The lucky one

Chapter 9

The next morning, Oliver and Zeus were walking upon a road when he saw a sign announcing "Danvers Kennels, boarding & training". As he approached, he soon saw a beautiful house with a massive yard. 

"Well, here goes nothing buddy" sighed Oliver, as they took the trail leading to the back yard.

Oliver couldn't help but wonder how calm this place was and... felt. Not only the town but this house in particular. It was peaceful and quiet. Almost as much of a contrast to Star City than it could get. Perfect.

Once in the backyard, he reached what seemed to be the front desk. "Hello?" he called, only to be answered by silence. 

He moved on to the barn with cages on its side and as he walked by its door, he heard the most melodious voice he had ever heard say "Hello"

Oliver's eyes zeroed at the end of the barn, from which a young woman was walking toward him. She was simply dressed in a white top, jeans shorts, and brown boots. He didn't know if it was the sun reflecting on her golden hairs, her breathtaking blue eyes that seemed to emit light on their own, or the hallo of light that seemed to surround her, but the first word that came into Oliver's mind was 'angel'.

"Can I help you?" she asked, still walking toward him. "What a beautiful shepherd. What's his name"

"Zeus" Oliver simply answered, trying to regain his composure

"Oh, he's a sweetheart," she said as she kneeled down and pet him.

"He's good with people. A lot better than I am. Well, now at least. He wasn't much of a fan of humans when I found him."

"Well," she mused as she stood back up "At least you don't introduce yourself to the animal before their owners. I'm Kara"

"Oliver" he smiled, shaking the hand that she had held out "Um... So I, uh, came here-"

Unfortunately, a phone started ringing, cutting him. "I'm sorry, excuse me for a second, please."

She took out her phone and answered "Hello? Oh hi, Mrs. Jackson."

Kara jerked her head toward the building containing the front desk, inviting him to follow her "I was just about to call you to confirm that..."

She almost ran the last few steps to what seemed to be a planner just as a second phone started to ring "Mrs O'leary is coming in today at two and she's gonna be with us for a week" 

As she was talking, Oliver took the chance to walk inside the building, seeing an older woman trying to make a dog almost as big as her walk toward a ramp. "Great. Excellent. No. No, Kevin doesn't work here anymore. Okay, see you then. Bye."

Oliver turned Kara when she picked up the second phone "It's Kara" she answered, "Yes, we do train, we're full service."

When Kara saw Oliver look at her, she mouthed I'm so sorry, to which he answered with a small smile. He looked back to watch the woman outside as Kara gave instructions on the phone "Just bring him Clifford's papers and any dietary restrictions that he might have. Monday is great! Bye."

Since her call was seemingly over, Oliver turned toward Kara, who immediately turned her attention toward him, telling him that for her, he was just another business she had to deal with.

"Well... Zeus is way too well behaved to need training, so I'm guessing that you're here to board him?"

"No, I'm not going anywhere. I just got off the road yesterday"

"Where from?"

"Star City"

"And what brings you to Hamden? Wait, Oliver... You're Oliver Queen?! What brings you here?"