Read Rescue Me for Free Online

What it would have been like to shower with him today and massage the tension from his shoulders. “We sure didn’t expect a meth house. There was such pain in those animals’ eyes.”
    AJ leaned against the wall beside her, his shoulder touching hers. “Drugs have a way of casting a wide net of destruction.”
    She forced herself not to flinch as that comment hit way too close to home. “I’m just glad we could intervene.” She needed to put distance between them. Now. She needed to find Lacey since they’d ridden together. “I’m sure you have work to do. Please don’t let me stop you. Good night, Parker.”
    AJ stopped her with a hand to her arm. “Do you believe that Mama can be saved?”
    She looked down at his fingers wrapped around her arm, the feeling warm through the fabric. The world went silent for a second other than the
swish, swish, swish
of the inflatable dog’s tail.
    Mary Hannah stepped back until AJ’s arm fell away. “It’s too early to tell.”
    â€œBut what does your gut tell you? How will she react once the drugs wear off?”
    â€œThat depends on how her temperament test goes.”
    â€œAnd if she passes, you’ll work with her?”
    â€œMe, or another foster home, but it’s tough to say how much we can do for her even if she passes her evaluation. I do believe she has been . . . damaged. She appears to be undersocialized, possibly abused. We’ll know more in a couple of days.” Why was he asking so many questions? Did he want to keep her here? But to what end? “Although maybe we’ll get lucky. Sometimes the animal needs a while to chill and rehab before being made adoption available.”
    â€œEven the boxer?” He still insisted on focusing on that one particular animal.
    Ah, realization sunk in. He might try to appear all broody and badass, but he’d been touched by the grief in that dog’s eyes just as she had.
    She patted his shoulder, resisting the urge to curl her fingers around and hold on. “Even her. Lacey and I will do everything in our power for her. It’s . . . unpalatable . . . to think that’s all she will ever experience in life.”
    â€œI know that there are animals everywhere in need of homes that
don’t
require the extra effort rehabbing. So why invest your time in this one?”
    Had she misunderstood his feelings about the boxer after all? “Because of those drugs, we didn’t see the real her today. Even so, Mama didn’t bite in spite of being terrified and high. That’s promising.”
    Or maybe Mary Hannah just desperately needed to believe the dog could detox and overcome all the odds to be redeemable. That
she
could be redeemable.
    â€œYou’re an idealist.” He tapped the rim of her glasses. “Seeing the world through rose-colored lenses.”
    â€œI assume that means you consider yourself a realist.”
    â€œYes, although I would appreciate it if you didn’t use the counselor skills on me.”
    The last thing she wanted or needed was him as a client. Right now she just wanted to leave. To shower again. To figure out how she could be attracted to someone she wasn’t even sure she liked.
    She searched his eyes as deeply as she searched herself and found . . . he was in as much pain as she was.
    Mary Hannah touched his shoulder again lightly, tentatively. “Are
you
okay?”
    â€œI’m fine, Dr. Freud.” He winked, his smile almost managing to chase the shadows from his eyes.
    Her hand fell away. “I’m not a doctor or a psychiatrist. I’m a mental-health counselor who specializes in patients with PTSD.”
    â€œOkay, mental-health counselor. Lucky for us, I’m fine. I’m the seasoned professional.”
    She should just leave, but the shadows in his eyes urged her to press on. “I’m not asking in that