Page 19 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Arlo’s words replay over and over in my head, and if I wasn’t already sure I had deep feelings for him, then the thought of him going through more terrifying medical diagnoses or issues alone would cinch it.
There’s nothing I want more than to be there for him, in whatever capacity he’ll allow.
Chapter12
Arlo
“Millie, come.”She looks at me, but when the ball Jordan tosses across the room for Indie and Eli bounces on the floor, she gets distracted.“Millie, come here.”I try again.
She hesitates, but I coax her over eventually.“Good girl,” I praise.Reaching into my pocket, I give her a treat as a reward for finally doing as asked.
Jordan comes over with the ball in hand.“Should we call it a day?She’s done well so far and I don’t want to hinder her progress by making her go on much longer.We can end our day with some more socialization.”
“Sounds good.”I switch from the longer lead that Jordan let me use to the regular, shorter everyday one.
“What do you want to tackle today?Birds or pigs?”Jordan asks with a grin.
I laugh.“Birds, since we’re more likely to run into them on a walk than a pig.”
“Good point, come on.”
We leave the training building Jordan has on his property and head to his house.“How long have you had the training area?”I ask as we walk.
“Only about six months.It’s been a long time coming.It feels so good having space where I can work.I love doing one-on-one, don’t get me wrong, but expanding my program is important to me.”
I remember that from before.Jordan’s passion is palpable, and his joy of helping people and animals connect and trust each other as they work together is beautiful.I love watching him in his element.
“We need to go through the front.I don’t want to stress her out—Juniper and Porter are in the yard, but I shut the gate that connects the side and front yards.”
“Sounds good.”
I follow behind Jordan, all three dogs by my side until we get to the front yard, where Indie practically bounces in front of the gate at the side of the yard, whining and looking back at Jordan with pleading blue eyes.
He sighs.“I’ll let her in; I’m not sure how Eli will do with Juniper.I trust him, but…”
“No, I get it.He can stay out here in front by himself, he’ll be fine.I want to be here when they’re all together.”
Jordan lets out a relieved breath, before going over and letting Indie into the other part of his yard.Eli shakes himself out when I take his harness off.
“Be good.”I rub between his ears and he gives me a happy smile, tongue lolling out of his mouth.
“Shall we go see Rodey?”Jordan asks after petting Eli, and Millie waters his front lawn.
“Let’s do it.Come, Millie.”She complies instantly.“Good girl.Gentle,” I warn as I give her a treat and she tries to snatch it from my fingers.
Jordan leads us into his house, and I cough to hide my gasp of surprise.It’s not like I haven’t been inside before, but that was three years ago, when the one-story farmhouse was stripped down to the bones of his vision.
Walking into the house, with its dark floor, light walls, and windows that help make it as bright inside as it is outside… Something unexplainable crashes over me, and it takes me a moment to catch my breath.
The feeling of how right walking into this house is… I try hard not to read too much into it, even as my insides churn with belonging.
I let Jordan leads us to the dining room, where a familiar voice is already calling out.I laugh and look at Jordan.“Still acting like he’s trapped, huh?”
Jor rolls his eyes.“You have no idea, it’s only gotten worse.”
We enter the dining room, which is, to no surprise, not used for its intended purpose, but seems to be a haven for Jordan’s menagerie.Center stage is Rodey’s cage.
“Freeee me!”the bird shouts.
