Love Inspired: March 2022 Box Set, 1 of 2 by Jo Ann Brown

Author:Jo Ann Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

I can do this with God’s help. I’m not alone in this battle.

The mantra that Kapp had assisted Behr in crafting replayed again and again as he waited for Ellery and Margo to appear.

Behr had done a session over Zoom with Kapp during his lunch hour on Monday, and it had been extremely helpful. He and Kapp had developed the mantra as a way for Behr to focus on something positive instead of the negative thoughts that usually brought him to his knees and played like a cable movie on repeat. Kapp was a Christian, too, so they’d incorporated faith into it. A reminder of how God was looking out for Behr. How Behr was, not for one millisecond, alone in this battle.

Ellery entered the room with Margo on a leash. The dog’s tongue lolled to one side, her open mouth and visible teeth mugging for him.

Better to think that than to remember those same teeth could be used to inflict damage.

Whenever Margo entered a room with him, Behr experienced highs and lows like he was rafting snowmelt. He feared that each attempt to muster the strength to fight his phobia would be the last. That each attempt would earn him the stamp of failure.

And yet, here he was again. He’d failed last week, hadn’t he? He’d stalked out of this training room so fast his shoes had probably left a trail of smoke behind.

But because of Ellery and Kapp and God, he’d come back this week. Things had improved. Still were improving.

Wearing shorts, flip-flops and a simple white V-neck T-shirt, Ellery was the picture of summer and beach and sunshine. Her cherry hair shone along with her eyes. She was so excited he was doing better. The thought of disappointing her cut Behr like a combat knife.

She approached and held out the leash for him.

This effort is worth it. That was another thing he and Kapp had discussed. He wanted Behr to focus on the value Margo would bring instead of the fear. The good instead of the bad.

Margo stood by Ellery’s side, her chocolate face toggling back and forth between them, questioning what she was supposed to do next. Waiting for his lead.

Behr reached out and took the leash. If Ellery noticed his shaking hand, she didn’t say anything.

“I want to teach her to stand by your left side. That’s it. She’s just going to be there. We’re going to take it slow.” Ellery moved to Behr’s left, leaving enough room for Margo to stand between them.

A tremble echoed through him, and Behr tensed his muscles in an effort to curb it.

Margo, on the other hand, would be the first image if someone searched the internet for the definition of calm.

During their training session on Monday evening this week, they’d moved at a snail’s pace—first letting Margo sniff Behr, then having him pet her. She’d sat next to him while he’d held one trembling hand to her soft fur.

Eventually Margo had chilled so much she’d sprawled next to his feet.

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