A Fighting Chance: Wild Heart, #1

Prologue

Jasper

The chime of Jasper’s phone pulled him from his panicked haze. He didn’t have to look to know who it was. At close to two in the morning, there was only one person he knew he could call. The one person who would understand his pain enough to call back.

Taking a breath, he centered himself and answered it.

Jasper? There was an edge to Greg’s voice.

Jasper was pacing again. Into the bedroom, out of the bedroom, down the hall, into the kitchen, and back out again.

Is there any chance... Jasper wet his lips as he knelt beside Bella, his beloved Labrador Retriever. Can we meet at the clinic? I... I think it’s time, he stammered, throat closing around his windpipe.

I can be there in ten. There was shuffling on the other side of the line as Greg, more than likely, put his coat on. Do you need me to swing by your place first?

In other words, could Jasper still drive.

Jasper shook his head even though Greg couldn’t see him. No. Then, turning on the speaker phone, he set it on the floor and carefully took Bella in his arms. I’m heading to the car now.

I’ll see you in ten.

Bella whined loud enough for Greg to hear.

Make it five.

The other side of the line went dead and Jasper left his phone where it was. All that mattered now was getting Bella to the clinic.

1

Jasper

Jasper scrolled down the list of available animals, closing the browser when he came face-to-face with a yellow lab. He'd already checked three of the local rescues this morning. Looking at another one wouldn't have helped. 

After closing his laptop, Jasper sat back on the sofa, staring at the forms on the cushion beside him. Wild Heart Rescue was written in large bold letters at the top. He'd already filled them out along with his veterinarian’s information, but he couldn't bring himself to hand them in.

It had taken Jasper two weeks to open Greg's sympathy card. Now, three months later, he was this close to calling him. Even after all this time, he’d kept the card as much for the picture of Bella tucked inside as Greg's personal number along with an invitation to call him anytime.

Jasper’s heart skipped a beat whenever he read Greg’s card. He’s just a friend. A friend who had called to check on him a handful of times since Bella’s passing. Calls he avoided but couldn’t stop thinking about.

Stop looking for something that isn’t there. He was reading into it too much, putting too much weight on Greg’s words.

They were friends, plain and simple. At one point, they may have even been best friends, but that was it.

Keep telling yourself that. Not even he was convinced.

The way Greg had comforted him in the clinic? No way that wasn’t personal.

There was Greg’s compassion for his clients and something more. It didn’t take a genius to know what side of that line Jasper was on. And it wasn’t like Greg hadn’t called him since then.

Talking to him shouldn’t be this difficult. Jasper tried to convince himself he wasn’t ready. That he needed more time. Three months is long enough.

There was something there, and unless Greg called again, Jasper would have to pull his head out of his ass and do it himself.

I’m not ready, he told himself again, and this time, he almost believed it.

Having never lost a pet before, Jasper couldn’t help wondering if he’d done something wrong. If he’d recognized her pain sooner—

Stop beating yourself up about that.

His empty apartment was bad enough. He hadn’t realized it at first, but a week after his mad dash to the clinic, the reality of her not coming home sank in. A missing whine here, an absent ball there. Jasper missed the clutter that came along with having a dog. The knocked over lamps and the mud that got tracked in on a rainy afternoon—all of it was missing. No matter how much he’d hated it at the time, he wanted nothing more than to get those days back. Good or bad, he didn’t care.

And so, perched on the arm of the sofa, Jasper stared at his cell phone and contemplated playing chicken with his heart. Again. It wouldn't have been the first time and, if he couldn’t pull his shit together, it wouldn’t be the last.

He stared hard at the adoption forms. You got this. He wasn’t replacing her. No one could ever take Bella’s place.

Gripping the forms harder than he needed to, Jasper dialed the vet’s office for the second time this morning, promising himself he wouldn't hang up.

It's okay to get a new dog. His sister had said as much the last one, two, three times she’d called. Now, on the third ring, he wasn't so sure.

Renfield Veterinary Clinic. How may I help you?

Jasper recognized Janice’s voice. Hey, Janice. I’d like to make an appointment.

Jasper? she almost squealed.

Her recognition shouldn't have surprised him, but it did anyway. Of course she knows your voice.

He’d been taking Bella there for months. Sometimes twice in the same day.

Jasper? Her voice was quieter now. Uncertain. You still there?

Yeah. Jasper coughed to get the air moving from his lungs. I'm here.

You wanted an appointment?

Mm-hmm.

For a new patient? She sounded hopeful.

With any luck. Unable to calm his nerves, Jasper paced his living room, swerving around Bella's old bed he hadn't had the heart to throw away.

I have a few appointments lined up next week, Janice suggested. That way she can get used to her surroundings before coming here. Would you be available to come in next Monday?

That’s a week away. Any chance you could fit me in before then? Jasper stopped in the kitchen and stared at Greg’s card. This was a bad idea. He should have called Greg instead.

Calling the clinic was easier.

I have an opening tomorrow morning. Would that be okay?

Jasper released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. One day. One more day. It would give him less time to chicken out, which was exactly the push he needed.

Tomorrow morning’s great.

Okay. Janice's voice was lighter now. Excited. I realize you might not have a name for her yet, but I still need to put something into the computer.

Uh...

Jasper tried to think of a dog he’d seen on the rescue’s website, then checked the forms in his hand. They were his golden ticket. A way to move forward. He needed this. His sister knew it. His mother knew it. Greg probably did as well.

We'll call her Daisy for now, Janice said, continuing to make an appointment Jasper wasn’t sure he’d keep.

Jasper perked up. Where did that name come from?

One of those goofy flower pens on the counter. It sounds pretty, doesn’t it?

Jasper tested the name on his tongue. Daisy. It does. Except for the fact you don't have a dog. He’d deal with that later.

What's Daisy's breed?

Jasper didn’t have an answer for her.

It's okay if you don't know. Mixes make great pets.

Now Jasper did say something, hoping it wouldn't make him look like as much of an ass as he already felt. Yeah, um... about that. I don't have her yet. Or him. Either one is fine. So long as it’s healthy.

Janice didn't say anything for a long moment. Jasper was starting to think she’d hung up.

But as he went to turn off his phone, she said, And the appointment?

Do I still want it? Jasper rubbed the back of his neck and set the papers for the Wild Heart Rescue on his counter. Could I make an appointment for myself?

Janice snorted. You didn’t grow a tail overnight, did you?

He laughed at that. I’d need a lot more than a vet if that were the case. It’s... never mind. It’s stupid.

Jasper, come on. You know I was only teasing.

I have these forms in front of me. A moment later, he added, For a rescue.

Oh! You need a reference. I can help you with that. There’s no need to make an appointment. If you give me the name of the rescue, I could call them on your behalf. Less paperwork that way.

No, I know that. But is it odd to come in for a consult?

Hushed voices spoke on the other side of the line.

That shouldn't be a problem. It isn't something we tend to do, but I’m sure Greg wouldn’t mind. There was a brief pause, and when she spoke again, her voice was soft. Don’t tell him I said this, but he’d love to see you. He hasn’t been himself since your last visit.

Neither have I. He’d considered calling Greg more times than he cared to count, and each time, he got as far as dialing half the numbers before hanging up. With Bella around, he didn’t need to make up an excuse to see Greg.

Now, without his furry crutch, Jasper wasn’t sure how to break the ice.

Does tomorrow still work for you? Janice pulled Jasper from his thoughts as she went on to make the appointment.

That would be great. Thanks, Janice.

He took the earliest appointment they had and shared the name of the rescue he was hoping to adopt from. His heart sank a little lower.

You aren't replacing her.

His heart didn’t agree.

2

Greg

Rob called while you were out, Janice said, turning in her chair as soon as Greg walked in the door.

She offered him a sympathetic smile and handed him a slip of paper.

Greg gritted his teeth. Of all the things—

Thanks, Janice. He crumpled up the note and tossed it in the bin.

What if it’s about the shelter? Shouldn’t you call back?

I will. But it won’t be to Rob’s personal line.

Out of all the times he’d called Rob and never got a call back, Greg was in no rush to return it. If it had been important—if there was an emergency at the rescue—Eli would’ve called. And if Rob wanted to apologize, he could do so in person.

Greg was still recovering from the last talk they’d had.

Oh, while I have you, there's an addition for tomorrow. Janice passed him the revised schedule so he could sign off on it.

Greg adjusted his glasses, then read over tomorrow’s newest appointment. His eyebrows went up. Jasper? You know, you could’ve led with this.

And miss the look on your face? Not a chance.

Jasper must’ve gotten a new dog. Good for him.

Do we know the breed? Greg read the details again but didn’t see one listed.

Janice was shaking her head before he could finish. And neither does he by the sound of it.

Greg cocked an eyebrow. He hasn’t gotten it yet? Did you tell him to wait a few days before making an appointment?

Of course I did. Thing is, the appointment isn’t for the dog. It's for him.

Odd. Odd, but not unheard of. Greg had been waiting for him to call. He’d hoped Jasper would come back to the clinic when he was ready instead of going somewhere else. No matter how strange the request may have been, the last thing Greg wanted to do was to push him away.

Especially after all those