Chapter 13

Later,in the office of Hawthorne Kickboxing Gym, the air was thick with the hum of an old computer that seemed to groan under the weight of its years. Dan leaned over Rick"s shoulder, peering at the ancient screen displaying the volunteer schedule for the local animal shelter. As Rick scrolled through the names, Dan spotted Emma"s and, with a deft click, aligned his available hours with hers. A subtle grin tugged at his lips, imagining the surprise on her face when they met at the shelter.

Jack, leaning against the door frame, must have caught the slight shift in Dan"s expression. "Sneaky, sneaky, Dan. Matching your hours with the lovely doctor, huh?" he teased, a knowing glint in his eye.

Rick lifted his head. "What lovely doctor?"

"One of our newbies; tall, slender and blonde, dressed in designer clothes."

"Ah, the one with the legs for miles." Rick grinned and nodded. "Not exactly Dan's type, is she?"

"Nope." Jack shook his head. "It's probably an ‘opposites attract' kind of thing."

"Guys, I'm right here." Dan looked up, feigning displeasure. "Just trying to make the most of my volunteering time," he continued smoothly, but the warmth in his chest betrayed his true excitement at the prospect of spending more time with Emma. The satisfaction of his small victory left him with a light, buoyant feeling, his footsteps echoing that lightness as he walked over to the spluttering printer, already anticipating their next encounter.

Rick leaned back in his seat and narrowed his eyes at Dan. "Looks like you"re planning more than just volunteer work, huh? Are you into this woman?"

Dan's step faltered and he frowned back at Rick. "I swear, you two are worse gossips than my aunt"s knitting circle on a Sunday afternoon."

Jack grinned unrepentant and pushed away from the doorframe. "Just keeping things interesting."

Ignoring his friend, he grabbed the printed schedule. As he left the office, he whistled a merry tune, the paper clutched in his hand like a treasure map to new possibilities.

* * *

The days slipped by in a whirl of anticipation and routine. Each morning, as Dan worked on the construction site, his thoughts often wandered to the upcoming volunteer session. About ten people from the gym had signed up and staff members and seasoned volunteers would introduce them to the work during Saturday's orientation. He imagined the shelter, the animals, and most of all, Emma"s presence there.

Finally, on Saturday, Dan parked his truck outside the shelter, his excitement growing despite the chilly winter air. He stepped out, his boots crunching on the snow-dusted gravel. Snowflakes gently drifted down, adding to the serene, yet lively atmosphere around the shelter. The barks and whimpers of the dogs inside seemed more poignant in the quiet of the snowy day.

As he walked toward the entrance, Dan noticed the other volunteers" breaths forming clouds in the frosty air. Everyone seemed wrapped up in warm coats, their faces bright with the spirit of giving. The shelter staff, bustling about in the cold, greeted each person warmly.

He exchanged brief nods and smiles and kept watching for a gorgeous blonde with a sweet smile and long legs.

There you are! A lightness fluttered through his chest, and warmth spread through his body as bone-deep satisfaction seeped into his very soul.

Delicate snowflakes settled in her hair, making her look almost ethereal. She paused, her eyes widening as she noticed Dan, and then a smile broke through, as radiant as the sun glinting off the snow around them. Her reaction mirrored Dan"s own happiness, creating a shared moment of unexpected joy in the winter wonderland.

"Dan, you"re here too?" As she reached him, her initial expression of disbelief was quickly replaced by an infectious smile that spread across her face, lighting up her features with genuine happiness.

Dan felt a rush of warmth at her reaction. The sight of her elation brought an unbidden smile to his face, and he felt a sense of relief and anticipation. He hadn"t been sure how she would react to seeing him there, but her obvious delight was reassuring. It was a moment that quietly affirmed his decision to volunteer. He quickly stepped forward and gave Emma a friendly, one-armed hug. He didn't miss her stiffening body before she melted against him, and her arms slid around his waist.

"Hey," he greeted warmly, and not failing to notice how perfectly she fit against him, he grinned at her. She was tall enough that he wouldn"t have to bend awkwardly to kiss her, yet not so tall as to tower over him. He relished the feeling of her body against his, a perfect match in height and form.

A staff member approached with an enthusiastic smile. "Hi there! I"m Julia, and I"m going to show you the ropes today."

As they parted, Dan"s eyes lingered on Emma's face, observing the deepening blush that now matched the color of her shawl, before they both followed Julia into the shelter. The sound of barking and the smell of disinfectant mixed with animal fur filled the air as they walked through the hallways lined with kennels.

Julia pointed out various areas, explaining the tasks. "Over here we have the feeding station, and that area is for grooming," she said, gesturing toward a room filled with brushes and pet shampoos. "Most importantly, our dogs love their daily walks. It"s a great way for them to get exercise and socialize."

Emma peered into a kennel where a small dog wagged its tail eagerly. "Looks like they"re well taken care of here," she commented, smiling at the dog. The tail wagging increased until the entire dog wiggled.

I know how you feel, buddy.

"Absolutely," Julia responded. "Our volunteers are a big part of that. They help us with everything from basic care to giving these guys some much-needed affection."

Dan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the kennels. "Looks like we"ll be busy then. I"m ready to get started."

Emma"s eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Me too. It feels good to be doing something meaningful for these animals."

As they continued the tour, the chorus of barks and the busy atmosphere of the shelter enveloped them, signaling the start of their new journey as volunteers.

After Julia left with a promise to check back later, Dan and Emma began their work, moving from kennel to kennel. Emma checked the feeding chart for each dog, while Dan measured out the right amount of food. Her blonde ponytail swung rhythmically as she opened each kennel door, with Dan restraining the eager dogs.

At the fifth kennel, an enthusiastic pup jostled Emma, causing the bowl to clatter to the floor. She laughed as the dog nudged her apologetically. "Guess we need a "stay" command here," she said, patting the dog"s head affectionately.

As they walked the energetic dogs along the shelter"s path, conversation flowed naturally between them.

"So, how"s the gym treating you?" Dan asked, just as a young labrador mix playfully circled around, winding its leash around his legs. Chuckling, he untangled himself, his eyes never leaving Emma.

"It"s good; intense though." Emma bent down to pick up a discarded soda can. Dan raised an eyebrow, and she explained, "I try to do my part for the environment, small as it may be."

"I hear you. Back at the junkyard, I didn"t get why people recycled. Now, it makes sense. We"ve got to take care of our planet," Dan replied.

Why the hell did I just mention my poor upbringing?

Just then, a large dog playfully stood on its hind legs against Emma, leaving muddy paw prints on her jeans. She just smiled and patted the dog, unfazed. Dan couldn"t help but admire her easygoing nature, seamlessly blending her passion for the environment with a genuine love for animals. He also was more than relieved at the distraction because the last thing he wanted to talk about was his past.

Back in the kennel, Emma crouched down a few feet away from Clay, an emaciated terrier mix. She avoided direct eye contact with the dog, instead gazing gently to the side, making herself appear less threatening. Her voice was soft and soothing, a gentle murmur that filled the quiet space between them.

"Hey, Clay, it"s okay. You"re safe here," she whispered, her words floating gently in the air. Slowly, she extended a hand, palm up, allowing the dog to catch her scent. She remained perfectly still, giving Clay the space and time he needed to assess her as a friend, not a foe.

Dan watched silently from a respectful distance. He admired the patience and understanding Emma showed, her body turned slightly sideways, a posture of peace and non-aggression. The way she offered her presence to Clay without any demand or expectation was a silent lesson in empathy.

Gradually, the dog"s ears perked up, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. With cautious curiosity, Clay inched closer, his movements tentative. Emma remained motionless; her hand still extended in a gesture of friendship. After a long moment, Clay"s cold nose gently brushed against her fingers, a small but significant sign of trust.

Emma"s eyes lit up, but she maintained her calm demeanor, allowing Clay to dictate the pace of their interaction. She softly praised the dog as he sniffed her hand more confidently, his tail beginning to wag ever so slightly.

"Good boy, Clay," Emma cooed, her voice barely above a whisper. The connection forming between them was fragile but real, a testament to the power of kindness and patience in reaching a scared, vulnerable soul.

Dan watched, feeling content and privileged as he observed the scene. In the quiet of the shelter, with a timid dog cautiously accepting Emma"s touch, her warmth seemed to fill the cold, sterile space, giving it a comforting, almost homey feel. The gentle steadiness of her hands and the soothing tone of her voice didn"t just calm the nervous animal; they transformed the room.

His chest expanded as respect for Emma warmed him from the inside out. Watching her effortlessly soothe the nervous dog, he was struck by the depth of her kindness—a quiet force that spoke volumes. A deep appreciation washed over Dan; he admired this side of her, a side that not everyone got to see. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, as he quietly watched her do her magic, realizing he and Clay weren't so different.