Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 82

CHAPTER 50

Tuesday started the way most Tuesdays did. I showered, brushed my teeth, pulled my hair into a ponytail and carried a mug of coffee downstairs before the sun had fully climbed above the rooftops. The cool morning air drifted through the open roller door while I unlocked Lawson Customs, switched on the workshop lights and walked slowly through each service bay making sure everything was ready before Ben and Mla arrived.

I always liked the garage best before anyone else showed up. The silence never felt lonely. It felt

peaceful.

The smell of oil, rubber and clean concrete reminded me of Uncle Will and every morning I caught

myself smiling at something he used to say.

“A clean shop makes a clear head.” Uncle Will had said.

I still wasn’t sure if that was actually true, but I kept the workshop spotless anyway. I had just finished checking the appointment book when I heard a strange scraping sound outside.

At first I ignored it. The alley beside the garage attracted plenty of stray cats looking for scraps from the bakery around the corner but the sound came again.

This time it was followed by a quiet whine so I frowned.

“That doesn’t sound like a cat.” I said.

Setting my coffee on the counter I walked through the side gate into the narrow service yard behind Lawson Customs. Nothing moved for a moment.

Then I noticed a pair of brown eyes staring at me from behind an old stack of tires waiting for

recycling. A German Shepherd.

He looked exhausted. His black and tan coat was matted with dirt, one front leg was tucked awkwardly beneath him and a shallow cut ran along his shoulder.

The dog didn’t bark. He simply watched me with cautious eyes while his ears twitched uncertainly and my heart sank.

“Well…you’ve had a rough week too.” I said as I crouched slowly several feet away.

The shepherd lowered his head but didn’t try to run.

“That’s alright. I’m not going to chase you.” I said as I kept my voice calm and another soft whine escaped him. I glanced around the yard. There was no collar or leash. No owner calling his name. Only the frightened dog.

15

SAT.

19

DIRN

O

<

CHAPTER 50

Clas

A few minutes later Ben’s pickup rolled into the parking lot. He climbed out carrying his lunchbox

before spotting me kneeling beside the side gate.

“What happened?” He asked.

“I think somebody dumped him.” I said.

Ben stepped carefully into the yard before stopping when he saw the shepherd.

“Poor guy.” He said.

“He doesn’t seem aggressive.” I said.

“He seems tired.” He said.

“I think he’s hurt.” I said.

The dog watched both of us carefully, although his tail gave one hesitant thump against the

concrete when I spoke again.

“See? You’re already making friends.” I asked as I smiled gently and Ben looked toward me.

“What do we do?” He asked.

“We’re not leaving him here.” I said and he nodded immediately.

“I’ll grab a blanket.” He said.

Within minutes we had carefully lifted the shepherd into the back seat of my truck. He never growled or snapped and he simply leaned against the blanket as though he’d finally decided he didn’t have enough energy left to be afraid.

Mia arrived just as I closed the truck door. She looked from me to the dog.

“I’ve missed something.” She said.

“We’ve got an unexpected customer.” I said.

She smiled the second she saw the shepherd.

“Oh, he’s beautiful.” She said.

“He also needs a veterinarian.” I said.

“I’ll call today’s first appointments and move them back an hour. You don’t mind?” She asked.

“Not even a little. Thanks.” I said as I smiled gratefully.

Twenty minutes later I carried the shepherd into Dr. Emily Carter’s veterinary clinic. The receptionist hurried us straight through to an examination room.

:::

SAT

ค

25

อก

|||

O

<

CHAPTER 50

Cur

Dr. Emily Carter entered a moment later with a warm smile that immediately softened when she saw the dog’s condition.

“What have you found?” She asked.

“He was behind my garage.” I said.

She gently examined his shoulder before carefully checking his injured leg.

“He looks underweight.” She said.

“I thought so.” I said.

She listened to his heart, checked his eyes and slowly ran her hands over the rest of his body.

“The good news is that nothing appears broken. The cut needs cleaning, and he’s badly dehydrated.” She said and I let out a quiet breath.

She smiled at the shepherd as he accepted gentle pats without complaint.

“He’s also one of the most polite patients I’ve met this week.” She added and I scratched behind one floppy ear.

“I think he’s decided people might not be completely terrible.” I said and Dr. Carter scanned him for a microchip. The reader remained silent.

“No chip. No matching reports either. So nobody’s looking for him. Not yet.” She said as she checked her records.

The words stayed with me all morning. By the time Dr. Carter finished treating his injuries and handed me a small bag of medication, the shepherd had already started following me everywhere with slow, careful steps and I looked down at him.

“What do you think?” I asked as his tail wagged once and Dr. Carter smiled knowingly.

“I think he may have chosen you.” She said and I looked at the shepherd again.

“I was only planning to foster him.” I said.

The dog leaned gently against my leg as though he’d already made up his own mind.

By the time I returned to Lawson Customs, word had already spread that I hadn’t come back alone.

Ben was waiting beside the roller door with a grin on his face, while Mia immediately walked over carrying a bowl of fresh water.

“I had a feeling we’d need this.” Mia said and the German Shepherd drank for nearly a full minute before lifting his head and wagging his tail.

KAY

19

RN

<

3.5

CHAPTER 50

“I think he approves.” Ben said.

“Lwas hoping he would.” I said.

Cimo

The rest of the afternoon passed surprisingly smoothly. Customers stopped to pat him, children who arrived with their parents immediately sat on the workshop floor throwing a tennis ball across the office and the shepherd accepted every bit of attention with calm, patient eyes.

Later that evening, several Iron Vipers stopped by after hearing about the newest visitor. Hunter

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify