I See You

CHAPTER 17 - Learning to Live

Wyatt had been gone for nearly a month, and though pain still shot through her every single day, Emma no longer felt like she was openly bleeding. River had a lot to do with that. Another trip to the pet store had her buying the very best doggy backpack available along with a dozen other items that Maynard swore were necessary, including a GPS collar which she promptly connected to her phone. It was time for her first hike without Wyatt, but she wouldn't be alone. After a little research, Emma found the trails that allowed dogs, and they headed out bright and early Saturday morning. There were a few other cars in the parking lot by the trailhead, but for once, the idea of people was comforting rather than alarming.

"Okay, buddy. Today's trail is a seven-mile loop. You ready for this?" she asked, clipping his leash around her waist. River's tail wagged, and her heart did a happy skip. He had just started to show little flashes of emotion over the last couple of days—a tail wag, a doggy dance by the door, the cock of his head when she had random conversations with him around the house.

They set a steady pace on the trail, quickly catching up to a few casual walkers who were just out for a stroll. Most had dogs which easily sniffed in River's direction or hid behind their owner's as they passed. Emma was thrilled to realize her boy had as much interest in socializing as she did. Around the next bend, a ferocious bark followed by black and white lunging at her face wrenched Emma out of her thoughts. Everything happened within a second. River's body pushed her back, causing Emma to crash to the cold ground as he took position between them.

She was enthralled and terrified at the change in her gentle giant. His body had gone rigid all the way down the tip of his plume tail, and he leaned toward the danger, his eyes focused on the attacking dog. It was then Emma noticed the angry woman trying to hold onto a leash. Her bleached hair was frazzled around the bun on top of her head, and Emma wondered how she could be out in this weather in nothing more than yoga pants and a cropped sweatshirt that exposed her midsection. She looked so much like Kimmy that memories had paralyzed Emma where she sat.

"Hello?" the woman screamed. "You could get your mutt out of our way. It's upsetting Halo."

Insulting River was all it took to send fire through Emma's limbs as she slowly pushed to her feet. "Good boy," she said quietly, laying a hand on his head.

"What the hell! You're rewarding him for being terrifying!"

"He has reacted calmly to a threat and continues to do so. Get your dog under control so we can pass."

"Your dog scared us. This isn't Halo's fault."

"I think we both know it is," another voice said behind Emma. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Katie from the animal shelter, and a new fear trickled through her system. Would she find Emma unfit as a dog mom? Could she take River away from her? This wasn't their fault, but Katie seemed to know that, right? "Amanda, get that dog to obedience classes, or I will report you to the city, again."

Katie handed a leash to Emma that was attached to a lean, muscular dog with a stunning brindle coat. While he was a lovely creature and smaller than River, Emma found him far more terrifying. The dog radiated intelligence but with something slightly wild behind his eyes. Still, he didn't react to the now growling Halo who had taken up a more defensive position rather than aggressive. The new dog did nothing to divert River's attention as they both formed a wall in front of Emma. Katie moved slowly, fishing what looked like a strip of jerky out of her pocket.

"Shh, Halo. You're okay, boy. Shh. Tsk. Tsk," she cooed and hissed, backing the dog down until it sat at Amanda's feet. Very slowly Katie lowered her hand with the treat in her palm, continuing her gentle sounds. "Emma, will you please walk River and Zeus around me and keep our bodies between the dogs."