Adopting Love

Chapter Three

Raelle-

After about a week of adjusting and meeting new people, I finally landed a job. It was my third day and far from anything I had been to school for. A waitress, a small town waitress is what I have become in a small teeny tiny little diner. This is what life has come to, a twenty eight year old dental hygienist city girl, now a waitress in a small town diner. Can't dismiss it though, the change of scenery and the welcoming people of this town make it seem just right. There is a small dentist office up the street but with the dinky amount of people in this town, landing a job in there will be difficult. Jolene, another waitress in the diner had really taken me under her wing. She's roughly a year older than me, but just the kindest soul I've ever met. She has been helping me adjust to the lifestyle here, it took two full days for me to remotely understand how much slower paced everything was here. Go go go, had always been the normal, rushing in and out and constantly running down cabs. I was going to hold off on getting a job but getting a car is a must to maneuver around here. My shift for the today was coming to an end, along with Jolene's. We clocked out in the back and grabbed our belongings from the cubbies then made our way out front. She offered to drive me home today, so I wouldn't have to walk, what I'm pretty sure is close to a mile. Which was a blessing in disguise, as the sun was at it's peak, making it unbearably hot. Grasping the handle of the little silver car door, I looked over at her, deep in thought.

"I still feel as if something is missing. I know my heart still aches, the hole is still there. Sorry, sometimes I say what I'm thinking out loud before I even realize it." I apologized.

"No worries, but have you thought about adoption?" Jolene asked.

"Oh heavens, no. I'm no where near ready for kids" I chuckled.

"No silly, I meant a dog or a cat. Just something to show you the affection your missing. Personally, I'd recommend a dog, you'll have a best friend for life." she said anxiously.

This was actually a very good idea. I haven't had a pet since I was a child, so I asked her, "Do you know where I could go browse?"

"Yes, hop in. Many out of town folk like to drop dogs off around the county all the time, so the local shelter is usually, pretty full." she exclaimed.

We both barreled in and strapped our safety belts on, soon we were off. She drove down towards Main Street and went another mile out before she made a left just on the outskirts of town. We pulled up to a massive brick building with a big banner that said 'Adoption Days' with this weeks dates underneath it. This was perfect timing to say the least. I got out and we walked up the stairs, where I had my first rude encounter. When I as walking up, there was a blonde rushing out and she bumped shoulders with me, nearly making me fall backwards, Jolene had to brace my back. There was no I'm sorry or excuse me, nothing. I brushed it off and set my mind back on the task at hand, I was going to get me a puppy. After speaking to one of the associates and telling her what I was there for, she directed us down the hallway that lead to the adoption pens. Passing a few and interacting with the first couple pups, nothing clicked. I imagined it would be an instant connection, like it was meant to be kind of thing. Just when we were about to leave a beautiful blue heeler was being put in the last pen. The volunteer told me that he was available and that he was the last to be added in the pen. Soon as I seen those dark brown eyes, I knew it, he was meant for me. The people who gave him up for adoption left his name tag on him, so I flipped it up so I could read it clearly. Scout, my new found buddy's name is Scout.

Garrett-

My heart has been heavy all week, ever since I received those texts and calls last week. When I finally got home and was given the news that day, my heart shattered. My best friend was stripped from my farm, my clutches. Seemed as though had she used my words, at the lawyer meeting, against me. When I had agreed that she could have anything to make it final and to put it behind us, she knew what she was doing. Our dog we had on the farm, no my dog, she knew how much he meant to me. I was there the day he was born and everyday after that. She took him, where I have no idea, but it has been the longest week of my life. She wont respond to anything I send her no calls, not texts, not even emails. I even tried reaching out to my lawyer, but because of our agreement she, technically, is not doing anything illegal. My appetite is gone, Alaina has tried making my favorites, but I just can't bring my self to eat. I grabbed my hat and headed down to the corral to meet with Bradly. The vet should be just about done if not gone, so I can get an update on how our pregnant mare is doing.

"So how did the visit go? Were there any signs of twins?" I urged.

"No, sir. Thankfully he said she's progressing just fine and the ultrasound showed only one embryo. She will be twenty five days pregnant in ten days so he said he'd be back within that time frame to do another ultrasound. His main focus right now is that Blondie shows no signs of twins, so you know the routine." he pointed out abruptly.

"I was nervous, so that makes me feel a shit ton better! Sorry, I wasn't expecting any calls." I explained, as I dug my phone from my back pocket.

"No worries, maybe it's a Scout update." he urged.

"I sure hope so!" I declared. "Excuse me, I gotta take this"

It was just after three in the afternoon, an my phone rang. I walked over to the barn so the horses weren't as loud trotting around. I answered the phone and all I needed to hear was that she had Scout. I hit that red button faster than I could actually comprehend on what I just heard. I ran through the yard without saying a word and hopped in the truck, slamming the door. As I turned the key to the ignition over, I glanced down at Bradly, who just tipped his hat and nodded in approval as I sped off. All that could be seen in the review mirror was dust until my tires finally made contact with pavement. A lot of honks and waves later to the passing drivers, I finally made it to the adoption center. After seeing the banner, a whole lot of thankfulness rushed through me that she had recognized Scout before Sam was able to put him up for adoption. A ran up the steps and straight to the counter where Maribelle sat. "Maribelle, where is he?"

"Just down the hall in one of the holding pens" she uttered.

"Thank you!" I yelled, as I ran in the direction that she pointed. After checking every pen, I yelled back up to the front, "Uhh, Maribelle, he is not back here." I ran back up to the desk where she was stationed.

"Let me page the volunteer that I had put him in the pen, I'm sure he probably got put in the wrong holding hall, since we have three." She said as she picked up the phone and tapped the page button.

It'll only took the young teen a few moments to make his way to the front. I was trying my hardest to be patient but I was so ready to unite with my best friend. It didn't take a genius to see their expressions suddenly change. "What's going on? Where is he?"

"There seems to be an issue, and I'm not sure how to fix it." she babbled.

"Excuse, I'm not understanding. You called and told me you had Scout." I bellowed

"It seems Scout got put in the wrong pen, the adoption pen to be exact." she whispered

"So, what are you saying?" I sighed.

"Scout was adopted not long after I called you." she explained.