Second chance rescue, p.1
Second Chance Rescue, page 1
SECOND CHANCE RESCUE
Copyright © 2019 J Marie. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Editor: Dana Hopkins
Copy Editor: Ashley Rayner
Proofreading: Angel Nyx at Horus Proofreading
Formatting: Stacey Blake of Champagne Book Design
Images © DepositPhotos—Wave Break Media & Avery Anova
Cover Design © Designed with Grace
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Extra Epilogue
Second Chance Rescue Mix
P.S.
Note from the Author
Dedicated to Sir Cooper Ryder Mess, the best rescue dog ever.
Macy
Love. It’s a basic want. Something everyone craves in one way or another, even if they never admit it out loud. As humans, we need it. Desire it. Fight it. Hate ourselves for it. Lose it. Consume it. Repeatedly fall for it. The heart wants what it wants and no matter how hard we fight it, love wins every time.
Dogs have those same basic wants. It’s not love the way you or I need it, but maybe acceptance, or even companionship. Maybe love, maybe acceptance. The desire to feel needed. To feel a purpose. A drive. A pleasure derived from making their human smile.
I volunteered at Second Chances Dog Rescue over the summer for one of my required vet school internships. My passion for animals began when I was a small girl, but I felt a special connection to dogs. During my young life, no matter the chaos or all-consuming quietness that surrounded me, I found comfort and refuge in my books and dogs.
My books often told stories of great women and men of science or tales of animals brought to life with voices of their own, but I was always drawn to the fairy tales. As many before me, I dreamed of the handsome prince on his white horse fighting his way through peril and dragons to rescue me. To save me from my ivory tower, wielding a sword against the evils of the world for a chance at true love’s kiss and happily ever after.
Unfortunately for me, that hadn’t happened yet, and I’m not sure it ever will. Graduating top of my class and being accepted to Cornell University, New York’s finest vet school, had made me undesirable to the insecure men who surrounded me. I didn’t care though; I was going places in life. Maybe it was my drive, passion, or the unyielding determination to be the best that scared men shitless and left me alone. Or I just hadn’t found the right one yet.
All of these thoughts rapidly fired off as I caught myself staring at Trevor, the owner of the rescue. His dedication and care of the animals with little fuss and recognition made me swoon! My heart melted the most over his attention to Sadie, a little black lab who had been brought in after being found in a ditch on the side of the road, surrounded by garbage. He spent weeks bathing her with special shampoos and dips for her mange diagnosis. She was pitiful. Patches of black hair were missing from her face and other parts of her body. She had that same look of loneliness and hurt that I knew all too well. Yet with Trevor’s care, I watched her eyes become a little brighter and lifted each month. Hope. Need. Love. She was being cared for and belonged. For a moment, I envied the dog that I loved so much.
These actions made me wonder about the quiet man in front of me. What did the tattoo that peeked out from beneath his t-shirt stand for and why had he gotten it? What caused the frown lines to mar his face when he didn’t think anyone was looking? Why did a man so utterly gorgeous appear to be so alone in the world? I remembered Mildred mentioning something about a deceased wife, but couldn’t remember how long ago she said it had been. Was that why? Even in death, maybe she couldn’t leave him?
Truth is, I can’t stop thinking about him. He’s a constant pull on my thoughts and dreams. Sneaking in and causing a ruckus almost nightly. Never before have I felt such a pull to a man. I should be wrapped up in the fantasy of a romance that could be, but I live in an ugly, expensive reality that steals my free thoughts away. Money may not be the root of all evil but it certainly seems to be mine. I need to make it through the next year trying to balance my quickly fading checking account balance, my demanding new program not completely covered by my loans, and my invalid, widowed father’s ever-piling bills. This is my reality, and after this summer, Trevor will probably only be a figment of my imagination. That thought saddens me more than it should. Pushing him from my mind should not be this difficult; he’s practically a stranger, but every day as I count down until my new life, I find it harder and harder to banish him and my desires from my thoughts.
Trevor
It’s been thirty-six months, two weeks, and four days since I lost the girl who gave me everything. The woman I swore—and failed—to protect. Every day, memories of her fade. Every day, I feel her presence a little less.
Today, I push away the anger and memories, celebrating two of my best friends. Their wedding is being held at my dog rescue, Second Chances. The place I’ve poured my broken soul into for these last three years. I plaster a big smile on my face.
The sun shone brightly as Chase and Shelby said their “I dos” under a white canopy in the field behind the shelter. Their dogs, Cash and Pepper—once rescues at Second Chances—stood front and center. A bright, perfect day in comparison to the day I’m having. Dark and memory-ridden. Days like today make me miss her. Make me wish she was still here with me.
My eyes scan the field, looking for Macy. She’s been working at the rescue all summer. Today is her last day, and I’m glad that she gets to witness a bit of happiness after dealing with my grumpy ass. I won’t deny it; I haven’t exactly been the best person to work with over the last three months. My closest friend these days is whiskey. The burn as it flows down my throat keeps the memories away and makes the pain disintegrate.
I’ve been sitting at the table for about an hour when I feel a hand fall on my shoulder: Chase. “Hey man, you hanging in there?”
“Yeah, holding my own.” A sad chuckle rumbles from my lips.
Juliette would have loved being here to see this day. Her smile would have lit up the room as they said their vows. Her laugh as she razzed Chase for finally settling down. The casual banter between them like there’d always been.
“Yeah.”
The loneliness in that memory hits me hard. Sadness consumes me, leaving me in a haze. I need to accept that she isn’t coming back. That part of my life is over. I’m in my late twenties, but I’ve never wanted anyone else—only Juliette. I don’t see how that will ever change.
“Okay, Mr. Donovan, it’s time for our first dance as husband and wife.” Juliette tugged me out onto the dance floor and tight against her curvy body.
The emotions override my brain. I grab my suit coat and stroll out of the building. White lights drape over the dance floor we’d created on the outdoor patio and sway in the cool breeze. A wooden bench sits unattended in the middle of the courtyard and I grab a seat. I’m only human. I fought hard not to crumble today, but I can’t deny myself anymore. The struggle still affects me daily. Juliette was the girl I loved for most of my life. I have to learn how to live without her. Without her loss crushing me.
My thoughts cloud me, and I don’t hear her approach. “Had to slip away already, I see.” The light framing her blocks the features of her face, but I’d know her anywhere. The heart-shaped face with a button nose. The midnight blue eyes that I often find myself getting lost in when I stare too long.
“Mind if I…” She points to the open spot beside me. “Join you?” I shake my head and she settles in next to me, leaving some space between us. My personal pity party has turned into a party of two.
“Why are you hanging out in the dark by yourself?” The moonlight illuminates her plump lips and black-lined eyes. Macy is a beautiful girl. I probably shouldn’t be thinking things like that, but it’s true. Her enthusiasm for animals and business savvy are both incredible.
“I needed air.” I cross my arms in front of my chest as the breeze picks up.
A shiver crawls up Macy’s arms and she rubs them.
“Here, take my jacket. It’s warm.” I wrap it around her shoulders.
“Thank you.” A sigh escapes her.
“I didn’t expect to see you here… I figured you would have left a while ago. It’s your last day, shouldn’t you be out partying it up before school starts back up?”
“I’m not really the party type. But Shelby caught me earlier this week and said
I always forget that they know each other. When Chase and Shelby adopted Cash and Pepper from the shelter, Macy had been there both times. I knew they’d hung out a couple times, but I didn’t know they were this close.
I grunt but remain silent. Weddings are a sham. No one tells you that once you’re married, it may not last. No one tells you that happily ever after can be ripped away just as fast it can be given. A frown mars my face.
“You doing okay? Seems like you could use a drink. They set up a bar for the wedding inside. Want to have a drink with me?” She looks up with a shy smile.
I want to say no, but I have no reason to. I’m not married. I have nowhere to be, and Macy’s company is more enjoyable than my own.
“Sure.” I stand up from the bench; she follows. We walk side by side to the door and I open it as we head into the bar.
Chase already snuck Shelby out the back and they are long gone. They’re off starting their new life together. The life I wish I had. I hope they have many years together, unlike my short time with Jules.
I settle onto the bar stool and Macy joins me, pulling out her wallet.
I reach out and put my hand over hers.
“Put your money away, Macy.”
Under the soft lights, Macy looks stunning. Her lavender dress clings to every smooth dip of her body. Long eyelashes fawn over eyes the color of a night sky around a full moon and I’m fixated. I can’t peel my eyes away, even though I should. Classic rock-’n-roll hums from the juke box behind us, and we watch as the bartender takes the orders of other people around the bar.
“So, how long have you known Chase?”
“We grew up together in Brooklyn. He’s a great guy, but you know that already.” She nods and a smile tugs at my mouth.
“He seems like a really decent guy. I’ve only known him for a couple months, though. Shelby seems pretty taken with him.”
“Well, I would hope so, but yeah, he’s good people.”
The bartender comes back and places our drinks on small napkins in front of us. Amaretto sour for Macy. Whiskey straight for me.
“So, what’s next for you, Macy?” I ask.
“Well, school starts up shortly. My life is going to be consumed by homework again.”
I nod. “I remember those days and I don’t miss them a bit.” Being in law school and working non-stop. The lack of sleep… but that’s what you did when your family owned one of the top law firms in the country.
Just a twitch of her lips could move mountains. God, I shouldn’t think things like that. It’s dangerous. I’d sworn off love and thinking those things could lead to other things and that’s a road I have no intention of going down again.
The bartender swings back around and we order another round of drinks. Things aren’t as awkward now as they were when we started. A few drinks will do that to you.
I’ve known Macy for a few months, and while we’d worked together, our conversations never went deeper than how the weather was or what was going on with a certain dog.
“How long have you owned the rescue, Trevor?”
I answer within a second. “A little over three years now.”
“Do you have any funny stories from adopters?” She tips her glass up, taking another sip of her amaretto sour.
I think about it for a minute and a smile broadens my face. “Sure do.” She leans closer toward me, awaiting the best story I can come up with on the fly.
“A man called the rescue one day, looking for a specific breed of male dog. He proceeded to tell me that he was looking for a specific dog so he could breed his female. My first thought was, man, this dude is an idiot. Calling an animal rescue looking for a dog to breed with his female dog. In what universe—even if I did have the right type of dog—would I allow him to use it for repopulating?” I shake my head, still overwhelmed at the stupidity.
“So, I proceeded to tell him that even if we did have one, all of our animals were spayed or neutered before being adopted, so he couldn’t breed them even if he wanted to.” I pause for dramatic effect. Her eyes trail me, waiting for the next part of it.
“What did he say?” Her smile is bright as can be.
“He was completely serious when he said, ‘but what if I wanted him to keep his penis…’”
Her eyes widen in shock as she erupts into laughter, and an unbidden laugh breaks from my own throat. I swear angels are singing somewhere. That’s how perfect her voice sounds. I still can’t believe someone had actually called and asked such a thing.
I’ve been laughing and smiling all evening, and I have her to thank.
“So.” She puts down her drink after taking a sip. “It’s hard to believe you’re here alone tonight.” The smile falls from my face.
“Well, I hate to disappoint, but it’s just me.”
“It’s not disappointing, just… how are you single? You’ve got a good job. You’re great with animals, and you’re handsome. So, tell me the truth… you leave the toilet seat up and fart a lot, don’t you?”
Bemusement lights up her face as she rests her right hand on the curve of her chin. I ignore the twist of my gut at the guilt of being unfaithful. Juliette passed away three years ago. There’s no one to be faithful to. My head is aware, but my heart still heavily disagrees.
A small chuckle erupts from my lips. “I do try to keep my farts to a minimum in front of pretty ladies.” A faint blush crawls up her cheeks, and she looks away. That’s interesting. I take a deep breath and continue. “I was married. I lost my wife, Juliette, a little over three years ago.”
The silence looms between us like a heavy mist before she speaks again. Her hand lands in a comforting manner on my arm. “Mildred mentioned you had lost someone while I was volunteering at the rescue. I’m so sorry to hear that, Trevor.”
I smile blandly. “Thank you.”
Her hand drops from my arm as she looks away from me.
I nudge her shoulder and her eyes find mine. “Hey, stop. You’ve cheered me up tonight.”
“Okay, then.” A curious smile curls the sides of her lips.
“Enough about me, where’s your date this evening? He couldn’t handle your awesome personality?”
A flash of humor crosses her face. “Pretty much. Let’s say the odds were not in his favor.”
“A Hunger Games reference? Now, I’m intrigued…”
“I came with a guy I met online. Mistake number one for me. We spent the first hour chatting and it was going well. He went on to tell me he was glad I seemed normal and sane. Then he told me about every ‘crazy’ woman he’s met online and how he thinks dating has stolen his soul. I was seriously wondering if I missed seeing the ‘therapy-in-session’ sign. When he got up to get us more drinks, I saw my chance to run and I did.”
I cringe. “Is he still here?”
Macy sighs, then gives a resigned shrug. “I have no idea, but I’m not about to go back into the reception to find out.”
Amusement fills me at her words. One thing I’ve learned about Macy over the last few months is that she can handle any situation thrown at her. She rolls with the punches.
We order one final drink before Macy calls it a night. I watch as she walks away from me, wondering what happens next. Wondering if I’ll ever see her again.
Macy
“I don’t see how it’s worth it.” I make myself another amaretto sour for the third—or is this the fourth?—time today. The drink count is lost on me; I’m enjoying girls’ night too much to worry about it. The first three and a half weeks of my first year of veterinary school have been kicking my ass, and I need a night to sit back and relax.
“Are you kidding me?” my best friend Mia counters, rolling her eyes. She grabs the wine bottle off the coffee table and tops off her glass even though it’s still half-full. “Online dating is ridiculous. Although, some of the stories from being with these men alone are worth it.”
“But dating weirdos?”
“Well, it’s not like I have them fill out a questionnaire with questions like, ‘hey, are you a crazy person?’ Sometimes they appear fine in writing.”
