“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.”