Page 68 of Tempting Devil
“Of course,” she replied, her chin trembling. “He was your dog first.”
I gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing her and lowering myself next to Ollie, wrapping my fingers around his paw.
Resting my forehead on his, I breathed in his familiar scent. It killed me to keep my distance for the past year. Every time I saw him with Imogene, I wanted nothing more than to go up to him. Now I regretted that I didn’t. I’d never get that time back.
“Hey, boy,” I murmured, scratching the spot behind his ears he always loved. But today, he barely acknowledged it. “I know you hurt, so I won’t make you suffer much longer. I just wanted to thank you for being there for your mama when I couldn’t. For taking care of her all these years. I’ll never be able to repay you for looking out for her. You were the best boy ever, and I’m sorry we couldn’t have more time together. I thought…” I licked my lips, shaking my head.
“I don’t know what I thought, to be honest. Maybe that once this was all over, things could go back to the way they were. I’m sorry I took you for granted.” I stole a glimpse at Imogene, her tears falling even harder now. But she still managed to meet my gaze. “Both of you.” I held her stare, then pressed my forehead to Ollie’s once more.
“I’ll never forget you,” I whispered, hating that this would be the last time I’d ever feel his soft fur. Ever hear his gentle breathing. Ever smell his awful breath. “I love you, buddy. Now have fun chasing all the seagulls over the rainbow bridge.” I held him for a few more moments, fighting back my tears. Then I gave him one last kiss before standing.
As Imogene approached, I started to step away, but she darted out her hand, pulling me back down to the floor beside her. Wrapping her arms around Ollie’s frail body, she pressed her face into his fur.
“Thanks for everything, buddy,” she strained to say. “For always knowing when I was having a bad day. For always being there for me. For making it easier when I missed him so damn much I didn’t think I’d survive.”
I pinched my lips together to stop my chin from quivering, a few tears finally escaping.
“But we got through it together. I’m going to miss having you shower me with kisses whenever I get home, even if I was only gone a few minutes. Going to miss watching you try to run after seagulls, even though we both know you’re never going to catch one. I’m even going to miss your stinky farts after I let you eat a burger.”
“Those were always the worst,” I remarked with a low chuckle, remembering that all too well.
“Yes, they were.” She laughed through her tears, wiping at her cheeks. Then she returned her attention to Ollie, her expression becoming pained once more. “But most of all, I’m going to miss your love. It was…”
She shook her head, as if searching for the right word. Then she glanced my way, holding my gaze captive.
“Unconditional. A love like that…It doesn’t happen often. Thank you for showing me what that was like.”
She reached for my hand, our fingers interlocking.
And that was how they stayed as we spent a few more minutes with Ollie.
As we said our final goodbyes.
As we watched him take his last breath.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Imogene
Silence settled like a heavy blanket over the car as Henry drove away from the animal clinic, minus one furry, slobbery passenger. I still had trouble wrapping my head around the idea that Ollie was gone.
But like I reminded myself as we said goodbye, it was the humane thing to do. If we kept him alive, he’d only suffer more.
It didn’t make it hurt any less, especially after losing him so unexpectedly, and due to poison. It was going to take me some time to get over this loss.
I was pretty sure it would take Gideon some time, too.
Over the past few hours, I saw more pieces of the old Samuel.
As he clutched Ollie to his chest.
As he kissed his head.
As he told him what a good boy he was.
That wasn’t Gideon Saint. It was Samuel. My Samuel.
The car finally slowed to a stop, and I looked out the window, expecting to be in front of my townhouse.