Thank you, SunfloerFran, for betaing!
oOo
"What's her name?" Edward whispered.
"Jennie," the young woman said.
"Jennie," Edward repeated, almost reverently, before he turned to Bella.
"She's so pretty," he said, letting the dog sniff his hand some more.
"She is," Bella agreed.
Jennie was a cute, terrier crossbreed, her fur a light shade of red. She had round, black button eyes and a shiny, black nose.
"She's five," the young woman, whose nametag read 'Kristie', said. "Her previous owner died a couple of months ago."
"Oh dear, that's terrible," Bella said. Jennie started sniffing her hand, too.
"Yes, you can actually tell how distraught and confused she is. At first, she wouldn't let anyone touch her. The gentleman she belonged to had no family, so there was no one to pass her on to, so to speak. In the beginning, she refused to eat. She'd sit in a corner, mourning."
Edward smiled sadly, crouching down next to Jennie.
"Yes," he said very softly. "They do have feelings."
His eyes were wistful, and he was clearly relating to the dog. It made Bella feel a little sad, and a little hopeful. Jennie sniffed Edward's hand again, and then wagged her tail.
All three of the humans smiled at that.
"She likes you," Kristie stated.
"She's adorable," Edward replied, never taking his eyes of the little creature in front of him.
"Why hasn't anyone adopted her yet?" Bella asked.
Edward looked up, surprised. It seemed he was so taken with the dog that he hadn't even considered there might be a reason she hadn't found anyone yet.
"I think it's because she's so shy and quiet," Kristie said. "Most people go for the extroverted ones that are immediately responsive. Actually," she added, "I've never seen her as outgoing as this."
Edward's smile was contagious.
Jennie licked over his wrist.
"Hi," Edward whispered, making Bella's heart melt with tenderness.
Jennie took another lick.
Edward looked up again.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"I'll give you guys some time, okay?" Kristie smiled encouragingly and stepped away.
Bella sat down next to Edward.
They were silent for some time, considering Jennie. She had sat down as well, and had stopped wagging her tail, looking at them with her head cocked to one side, as if saying, "Okay, are you two going to get me out of here, or what?"
Bella stretched out her hand again, letting Jennie sniff it once more, and then gave her a tentative stroke along the top of her head. The dog remained quiet and relaxed. Her fur was warm and dry, and the sensation reminded Bella of Pookie.
Edward's hand joined hers on Jennie's back, and they stroked her together, just for two, three times, Edward's fingers over hers.
They looked at each other.
Edward's green eyes were wide opened, excitement making them sparkle and shine.
He wanted this dog: it was as clear as day.
"Let's take her," Bella whispered, and her lips were met with soft, thankful ones.
oOo
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Picture of Jennie on my Facebook page.