Searching for a smidgen of similar peace, Abigail asked, “So why don’t I remember my attackers?”
“Short-term amnesia, I assume. A health care professional can tell you more.”
“No way. I can’t afford to be judged mentally unstable. It might cost me my job. I won’t abandon those kids. It’s bad enough that I’ve stayed home as long as I have.”
“Surely no one holds that against you.”
Abigail huffed. “I do. I haven’t been able to push myself to set foot out of this apartment all weekend.”
“The trip home from the hospital went all right?”
“Yes, but I thought...”
He leaned closer. “What? You thought what?”
“You’re going to think I really have lost my mind. I thought I heard the voice of one of my attackers on my way home in a taxi.”
“The driver?”
“No, no. Passing on the sidewalk. A man yelled and he sounded so menacing I almost jumped out and ran.”
“Where was this? What street?”
“I’m not sure. I covered my eyes.”
“I can take you over the same basic route, if you want. Maybe he lives or works around there.”
She was so astounded by his suggestion, she was temporarily speechless. Finding her voice, she finally said, “Do you think I want to find him? No way. If I never run into him again it will be too soon.”
Even as she was speaking, Abigail somehow knew a repeat encounter was possible. It didn’t matter how big the city was or how carefully she moved through it, she could meet her attacker again. And until her memory recovered, she was a sitting duck for any evil he had planned. If only she could remember more. Put faces and descriptions together and help the police.
But those memories were all gone, sunken into an abyss of her own making and leaving her a prisoner in a cell with invisible bars.
Watching Abigail unwind while petting Jessie gave Reed an idea. If she continued to refuse to see a doctor about her mental hiccup, perhaps he could help her another way.
“Jessie sure took to you. You must be a dog lover, too.”
He noted a flush of her cheeks. “I don’t really know. I mean, I’ve fed strays before but I’ve never had a pet of my own.”
“Not even when you were a kid?”
The warmth he’d sensed was swept away by a scowl and a shake of her head. “Sometimes I wonder if I was ever a child.”
Concerned, he regarded her soberly. “You’re serious.”
“Very.”
“Care to explain?”
“Not really.”
Although Abigail rested her hand atop Jessie’s head, Reed noticed that she had ceased stroking. The friendly bloodhound did her best to encourage further attention, finally rolling onto her back, all four paws in the air, tail thumping the sofa cushions.
Reed waited for Jessie’s antics to relax Abigail again before he mentioned his idea. “Since you’re so naturally good with dogs, how about volunteering to foster one of our extra pups.”
She scowled at him. “Do what?”
“We received an amazing working dog as a gift from the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, there must have been a miscommunication because Stella delivered a litter soon after she arrived.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Abigail looked so astonished he decided to play up the underdog, literally.
“After her pups were weaned and tested for various abilities, most of them qualified for our training program and are being fostered.” Reed paused for effect. “One little female is right on the cusp of flunking out and we’d like to find her a new foster home to see if lots more one-on-one attention helps. I’m not asking you to commit to giving her a permanent home but it will help her develop to her full potential if she’s well socialized and loved while she’s young.”
Abigail was shaking her head. “I have enough problems without adding a puppy.”
“You wouldn’t have to keep her. Just get her off to a good start.”
“Me? I can hardly handle my own life these days and you want to add an impressionable youngster to it?”
Shrugging, Reed blew out a breath that was so evident it even caught Jessie’s attention. “I just figured, since you were so good at rescuing needy kids, you might be willing to do the same for an innocent animal.”
Judging by the way Abigail was looking at him, Reed could tell she wasn’t totally buying his analogy. “It’s true. All of it,” he insisted. He pulled out his phone and paged through the photo files, smiling and holding it out for her to view once he located the shot he wanted. “This is Midnight. Look at those sad eyes. How can you refuse to help her?”
The instant Abigail saw the picture, her whole body reacted and she pouted. “Oh, poor thing. She looks so lonely all by herself.”
Reed let her take his phone so she could study Midnight in detail. She may have told him no but her body language said otherwise. All he had to do was be patient.
“What a sweet face. And those floppy ears. Will they stand up like a German shepherd’s when she’s older?”
“No. We did genetic testing on the litter. They’re purebred Labs like their mama. The only difference is, Stella’s coat is yellow. That’s going to be another problem in placing Midnight if she doesn’t make it through our program. Black dogs are statistically the last to be chosen at the pound.”
“You’re not sending this poor baby to the dog pound!”
“Well, I hope not, but...”
It was all Reed could do to keep from grinning. When her eyes met his he could tell she realized he’d been leading her on.
Abigail began to smile and slowly shook her head. “You’re good. I could use somebody with a smooth technique like yours at work. You could charm those wild kids into shape in no time.”
His grin escaped with a quiet chuckle. “Does this mean you’ll take the pup?”
“No.” She handed his phone back to him. “But I will agree to meet her, no guarantees. You could fill a book with all the things I don’t know about raising a dog.”
“That’s okay. I’ll teach you.” He stood before she could change her mind and called out to Olga. “I’ll take a rain check on the coffee, ma’am.”
“You’re leaving?” the older woman asked, peeking around the corner from the kitchen.
“Not for long. I’ll be back ASAP. I promise.”
Already thinking ahead, Reed signaled to Jessie, clipped her leash to her collar and headed for the door with a brief wave goodbye. His intention was to leave before Abigail thought it through and had time to change her mind. Once she met Midnight he was pretty sure she’d fall in love.
With the dog, he added to himself when a stray thought intruded to remind him how attractive the young woman was.
Reed shook off any whispers of impropriety. He had not come there looking for romance. He’d sought out Abigail because of a sense of duty. When he’d rescued her he’d stepped into her life enough to care, which was not necessarily a wise reaction. Nevertheless, he was determined to do what he could to help. This was a win-win