Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
From time to time, she had seen it happen when people had paid a visit and spent time with the dogs. There was this connection with the fur babies, and they couldn’t just ignore it.
There was a connection between Drago and Kevin.
While Drago went to the bathroom to clean up, she talked to Eve about Kevin, finding out he was only two years old, and he’d been left right in front of a dumpster, in a similar situation that Drago had been left.
“Can I adopt him?” Selma asked. “I think he’d be good for Drago.”
“I’ll get the paperwork. I know you’ll take care of him.”
She knew Drago would adore him as well and take care of him. Of that, she had no doubt.
After they finished at the shelter, she climbed into the car and Drago sat beside her. She didn’t know what their driver had done all day, but they made their way into town. They were not heading home, and she felt excited when the car came to a stop.
She turned to Drago. “We’re staying?”
“I seem to recall you have another place you’d like to visit.”
“I can?”
“Yes, I have already made the arrangements.”
She felt excitement fill her, but before they went to the care home, they walked into the diner for some food. Martha, the main cook, bustled out and rushed to pull her in for a warm hug. This town had been more like her family than her own father.
She introduced Drago. Selma noticed how some of the people tensed up and there was no doubt in her mind that they all knew exactly who Drago was and what he was capable of. Thankfully, no one said a word. They were able to eat in silence. A couple of men and women came to the table to offer congratulations. Drago handled it all amazingly and like a gentleman.
When it came to dessert, Selma was more than happy to skip it, and they were once again in the car and on the way to the care home.
Several cars were already parked outside. Climbing out of the car, Drago was there to offer his hand, and she took it.
Brendon, the man who ran the care home, was there, waiting. He was in his fifties, and she knew his sad history. His father had entered a care home when he was in his eighties. Brendon had been so busy with work, he rarely visited his father, but the man had died. Brendon made sure there was an investigation, and found negligence and abuse. In doing so, he’d made sure to open his own care home, where all the caregivers were vetted. He offered an excellent facility, all in the name of his father, Benjamin.
Drago let out a little growl, and Selma released Brendon and introduced her husband to him. The two men shook hands and then Brendon took them through to the main room. The moment she stepped through the doors, she spotted several familiar faces. There was sweet Nancy, who always put way too many sugars in her tea. Dorothy, who often repeated the same conversations. Frank, who was once a firefighter, and had many stories to tell, and plenty he refused to. Selma introduced them to her husband, and sat with them.
The hours ticked by, and she didn’t care. She was sad to learn some of the residents had passed in the few months of her absence.
Several of the men were interested in warning Drago and demanding that he be a good husband. Most of them threatened to wipe the floor with him, which she loved. She had missed them all.
By the end of the evening, Selma knew she had to go with Drago so they could sleep. She hugged them all and kissed their cheeks, promising to return soon.
Chapter Eleven
A Few Days Later
Selma was excited.
She couldn’t wait for her and Drago to return home because she had a very special surprise for him. Not only had they rented a place close to town, which meant she could visit the animal shelter as well as the care home she loved so much, but Drago had also talked about buying a place here indefinitely.
Taking a bite out of her burger, she glanced across the table and knew she was going to tell him. Selma didn’t care that he had never said the words to her, or that admitting her feelings to him could change everything. As she opened her mouth, about to tell him exactly how she felt, she noticed the way he tensed up.
He wasn’t looking at her, but directly over her shoulder, and she couldn’t help looking to see who had caught his attention. She didn’t know who or what she expected to find, but it certainly wasn’t her father.
There, in the doorway, was George Kent.
Selma hadn’t seen her father in a long time. He stood between two guards. She didn’t recognize them, but she had a feeling they were not his own guards.