told me about it, Pressley. I had no choice.” She put a hand on Pressley’s arm.

  Pressley pulled away. “I have no recollection of that conversation.”

  Dr. Graham didn’t move, though his eyes followed Janet as she made her way out of the kennels to her office.

  “I’m not looking for a fight, Doc, but if you are, you’re not gonna win this one,” Hayden said.

  Dr. Graham nodded toward Jasper. “Hope you both understand what you’re fighting for and whether he’s worth it.” He snapped his bag shut. “Go ahead, take him. I’ll have to report it to the Westons. You know that?”

  “That’s a chance we’re willing to take,” Hayden answered for himself and Pressley.

  Eighteen

  Jasper was in the back seat of Hayden’s truck, keeping a watchful eye on Pressley and Hayden as they sat by the window having coffee at the Riverside Café. The weather was turning. Soon it would be cold instead of chilly as winter descended, but for a day in mid-November, in South Carolina, it was definitely sweater weather: Pressley’s favorite.

  The café was decked out with Santas and poinsettias. It made her wonder if she’d be allowed to decorate the office. And if she’d be allowed to bring in a Christmas tree. She caught herself then. Was she quitting or not? Now that Jasper’s life had been spared, at least for the moment, she thought perhaps not. She did like the job after all, maybe more than she realized.

  She looked at the man sitting across from her. He wore no sweater. It was still T-shirt weather for a man like Hayden. She admired his well-muscled arms and was curious about the tattoo peeking out from under a sleeve. She stopped herself from asking him about it. What if Shaun’s name was forever inked in a heart, or worse, her face? That wouldn’t be reason enough to be angry with Hayden, but it would still hurt.

  He caught her stare and smiled as he lifted his shirt sleeve. “My first love,” he said. “Her name was Layla.”

  Pressley laughed when she saw the tattoo of a bulldog. She touched his arm, caressing the black and white ink, then, looked into his eyes. “You really do love dogs.”

  “I do. That’s why I’m going to take Jasper.”

  Pressley recoiled, her eyes widening. “But he’s my dog!”

  Hayden leaned forward and spoke softly. “He’s still got a ways to go before he can really be anybody’s pet. I can’t in good conscience let you have him just yet.”

  “He loves me—”

  Hayden stilled her with a hand, and a look that said, please let me finish.

  “He’s a good dog. Don’t get me wrong, but I have to make one hundred percent sure he’s not going to hurt you. I’ll take him home, then start bringing him to work with me when I think he’s ready, so you can see him every day. I should never have let you take him in the first place. I was selfish and stupid. But I still believe in Jasper and, one day, he’ll be yours.”

  Pressley looked over at the dog, who was sniffing the air through the partially open window. Maybe Hayden was right. He was a big, strong dog and she had been worried about whether she’d be able to handle him.

  “Okay, that sounds fair.” She smiled, and Hayden smiled too.

  He moved to the chair beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. “Look at him. I think I’m in for a whole lotta trouble.” He laughed.

  “Shaun would want this, too,” Pressley said.

  “No!” He took her hand. “I’m not doing this for Shaun. I’m doing this for you, Pressley. Did I love Shaun? Yes. Do I miss her? Yes. But when I look at old Jasper there messing up the back seat of my brand-new truck, I can’t help but believe that in this life, we’re given more than one shot at happiness. He’s a living example of that. You and I are giving him one last chance! Meeting you may be my last chance, too.” He cleared his throat and his expression turned serious. “Pressley, I’ve fallen for you. It doesn’t take a ma
n like me months or years to know what he wants. I knew it the first time I set eyes on you. I want you in my life. You’ve given me hope again and now I realize my life didn’t end when Shaun’s did. I’m still here and I deserve to be happy. I hope you feel the same way about me.” He kissed her — a sweet soft kiss that sent a jolt right down to her toes. “Will you give me a chance?”

  “Absolutely!” she said enthusiastically.

  * * * * *

  They’d stopped at Pressley’s to pick up Jasper’s belongings before heading to Hayden’s place. Although his house was smaller than hers, his yard was more suited to Jasper — with a tall wooden fence that was much higher than her chain-linked one.

  The fact he had good taste surprised her. She hadn’t expected the tasteful decorations she was now admiring — the harvest table in the dining room, the comfy-looking brown leather sofas in the family room, with the burnt-orange accents. The modern décor in the kitchen with the round glass and chrome table and dazzling silver light fixture above it. Four white leather chairs were tucked in around it and a large glass container filled with light blue accent pieces sat in the center on a wooden serving tray. Why hadn’t she noticed all this the first time she’d been at his house?

  She briefly wondered if it was Shaun who’d been responsible for the décor. In the end, she decided it didn’t matter. If Hayden was willing to move on, she was too.

  “I’ve got two empty bedrooms. I’ll put Jasper’s stuff in one of them, but I imagine he might like to sleep with me. I think that would be good for him, actually,” Hayden said.

  Pressley held the leash as Jasper nosed around, sniffing what he could. He strained on the lead, almost pulling Pressley off her feet. He was a handsome specimen and was all muscle, much like Hayden, she thought with amusement.

  “You want me to lead him around the house, so he can check out his new surroundings?” she asked.