Page 3 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Carefully, I get my left leg up first, and using Eli as a guide and his specially designed harness to hold onto, I push up off the ground with my good leg.It’s hard to not lean all of my weight on Eli as I get my bearings again, but we’ve been together long enough that he can anticipate my needs, bracing himself and giving me something to use as leverage as I carefully distribute my weight onto both legs.
“Can you…” I gesture to the cane on the ground.
Without missing a beat, or making a production out of it, Jordan scoops up the walking stick and hands it over.
“Thank you.”
Jordan smiles, his eyes lighting up.“No problem.I’m glad I was here to help.I saw you fall and it looked like you went down pretty hard.”
I shake my head.“Nah.I’ll probably be one big bruise, but I’m fine.I’ve been in the midst of a relapse the last few weeks, so my balance is shot.I needed to get her out though, to start doing more than just backyard leash training.”
“I get it.If you need any help…”
“Thanks, I think we’ll be fine; a few more things to work on than I thought, is all.”
“At least let me lead her back to your car?I’m assuming that’s where you’re headed?”
I nod.“That’ll be great.”I look to the dogs.“Come on, let’s go home.”
Jordan and I walk side by side down to where I left my car.He easily takes control of Millie, and quietly but firmly keeps her at his side.Envy tries to bubble its way up as I watch.Not because he seems to be having an easier time with her than I was—well, not only because of that.I know if I were able-bodied, I would be able to do it.I’m by no means an expert, but when I was younger, I single-handedly trained my family dog.I have the tools in my arsenal, but…it’s been years since I’ve had a puppy, and I was not only younger, but steadier on my feet back then.
Still, we’ll get through it, eventually.There might just be some bumps along the way.I’m sure there are better, more efficient ways, but if I could just instill the basics in her, every walk we go on won’t be so treacherous.
“You know, I noticed Eli first,” Jordan says as we walk.“He’s gorgeous.”
“Thank you.”I look down at the yellow lab, who happily trots at my side.“He was a fan favorite at our old P-A-R-K.”
“I bet.”Jordan goes quiet and I look at him, internally wincing at the downturn tilt of his mouth, and how his eyebrows furrow.
My heart clenches as I watch him, knowing I’m the one who did this, who made him question his words and left him to wonder about…everything.
“How long are you here for this time?”he finally asks.And fuck if that isn’t a blow to my already fragile heart.
I let out a long, slow breath.“Forever, I hope.”
Jordan stops walking.I stop as well, but keep my gaze forward for a long moment, even as I can feel his stare boring into the side of my face.
“You’re serious?”
I meet his gaze, those soulful eyes of his burning into mine, and it’s a fight to not fall into them, like I did once upon a time.
“Yeah, I am.I realized a while ago that this place is where I belong.”I realized the day I left that I was making a mistake.I don’t say those words, of course.I can’t.
“I’m happy you’ve finally figured that out.”
“Yeah, me too.”It only took losing you.
We continue walking, and Jordan gets Millie hooked into her carseat for me.
“Thank you for all your help, Jor.”
“You’re welcome.”He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card holder, extracting one and handing it over.“I know you’ve got this, but if you ever need any extra help, I run puppy classes two days a week.I still offer private sessions, as well, if you need something more individualized.”
I take the card, smiling gently at the simple yet elegant design.“Thanks, I’ll think about it.”
“It was good seeing you, Arlo.”
“You too.”
