She stared down at her own ring, the gorgeous round stone simply and beautifully cut, sparkling on her finger like a million rays of joy. Finally. It had been so worth the journey to get here. With a light heart, Kate settled back into her recliner, with her dog and her remote, and waited for the man she loved to walk through the door.
epilogue
THE SUN STREAMED through the open windows and over my fur, warming my body like a heated blankie. I snuggled deeper into my bed and gave a big sigh. Bunny Squeak lay close to my paw, and the delicious scents of meat drifted in the air. Hmm, dinner. Mommy and Daddy were talking behind me. Laughing. Then the sound of slurping. Kissing they called it. I closed my eyes halfway and dozed for a bit.
I remember when I was able to run, really really fast. I had all my legs then, but I wasn't happy. The bad people hurt me, and I tried to keep being better, but I was never good enough. The first time I saw Kate, I thought she was an angel. She picked me up from that hill and saved me. Her eyes were very big and very kind.
I didn't think she'd want me. My legs were broken, and I knew I couldn't run and play anymore. But she didn't care. She got me a cool cart and taught me to run as fast as the wind, and she spent hours talking to me about important things. I always listened. I loved watching silly movies with her, and cuddling in bed, and staying with her when she cried. I hated when she cried, but then she'd hug me and laugh and things would be okay again.
I always wanted a daddy, for her and me, and now I have one. He gave me Bunny Squeak and walks me at the park and loves Mommy. He got me the best chair and now my butt feels so much better when I lie down. I finally have a real family, just like the other dogs at the park.
I'd rather have no legs and be with Mommy and Daddy. I never thought love existed or if it was really meant for me, but I was wrong.
I guess if you never give up and keep fighting, eventually you find the one meant for you. Or the ones.
"Robert?"
I picked up my head. Daddy's arms linked around Mommy's waist. He held up two bags of treats. "Peanut butter or bacon?"
I barked once.
"Bacon it is."
Daddy walked over, patted me on the head, and gave me my treat. I munched on the crunchy treat, pulled Bunny Squeak closer, and felt happy. I guess sometimes you can't give up hope, even if you are broken.
I hope other dogs and other humans realize it and take their shot.
With a big sigh, I dropped my head back on the mat and slept.
acknowledgments
THANKS TO MY editor, Lauren McKenna, for getting me to the finish line and making this story shine. Also to the team at Gallery for all your support and expertise.
Thanks to my agent, Kevan Lyon, for all her support.
Finally, everyone who knows me realizes I dream of happy ever afters for ALL my characters--both human and canine. Thankfully, the story of Robert is based on truth.
My local shelter, Pets Alive, posted a picture of Robert, who was slated to be euthanized. His legs had been crushed when he'd been thrown from a car. He was a paraplegic and needed critical surgery. He was on death row.
But something in his face spoke to the shelter volunteer. A look that haunted all of us, captured in a photo and posted on the Internet. This dog hoped. He believed. And though he'd been beaten, abused, and neglected, something within him longed for something better.
Robert taught me the most important lesson in life: Disabled doesn't mean disposable. Everyone should be given a second or third chance. And no one should ever give up.
Thank you, Robert and Pets Alive, for reminding me of what's important. Here's the link if you'd like to visit Robert and see what he's up to:
https://www.facebook.com/RobertPetsAlive
AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT SIMPKINS
JENNIFER PROBST's novels, novellas, and eBooks range from sexy contemporary romance to erotica. She lives in upstate New York. For more about this multitalented New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, visit www.jenniferprobst.com.
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Gallery Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright (c) 2013 by Jennifer Probst All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Gallery Books trade paperback edition November 2013
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Designed by Davina Mock-Maniscalco Cover design by Lisa Litwack
Cover photograph by Getty Images Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-4767-4492-6
ISBN 978-1-4767-4497-1 (ebook)
contents
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About Jennifer Probst