Читать книгу Lakeside Redemption - Lisa Jordan - Страница 11

Chapter Two

Working with animals reminded Zoe she wasn’t a total failure.

“Fetch it back, Winston.” She tossed the tennis ball over the German shepherd’s head.

The dog bounded after it, his tags jingling on his collar, and returned with the ball in his firm jaws. She held out her hand. “Release.”

Winston dropped it on her open palm.

“Good dog.” She wrapped her arms around his solid neck and patted his fur. “You’re such a good boy.”

He barked, then licked her cheek with his coarse tongue.

For as long as she could remember, Zoe had preferred stuffed animals to dolls. As a child, she’d set up animal clinics and offer free checkups to her assorted teddy bears, unicorns and puppies.

She understood animals, especially dogs, and they understood her. They could look deep in her heart and see she was sorry for her actions. And they didn’t continue to cast blame on her.

Working at Canine Companions gave her a sense of fulfillment. Not only was she able to use her skills, but also she was getting paid to do something she truly enjoyed.

Canine Companions owner Leona Billings believed dogs were an important part of a family, and her center reflected her values. The bright, leash-free, doggie-daycare play area, with its tiled floor, climber cubes with steps and comfy cots, offered their canine friends plenty of socialization and free play as well as structured walks and exercise.

In addition to the doggie daycare, Canine Companions offered training, grooming and shelter for rescued stray or surrendered dogs, which were housed in the other building until they could be placed in their forever homes.

Today they cared for six dogs in the daycare—Winston, the German shepherd; Maisy, an aging cocker spaniel; a tiny Maltese named Emma, who arrived dressed in a pink dress covered in daisies; Penny, a black Chihuahua-dachshund mix, snoozing on one of the cots; Max, a black-and-white poodle mix and Earl, a Tennessee Brindle, who sprawled in front of one of the climbers, chewing on his rubber bone.

The door to the play area opened, and Travis, Leona’s twenty-two-year-old son and Zoe’s coworker, popped his head around the door. “Yo, girl. What’s up?”

“Playing with the pups. How’s it going with you?”

Dressed in a royal blue Canine Companions T-shirt and faded jeans with his long tea-colored hair pulled back into a ponytail, he moved into the room, closing the door behind him. Penny and Max rushed over to him. He scooped them up, one in each arm, before sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Going good. Ma wants a word. Got time to chat with her?”

“Sure. Can you hang out here with the dogs while I’m gone?” What could Leona want in the middle of her shift?

“Can do.”

“Great.” Zoe pushed to her feet, brushed off her jeans and bumped knuckles with Travis as they traded places.

She closed the door behind her, shutting out the barking, and followed the paw-print decals on the floor that led to Leona’s office at the end of the hall. The scents of bleach and dog were replaced by coffee and cinnamon.

Zoe knocked on Leona’s open office door.

Leona looked up from her laptop, smiled broadly and waved her in. “Hey, Zoe. Having a good morning?”

“Yes, they’re an energetic bunch today, but it’s all good. We’re going for a walk in a bit.”

“Great. Glad to hear it. Want some coffee or tea?”

“Coffee would be great, thanks.”

Leona left her desk that was tucked in the corner of the room and crossed to the table near the windows. She poured coffee into an “I Heart Dogs” mug and handed it to Zoe.

She cupped her hands around the warm ceramic mug and tried not to feel like she had been summoned to the principal’s office. Her mind raced, trying to think of different reasons why Leona wanted to talk with her. Was her job performance suffering? Was she being fired?

Her stomach knotted, and she forced her hands to remain steady. She closed her eyes and drew in a soothing breath. No sense in getting worked up until she had details.

Focus on something else.

Leona’s office looked more like a family room with red-and-tan-plaid couches and matching chairs, end tables piled with dog magazines and a large-screen TV tucked in an oak cabinet used for training videos. Beige valances hung over large picture windows that overlooked the fenced-in backyard.

Not even five feet tall with an apple-shaped body decked out in a leopard-print blouse and matching shorts, with a shock of spiked purple hair, Leona had the kindest heart in Shelby Lake. In the year Zoe had been employed at Canine Companions, she’d learned Leona was a woman of second chances and fairness.

Her boss understood the need for redemption after serving time a couple of decades ago before she’d found God, a wonderful husband, and started her family. Except for her sons, all of the Canine Companions employees were people to whom Leona had offered a second chance. Her compassion kept them wanting to stay on as staff.

Leona refilled her own cup and carried it to one of the couches. She kicked off her sequined flip-flops, then tucked her feet under her tanned thighs, not one to stand on formality. Instead she embraced her staff as family—she was all some of them had.

She waved a hand for Zoe to sit. “I just got off the phone with a man who attended Paws in the Park last weekend with his family. He was quite impressed with the way you responded to his daughters.”

Sully. Had to be him.

Zoe sat on one of the matching chairs next to the couch and melted against the cushions. The busyness of the day caught up with her as she sipped her coffee. “I didn’t do much. I helped the girls handle the puppies safely.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Zoe. You know your stuff when it comes to animals. I watched you with this family. So I’m glad he called and mentioned it, too.”

“I appreciate his kind words. You could have sent me a text or something. No need for a trip to the principal’s office.” She smiled to show the hint of teasing in her tone.

A throaty laugh burst from Leona’s lips. “Having spent my fair share of time in the principal’s office as a teenager, I can understand how you may be feeling, but rest easy. You’re not in any trouble. In fact, I’m about to offer you a promotion.”

“A promotion? Really?” She sat up and set her coffee mug on the table next to her chair. “But I haven’t been here that long.”

“You’ve been here long enough for me to see your potential. I believe what I’m offering will be a good fit for your abilities. As you’re aware, Mr. Sullivan adopted Riley for his daughters. He’s had the little guy for a few days now and it’s chewing everything in sight. He’d like you to help them train the puppy.”

The thrill she felt at Leona’s initial mention of the promotion vanished. “Leona, as much as I’d love to help you, I can’t.”

The image of Sully’s two girls playing with the puppies swirled into her thoughts, pulling out emotions she’d suppressed for a long time.

“Sweetie, there’s no reason why you can’t be around children. Besides, Mr. Sullivan said you two were old college friends. He asked for you specifically. Talk to him, tell him what happened so it doesn’t come up later, then seriously consider taking the job.”

Zoe reached for her cup and traced her thumb over the words on the mug. The desire to work with Sully and his daughters ballooned in her chest until she feared her lungs would burst. But once he learned the truth... “The minute he finds out about my past, he’s going to take his pup and sprint in the other direction.”

“You don’t know that.” Leona pulled off her red-rimmed glasses and used them as a pointer to punctuate her words. “You need to start having faith in people again, Zoe.”

“Second chances in this town are about as real as the Tooth Fairy.” She disliked the edge that steeled her words, but several encounters over the past year had proved her point more than once.

“Not everyone feels that way, Zoe. Give this family a chance.” Leona scooted to the edge of the couch and slipped her feet back into her shoes. “Besides, wouldn’t you rather your friend hear it from you rather than neighborhood gossips?”

“I guess.”

Leona crossed to the window and peered outside. “Well, you have about two minutes to think about what you’d like to say because he just pulled into the parking lot.”

Zoe stiffened as her heart bounced against her ribs. “Thanks for giving me time to prepare.”

“If I had given you any more time, then you would’ve talked yourself out of doing it. Buck up, girl. You can do this. I believe in you.” Leona placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment before heading for the door, leaving Zoe alone to stare at her reflection in the cooling cup of coffee.

A few minutes later, voices down the hall reached Zoe’s ears. She set her cup on the table and stood, brushing the dog hair from her royal blue Canine Companions polo shirt. She didn’t know why she bothered. Once Sully learned her story, he wouldn’t want her services anyway.

She wiped her palms on her thighs as Leona ushered him into the room.

For a second he hesitated in the doorway, the breadth of his shoulders filling the space. He wore an unbuttoned blue plaid shirt over a gray T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing muscular forearms. His faded jeans rode low on his hips. Black Chuck Taylors completed his casual look.

Dear God, let him give her a chance.

When he saw her, a smile spread across his face. He ran a hand over his wind-tossed hair and walked over to her. He extended his hand. “Zoe, good to see you again.”

“Thanks, you too.” She shook his hand and forced herself not to reach out and hug him, which had been their usual greeting years ago. Times had changed. They were practically strangers now. And after today, she’d probably never see him again.

She motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” He lowered himself slowly onto the cushion. A grimace tightened his face.

She wanted to lend a hand, but Sully came across as the kind of guy who wanted help only when he asked for it.

Leona returned and handed a cup of coffee to him. “Here you go, Mr. Sullivan. I’ll leave you two alone while I check on the kids.”

“Kids?”

“My four-legged ones, of course.”

“Yes, of course. And please call me Caleb.”

Leona winked at Zoe, then scurried out of the room, closing the door behind her, taking Zoe’s courage with her.

She didn’t want to tell her story again, but if she wanted to work with his daughters, he needed to know the truth.

He set his coffee on the side table and leaned forward. “So Leona said you wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes.” Zoe stood, hugged her arms to her waist and walked to the window that overlooked the dog play yard. Travis had taken the dogs out to splash around in the plastic kiddie pool.

She loved watching the pups cavorting with freedom. Closing her eyes, she breathed a prayer for her missing courage. Turning back to Sully, she opened her eyes and faced him. “Before you hire me, there’s something you need to know.”

Sully frowned. “What’s up?”

Her heart picked up speed, and she wiped her damp palms on her jeans again. Then she shoved her trembling fingers into her front pockets. Tears filled her eyes as her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m the one who killed Kyle.”

* * *

Caleb shot to his feet. Surely he didn’t hear her correctly? “What did you say?”

Her eyes pleaded with him as she shook her head. “Please don’t make me say it again.”

So there was nothing wrong with his hearing.

But he couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it. The Zoe he knew and loved at one time wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Her words ricocheted through his thoughts, slicing through what he thought was his bulletproof sizing up of the woman from his past.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Would you care to explain? I thought Kyle had been killed by a drunk driver.”

She dashed a trembling hand across her mouth and tugged on the hem of her shirt. “Maybe you should sit.”

With the weight of her words pressing him down, he slumped against the back of the couch and stared at her.

Zoe sat on the edge of the chair across from him. She bore little resemblance to the lighthearted girl from college. Right now she appeared weighted down with a burden too heavy for anyone to carry.

She cupped her knees and straightened her arms. Exhaling loudly, she raised her chin, trapping his gaze. “I partied a lot in high school.”

He never did get into the drinking scene, even with his buddies on the force. Then after what he went through with Val... “I’m kind of surprised you didn’t mention this years ago. Did you drink in college?”

“No. A friend of mine almost died at a party during my senior year. A group of us ended up getting arrested for underage drinking. After they bailed me out, my parents gave me a choice—get my act together and make something of my future, or they were going to send me away to some sort of reform school. I chose Plan A.”

He never would have pegged Zoe as a party girl, but he knew all about appearances being deceiving.

His bones seemed to have melted under his skin, leaving him feeling weary and way older than his thirty-two years. He scrubbed a hand over his face, then looked at her. “What happened to Kyle?”

“On the night of my twenty-third birthday, Kyle and I went out with friends for a few drinks. I didn’t want to. I hadn’t slept well the night before, and I had worked all day. I was afraid if I started drinking, I’d end up down that same path, but Kyle insisted. That first drink tasted so good, and the second one went down even easier. Kyle kept pounding back shots and ended up wasted. I got into an argument with my brother on the phone about when we’d be back. He had been watching our son—”

Sully held up a hand. “Whoa. Slow down. You have a kid?”

Her eyes widened. “You didn’t know?”

He shook his head. How would he?

Scarlet crept across her cheeks. “Yeah, I got pregnant my junior year of college. I left Bartlett to take care of Griffin. He’s nine. And he’s absolutely perfect. Nothing like his mother.”

“So you and Kyle ended up getting married?”

The blush deepened. Zoe dropped her eyes to her lap and shook her head. “Kyle wanted to wait. Anyway, we left the club. Kyle was in no condition to drive. I truly thought I was okay. Otherwise I never would have gotten behind the wheel.”

How many times had he heard that during his years on the force? Why didn’t people get it? Even after one drink, they shouldn’t drive.

“We were a block from my parents’ house when a guy ran a red light and crashed into us. I hit my head and blacked out. I woke up in the hospital and learned Kyle was dead.”

“You didn’t know you were responsible?”

She shook her head. “I was unconscious and couldn’t give consent for the blood alcohol test, but the officer on the scene suspected alcohol was involved. He subpoenaed my clinical blood test that the hospital had administered.” She tucked a stray hair behind her ear and swallowed. “My blood alcohol content came back over the legal limit. I didn’t cause the accident, but the prosecution argued my reflexes were diminished. Kyle’s parents had a lot of money and could afford the best attorneys. They tried to use my past offenses against me.”

“Your juvenile records can’t be used against you.”

“The judge ordered their remarks to be stricken from the records, but they succeeded in swaying the jury’s opinion. I was found guilty of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence. I served four years at VWCI.”

Vanderfield Women’s Correctional Institute.

Caleb leaned an elbow on the arm of the couch and pressed his fist against his lips as he processed Zoe’s words.

Not only had he witnessed his wife destroying their lives with her choices, but he’d spent years arresting people suspected of driving under the influence. He heard their excuses, their pleas, and listened to their lawyers argue in court in their defense. They deserved to be held accountable for their actions.

And now Zoe had just told him she was like one of those people he’d arrested more times than he could remember.

His beautiful Zoe with the eyes that peered deep into his heart. His beautiful Zoe with the laugh that allowed him to fall in love with her over and over again.

His friend was dead because of her decision to get behind the wheel.

He simply couldn’t wrap his head around it.

No, not his beautiful Zoe.

He’d walked into Canine Companions hoping she could help him out with the wayward puppy probably eating his couch right now. He didn’t expect any of this.

He leaned forward, braced his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands together. “I’m not going to lie, Zoe, this has...thrown me for a loop. Man, I did not expect it in a million years.”

“I understand.” She stood and moved toward the door. “Thanks for coming in. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“Hold up. I said it threw me for a loop. Sit back down. I’m not leaving just yet.”

Zoe hesitated. She glanced at the door. A look he could only describe as yearning crossed over her face. Did she wish she could throw it open and run from the room?

“You were great with Ella and Ava last weekend at the park. I know they’d enjoy learning from you.”

“But?”

He filled his lungs, then released the air in a long burst. “But the thing is, my ex-wife was an alcoholic who walked out on our marriage and our daughters to shack up with some guy she met on the internet.”

“I’m sorry, Sully. I understand. I do. I’d love the opportunity to work with you and your daughters, but I get your hesitation. If it makes a difference, I’ve spent the past year at Agape House—a transitional home for women released from prison started by my family. I’ve been given a second chance, and I’m not going to mess it up this time. A couple of weeks ago, I moved into my family’s cabin by the lake. I’m determined to prove I can get my act together.”

Though Zoe professed to be sober, how could he be sure she wouldn’t stray back into that old lifestyle?

However, they shared something in common—he, too, had lost everything and struggled daily with trying to earn back those pieces of his soul that had been chipped away and traded until redemption seemed like an almost unachievable hope.