“Seems like a sweetheart to me.” Garrick kept his tone light, not too argumentative, but the dog, who was currently twisted around trying to get at her scrape, seemed more scaredy-cat than fighter.
“Don’t let Rain talk himself into keeping her here. Mimi is downright territorial over her house. And we have to watch Molly at the park. She’s always goading bigger dogs.”
It wasn’t really Garrick’s place to be preventing Rain from anything, but he nodded. “Well, hopefully we’ll find the owner quickly. You’ve never seen this dog around?”
“No. But I can make some calls. And I’m on that neighborhood group thing.” She whipped out her phone, a newer model that one of the grandkids had talked her into.
Garrick largely avoided the online neighborhood group, which tended to complain about package stealers, lawn ornament movers and inconsiderate parkers, but it might be useful for something like this.
Shirley snapped a picture of the dog and got busy on her phone as Rain came back with a mixing bowl full of water. The dog waited patiently for Rain to set it down, then gulped down most of the water, tail wagging, still paying no mind to the leash. Yeah, she was a sweetheart all right, and someone had to be frantically looking for her.
“The vet will be able to tell us if she’s microchipped.” Rain patted the dog on her head.
“Yes. Cherry Pet Care on Main is where I go. They take walk-ins,” Shirley added, not looking up from the phone.
“Do you want me to take her?” Rain’s mouth quirked as he glanced between Garrick and the dog. “Or do you want to come? The vet might not...uh...do pro bono work on strays.”
“I’ll come.” Garrick got it. He’d been a broke college kid once upon a time too, and Rain didn’t look much older than twenty-two or so, which was a nice reminder not to go perving on his good looks again. “I’ll just need to grab my wallet.”
“Thanks.” Relief was evident in Rain’s wide eyes.
“No lost dog notices from the neighbors,” Shirley reported. “And you better hurry. The vet only has short Saturday hours. You sure you’re up for the outing, Garrick?”
“Nothing better to do,” he said lightly, but it was true. Weekends were the worst. No physical therapy. Fewer visits from his dad, who worked long hours at his Western-themed shop, which did a ton of tourist business. Friends were busy with their own lives, and inviting himself along was far more complicated than it used to be, as was finding his own fun. The dog was the most exciting thing to happen in a while, and that was just sad. “Besides, Rain said you were feeling under the weather. You rest and check the app, and we’ll handle the dog.”
It felt good to take charge of something again, even if it was simply logistics for the dog. He sent Rain to fetch old towels to protect his car from the dog’s wounds while he headed back to his place for his wallet, keys and crutches, which went in the holder on the back of his chair, another spiffy feature that helped. No time to change clothes though. Not that he needed to care what sort of impression he made on Rain or the vet or anyone else.
Rain met him at his car, a small SUV, with the dog waiting on her leash.
“So...dog goes in the back seat and your wheelchair in the cargo area? That sound okay?” Rain asked, not told, which was nice, especially when he continued, “Can you tell me how best to help you? Is the car too tall for you?”
A lot of people would have made assumptions and started doing things at this point, but Rain gave him space, both literal and figurative, which Garrick appreciated.
“I can stand to transfer.” Pulling up even with the passenger door, Garrick demonstrated. “Tall is actually easier. If you want to fold the chair and stow it, that would be great.”
“No problem.” Rain wheeled it around to the back of the SUV.
“It’s pretty sturdy,” Garrick called as he hefted himself into the passenger seat, suddenly weirdly on edge. “It collapses by pulling on the seat cushion, but don’t try to force anything.”
“I’ve got you. Not my first time folding a chair. You’re safe with me, promise.”
“Thanks.” Strangely, Garrick found himself nodding. He did feel comfortable with Rain, even though he was younger and a stranger and his car was old enough to not exactly inspire confidence. The gentle way that Rain loaded up the dog helped. He didn’t have the brashness Garrick associated with a lot of guys his age. And he seemed good-natured, the way he’d rolled with having his Saturday upended by Garrick and the dog. All in all, Garrick could have done a lot worse for an unexpected rescuer, and despite the seriousness of their task, he found himself almost eager to spend more time with him.