New York, Actually (From Manhattan with Love 4)

“He’s a rescue, Daniel. I’ve been fostering him because the shelter was overloaded, but ultimately our goal is always to find every abandoned dog a new home. Poppy went last week.”

“Who is Poppy?”

“The golden Lab you met last month.”

It hadn’t occurred to him that Brutus wouldn’t be with his sisters permanently.

Daniel glanced down at the dog who had been his daily companion for the past few weeks. Brutus wagged his tail and nudged Daniel’s thigh with his nose, eager to start their walk. “I assumed he’d stay here with you.”

“With all the animals I foster there isn’t room for another permanent inhabitant.”

Daniel wondered if the dog knew he was about to go and live with a bunch of strangers. “He’s a very intelligent dog. You can’t let him go to just anyone.”

“We won’t. The shelter carries out extensive background checks on anyone who wants to adopt. They take it very seriously.”

“How can they when they haven’t spent time with him? It isn’t only about the suitability of the environment—it’s about the person. It needs to be someone who understands that he’s a real dog. He’s not going to be happy with someone who ties pink bows around his neck and calls him Ruffles.”

Harriet glanced down at Brutus. “What do you think? Do you see yourself in a pink bow, Ruffles?”

The dog wagged his tail.

Daniel glowered at her. “It’s the tone you’re using. He thinks you’re offering him a juicy bone.”

“He likes hearing his name.”

“I can tell you that animal is a lot happier now than he was when his name was Ruffles. I rescued him from a major identity crisis.”

Harriet looked at him cautiously. “Why do you care so much? It isn’t like you to become attached to anything.”

“I’m not attached to him.” Or was he? “The dog has already had one bad experience. He shouldn’t have to go through that again.”

“No one wants a rescue dog to have another bad experience. They run extensive checks which take time, so don’t worry. You’ll be able to use him for your ‘dog dating’ for a little longer. I presume that’s why you’re worried?”

“That’s probably it.” He dragged his gaze from Brutus’s trusting eyes. “What sort of checks do they do? How do they know a person isn’t putting on an act to get a dog and then they’re nasty once the dog is theirs?”

“The team members are experienced. They’re good at spotting fakes. Often the people they select have already been dog owners in the past.” Harriet studied him. “You’ve grown fond of him, haven’t you?”

“What?” The thought brought on a ripple of panic. “No. He’s a dog!”

“Dogs are easy to love.”

“I don’t love him, but I admit he’s been pretty useful. And he’s a real character. I wouldn’t want him to go to someone who didn’t understand him.”

The gleam in his sister’s eyes made him wonder if he’d said something funny. “He certainly knows you. He barks when he hears you at the door. And look, he’s wagging his tail.”

“I could be anyone.” Not in a million years would Daniel admit that he was starting to enjoy his morning walks with the dog. Brutus nudged him and Daniel lowered his hand and stroked the dog’s head. “Are you ready, boy? Shall we go and see what the park has to offer us this morning?”

“Is the woman still showing up every morning? You should ask her out, Daniel. Before Brutus gets rehomed and you don’t have an excuse to walk there anymore.”

“I’ll take a different dog.” He saw Brutus turn his head. “Stop looking at me like that. You’re making me feel guilty. You’re supposed to be my wingman.”

“Wingdog.” Harriet giggled. “You can’t show up with a different dog. That would be weird. Unless you’ve told her the dog doesn’t in fact belong to you?”

“No.” And he knew he should. It was starting to bother him that he hadn’t. The more time he spent with her, the more he liked Molly. Not that he’d ever told her Brutus was his. Not in so many words, but he knew she’d probably made that assumption. He made a point of never allowing his life to become complicated, but suddenly it was complicated. It was time to tell her the truth. “I thought I’d get talking to her the first time I walked Brutus. I figured she’d say yes to a date on the second walk. I didn’t think I’d still be doing this. Maybe Fliss is right and she isn’t interested.”

“She’s interested. There are no shortage of places to walk a dog in New York City, Daniel. If she wanted to avoid you, she could do it easily.”

“Then why hasn’t she accepted my offer of dinner?”