His Shadow, Her Leash

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The brownstone smelled like Earl Grey tea and fresh lilies this morning. Elena let herself in with the spare key Mrs. Blackwood had pressed into her hand the previous week: “You’re family now, dear; no more ringing like a stranger.” And immediately Elena heard the sound of nails clicking on hardwood flooring. Bella and Beau emerged from the hallway like they’d been waiting for her; tails streaming low elegant curves.

“Morning, beauties,” Elena said softly, dropping to her knees right there in the foyer. Beau nuzzled her chin first; rare affection from him. And then Bella was pressing her entire long body against Elena’s side like a living blanket.

For a moment the world was reduced to silk fur and warm breaths and the faint beating of dog hearts. Safe; simple; no questions asked.

Mrs. Blackwood came out of the parlor, wearing a cashmere cardigan over her shoulders, her silver hair in its perfect chignon.

“You spoil them rotten, you know.”

Elena smiled up at her. “Someone has to; they’re clearly neglected royalty.”

ictoria laughed; that sound was like music to Elena's ears, a sound that always made Elena feel like she’d achieved something worthwhile. “Come have tea before you go. I insist.”

Elena was torn. She was not used to this kind of invitation to linger. Most of her clients waved from the doorway, tossed her a few bucks, and went on their way. Victoria Blackwood had been different from the very first day; small gifts of scones, long conversations about nothing in particular and everything in general. Elena went with Victoria into the sunlit room anyway; she couldn’t quite say no to this woman.

They sat at the small round table in front of the window. Tea was poured; shortbread was offered; Bella was at Elena's feet like she belonged there.

“You’re good with them,” Victoria said after taking a sip of her tea. “Not just the tricks and treats. You … see them. Most walkers don’t.”

Elena shrugged; her cheeks grew warm with the praise. “Dogs are easy; they tell you what they need if you listen.”

“And people?”

Elena's grip on the cup tightened. "People are harder."

There was a brief silence. Outside, a car horn went off once and then stopped.

Victoria put her hand on Elena's hand, a gentle, grandmotherly gesture. "You don't have to tell me anything, dear. But if you ever want to... I listen too."

Elena looked down at her tea. The steam rising from the cup looked like small ghosts. For a moment, Elena felt like talking, like talking would lift a weight from her chest, like talking always did when she was around animals or old ladies who had seen too much of life to judge her.

"I never knew my parents," Elena said finally. No preamble. No build-up. Just out.

Car accident. Drunk driver. Elena had been in the back seat of her mom's car when they got hit. Elena had woken up in the hospital. Her parents had not.

Victoria didn't gasp or say anything comforting. She just nodded her head once, slowly.

"I'm so sorry," Victoria said.

Elena kept talking, her words spilling out like they had been waiting patiently for her all this time. "No grandparents on Mom's side..."

Dad’s side of the family… well, they were scattered. Then foster care. Three different homes in five years. The first one was all right, but it was too crowded—six kids, and you could never get enough of anyone. The second one… tougher. Guy had a temper. I learned to be small, quiet, and useful. The third one was nice people, but they were just old and worn out. I got a job at the animal shelter down the street. That’s where I met Whiskers—little kitten nobody wanted. Bottle-fed him in the break room. He’s been with me ever since. Fourteen years now.”

She attempted a laugh, but it faltered. “Dogs and cats don’t leave. Not unless you make them. People… they do. So I learned to not need anyone. I moved here at eighteen with eight hundred dollars and a duffel bag. Waitressed, pet-sat, couch-surfed until I could afford a shoebox in Brooklyn. Started walking dogs because it paid more than pouring coffee and didn’t require smiling at strangers all day. Turns out I’m good at it.”

Victoria’s eyes were soft, shiny at the corners. “You’re more than good at it, Elena. You’re kind in a way that costs something. That’s rare.”

Elena gazed down at Bella, who had put her head on her knee. “Kind is easy when it comes to them. They don’t demand you be perfect. They just want you to be there.”

“And what do you want?” Victoria asked, her voice low and gentle.

Elena opened her mouth, then closed it again. The question was like a stone in her stomach.

“I don’t know,” she admitted finally. “I used to think maybe a little pet daycare. My own business. A safe haven for animals without homes. But mostly…I think what I want is for things to be simple. For there not to be big losses, or big risks. Just…simple.”

Victoria’s hand touched hers again. “Simple is good. But simple can be lonely too.”

Elena managed a small smile. “I have the dogs. And Whiskers. And now Bella and Beau. That’s enough for me.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a time, the tea growing cold, the sun moving across the rug. At last Elena stood, hooked the leashes, and kissed the tops of two silky heads.

“‘I’ll bring them back in an hour or so,’” she said.

Victoria walked Elena out. “You’re welcome here anytime, you know. Not just for the dogs.”

Elena nodded, quick and awkward. Then she went out into the crisp air.

The park was different today. Brighter. Sharper. Elena let the pack run, sat on the same bench as yesterday, but her mind wandered again and again back to the parlor. To the words spoken out loud for the first time in years. To the way her chest felt afterwards.

She did not notice the tall figure at the edge of the dog run.

Damian stood at the edge of the dog run again, wearing the same overcoat and the same expression, looking at Elena looking at the dogs. When their eyes met this time, however, he did not smile. Instead, he inclined his head once, like a nod.

Elena felt a funny kick in her chest.