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THE ENCHANTED MUSIC BOX CINDY KIRK Copyright©2024byCynthiaRutledge
Allrightsreserved
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutwritten permissionfromtheauthor,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents, locales,organizations,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental
ISBN:9798876854841
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
AlsobyCindyKirk
CHAPTER ONE AnnieLaggettslowedherbriskpaceasTimelessTreasures,GraceTown’spremierantiquestore,cameintoview.Shedrewher browstogether,puzzledatseeingpeopleandantiquesstretchingfromthefrontofthestoreallthewaytothecurb
Itsuddenlymadesenseonceshesawthebannerflutteringinthelightbreeze.Todaywasthestartofthestore’sannualClear theShelvessidewalksale
ThoughmostoftheantiquesinAnnie’sVictoriantownhousehadbeenhandeddownfromhergrandparents,shewasalways onthelookoutforsomethingspecialtoaddtohercollection.
Abronzefloor lampintheshapeofavoluptuouslynakedmermaidmadeher smile Thoughitwasn’tanythingshewould buy,itdefinitelycapturedherattention.
“Annie,areyoustillthere?”
Sheblinked.Distractedbythemermaidandthecrowd,she’dforgottenthephonepressedtoherearandthemanawaiting herreply.
“I’mhere.”Shespokequickly,hertonebreezy.“WhereelsewouldIbe?”
Evenas she responded to BrentSellhorn, her boyfriend ofthe pastyear, her gaze returned to the lamp. Annie wondered whathewouldsayifsheteasinglytoldhimshe’dbeendistractedbyabronzesiren “Ithoughtyou’dbebackbynow.Istoppedbyyour cubicle,butKarleewouldonlysayyouwereout.”Frustrationfilled Brent’stone “WhenIaskedifyou’dtakenalatelunch,sherespondedbyaskingifIwantedtoleaveamessage” Annie smiled. Brentknew better. He’d beenaround longenoughto understand thather coworkers were a closemouthed group.Karlee,who’dbeenhiredsixmonthsagostraightoutofcollege,hadfitrightin.
“Youalreadyknowmyschedule,sowhyask?”
As she and Brentworked for the same company, theyusuallymetfor lunchateleventhirty. ButBrenthad informed her earlierintheweekhewouldn’tbeabletomeetonFridaybecauseofaworkconflict Withnoplansforlunch,Anniehadstayedfocusedonworkuntilnearlyone.
“Ifyouleftforlunchateleventhirty,youshouldbebackbynow It’snearlytwo,”heresponded “Don’tyouhaveameeting atthree?”
While she and Brentbothworked under the same accountingumbrella atSensorTech, she was inTreasuryManagement, whichmanagedthecompany’scashflow,amongotherduties,whileBrentwasinGeneralAccounting
“Rightonboth.Actually,Ididn’tleaveuntilafterone,sothat’swhyI’mnotbackyet.”Anniechuckled.“Youknow,Brent, exceptwhenIgorogueandtakealatelunch,IthinkyouknowmycalendaraswellasIdo”
Notbetter thanshedid,really,Anniethought,becauseshetookher obligations seriouslyandalways metthem,butBrent hadasteel-trapmindfordetailsandpridedhimselfonhisprecision Ifhewereapieceofjewelry,Anniesometimesjoked,he wouldbeaSwisswatch,classicanddependable.
“Istheresomethingspecificyouneedtospeakwithmeabout?”
“Ah,no,notreally Imissedseeingyouandwantedtofindouthowyourdaywasgoing”
She’dmisseddecompressingwithhimoverlunchaswell.“Sameasalways.Noproblems,butI’mreadyfortheweekend.” “Me,too”Forthefirsttime,ahesitancycreptintohistone “Doesdinneratsevenstillworkforyou?”
Itwasanoddquestion.TheyhadastandingdinnerdateeveryFridaynight.Oneweek,shewouldpicktherestaurant.The next,itwashisturn “Ofcourseitstillworks I’vebeendreamingaboutthesalmonatHungryPalateallweek” “Aboutthat.”Brentclearedhisthroat.“WouldyoumindifwewenttoBlackAprontonight?”
Itwasherweektopick.Heknewthataswellasheknewherschedule.Whichmadehisrequestallthemorepuzzling.
“Idon’tmind.YouknowIenjoythefoodthere,butIamcurious.Whythere?”
“BlackApronisclosertotheThirstyPug”Brent’stonegrewincreasinglyconfident “There’saretirementpartyforSandy MilleratthePug.Ithoughtwecouldstopby.”
SandyhadworkedatSensorTechformorethantwentyyears Thecompanyhadheldaretirementpartyforherearlierinthe week.
Annie had heard that Sandy’s friends in Compliance and Regulatory Reporting were throwing their own party for her Anniedidn’tknowanymorethanthat.
ItpuzzledherthatBrentwasinterestedinattending.Hispositiondidn’tintersectwithSandy’s,andthewomanwasagood thirtyyearsolderthanhewas
Curiosityhadherloweringhervoicetoaskonelastquestion.“Doyouknowher?”
“Imether atthe companypicnic lastsummer Plus,IheardScotParkwill be there” Brentactedas ifthe CFObeingin attendanceexplainedeverythingwhen,infact,thementiononlyconfusedhermore.“I’llpickyouupatseven.”
“Yes,seeyouatseven”Anniedroppedthephoneintoherpurse,wonderingwhyhe’dfelttheneedtoconfirmthetime It wasthesameeveryweek.Onlytherestaurantchanged.
Talking business, no matter how briefly, had Annie fighting the urge to head directly back to the office. She reminded herselfshestillhadagoodtwentyminutesleftonherlunchhour
Shewouldtakeafewminutestobrowsetheantiquestore’ssidewalksalebeforeheadingback.Herschedule,asBrenthad sounnecessarilyremindedher,wasopenuntilthree
ListeningtothehappychatteraroundherhadAnniewishingshehadafriendwithher.Thoughnoneofhergirlfriendswas particularlyintoantiques,theyalllovedtoshop.Ofcourse,iftheywerehere,thentheywouldprobablywanttostopforcoffee andsomethingsweet.
Thethoughtmadehersmile.Idly,shepickedupacast-irondoorstop,thensetitdown.
“IsthereanythingIcanhelpyoufind?”
Annie looked up into the smiling face of Sophie Wexman, the shop’s owner, who was sporting a bright blue Timeless Treasures T-shirt Withher full cheeks and long, darkhair pulled backinto a jauntytail, Sophie could pass for one of the studentsherprofessorhusbandtaughtatCollisterCollege.
“Thankyou,butI’mnotlookingforanythingspecific.”AnniewasacquaintedwithSophieandherhusband,Joe,notonly throughtheantiquestore.Theirpathshadcrossedatnumerouscivicevents.
Annie gestured with one hand. “I was on myway back to the office, but thenI saw your sign and all the goodies and couldn’tresist IthoughtI’dtakeafewminutestowanderandseeifanythingcatchesmyeye”
Sophiesmiled.“Thebestwaytofindunexpectedtreasures.” “Oh,miss,”anolderwomancalledout “Couldyouansweraquestionformeaboutthispiece?” “Be right there,” Sophie called to the woman, thenturned backto Annie. “If youdo have anyquestions, please let me know.”
Anniedidn’tanticipatethathappening Shewasmerelybrowsing,notbuying Thatwas,untilanitemclosetothecurb nearlyinthestreet caughthereye.Onastackofbooksbesideachannel-back chairbadlyinneedofrefurbishingsatacarvedwoodenbox
Annie wove her waythroughthe rows ofantiques to the boxand picked it up. Holdingit securely, she turned it inher hands Thewoodfeltsmooth,asifmanyhandshadhelditovertheyears Itsportedintricatescrollworkonthesides
Annielookedforaprice,butfoundnone.Wonderingifthetagmightbeinside,sheopenedthelid.Immediately,thebrass cylinderbegantorotate.Atinnymelodydriftedout.
Theairturnedthick,thewayitdidwhenastormmovedin,andallsoundsoflaughterandconversationdisappeared The sunmusthavemomentarilyslippedbehindtheclouds,becauseeverythingdimmed,includinghervision.
“Annie”
ThesoundofhernamehadAnniebobblingthebox.Thelidsnappedshut.Thefogcleared.
“I’msorry Ididn’tmeantostartleyou”HannahRogan,afriendofSophie’sandanamazingcupcakebaker,placedahand onAnnie’sarm.Concernfilledherblueeyes.“Areyouokay?Youhadthestrangestlookonyourface.”
“I’mfine.”Annieexpelledabreath.“Mygrandmotherhadamusicboxsimilartothisone.Seeingitmademethinkofher.”
As Annie smiled at Hannah, hoping to alleviate her concern, she noticed Hannahwore a Timeless Treasures shirt like Sophie’s.“Areyouworkingherenow?”
“I’mjusthelpingSophie outthis weekend More ringingup items thanansweringquestions I’mnotthatknowledgeable aboutantiques.”
“Ihaveaquestion,butit’sasimpleone.”Annieheldupthemusicbox.“Canyoutellmehowmuchthisis?”
“Letmelook.”HannahlifteditfromAnnie’shands.“Thereshouldbeapricetagonitsomewhere.”
“Ifthereis,Icouldn’tfindit.”
“Hmmm.”Turningitover,Hannahinspectedtheboxfromallangles. AnniewaitedforHannahtoopenthebox,butshedidn’t.
“You’re right No price tag anywhere That is so strange It must have gotten missed when we were tagging the merchandise.Sophiewillknow.”HannahliftedherhandandmotionedSophieover.
“Wecan’tfindapriceonthis,”Hannahannouncedwhenthebrunettedrewclose PuzzlementfilledSophie’shazeleyesasshestaredatthebox.
“It’samusicbox,”Anniesaidwhenthesilencelengthened “Iopenedthelid,anditworks,butIcouldn’tfindaprice” “ThisisthefirsttimeI’veseenit.”Sophieslowlyshookherhead.“It’snotoneofmyitems.”
Anniegesturedtothechairindesperateneedofreupholstering.“Itwassittingontopofthosebooksovertherenexttothe chair”
“Thebooksandchairaremine,but…”Sophieglancedonceagainatthemusicbox. “We’vehadacouplepeopledropstuffofftheynolongerwant,”HannahtoldAnnie “Buttheyletusknow Theydon’tjust setdownanitemandwalkaway.”
“It’samystery,allright”Sophietracedthescrollworkwithonefinger “It’slovely” “I’minterestedinbuyingit,”Annietoldher,surprisingherself.“Howmuchwillyoutakeforit?” “Youknowwhat?Youcanhaveit.”Sophiesmiled.“Youfoundit.It’sclearlymeantforyou.” “Butithastobelongtosomeone,”Annieinsisted “Thingsdon’tjustappearoutofnowhere” HannahandSophieexchangedglances.
“Actually,”Sophie’sgazereturnedtothemusicbox,thenshesmiledatAnnie,“sometimestheydo”
CHAPTER TWO That evening, ignoringthe sounds ofconversationand laughter fromnearbytables, Annie leaned slightlyforward, her gaze firmlyfixedonBrent “ThenSophiesaid,‘Sometimestheydo’”
HiseyesturnedpuzzledbehindthedarkframesofhisTomFordglasses.Tallerthanherownheightoffiveninebyagood fourinches,hewasleanandmuscular,andhishazeleyessparkledwithintelligence
Hishair,notreallybrownbutnotblondeither,wasalwaysstylishlycut.Itwashissmilethathaddrawnherin.Hewastoo oftenserious,butwhenhissmileflashed,itlituphisentirefaceandgavehimanalmost-boyishlook.
Heliftedhiswineglass,butdidn’ttakeadrink “Anyideawhatshemeant?”
“IbelieveSophiewasreferringtothestrangethingsthatarerumoredtohappeninGraceTown.”
Brentsetdownhisglassandliftedbothhands “Stillnotfollowing”
“Iforgetyou’renotoriginallyfromhere.It’slocal folklore.”Anniesmiled,knowingBrentwouldfindtheexplanationas amusingasshedid.“GraceTownisknownforunexplainablehappenings.”
Hemadea“pleasecontinue”motionwithahandthatsportedshort,manicurednails.
Annieconsideredhowtobestexplain.“Youknow,peopleseeingthingsthatdon’texist,animalsappearingthenvanishing, timewarps,stufflikethat”
Asexpected,Brentsmiled.“Putmeinthenot-a-believercategory.”
“Righttherewithyou,”Anniesaidimmediately,thenthoughtofthestrangesensationthathadwashedoverherwhenshe’d openedtheboxandheardthemusic.
“YouandI,weseelifethroughthesamelens.That’swhywe’resogoodtogether.”Brentgesturedforhertoliftherglass, thenheclinkedhisglassagainsthers.“Tosanityinasometimes-insaneworld.”
Brent had been in high spirits since he’d knocked on her door, precisely at seven. On the drive to Black Apron, he’d thankedherseveraltimesforlettinghimpicktherestaurantthisevening
Lastyear,sheandBrenthadaddedFridaydinnerstotheirweeklyschedules.WasthereaCPAalivewhodidn’tlikelists andschedules?Iftherewas,she’dyettomeetthem
Herpersonalschedulebeganwithrisingearly.Shegreetedthedaywithsunsalutations,wentforarun,thendrankagreen goddesssmoothieonherwalktotheoffice.Oncethere,sheenjoyedherfirstcupofcoffeeoftheday.
Asshe’ddiscoveredshewasathersharpestthreetofourhoursafterwaking,Anniefocusedhermorningsonperforming tasksthatrequiredthemostbrainpower.
Whenshefeltherselfslowingdownandenteringamiddayslump,itwastimeforlunch Overfoodandconversationwith Brent,she’drelaxandrecharge.
Afternoonswerereservedforthefunstuff investmentsanddebtmanagement Weekendswereforrelaxing.
Sofar,thisFridayeveninghitallthemarksforrestful.ThebistrowasontheCrippleCreekRiverWalk,andthey’dscored anoutsidetable AsBrenthadremindedherseveraltimesalready,thelocationwasperfect TheThirstyPug,wheretheparty wasbeingheld,wascloseenoughthatoncetheyfinishedtheirmeal,theycouldwalkthere.
Onthe drive toBlackApron,Annie hadagreedtobrieflystopinatthe bar once theyfinishedeating ThoughBrentkept insistingheonlywantedtosayhellotoScotandwishSandywell,Anniewasn’tfooled.
Shekepthertonecasual “WhatareyouhopingtoaccomplishwiththisvisittothePug?”
“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean.”Brentsetdownhisfork.“It’saparty.Doesthereneedtobeahiddenagenda?”
Hisinnocentexpressiondidn’tfoolher.
Anniemerelycontinuedtostareexpectantly.
“Okay” Brent blew out a breath “Jeff Brown is retiring, and Scot will be the one appointing the new director of Accounting.”
This was old news to Annie Her mother had spokencasuallywithher aboutthe position, sayingitwas tailor-made for someonewithherknowledgeofthecompany,educationandstrongworkethic.
Whathermotherdidn’tsay didn’thavetosay wasshewashopingthat,forAnnie,thiswouldbethefirststeptoward hereventuallybecomingthecompany’sCFO.
AnniecouldalreadyhearthegossipifsheappliedandwaschosenforJeff’sposition. Shewastooyoung
Therewereother,morequalifiedcandidates.
And the hardest one she would have to swallow: She would never have gotten the promotion if SensorTech wasn’t a family-ownedbusinessandhermotherwasn’ttheCEO.
“I’mqualified,”Brentsaid,“andIhopetodiscusswithScotmydesiretoadvanceinacasualsetting”
Annieblinkedandpulledhermindbacktotheconversationathand.
“Doyoureallythinkapartyinabaristhebestplaceforsuchadiscussion?”Anniekepthertoneeasy,notwantingBrentto thinkshewasjudginghim “Besides,youloveyourcurrentposition” “Ido,”Brentadmitted,almostgrudgingly.“ButIwantmore.Don’tyouwantmore?”
“I’mhappywiththejobI’mdoing”Annie’slipscurvedupward “Rightnow,it’saperfectfitforme”
Thoughsatisfiedwithhercurrentposition,Anniehadtoadmitshe’dbeentemptedtotellhermothershewasinterestedin beingconsideredforJeff’sposition.Shewoulddoagoodjob.Numberswereherthing,butshewasalsogoodwithpeople. AndsheknewSensorTech.
Brentstudiedher.
“I’mgoodwithpeople,thoughmaybenotas goodas you,”Brentacknowledged Itwas almost,Anniethought,as ifhe’d read her mind. “Beingthe director of Accountingwill give me management experience. I also want more moneyand more control IenjoyworkingatSensorTech Icertainlydon’twanttolookelsewhere,butIwantmore”
Annietookasipofwine.“Nothingwrongwithwantingtoadvanceinyourcareer.”
Shemightbewayoffonthis,butAnniewonderedifBrenthopedthathavingScotseehimwiththeCEO’sdaughterwould givehimalegupoverthecompetition.
Itwouldbeawastedeffort.Thefactthattheyweredatingwascommonknowledge,andAnnieknewScotwellenoughto knowthatanyhiringdecisionswouldbebasedsolelyonmerit
“Enoughtalkaboutwork,”Brentsaid.“IrealizeyourSaturdayafternoonsareusuallyreservedforvolunteering,butthere’s alectureatCollisteronmachinelearningandartificialintelligence They’rebringinginanexpertfromBoston”Hecockedhis head.“Interested?”
“It sounds fascinating.” Annie experienced a pang of regret. “Unfortunately, you’re right, I already have another commitment”
“Iknewitwasalongshot.”Brentshruggedgood-naturedly.“What’sontheagendaforthisweek?” “Olivia”
“She’svolunteeringwithyou?”Brentaskedwhenshedidn’timmediatelyelaborate.
Annie figured he could be excused for notremembering This would be onlyher second time “I’mtakingpetphotos at PawsHaven.”
Asateenager,Anniehadfalleninlovewithphotography.Everyonesaidshehadmadskills.Recallingthatinterestandher talentwitha camera, her friend Olivia had approached her abouttakingpictures ofadoptable pets for Paws Haven’s social mediaposts.
Theno-killanimalshelter,runbyOlivia,mightnotbefancy,buttheplacehadachillvibewithitsanimal-themedmurals andclassicalmusicthatplayedduringfeedingandquiettimes.
“Seriously?”Brentsippedhiswine “Ithoughtlastweekwasaone-timething”
“Last weekwas a trial ofsorts. The response to the pics exceeded everyone’s expectations, so Olivia asked ifIcould comeinweekly.”
“Catsinbowties?Dogsinhats?”Brentchuckledandshookhishead
“Ihad mydoubts as well. Iwondered ifitwould make a difference.” Awarmthflowed throughAnnie as she thoughtof whatherfriendhadtoldher “Oliviasaidtheywereflooredbytheresponse”
“Shewouldknow.”Brentgesturedtoawaiterthathewasfinishedwithhisplate.
“Youmayalsotakemine.”Annieofferedawarmsmiletotheyoungmanwho’dstoppedattheirtable.
“Olivia said to thinkofitas lookingyour bestfor a job interview,” she said to Brentwhentheywere alone again. She smiledatthethought.“Theybatheandgroomtheanimalsbeforethepictures,thenbringouttheclothingandprops.”
“I don’t understand why they asked you.” Brent appeared clearly puzzled. “No disrespect, but it’s not like you’re a professionalphotographer.”
“Theycan’taffordaprofessional,”Annietoldhim “OliviarememberedmyloveofphotographywhenIwasyoung When brainstormingwithherteamoverwhomighthelp,shethoughtofme.”
“Youcan’ttellmetheycouldn’tfindanotherpersonwiththesameskilllevelandfarfewerprofessionalresponsibilities” Brentgavealittlelaugh.“AskingaCPAtotakeanimalphotosislikeaskingadoctortocoachLittleLeague.”
“I’msureifbaseballwasapassionforthatdoctor,shewouldgladlyvolunteer”AnniemetBrent’sgaze “Thefactthatit givesmeareasontopickupacameraagainmadeitallthemoreappealing.Besides,Oliviaismyfriend,andIsupportPaws Haven’smission.”
“Itsurprisesmetheirmissionspeakstoyou”Hesippedhisdrink “Ithoughtweagreedthatanimalsaredirty” Annie’seyeswidened.“WhywouldyouthinkIfeelthatway?”
“RememberwhenIsaidcatsdon’tbelonginacoffeeshoporaplacewherefoodisserved,andyouagreedwithme?”
Thememoryofthatparticularconversationcameintosharpfocus.Anniehadmentionedanewlyopenedcatcoffeeshop, andBrenthadrespondedthathehatedgettingcathaironhisclothes
“Inever saidanimalsaredirty.Iagreedwithyouaboutnotlikingcathair onmyclothes.Ididn’tsayI’mopposedtocat coffee shops or cafés.” Annie toyedwiththe stemofher wineglass.“IthinkyouandIshouldcheckoutthatnew one before makinganydecisions”
“Nothappening,”BrentsaidinsuchadecisivetoneitmadeAnniechuckle.
“Okay,I’llfindsomeoneelsetogowithme”
“Another reasonIthought youaren’t into animals younever talkabout havinga pet.” Brent sat backinhis chair. “Or wantingone.”
“Actually,IhadaShihTzugrowingup.Weadoredhim.”Anniethoughtoftheblack-and-whitefeistyball offur,andher smilefellaway.“Erniepassedawaywhenhewasfourteen.Iwaseleven,andhe’dalwaysbeenthere.Imissedhimsomuch. Wealldid”
CuriosityfilledBrent’seyes.“Didyougetanotherone?”
Her familyhad planned to Annie remembered the discussionabout whether theyshould get another ShihTzuor if that wouldleadtounfaircomparisons.
Thenher father’spuzzlingsymptomshadgrownmorepronounced.Hisdevastingdiagnosishadcrushedanythoughtsofa newpuppy.
“No,”Anniesaidwhenthesilencelengthened,andsherealizedBrentwaswaitingforaresponse.“Weneverdid.” Itstruckherthat,inallthemonthsthey’dbeendating,she’dneverspokenofherfather’sillnesswithBrent She’dtoldhim earlyonthatherfatherhadpassedwhenshewasyoung,butshe’dneverexplainedhow,andBrenthadneverasked. Shewasn’tsurewhy Thoughherdad’sbattlewithALSwasn’tasecret,shehadn’tfeltableorwillingtoshare Somedayshewould,shethought,butnottoday.
As if sensing her sadness, Brent reached over and laid his hand over hers. She let it rest there for several seconds, absorbingthewarmthofthesimpletouch,thenliftedherhandtopickupherwineglass “I’mconsideringgettingacat There’s aSiameseattheshelterwhostaresatmewithsuspiciouseyes.Ikindoflikethatabouther.Shehasspunk.”
“Oneword,”Brentsaid “Cathair” “That’stwowords.”
“Seriously,doyoureallywanttoshowupatworkwithhairalloveryourclothes?”
“That’swhatlintrollersarefor.”Anniekepthertonelight.
“I’mallergictocats.”Brenttookthebillfromthewaiter.Afterpullingouthiscreditcard,hewaitedforAnnietoaddhers. Earlyintheir relationship, Brent had brought up the fact that, since theybothworked and likelyearned about the same amountofmoney,thefairthingwouldbeforthemtopaytheirownwaywhentheywentout.
Seeingthe logic, Annie had agreed Thoughshe did find itamusingthatiftheywere outwithBrent’s friends, he always insistedonpickingupthetab.
“Sincewhenareyouallergictocats?”ShesetherAmericanExpresscardonthetraywithhisVisa “Younevermentioned itbefore.”
Brentshrugged.“Sincealways.”
“Well,ifyou’reallergic,Isuggestyounotgetacat”
“IfIcomeovertoyourplace,andthecatisthere ”
“Whichitwouldbeifitlivedthere”Annieliftedherwineglasstofinishoffthelastofthered “Thatwouldbeaproblem.”
Annieunderstoodwherehewascomingfrom,buthisfriendAlanandhiswifehadacat,andBrentwatchedfootballgames atAlan’shousewithoutanyproblemthatsheknewof.SincethiswasthefirsttimeBrenthadmentionedanykindofallergies, shehadtowonder…
“Besides,you’remuchtoobusyatworktotakeonapet.”
Annieslowlyloweredthewineglass.“Excuseme?”
“You’ve got a lot onyour plate, what withthe new fiscal year startingJulyfirst Have youevenfinished your forecast analysis?”
Anniewaswellawareofherjobdutiesandresponsibilities Shecertainlydidn’tneedhimtoremindher “Don’tworryaboutme. I’mwell aware whatneeds to getdone.” Her voice now held a hintofcoolness thatshe found impossibletowarm “I’llbeready”
“Ididn’tmeantoimplythatyouwouldn’tbe.”WhenBrent’sgazemethers,shesawonlyadmiration.“Askanyone.Thereis noonemoreresponsiblethanAnnieLaggett.”
CHAPTER THREE ThedesignersoftheThirstyPughadgoneforawarehousevibe.Whilethelookwastrendyandcool,aftertenminutesinside, Annieconcludedmoremoneyshouldhavebeenspentonsoundbaffles
Theband,broughtinfromDC,wasgood,butloud.Eveninthefarbackofthebar,whereSandy’spartywasbeingheld,the bassreverberatedoffthewalls
“Whydon’tyoustayhere?”Brentsaidinherear.“It’sbestIspeakwithScotalone.”
Annienoddedheragreement.Itappearedshe’dbeenwrong.Brentwasn’tlookingtotradeonhisconnectiontoher.
ThethoughthadhersmilingasshemovedtowardSandy Shewaitedpatientlyforabreakinthewell-wishers,thenstepped forward.
“Ihopeyouhaveawonderfulretirement”Annieofferedthegray-hairedwomanawarmsmile Surprise flickered inthe older woman’s eyes, butitwas quicklyreplaced withpleasure. “Thanks for stoppingby. Your motherstoppedbytheworkpartyonTuesday.Iwasshocked.Ididn’teventhinksheknewwhoIwas.”
“Ofcoursesheknowsyouandappreciatesallyou’vedoneforSensorTech.Mymotheralwayssaysacompanyisonlyas goodasitspeople,”Anniesaid.“Myfatherbelievedthataswell.”
“Iknewyourfather”
“Youdid?”
“HewastheCEOwhenIstarted”Sandyshookherhead “Noneofuscouldbelieveitwhenhewasdiagnosed” Annie’shearttwisted.“Itwasadifficulttimeforeveryone.”
“Well,Iappreciateyoustoppingby.”Sandygesturedwithonehand.“Havesomecake.Wehaveplenty.”
“Thankyou.”Annieglancedatthechocolatesheetcakewithwhiteicing.“Itlooksdelicious.”
WhensheleftSandy,Anniedidn’theadforthecake.Instead,shesteppedbackfromthecrowdandobserved.Whenshe’d hadtoraisehervoicetoofferhercongratulationstoSandy,she’dknownBrentwasnotgoingtogetthequietconversationwith Scotthathe’dcomefor.
Now, she watched Brentstealthilymake his wayto where the CFOstood Brenthad nearlyreached his targetwhenthe CFO’seyeslandedonAnnie.AsmileliftedScot’slips.Inlongstrides,ScotstrodeovertowhereAnniestoodalone. “Thisisanicesurprise.”Nowinhismid-fifties,ScothadbeenwithSensorTechsinceitsfoundingbyherfather.
Thetwomenhadbeengoodfriendsandcollegeroommates Scotandhiswifehadbecomecouple-friendsofherparents AnnierememberedhowsupportivebothScotandNancyhadbeenduringherfather’sillness.
Onceherfatherhadbecometoosicktoworkandhermotherhadsteppedintoheadthefamily-ownedcompany,Scothad beenthereforbothofherparents.
Tothisday,Scotremainedhermother’sright-handman Notonlydidhermothertrusthimimplicitly,butScotwasalsoan excellentCFO.He’ddoneastellarjobofhoninghisskillstokeepupwiththechangingtimes.
“Sandywasalongtimeemployee.”Annieshookherhead,amazedatallthepeoplestillcrowdedaroundthecaketableand Sandy “I’mgladtoseehergettingsuchanicesendoff”
“Itwaskindofyoutostopby.”ScotglancedinSandy’sdirection.“Thedecisiontoretirewasadifficultoneforher ” ThatwasallScotgotoutbeforeBrentappearedatAnnie’sside
“It was actuallymyidea to stop by.” Brent slunganarmaround Annie’s shoulders. “Like you, I believe these kinds of thingspromoteteambuilding”
Forasecond,Scot’ssmileappearedfrozenonhisface.Tohiscredit,hequicklyrallied.“Iagreewithyou…Brent.”
BrentmustnothavenoticedScot’smomentaryhesitationinretrievinghisname,becausehesmiledbroadly.“I’vegotalot ofgoodideasforteam-buildingeffortsthatcouldbeimplementedintheAccountingDepartment.Jeffdidhisbest,but ” “Jeffhasdoneanexcellentjobinhisposition”ScotshiftedhisfocustoAnnie “Goodtoseeyou” Withonequicksmile,Scotturnedonhisheelandstrodeoff.
“IwasgladIhadtheopportunitytolethimknowI’mpassionateaboutteam-building” “WereyoureallyplanningonslammingJeff?”
AlookofdistresscrossedBrent’sface “No Ofcoursenot Ihopethatwasn’twhathethought Hedidn’tgivemeachance tofinish,somaybeitsoundedlike…”Alookofmiseryonhisface,Brentrakedahandthroughhishair.“Doyoureallythink that’swhathethoughtIwasdoing?”
Anniehadgottentheimpressionthat’sexactlywhatScothadthought,butshetoldherselfshewasn’tamindreader “Idon’t know.Idoknowthismusicisgivingmeaheadache.Areyoureadytoleave?”
Oncetheyreachedherfrontdoor,Anniesaidgood-byetoBrent.Sheknewhe’dexpectedtocomeinside,buthehadn’tpushed when she’d told himher headache had only gotten worse He often spent the night after their Friday night dinners In the morning,he’dsetthetableandmakecoffeewhileshewhippedtogetherham-and-cheeseomelets,afavoriteofbothofthem.
TheThirstyPughadbeen,asshe’dexpected,noisyandcrowded Onanothernight,Anniemighthaveenjoyedtheenergyin theroom.Butafterabusyweek,shehadwishedforsomeplacequieter,aplacewheresheandBrentcouldhaverelaxedand talked.
Aftershedonnedherpajamas,Anniebrewedsometea,thentookthecup,alongwithacoupleofOtterbein’slemonsugar cookies,tothelivingroom.
Sheworkedhardtoensureeveryplaceshelivedinhadawarm,cozyfeel Aftershe’dboughtthishouse,she’dusedfamily antiquestocreatethatambience.
Thoughher Victorian-era townhouse was nowhere near as grand as the home she’d grownup in, itsuited her She also likeditsproximitytothebusinessdistrict.
All the homes onher blocksported prettycolors commonto the late 1800s and early1900s. She considered hers to be particularlyattractive,withits yellow siding,whitetrimandredaccents Houses inthis areawererarelyfor sale,butwhen thisonehadcomeonthemarketfiveyearsago,she’dsnatcheditup.
Takingaseatonthesofa,shesippedhertea EnjoyingacupofPeacefulSlumberteahadbecomeanightlyritual Whenshe tookabiteofoneofOtterbein’sthin,crispycookies,shenearlysighedwithcontentment.
Atthis moment,Annieconsideredher lifetobepracticallyperfect Shehadacareer sheenjoyed Shecamehomeevery nightto a house she’d personallyfurnished withitems thatbroughther joy. Whenshe walked throughthe frontdoor and the warmthofthehomewrappedaroundherlikeafavoritesweater,anyworriesfromthedayslippedoffhershoulderstopoolat herfeet
Annie also loved thatshe’d devised a schedule thatkepther ontrack. She spentFridayand Saturdaynights withBrent, volunteeredonSaturdayafternoonsandenjoyedSundaybrunchwithfriends OnSundaynights,shehaddinnerwithhermom
Anothersipofteapracticallybeggedforasweetcookiechaser.Aftergivingintotemptation,shewasabouttoputherfeet uponaneedlepointottomanwhenhergazesettledonthemusicbox.
Whenshe’darrivedhomethisafternoon,she’dbeeninahurrytogetreadyforherdatewithBrentandhadsimplyplacedit on the burled walnut parlor table. The location seemed appropriate, considering the table had also come from Timeless Treasures
Overcomebyanirresistibleurge,Anniestoodandcrossedtothemusicbox.Thescrollworkreallywasimpressive.She wonderedhowithadendedupatthesidewalksale Whowouldhavesimplydroppedoffsuchanenchantingitem?Andwhy?
OnethingAnniedidknow ithadn’tsimplyappearedoutofnowhere.RememberingtheseriousexpressionsonHannah’s andSophie’sfaceswhenthey’dmadetheirproclamationmadehersmile.
EventhoughGraceTownwasknownforbeingaplacewheretheunexplainablehappened,she’dlivedheremostofherlife andhadneverseenanyevidenceofsuchthings.
Gazingdownattheprettybox,Anniewonderedwhattunesthecylinderheld
One?Orperhapsmore?Sherememberedher grandmother’sboxhadplayedahandfuloftunes.
Shouldshelistentooneofthemelodiesbeforeorafterdoinghereveningstretches?
Musicfirst,shedecided,andreachedforthebox.
Atunebeganplayingtheinstantsheopenedthelid.AsAnnielistenedintentlytotheunfamiliarmelody,theworldaround herfaded
Her father stoodbeforeher,atwinkleineyesthatwereasblueasher own.Erniesatathisfeet,thumpinghistail onthe hardwood
AsAnniewatched,loveroseupinsideher forherdadandforthissweetlittledog. Shewasnomorethanten,atallganglygirl,alllonglegsandarms,withteeththatseemedtoobigforherface.Butwhen herdadlookedather,shefeltbeautiful “Let’sdoit.”Herdadextendedhishand.
Thepitter-patterofraindropssoundedontheroof Sincetheroofovertheporchkeptanyrainfromcomingin,herdadhad openedthefrontdoor.
Likehim,Annielovedthesmellofrainonafreshlymowedyard Itwaftedinthroughthescreendoor Her mother andbrother were outwithfriends this springafternoon,soitwas justher andher dad.They’dspentthe day hikingandtakingpicturesinthewoodsontheedgeofGraceTown.
He’d shownher some new tricks withthe digital camera, and they’d gottenseveral amazingshots They’d arrived home justastherainhadbegun.
Concernforthecamerahadthemsprintingupthesteps
Nowthecamerawassafelyinside,andherdadhadsuggestedawalkintherain. AnnieglanceddownatErnie “Ishecomingwithus?”
As ifsuddenlyaware oftheir scrutinyand equallyaware ofwhattheywere discussing, Ernie shrankback, eyes darting backandforth.
“YouknowErniedoesn’tliketogetwet”Peterleaneddowntoscratchthedog’shead “Doyou,buddy?”
“Isitokayforustobeoutwhenit’sraining?”Anniewastorn.“Evenwhenitlookslikeitcouldrain,Mommakesmetake anumbrella”
“Agoodprecaution,especiallyifthere’ssomewhereyouneedtobeandyoudon’twanttoshowuptheresoakingwet.But I’vealwaysbelievedweshouldapproachlifewithoptimismandchallengeourselvestotrynewthings.”Herdadstudiedher. “You’vegotanadventurousspirit.It’stimetoletthatspiritsoar.”
Sheplacedherhandinhis,andtheysteppedouttogetherintotherainandtheirnextadventure.
Amistengulfedher,andAnnie’s smile faded Insteadofdancingwithher father inthe rain,she was inthe parlor ofher parents’home,watchingherselfonthesofa.Herbrother,Erik,wasnexttoher.
Erniehadpassedmonthsearlier,hisbowlandbedgoneasifhe’dneverexisted Herparentssatinthechairsoppositethesofa,theirexpressionsgrave.
Anniecastasidewaysglanceatherbrother.Foronce,Erikwasn’taskinghowlongthiswasgoingtotake.Itwasasifhe sensed,asdidshe,thatthiswasserious.
Therehadbeenundertones ofsomethingserious for weeks.Frequenttrips todoctors hereandinnearbyBaltimore,even one earlier inthe weektoDurham,NorthCarolina Bothher mother andfather hadappearedsadwhenthey’dreturnedafter thattrip.
Whichwaswhy,whenthey’dsaidithadbeenanexhaustingfulldayoftests,neitherAnnienorherbrotherhadpressedfor details.
Privately,shethoughtitprobablyhadtodowithherfather’sfootissues.Maybeheneededsurgeryorsomething.Ateleven, she wasn’tsure whatkindofsurgerywouldfixankle weakness,butshe knew the ankle splint her dadcalleditanAFO hadn’thelped.
Therewerealotofstairsintheirhouse Ifherfatherneededhelpgettingupanddownthemuntilhewasallbetter,Annie wantedhimtoknowshewasthereforhim.
Sheopenedhermouthtomaketheoffer,butherfatherspokefirst “Wehavesomedifficultnewstosharewiththetwoofyou.”PeterLaggett’sgazeremainedsteadyonherandErik. “Areyougettingadivorce?”Erikblurted.
Annieinhaledsharply
Hermother’seyeswidened.
Obviouslystartled,herdadsaidnothingforseveralseconds
AnnieknewwhydivorcewasonErik’smind.HisfriendKenny’sparentshadjustsplit. “No”Tarynspokefirst,reachingovertoclaspherhusband’shand “YourfatherandIloveeachotherverymuch” “Soverymuch,”Petermurmured,hiseyesnowfocusedonhiswife. “Thenwhythefamilyconference?”Erikasked.
“Isityourankle?”Anniedroppedhergazetothesplintonherfather’sleftfoot “Doyouhavetohavesurgerytomakeit better?”
Herdadgaveahumorlesslaugh “Iwishitwasthatsimple,sweetheart”
The sadness inhis eyes had tears fillingher own. She loved her dad, loved himso verymuch. ThoughAnnie and her motherwereclose,itwasherdadwhodancedintherainwithherandwhosharedherpassionforphotographyanddogs. Herdadhadbeentheonewho’dheldherwhenthedecisionhadbeenmadetoputErniedown.
Hermotherandbrotherhadn’twantedtobeintheroomwhenthevethadcomeover,butherdadhadbeentherewithher.
They’dstrokedErnie’ssoftfurandtoldhimoverandoverhowmuchtheylovedhim,cryingtogether.
JustrecallingthattimehadtearsfillingAnnie’seyes.
“Imightas well sayit” Her dad’s voice remained softbutsteadyevenas his eyes the same vivid blue as her own filled with tears. “I have ALS. That’s why my ankle is weak, and it explains some of the other symptoms I’ve been experiencing”
Twotearssliddownhermother’scheeksbeforeshehurriedlybrushedthemaway.
BesideAnnie,Erikstiffened “WhatisALS?”
“Isitbad?”EvenasAnnieaskedthequestion,shewasn’tsureshewantedtoknow.
“ALSstandsforamyotrophiclateralsclerosis.AlsoknownasLouGehrig’sdisease.”Herdadpausedtoclearhisthroat. “It’sadiseaseofthenervoussystemthataffectsnervecellsinthebrainandspinalcord”
“Is thatwhyyouhave problems withyour foot?” Annie found her eyes droppingto the AFObefore theyreturned to her father’sface “Willitgetbetter?”
“Yesandno.”
This time,Annie saw the profoundgriefinher father’s eyes,the same sadness she’dseeninhis blue depths whenErnie died.
“Yes,theALSiswhatiscausingthefootweakness.Andno,itwon’tgetbetter.Infact,itwillonlygetworse.”Herfather’s gazeshiftedfromAnnietoherbrotherandbackagain “I’mgoingtoneedforbothofyoutostaystrongforyourmother”
“Thingsaroundherewillbechanging,”hermothersaid.“YourdadandIaregoingtoneedyourhelparoundheremorethan ever”
“You’lleventuallygetbetter,right?”FearhadAnnie’svoicetremblingasshefocusedonherfather’sashenface.
Shebarelynoticedherbrotherreachingovertotakeherhand,hisfingersasice-coldashers.
“Letmeexplainwhatwe’relookingat.Ithinkitwillhelpforyoutounderstandhowthisdiseasewillaffectme.”Herdad leanedforward;hisexpressionserious.“ALS…”
Thevisiongrayed,andAnniewasnowstandinginthefoyerofherparents’home,herhandgrippingherbrother’sarm “Forgetthecarnival.Youneedtostayanddohistherapy.”Annie’svoicemightbesoft,butlikehergrip,itwasedgedwith steel “It’sonyourlist”
“Youmightaswelldoit.”Erik’stoneheldabelligerentedge.“Ineverdoitgoodenoughtosuityou.Besides,whatdoesit matter?He’snotgoingtogetstronger.He’sjustgoingtodieanyway.”
Anniehadneverhitanyoneinherlife,butatthatmoment,that’sexactlywhatshewantedtodotoherbrother. “Dadisafighter.He ”
Erikjerkedhisarmaway “Don’tyousee?NomatterwhatIdo,oryoudo,he’sstillgoingtodie What’sthepointofthe therapyanyway?He’snotgoingtowalkagain.Rightnow,hecan’tevensitupwithouthelp.”
Despite his cool demeanor,the thickeninginErik’s voice hadher suspectinghe was nowhere near as unconcernedas he appeared.Overthepastyear,theirfather’sconditionhadprogressedfarmorerapidlythaneventhedoctorshadanticipated. “Youneedtostoppretending,Annie.”Erik’s tonesoftened.“Nothingyou’redoingis goingtochangeanything.He’s still goingtodie”
“He knows I’mhere for him. He knows he can count on me.” She sneered. “Go on. Go with your friends. I’ll do the therapy I’llbehereforhim”
Shewouldbethereforherdad. Until the end. Just like Ernie.
Anniedidn’twaitfor thedoor toshutbehindher brother Turningaway,shemovedintotheparlor thatnow resembleda hospitalsuite.
Asherfather’sconditionhaddeteriorated,navigatingthestairshadbecomeimpossible.Besides,ashermotherhadsaid, forcingsomecheerintohervoice,PeterLaggettwantedtobearoundhisfamily,notholedupawayfromeveryone
Movingtoher father’sside,Anniegazeddownatthefacethathadgrownsothinas swallowinghadbecomemoreofan issue Hiseyeswereclosed,andheappearedtobesleeping
How will I live without you, Daddy?
Hestirred Forasecond,sheworriedshe’dspokenherfearsaloud Hiseyesremainedclosedevenasheemittedaweak cough.Overthepastmonth,herdad’sbreathinghadgrownmuchworse.
There had beena time whenone ofher duties had beento charthis blood oxygenationlevels. Lastweek, they’d grown alarminglylow WhenAnniehadbroughtthattohermother’sattention,hermomhadeliminatedthattaskfromAnnie’slistof duties.
Her dad refused to consider a ventilator Her momhad said there was no reasonto chartsomethingthatwould onlyget worsebecauseoflung-muscleweakness.
Anniecouldn’tstop.
Secretly, she continued to keep track, the simple actofchartingmakingher feel more solid, more incontrol evenas the saturationlevelscontinuedtodrop.
“Don’tcry.”
Hiseyeswereopen,andherdadwasgazingatherwithsuchlovethatshecriedonlyharder.
“I’llalwaysbewithyou”Thewordsmightbebarelyaudible,butsheheardhimclearly Wrappingherarmsaroundherself,sheshookherheadvigorously.
“Youwon’t You’llbegone”Appalled,Annieslappedahandoverhermouth “Iwill.”Hiseyesremainedserious.“JustasErnieisstillwithyou,I’llbewithyou,too.”
“Iwantyouhere withme” Her voice rose,thenbroke Tears slippeddownher cheeks ina steadystream “Iwantus to takeourcamerasandgosearchinginthewoodsfortheperfectpicture.Iwanttodanceintherainwithyouagain.Iloveyouso much,Daddy.”
“Iwantedsomuchtowatchyougrow andseewhatdirectionyourwonderfullifetakesyou”Sadnessblanketedhisface, and she could see the effort it was takingfor himto speak. “I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter. Thankyoufor all you’vedoneforme Butplease,please,whenyourememberme,don’tremembermesickandinthisbed Thinkbacktothelife wehadbeforeand ”
Shereachedforhishand,butencounteredonlyair
Annieblinkedandrealizedthatinsteadofbeingwithherdad,shewasinherownhome,herfacewetwithtears. Sheswipedathercheeks.
Whathadhappened?Hadshefallenasleep?Thelastactionsherememberedwasopeningtheboxtohearwhatmelodyit wouldplay.Sheturnedtowardthebox,silentnowthatitssonghadended.Carefully,sheshutthelid.
Thoughherfatherhadbeenright hewasneverfarfromherthoughts,andsheknewhewouldremaininherheartforever hisdeathhadleftagapingholeinherlife.
Seeinghimagain,talkingwithhim…
Thedreamhadbeensoreal,sovivid.Annietookseveraldeepbreaths,hopingtoeasetheacheinherheart.
Not onlyhad she lost her father, she’d lost the closeness withher brother they’d once enjoyed. She and Erikhad been friendsbeforetheirdadhadbeendiagnosedwithLouGehrig’sdisease Notsomuchafter
Anniecouldadmitthatshe’dneverreallyforgivenhimfornotbeingtherefortheirdad.Insteadofdoingwhathecouldto help,he’ddisappearedwithhisfriendseverychancehe’dgotten
Evenatthememorialservice,he’dwalkedoutwhiletheyweregreetingthosewho’dcometopaytheirrespectstoagreat man. Her mother had had no clue where he’d gone, and neither had Annie. One second, Erikhad beenwiththemas they’d enteredthechurch,andthenext,he’dbeengone.Shortlybeforetheservicehadbegun,he’dslidintothepew,hiseyesdry,his faceastonymask.
Hadsheeverseenhimcryovertheirfather?Shedidn’tthinkso
Crossingtheroom,AnniewrappedtremblingfingersaroundthewarmChinacupandforcedherselftotakeafinal sipof herteabeforeheadingupthestairstoherbedroom
Oncethere,sheopenedthetopdrawerandtookoutablackvelvetcase.Nestledinsideonesideoftheheart-shapedlocket thatherfatherhadgivenherforhertenthbirthdaywasaphotoshe’dtakenofhimbeforehe’dbecomeill.Hewaslaughingand lookingsoincrediblyhealthyandhappy
Gazingdownatthephotoonelasttime,Annieexpelledalongbreath,thenclosedthelocket.
CHAPTER FOUR Forthosewhoworkedninetofiveduringtheweek,Saturdaywastheiropportunitytosleepin.
Anniepreferredtostayonschedule IfBrentwouldhavebeenhere,he’dhavemadecoffeewhileshewhippedupomelets Thetablewouldbesetwithlinennapkins,sterlingflatwareandcrystalglassesfororangejuicebecause,asBrentsaid,“Why dosomethingifyoudon’tdoitright?”
Since Brentwasn’there,Annie followedher regular workdayschedule.She didher yoga,hada runanda smoothie and triednottothinkaboutlastnight’sdream.
Ithadtobeadream,didn’tit?Moreofanightmare,really,onewhereshe’dstoodbackandwatchedherperfectlifefall apart.Whenshehadbeenwithherfather,theloveintheairhadbeensostrong.
Photographyhadbeentheirthing,thesamewayanintenseloveofsportshadbeensomethingheandErikhadshared She couldn’tremember the number ofnights she’d watched her brother and her dad shoothoops inthe driveway, or do lacrosse drillsintheyard.
Whenhe picked up a basketball or a lacrosse stick, was Erikhitwiththe same bittersweet pangshe feltwhenever she pickeduphercamera?
He’dneversaid,andshehadn’tasked
She didn’t resent being the one who’d been around the most those memories were precious to her. ALS might have robbedPeterLaggettofhismotorskillsandmadehisbodyashell,butthemanhewashadstillbeenthere
Conscious of the tears now slippingdownher cheeks, Annie brushed themawaywiththe pads of her fingers. Her dad wantedhertobehappy,ofthatshehadabsolutelynodoubt.
Andshewashappy,wasn’tshe?
Yes,shewashappy,shetoldherself,perhapsalittletooemphatically.Shehadagreatjob,awonderfulboyfriendandgood friends
Okay,somaybe,asherfriendsgentlyteased,shewasalittletoostrictwithfollowingaroutine,butthatwasonlybecause shelikedknowingwhattoexpecteachday
Shemighthavelikedsurpriseswhenshe’dbeenachild,butnotanymore.Notsinceshe’ddiscoveredthatnotallsurprises werehappyones.
Today,shewouldvisittheanimalshelter Thatwouldmakeherhappy Foranumberofyears,Saturdayhadbeenwhatshe thoughtofasherdayforgivingback.
ThevolunteergigatPawsHavenwasnew,butbeforeshe’dtakenthaton,Anniehadworkedtoorganizedonationsatthe foodbank,servedlunchatthelocalsoupkitchenandfilledinasaliteracyvolunteer.
This afternoon, she would stop bythe shelter and do her bestto getstellar photos ofspecific animals to be used onthe shelter’ssocialmediaaccounts.
Thebuzzeronherphonealertedherthatitwastimetogetmoving.Sheneededtoleaveinthirtyminutes.
After strippingoffher runningclothes, Annie tooka quickshower Since this wasn’t her first time at Paws Haven, she knewwhattoexpect lotsofupsanddownsinordertogetthebestphotos.Whichmeantthatdressingcasuallyinleggingsand ateewouldbethesmartchoice
Whenshe drove up, she saw thatthe shelter’s parkinglotappeared to be close to halffull. Annie hoped the number of vehicleswasanindicationthatlotsofanimalswouldbeheadedtotheirforeverhomesthisweekend
Normally,Anniestoppedatthefrontdeskwhenshecametotheshelter.SinceOliviawasthedirector,Annieknewmostof
the staffand manyofthe volunteers. Everyone appeared busy, so she slipped throughthe staffdoor withjusta smile and a wavetoDelbert,thegrizzledseniormanningthefrontdesktoday.
“Oh,Annie”Zara,oneoftheadoptioncounselors,stoppedherinthehall “Ihavesomebadnews” Annie inhaled sharply, and her heartskipped a beat. She shifted the canvas bagthatwas slungover her shoulder. “Is it Olivia?Issheokay?”
“Oliviaisfine.She’saroundheresomewhere.”Zaramadeavaguegesturewithonehand.“It’saboutIsis,theSiameseyou wereinterestedin Shewasadoptedlastnight”
“Bywho?”Anniedidn’tknowwhysheasked.Itdidn’tmatter.ItappearedIsiswasgone.
“Acouple who’d losttheir Siamese earlier this year. She was justwhattheywere lookingfor.” Zara’s tone gentled. “I knewyouwereinterested,butyouhadn’tdecidedifyouwerereadytocommittoapet ”
“Youdidtherightthing,”Annieassuredher.“Ihadn’tdecided,andnowshehasagoodhome.”
ReliefwashedoverZara’sface “Whew Iwasworried”
“Nocauseforworryatall.”Soundsoflaughterspilledfromtheviewingarea,andAnniecouldn’thelpbutsmile. Theseindividualareashadbeensetupsothatpotentialadopterscouldspendtimewithapettheywereconsideringmaking apartoftheirfamily.
“Soundslikeyouhavealotofpotentialmatches.”
“Whichisgood,consideringwearenearcapacity”Zarabroughtafingertoherlips “Iknowyouwereconsideringacat, buthaveyouthoughtaboutgettingadog?”
“Notreally Imean,wehadaShihTzuforyearswhenIwasyoung Hedied,andthenmydadgotsick ”Anniestopped Shecertainlydidn’tneedtospillherlifestorytosomeonewhohadadozenthingstodo. Heronlyexcusewasthatlastnight’sdreamremainedfreshinhermind.
“ShihTzu,eh?”Zarasmiled.“Afteryoutakeyourphotos,comelookforme.”
“Sure.Icandothat.”Anniecockedherhead.“Butwon’tyoubeassistingmetoday?”
Lastweek,Zarahaddressedthepetsandgottenthemintoposition
“Nottoday.Jadecalledinsick,sowe’reanadoptioncounselorshort.”Zaraheldupahandtoawomanapproaching.“I’ll berightthere”
“Who’sgoingtobemyassistant?”
“Thatwouldbeme.”
Annieturned,andtherestoodamanshehadn’tseenbefore.Hewasclosetoherownagewithhairthecolorofwalnutand afriendlysmile.
“SawyerMoorhead,atyourservice”
Extendingherhand,Anniereturnedhissmile.“AnnieLaggett.Amateurphotographer.”
Thehandthatclaspedherswaswarmandfirm Whenhesmiled,helookedherstraightintheeyes Notdifficultsincethey werethesameheight.“Nothingamateuraboutlastweek’sphotos.Goodstuff.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat,butOliviasaidthesheltersawanuptickincallsandmessagesaboutthefeaturedpets.Thatmakes mehappy”
“Wherewillyoubetakingphotosoftoday?”
Bringingafingertoherlips,Annieconsidered “Lastweek,weusedaroomintheback,butitwasn’tideal I’dreallylike togetsomeofthemoutdoors.”
Henoddedagreeably “Wheredoyouhaveinmind?”
Itappearedthathewaswillingtoletherdrivethistrain.Thatwasokaywithher.Shelikedcallingtheshots. “There’saspotbehindtheshelter.It’sfencedin,whichisdefinitelydesirable.”
Hissmileflashed “Don’tfeellikechasingarunawaydog?”
“Um, not today.” She glanced at his khaki pants and leather shoes. “I assume you don’t feel like climbing trees after lightning-quickfelineseither”
“Wejustmet,yetyouknowmesowell.”
“ThecatslastweekwerelittleHoudinis,sowemayneedtoshoottheminside”
ThespotoutsideAnniehadinitiallythoughtwouldworkendedupbeingtoobright.Butontheother sideofthebuilding, theyfoundanotherfenced-inareawithanoverhangthatofferedbothshadeandindirectsunlight.
“Thisbrickwallwillmakeagorgeousbackdrop,andtheconcretewillreflectthelight But ”Annieputherhandsonher hips.“Thelawnchairsandtablewillneedtobemoved.”
“I’lldoit”
“We’ll doit.”Whenitlookedasifhemightprotest,sheadded,“Fasterthatway.”
Once the furniture was outofthe way, Annie pulled a pale greenfleece blanketfromthe canvas bagshe’d brought. She placedthepreciselyfoldedblanketonthetable.
Reachinginsidethebagonceagain,sheretrievedafeatherwandandseveralsqueakytoys,settingthemonthetablebeside
theblanket.
Sawyerpeeredoverhershoulder.“Ican’twaittoseewhatelselurksinsidethatmagician’sbag.”
Smiling,Anniepulledoutapapersack,alongwithacouplebagsoftreats,andsetthemonthetable
Surveyingthebountylaidoutonthetable,Sawyerreturnedhisgazetotheblanket.Hegesturedwithonehand.“Isthatfor youtositonortheanimals?”
“Me.Andmaybethedogs,thoughnotatthesametime.”
“Ofcoursenot”Hiseyescrinkledatthecornerswhenhesmiled “Whowillwebeshootingtoday?” “Oliviasentmethelist.”Annieretrievedherphoneandpulledupthenamesofanimals.“Dogsfirst.Thencats.” “Doyoumindforwardingthelisttome?”
“Notatall”Anniehandedhimherphone “Putinyournumber”
Afterdoingasshe’dasked,hehandedthephonebacktoher,andsecondslater,hehadthelist.
Sawyerscannedthenames “AppearslikeKeebathebulldogisfirstup,withCupcake,aMaltese,ondeck” “Icangoget ”
Heplacedahandonherarmwhensheturned “Letme Youcanusethetimetogetyourcamerareadyandfigureoutwhere youwanttheanimalstositorstand.”
Seeingthelogic,Annienodded.
During the short time he was gone, Annie took out her camera, checked the lighting and reviewed in her head the suggestionsshe’dreadongettinggreatbullypics.
No props or clothing for this dog Minimize distractions Let him wander a bit first Snap a pic from eye level Sawyerbroughtthedogtotheareaonaleash,talkingtotheanimalasiftheywerefriends.“You’lllikeitouthere.There’s lotsofsun,butshade,too.Ibetitfeelsgoodtobeoutside.”
Thedog’sbigheadslowlymovedfromsidetosideashetrudgedforward.
Annie, who’d beenseated, rose. She’d read thatthe Englishbulldog’s pure white color was desirable amongthose who knewandlovedbullies Whichlikelymeanthistimeintheshelterwouldbeshort “He’sacutie”
Keeba was a short-haired,medium-sizeddogwithwide shoulders,a shorttail anda low,sturdystance.There were too manylooseskinwrinklesforhertocount Shewasn’tsurewhichdrewherattentionmore hisunderbiteordroopinglips
“I’mnotsureI’ddescribehimascute,buthedefinitelyhascharacter.”Sawyerlookeddownatthedogandgrinned.When hisgazereturnedtoAnnie,hecockedhishead.“Wheredoyouwanthim?”
“Goaheadandtakeoffthelead,”Annieinstructed.“We’lllethimwanderabit.”
Sawyerdidassheinstructed.Hisgazeshiftedtothetable,whereshe’dlaidoutallheraccessories.“Areyougoingtoputa bandannaonhim?”
“Idon’tthinkheneedsit.ButifyoucouldpickupthatpapersackwhenIgiveyouthenodandcrinkleit,that’dbegreat.” Oncetheleadwasremoved,Keebastoodthereforseveralsecondsbeforestartingaslowramblearoundthegrassyarea Withcameraattheready,Anniestayedclose,butnotcloseenoughtospookhim.Whenhepausedandliftedhishead,asif enjoyingthefeelofthesunonhisback,AnniecroucheddownandgesturedwithonehandtoSawyer.
Hedidn’tliftthepaperbag,merelyrestedhishandonitandsqueezed,makingacracklingsound Keeba’sentirebodyshottoattention.
It was the moment Annie had been hoping for She took numerous shots, not caring about the chain link fence in the background,knowingshecouldblurthat.Hergoalwastogetsomephotosthatdidjusticetothismajesticcreature.
Shecheckedtheshotsonhercameraandsmiled “YoucantakeKeebaback Igotseveralexcellentones,thankstoyou” “Ionlycrinkledthebag,”hepointedout.
“FromwhatIreadthispastweek,itcanbedifficulttogetagoodpicofthisbreed.Wegotsomestellarphotos,thanksto yourbagcrinkling”
“Youactuallyresearchedhowtophotographbulldogs?”
“Ibelieveinbeingprepared”Anniemadenoapologies,notthatheappearedtobeexpectingone “OnceOliviatextedme thelist,Ilookedtoseeiftherewasanythingtokeepinmindspecifictothatparticularbreed.”
Keeba,apparentlytiredfromthestrenuousstroll,nowsatintheshadewithhiseyesclosed Annienarrowedhergaze.“Ishesleepingsittingup?”
Sawyerstudiedthedogforonlyasecond.“Yep.It’sprettycommon.” “Sleepingsittingupiscommon?”
“Itis.”Asifseeingthequestionsinhereyes,hecontinued.“Thebulldogisabrachycephalicbreed.Theirflatfacemakes thempronetochronicshortnessofbreathandlackofoxygen Theydon’tbreatheaswelllyingdown” “Poorguy.”
Sawyernodded.“Peoplelovethelook,butitcausesproblemsfortheanimal.Still,I’msureKeebawillmakesomeonea wonderfulpet.”
“Heseemslikeasweetguy.”
“Yes,hedoes.”Sawyerpickeduptheleashhe’dsetonthetableandcrossedtoKeeba,clippingitontohiscollar.“What doyouhaveplannedforCupcake?”
Reachingover,Anniepickedupatinypink-and-white-stripeddress “I’mthinkingthisisCupcake-sized” Sawyershookhishead,asmiletuggingatthecornersofhislips.“Isupposeit’sbetterthanthatpinkbow.”
“Oh,we’llbringthebowintoplaybeforethesessionisdone,”Annieassuredhim TheMaltesespentthefirstfew minutesofthesessionbarkingatherandSawyer.Iftheshrill,incessantbarkingbothered the man, it didn’t show He continued to talk softly to Cupcake and offer her treats The treats sat in the palmof his flat, extendedhandashepatientlywaitedforhertocalmdownandcometohim.
Once Cupcake hada few treats inher,she appearedtorelax.Or maybe itwas because the area theywere inwas quiet, withnootherbarkingdogsordistractions
“There’snothinglikeafewtreatstomakeagirlhappy.”TakingadvantageofCupcake’sgoodmood,Annieslippedonthe dress
SawyerprovedamorethanadequatereplacementforZara.HeheldCupcakeinaconfidentwayandtalkedtotheanimalin asoft,nonthreateningtonewhileAnniedressedher
Though,ifpressed,Anniewouldhavetosaythatstylingthepetscreativelywithvariousaccessoriesdidn’tappear tobe oneofhisstrengths.
HeactuallyrolledhiseyeswhenshepulledCupcake’ssilkyhairintoatopknotandaddedtheshinypinkbow “Heryappingdidn’tseemtobotheryou,”heobserved.“Youmusthaveasmalldog.”
“WhenIwasgrowingup,wehadaShihTzu”Anniesmiled “Erniecouldbealittleyappy,Iguess,butIdon’trecallhis barkbeingashigh-pitchedasCupcake’s.WhatIremembermostishowhewouldhowl.Especiallywhenmybrotherplayedhis trumpet.Erniewasincrediblysweet.”
Erikhadbeenagoodsportaboutit,sheremembered.Thenagain,he’dadoredErnie.Theyallhad.
Hersmiledfaded.Lifehadbeensogoodthen.Theyhadn’thadacluewhathadlainahead.
“Soundslikeyouhavesomegreatmemories”
“IdreamedaboutErnielastnight.”Theadmissionjustpoppedout.“Iwassohappytoseehimandsosadwhenthedream ended”Annieexpelledaheavysigh
“HelenKeller once said,‘Whatwe have once enjoyed,we cannever lose…All thatwe love deeplybecomes a partof us.’”SympathyblanketedSawyer’sface.“Erniewillalwaysbeapartofyou.”
Butitwasn’tErnie’sfacethatflashedbeforeherinthatmoment.Itwasherfather’sface,whentherehadbeenatwinklein hiseyeandasmileonhislips.
“Ilovedhimsomuch”Atthatmoment,Anniecouldn’tsaywhethershewasreferringtoErnieorherdad “I’msorryforyourloss.”
“Itwasalongtimeago”
“Doesn’tmeanitstilldoesn’thurt.”
Touchedbythekindwords,Anniefounditdifficulttofindhervoice.
“Doyouhaveadognow?”Sawyerasked “Oracat?”
“Nopets.”Whydidtheadmissionfeelsowrong?Thereweresomanygoodreasonsforhernottobringananimalintoher homeatthistimeinherlife “ErniewastheonlydogI’veeverhad,andthatwaswhenIwasgrowingup I’veneverhadacat Whataboutyou?”
“Wealwayshaddogsandacoupleofcats,too OnceIwasfinishedwithschool,mylifeseemedtoobusyforapet Still,I keepthinkingofgettingone.”Hisgazesharpened.“YouknowaShihTzuwasbroughtintothesheltertheothernight.” “Really?Itshouldn’ttakelongforheror…?”AnniecastaquestioninglookatSawyer. “Him,”hesupplied
“Itwon’ttakelongforhimtogetadopted.”
“Beforethathappens,hehassomehealingtodo”
“What’swrongwithhim?”Annie’svoiceroseandcracked.
“Hewasdumpedandwasonthestreetsforawhile”DisgustfilledSawyer’svoice “Ifsomeonedidn’twanthimanymore, theyshouldhavejustbroughthimtooneofthesheltersintown.Domesticateddogsdon’tdowellontheirown.” Shepickedatthecornerofhershirt.“Isheinbadshape?”
“Hewas,buthe’sdoingbetter Hewasluckyhegotpickedupwhenhedid”Sawyer’sgazegrewthoughtful “Youshould stopinandsayhellotohim.Thestaffhereiscaring,butthey’rebusy.Ibelievethatanimalsknowwhenthey’rearoundpeople whocare Thatcanmakeabigdifferenceinthehealingprocess”
“ThenI’lldoit.”Annieflashedasmile.“I’dneverwantanyShihTzutofeelunloved.” ThreemoredogswerephotographedbeforesheandSawyerwentinsidetoroundupsomecats.Anniewasgladtheinterior spaceallowednoroomforescape.
Annieglancedatherphone.“WinniethePurr,anorangetabby,isourfinalsubjectfortoday.”
“I’ll gether.” Sawyer smiledandscoopedupa white domestic shorthair witha tail thatremindedAnnie ofa raccoon’s. “C’mon,Cleocatra,it’stimetogobacktobed.”
CleolookedatAnnieandletoutaloudmeow
Smiling,Anniecrossedtothecat,nowsecuredinSawyer’sarms.
“You’reagoodgirl,”shecroonedasshestrokedCleo’ssoftfur “Youdidso ”Anniegaveayelp Pullingbackherhand, shelookedupatSawyer.“Shebitme.”
“Tiredofbeingpetted”Hesmiled “Felineshavetheirwayofmakingtheirfeelingsknown” Annieglanceddownatthecatandfoundgoldeyesfixedonhers.“IthinkweshouldchangeyournametoCleo-bite-tra.” Sawyerlaughed.“I’llbebackwiththenext.”
Glancingatherwatch,Annierealizedthat,unlessWinnieproveddifficult,theyshouldfinishrightontime She realized somethingelse todayhad beenfun. Partofthe reasonwas itfeltgood to have a camera inher hand once again Some ofitwas knowingshe could be makinga difference inthese animals’lives And Sawyer, well, he was a good partner.
Yes,thisvolunteergigwasoneshewouldn’tminddoingagain
CHAPTER FIVE AnniehadjustfinishedphotographingWinniethePurrwhenOliviastrolledup.Winniestudiedtheintruderthroughnarrowed eyesbeforeapproachingtoweaveinandoutofOlivia’slegs
OliviaKinghadhairthecolorofrichcaramel,hugebrowneyesandasmatteringoffrecklesacrossthebridgeofhernose. EveryoneagreedthatoneofOlivia’sbestfeatureswashersmile Whenitflashed,itlitupherentirefaceandmadehereyes dance.
Oliviabentover andscoopedupWinnie,holdingher looselyinher arms.ToAnnie’s surprise,thecatdidn’ttrytojump fromherfriend’sarms Instead,shebegantopurr
“You’vegotthetouch,”Annieteased.
“Fornow”Oliviachuckled
“Untilshegivesyoualovebiteandjumpsdown,”Sawyersaidwithagrin.
“Exactlyright.”ShiftinghergazefromSawyer,OliviasmiledatAnnie.“Howdidyouandourveterinarydirectorgeton?” AnnieturnedtoSawyer,unabletohidehersurprise.“Youdidn’tsayanythingaboutbeingavet.”
“Never came up.” He shrugged. “Besides, I got the distinct impressionyouwere more interested inmyabilityto tie a bandannacorrectlythanmyskillingivingavaccination”
SawyerturnedtoOlivia.“Incaseyou’rewondering,Ifailedmiserablyonthestylingpart.Myrolewasquicklyreducedto fetchingandretrievingtheanimalsandkeepingasecureholdonthemwhileAnniemadethemlookpretty”
“Ihadafeelingyoutwowouldfigureoutawaytoplayoneachofyour strengths.”Olivia’s easytonewithSawyer told Anniethatthetwoenjoyedagoodworkingrelationship.Shewonderedwhethertherewasmorebetweenthemthanwork.
Though if there were, she’d have thought Olivia would have mentioned it. Of course, Sawyer could be married. Or involved.Otherthantheirtalkaboutanimals,theyhadn’tdelvedintothepersonal.
“Annie?”
SheblinkedandfoundbothSawyerandOliviastaringather.Wavinganairyhand,shechuckledandheldupthecamera.“I gotsomeexcellentpicstoday Wouldyouliketosee?I’llneedtotakeafewminutesforalittlequickediting,butIthinkyou’ll bepleasedwiththeresults.”
“I’llletyoutwohandletheediting.Itwasapleasuremeetingandworkingwithyou,Annie.”ThedoctorturnedtoOlivia. “Ifthere’snothingpressinghere,Ihaveanentireafternoonofpatientsscheduled,startingattwo”
“Whatclinicdoyouworkat?”Annieasked.GraceTownwaslargeenoughtosupportseveralveterinaryclinics.
“AnimalHouse”Sawyer’slipsquirkedupward “MyfatherisabigJohnBelushi/NationalLampoonfan” “I’mmoreofa Christmas Vacation fan,butIlovetheclinicname,”Annietoldhim,unabletokeepfromsmiling.“Areyou inpracticewithyourfather?”
Envyrosetonipatherheart.Anniecouldn’timagineanythingbetterthanbeingwithherfatheralldaylong. “I ”Sawyerbegan,butpausedwhenZarahurriedup.
“I’msorry,”Zarainterrupted,hergazefixedonSawyer,“butI’mworriedaboutGeorge” Sawyergavetheadoptioncounselorhisfullattention.“Whatarehissymptoms?” “Lethargyandlackofappetite”Zarablewoutabreath “Hejustliesthereinthecornerofhiscagewithhiseyesclosed” Sawyer’sbrowspulledtogether.“Heshouldbefeelingbetterafterthefluids.” AhopefulgleamfilledZara’seyes “Anychanceyoucantakeaquicklookathimbeforeyouleave?” “I’lldoitnow.”SawyerturnedtoAnnie.“Ienjoyedthismorning.Hopefully,wecandoitagain.”
“ThanksforcheckingonGeorge.”ConcernfilledOlivia’sdarkeyes.
“I’lllookinonhimandletthetechknowifthereareanychangesinhistreatment.Ifyouendupneedinganythinglater,you knowhowtoreachme”WithanodtoAnnie,hestrodeoff
“George?”Anniepulledherbrowstogether.“Who’sGeorge?”
“AnelderlyShihTzuthatwasbroughtin AnimalControlfoundhimwanderingthestreets Thepoorthingisdehydrated, malnourished,alongwithawholehostofotherissues.”
ThishadtobethedogthatSawyerhadmentionedearlier Afterall,how manysickShihTzuscouldPawsHavenhave?Shehatedthattheshelterhadevenone.SinceErnie,Annie retainedasoftspotinherheartforthebreed.“Ifyouknowhisname,doesthatmeanyoulocatedhisowners?”
Oliviashookherhead “Nocollar Notags Nochip TheguyfromAnimalControljokinglytoldourintakepersonthatthe doglookedlikehisuncleGeorge.Goodanameasany.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappened?”AnnierecalledSawyersayingthedoghadbeendumped,butshecouldn’timagineanyone doingthattoaShihTzu.“Couldhehavegottenloosesomehow?”
“Wedon’tthinkso”Olivia’sbrowspulledtogether “Basedonhiscondition,he’sbeenonthestreetsforawhile,andno oneintheareahasreportedhimmissing.Plus,ifhe’dgottenoutandwanderedoff,he’dlikelyhaveacollar.”
“You’reright.”Anniedroppedintoanearbychair.
Oliviatooktheseatbesideher “So,whatdoyouthinkofDr Moorhead?” “Heseemsnice.Verycompetent.”
“He’salsoattractive,don’tyouthink?”
“Whyareyoulookingatmethatway?”Anniechuckled.“Ialreadyhaveaboyfriend,remember?” Oliviaopenedhermouth,thenshutitwithoutspeaking.
“Sawyeriscute,”Anniemused.“Andhe’sgreatwiththeanimals.Ireallyenjoyedworkingwithhimthismorning.Doyou knowifhe’smarried?”
AsparkflaredinOlivia’sbrowneyes “Youare interested”
“I’minterested…foryou,”Anniesaidpointedly.
“Oh”DisappointmentskitteredacrossOlivia’sface,butwasgoneinaninstant “No,he’snotmarried AsfarasIknow, he’snotinvolved.”
“Youshouldgooutwithhim.”
Olivia’slipsquirkedupward.“Idon’tthinkthatwouldbewise.”
“Whynot?He’ssingle,you’resingle.Youbothloveanimals.”Anniesmiled.“It’samatchmadeindogheaven.” Oliviachuckled,thensobered
“He’sourveterinarydirector,atleastuntilhisfathergetsbackfromhisextendedvacation.”Oliviashrugged.“I’mnotsure it’sagoodideatomixpleasurewithbusiness”
“Sohe’snotstaying?”Anniefrowned.“IassumedheworkedwithhisdadatAnimalHouse.” “He’salocum.”
“Idon’tknowwhatthatis”
“Locumtenens.”Oliviapaused,asifsearchingfortheeasiestwaytoexplain.“It’sLatinfor‘holdtheplace.’Doctorscan be locums andsocanvets Aveterinarylocumcomes inandtakes over whenanother vetneeds extended time awayfroma clinic.Oncetheothervetreturns,thelocummovesontoanotherassignment.”
“Thatsounds ”
“Interesting.”
“Iwasgoingtosayhorrible.”AnnielookedatOlivia.“Youreallythinkitsoundsinteresting?” “Ido”
Annienearlyshuddered.“Icanseetheappealforsome,butIcouldneverlivethatway.Ilikemyroutinetoomuch.” “Itcanbefuntoshakethingsupeveryonceinawhile”
“IshookthingsuplastnightwhenIletBrentpicktherestauranteventhoughitwasmyturn.” Olivialaughedoutloud “Youwildandcrazyyou”
“WeevenwenttotheThirstyPugafterwards.”
“Bestillmyheart.”Bringingahandtoherchest,Oliviawidenedhereyes.“Thatbargetsnoisyonweekends.”
“WhichiswhyIwon’tbegoingbackthereanytimesoon I’mmoreofaRedTopBistroandWineBarkindofgal” “WhydidBrentwanttogototheThirstyPug?”
“Someonefromworkwasretiring”SensingOlivia’sjudgment noneofherfriendshadwarmedtoBrent Annieadded, “Webothwantedtostopinandwishherwell.”
IgnoringOlivia’sskepticallook,Anniechangedthesubject.“Iheardmycatgotadopted.”
Surprise flickeredinOlivia’s hazel eyes,followedbya lookofdistress.“Were youserious aboutwantingthe Siamese? BecauseifyouwereandI’dhaveknown,Iwouldhavekeptherback.Igotthefeelingyouwerejusttossingaroundtheideaof
gettingapet.”
“Ihadn’tdecided, and I’mglad she found a good home. Brentwill be glad to hear it, too.” Annie regretted bringingup Brentagainwhenherfriend’seyesnarrowed “What’sittohim?”
“Apparently,he’sallergictocats OrsoheinformedmelastnightwhenImentionedIwasconsideringadoptingacat” Olivia’sgazeturnedspeculative.“Youdon’tbelievehe’sallergic?”
“Ah,”Anniehedged,“I’mnotsure” “Whywouldhelie?”
“‘Lie’isaprettystrongword.”Annieconsidered.“Hemaybeallergic.OrhemaysimplybelieveIdon’thavetimefora cat Heknowshowtightmyscheduleisanddoesn’twantmetoovercommit”
“Wemaketimeforwhat’simportant.”
Forsomereason,thecommenthadAnnierememberingthecrazydream,orwhateverithadbeen,lastnight Sheopenedher mouthtotellOliviaaboutitandgethertake,butherfriendspokefirst.
“Speakingofmakingtimeforwhat’simportant,BrieaskedwhatIthoughtofallofusattendingMusicintheGardenafter brunchtomorrow.Performancesstartatone.”AhopefulgleamfilledOlivia’seyes.“Whatdoyouthink?Everyoneelseison board.”
OnceAnnieagreedtoattendMusicintheGarden,Oliviahurriedbacktowork.Whileexperiencingtheeventwithherfriends wouldlikelybefun,Anniewishedshe’dknownaboutitsooner
She liked knowingwhatto expectfor the weekso thatshe could prepare mentally. Twenty-four hours’notice was better thanfindingoutatthelastminute,butthatwasstillnotenoughtimeforhertogettheplancenteredinherhead
Butshe’dagreedtogo,andAnnietoldherselfshe’dhavefun.Withthatsettled,Anniesatdownintheshelter’sbreakroom toeditthephotosshe’dtaken
Whenshefelttheywerereadyforsocialmedia,shetextedthemtoOlivia.
I hope this helps them find a happy home
While eachofthe animals she’dphotographedhaddifferentpersonalities andneeds,Annie believedthere was a perfect personoutthereforthem.
Thetaskcompleted,Anniegatheredherthingsandheadedforthenearestexit Shewasnearlytothefrontdoorwhenshe rememberedher promisetoZara.Turningaround,shewentinsearchoftheadoptioncounselor.Shefoundher comingoutof theinfirmary
Zarasmiled.“Howdidthephotosessiongo?”
“Surprisingly,Cleocatraendedupbeingastarinfrontofthecamera.”Anniehadexpectedthefelinetotearoffthebraided collarwiththedanglingsilverheart,butCleohadn’tseemedtocareifthevividbluecollarwasaroundherneckornot “Huh.” Zara shookher head, her oiled darkcurls glintinginthe overhead fluorescent lighting. “Wouldn’t have guessed she’dbesoaccommodating,butI’mgladshewas”
AnniesawnoreasontomentionthelovebiteCleohadbestowedonherhand.“YousaidIshouldfindyoubeforeIleft?”
“Iwanted to introduce youto George, but…” Zara made a face. “He isn’tathis besttoday. We gave himIVfluids and thoughtthatwouldperkhimup,butithasn’t notsofar,anyway.”
“IVfluids?”Anniewasn’twell-versedinveterinarymedicine,butIVanythingsoundedserious.“Oliviamentionedhewas inprettybadshapewhenhewasbroughtin”
“Iwas onduty.Nochip,nocollar,nothingwe coulduse toidentifyhim.” Zara’s lips tightened.“He was filthy.His hair wassohorriblymatted,hecouldn’tseethroughit,andhisnailsweremorelikelongclaws Wetrimmedthem,cutoffmostof hishairandgavehimabath.Bythetimewefinished,hewastuckeredout.Thepoorguydoesn’thavemuchreserves.”
“IsthatwhyyoudecidedtogowithanIV?”Annieasked.
“That was Dr. Moorhead’s call. We thought maybe he’d do subcutaneous hydration, but after he examined George, he decidedtheIVwasabetteroption.”
“Exactlyhowlonghashebeenhere?”
“Dr.Moorhead?”Zara’sbrowsdrewtogetherassheappearedtoconsider.“Justsincelastweek.”
“No,ImeanGeorge”Anniegavealittlelaugh “WhileSawyerseemslikeaniceguy,I’mnotinterestedinhisdetails” “Idon’tknowwhy.”Zara’stoneremainedlight.“Thedocisniceanddefinitelyeasyontheeyes.” “Ihaveaboyfriend.”
“Oh,that’sright”Zarasmiledbrightly “Doeshelikeanimalsasmuchasyoudo?” AnniethoughtofBrentandhisresponsetohersimplecommentaboutacat.Insteadofansweringthequestion,sheoffereda noncommittalsmile
Sometimes,thelesssaid,thebetter.
“Dr.MoorheadiswithGeorgenow.”Zaragestureddownthehalltothedoortotheinfirmary.“HesaidmedicallyGeorge isstable WhatheneedsmostnowisTLC”
As ifseeingthequestioninglookinAnnie’s eyes,Zarawavedahand.“I’mgoingtotrytoseeifIcangetavolunteer to comeinandbewithGeorge,butwiththislatenoticeonaweekend,it’sdoubtful”
“DoyouthinkitwouldbeokayifIpeekedin?”Anniedidn’tknowwhysheasked.Shecertainlydidn’twanttoleavePaws HavenwiththeimageofasickShihTzuonherbrain,butshealsocouldn’tleavewithoutseeingifshecouldhelpsomehow “Sure.He’srightthroughthosedoors.”Zarapointed.“Georgeistheonlyoneintheinfirmaryrightnow,soyoucan’tmiss him.”
Zaraturnedoneway,andAnniewenttheother
TheserviceablelinoleumbeneathAnnie’sfeetmightbeslightlyworn,butitshimmeredinthefluorescentlightasifithad beenfreshlymoppedsecondsbefore
Anniefoundthelemonscentteasinghernosepleasant,despitetheslightlymedicinaledge.
Pausingfor asecond,shetookadeepbreath,thenpushedopenthedoor thatledintotheinfirmary She’dbeenhereonly oncebefore,whenOliviahadshownheralitterofnewbornpuppiesthathadbeenfoundinatiedburlapsackoffofHighway 15.
ThesoothingsoundofSawyer’svoicehadAnniecrossingtheroom
Helookedupfromwherehesatinarockingchair,ablanketnearlycoveringthedogcradledinhisarms.Twolargebrown eyesmethergaze
“I’mgladyoucameby.”Sawyer’svoiceremainedalow,huskyrumble.
“Youare?”Annie’svoicecameoutlouderthanshe’dintended,andGeorgeliftedhishead.
“Ihavetoleave,butthislittleguyneedsthecomfortandthecontact.”
Anniesteppedcloser.“Isheokay?Zaraseemedreallyconcerned.”
“Spirits canbe as easilybrokenas bones and as challengingto heal” Sawyer’s lips tightened “This little guywas cast asidelikeyesterday’strash.ShihTzusaresensitive.Youknow.Youhadone.IthinkGeorgeisindangeroflosinghiswillto live”
Annie’sheartbecameasweetmassinherchest,andsheknew,nomatterwhatwasonherafternoon’sagenda,shewould changeittobehereforGeorge.“WhatdoIneedtodo?”
“Simplybewithhim,holdhim.”Sawyerrosetohisfeetandgentlyplacedthebundleinherarms. Thefactthattheblanketanddogfeltsolighttoldherjusthow malnourishedGeorgemustbe.Incasethedogwasseized withadesiretoleapawayfromher,Annietightenedherarmsaroundthesoftblanketenfoldinghim Hedidn’tstir.Thenhisheadpeekedout,andhistongueshotouttolickherarm. Annieblinkedbackunexpectedtears WhensheliftedhergazetoSawyer,hereyeswereclearanddry “Myafternoonis completelyfree.I’llhappilyspendtimewithhim.”
“Thankyou.”Sawyer’swarmbrowneyesmethers.“I’llcheckbackinonhimthiseveningafterIfinishseeingpatients.” “Isthatnecessary?Thestaffhere ” “ iswonderful.Butit’stheweekend,andthey’llberunningwithaskeletoncrewthisevening.”Sawyer’sgazerestedon George “Idon’tmind IbecameavetbecauseIloveanimals,somakingsureGeorgefeelswantedisnohardship” Hisphonebuzzedbeforehefinishedspeaking.
“That’smytwenty-minutewarning,”SawyersaidinresponsetoAnnie’squestioningglance “Go.Seeyourpatients.Georgeisingoodhands.”
“Icanseethat.”HisgazeshiftedfromhertoGeorge,thenbacktoheragain.“Youbothtakecare.”
Bythetimehereachedthedoor,sheandGeorgewereintherocker Anniefoundherselfsinging“YouAreMySunshine,”a songshe’dfrequentlysungtoErnie.
Carefullypushingtheblanketbackwithonefinger,shegotherfirstrealglimpseofGeorge Despitebeingthesamebreed, ErnieandGeorgecouldnothavebeenmoredifferentinappearances.Thedifferences wentfar beyondthecolor oftheir fur. NotthatGeorgehadthatmuch
Ernie’s blackandwhite hair hadbeenlongandflowingandalways brushed.Frequenttrips tothe groomer hadkepthim looking his best. Her mother had loved to pull his long hair into a topknot and tie it with what she’d deemed a suitably masculineribbon
The animal inAnnie’s arms looked more like a skinned rat exceptinthe face and inthose intelligentbrowneyes that measuredandassessed
Itbrokeher heartthatsomeonehadhurthim.Whether ithadbeenactual physical abuseor dailyneglect,this animal had beenhurt,inbodyandinspirit.
“Hi,George.”Anniespokeinwhatshehopedwasasoothingtoneassheheldoutthetopofherhandforhimtosniff.“I’m Annie.It’snicetomeetyou.”
The dogtookone sniff. His tail, skinnyand as hairless as anopossum’s, moved slightly. The tail wasn’t the onlything skinnyonhissmallbody.George’sribsshowed.
“What’sgoingtohappentoyou,sweetboy?”Annieaskedasshecoveredhimupandbegantorock “Whoisgoingtogive youtheloveandattentionyoudeserve?”
CHAPTER SIX Saturdaynightwaspizzaandmovienight.
Tonight,itwasAnnie’sturntohostandBrent’sturntobringthepizza AsAnniehadstayedattheshelter far longer than she’dintended,shehadtoscrambletogeteverythingreadybeforeBrentarrived.
She liked havinga salad to go withthe pizza Ittookher nearlythirtyminutes to prep and toss romaine withradicchio, cucumber, tomato, red onion, chickpeas and sun-dried tomatoes in her own special red wine vinegar and thyme dressing combination.
Shedidn’thavetimetodomorethanchangeintoaflirtysummerdressbeforethedoorbellrang Pullingitopen,shesawBrent,holdingalargepizzabox.
“DeliveryforMissAnnieLaggett,”heannounced,hisexpressiondeadpan Anniesmiled.“Pepperoni?”
“That’swhatyouordered.”Brentsteppedinside.“WeatSellhornDeliveryaimtoplease.”
Laughing,Anniemotionedhiminsideandliftedthepizzaboxfromhishands.“It’sabeautifulevening.Ithoughtwecould eatoutside.”
Brentmadeaface “Toomanybugs”
“Idon’tthinkso.”Annieshookherhead.“AtleastIhaven’tseenany.”
WhenBrentsaidnothing,Anniegestured “Orwecaneatinthediningroom,youknow,shakethingsupabit”
Theyalways ate atthe small table inthe kitchen,soshe wasn’tsure whyshe was suggestingsomethingdifferenttonight. Shelikedtheirroutine.
PerhapsitwasthathermeetingwithGeorgethisafternoonhadleftherstrangelyunsettled. “Thekitchenworksforme,”Brentsaid.
Annieshrugged “Worksforme,too”
Inshortorder,theysatacrossfromeachotheratthetable,eachwithpizza,saladandaglassofwineinfrontofthem. “Whatwasthatinyourlivingroom?”Brentusedhisforkonthepizzainsteadofpickingitupwithhishands Anniecockedherhead.
“Theboxthat’snowwhereyourfernusedtosit.”
“That’sthemusicboxItoldyouabout” “Ohyeah.”Brentflashedasmile.“Theonethatappearedoutofnowhere.”
“That’stheone”Annie’sthroatsuddenlywentdry Shereachedforherglassofwine “Doesitwork?”
Anniechokedforasecondonthewine Shequicklybroughtherselfundercontrol “Pardon?”
“Haveyoutrieditout?”Brentforkedoffanotherbiteofpizzaandbroughtittohislips. “Itworks.”Anniekepthertonecasualandoffhand.“Thesoundisabittinny,butitworks.”
She considered telling Brent about the strange experiences she’d encountered when opening the lid, then recalled how they’dlaughedtogether over theideaofunexplainablehappeningsinGraceTown.Annietookanother sipofwineandstilled thetemptation
“I’vetoldyouallaboutmyday,”Brentsaid,“butyouhaven’tsaidmuchaboutyours.HowdiditgoatPawsHaven?” Brentmightliketotalkabouthimselfandhisplans,buthisinterestinherlifeandwhatshethoughtandfeltwasoneofthe qualitiesshelikedbestabouthim.
“Thephotographysessionwentextremelywell.”Anniesatbackinherchair.“Bothcatsanddogs.Wegotthroughrighton time.”
“DidZarahelpyouagain?”
Brent’s mind for details shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did. “They were short an adoption counselor, so Sawyer Moorheadhelpedme”
Brent’sbrowsdrewtogetherasifhesearchedhismentalfilecabinetsforthename.Finally,heshookhisheadasifthefile hadn’tnotbeenfound “Whoisthat?”
“HisfatherownsAnimalHouseVeterinaryClinic,”Annieexplained. “Neverheardofit.”
“That’sbecauseyoudon’thaveapet”Anniesmiledacrossthetableathim “Sawyerisavetaswell He’sintownfilling inforhisdadwhilehisparentsareonasix-weektriptoEurope.”
“Ifhe’savet,whyishehelpingyoutakepicturesofanimals?Doesn’ttheguyhavebetterthingstodowithhistime?” Thoughthe same thought had crossed her mind, the questionrubbed Annie wrong. “I’ma CPA. Ifwhat yousayis true, shouldn’tIhavebetterthingstodowithmytime?”
Brentconsidered the question, obviouslynotpickingup onher subtle sarcasm. “There probablyare better uses ofyour time.However,youwanttohelpyourfriend,andthatisadmirable.”
Theirritationthathadbeguntobuildinsideherdissipatedliketheairfromanuntiedballoon Herfeelingstowardhimwarmedandlastedthroughoutthemovie.Theysatonthesofa,abowlofpopcornbetweenthem, hisarmaroundhershoulders Bythetimetherom-com herturntopick cametoahappyend,Anniewasreadytotellhim aboutGeorge.
ReadytotellhimaboutherstrongdesiretobringtheShihTzuhomewithherandgivehimthelifehedeserved.Oncethe dogwaswellenoughtoleavetheshelter,thatwas.
Whilethecreditsrolledandbeforethewordscouldleaveherlips,Brentsetasidethenearlyemptybowlofpopcornand pulledtohisfeet
“I’dlovetostaylonger,butIhaveanearlyteetimeinthemorning.”
Anniestood Thiswasthefirstshe’dheardabouthimplayinggolfinthemorning “Whoareyouplayingwith?” “Scotandafewotherguys.”
“Really?”Anniefollowedhimtothedoor.“Howdidthatcomeabout?”
“JeffBrownhadaconflict.Iheardaboutitandofferedtofillin.”
“YoureallyareinterestedinJeff’sposition.”
Brentturnedtoherthen,surpriseskitteringacrosshisface “ItoldyouIwas” “Thisisahard-courtpress.”
“Ibelievethatwhenyouknowwhatyouwant,yougoafterit”
ThecommentlingeredlongafterBrent’staillightshaddisappearedfromview. AnniethoughtofhowquietthehouseseemedandofpoorGeorgeintheshelterwithoutanyonetolovehim.
Theonlyquestion:Wasshetherightpersonforhim?
Shewouldcertainlyshowerhimwithloveduringthetimeshewashome,butwouldshebearoundenough?Wouldhebe lonelyspendingmostofhistimerattlingaroundaloneinthishouse?
Tellingherselfthatshedidn’tneedtomakeanydecisionsatthismomentdidn’tassuageherfeelingsthatsheneededtobe doingsomethingtohelp
Itwasbarelyten,andshewasn’ttheleastbittired.
Pickingupherphone,shetextedOliviabeforeheadingoutthedoor.
ItwasaftersixbythetimethelastpatientleftAnimalHouse.Sawyerstayeduntilseventofinishhischarting,thenheadedto hisparents’home.
Thiswasthefirsttimehe’dfilledinforanothervetthathehadn’tneededtorentaplacetostay.
Unlike manylocums, he didn’tworkthrougha placementagency He had atfirst, butover the pastcouple ofyears, he’d builtanetworkofclinicsthatkepthimbusy.
AftershoweringandchangingintoshortsandanOriolesT-shirt,SawyerheadedtotheRiverWalk Ashe’dhoped,thefood truckswereoutinforce.
Hespentnearlyahalfhour,checkingoutthemenusoneachtruckanddecidingwhatsoundedgoodtohimtonight.
Alobster roll foodtruckgotthenod Insteadofthefeaturedlobster roll,Sawyer gotonecrabandoneshrimproll He’d justconsumed the second sandwichand was drinkinga veryfine IPAwhenhe spotted Olivia withseveral womenhe didn’t recognize
Shemusthaveseenhimatthesametimebecauseherfacesplitintoawidesmile,andshemotionedhimover.
Hesawtheassessinglooksonthefriendlyfacesofthetwowomenatherside,butfocusedonOliviafirst.“Ididn’texpect toseeyouhere Thoughnow thatIsaythat,I’mnotsurewhy ItfeelsasifeveryoneinGraceTownisontheRiverWalkthis evening.”
“Justwaituntilnextweek,”saidthewomanwhoworegoldeyeglassesandhadrainbowstreaksinherhair “What’sgoingonnextweek?”heasked.
“Streetdance”ThisfromthewomanwiththeBantuknots
Sawyerknewwhatthecoiledknotswerecalledonlybecauseavettechatthelastclinicwherehe’dfilledinhadwornher hairinthatstyle.
“I’mTibby,bytheway TibbyWashington”Shejerkedherheadinthedirectionofthewomanwiththerainbowhair “This isBrieBabcock.Nowallweneedtoknowiswhoyouare.”
Tibbyofferedanencouragingsmile
Sawyeropenedhismouthtointroducehimself,butOliviawasquicker.“Tibby,Brie,thisisourtemporaryvetdirector,Dr. SawyerMoorhead”
“JustSawyerisfine.”
“He’s in town filling in for his dad at Animal House. His parents are off on a European vacation, celebrating an… anniversary”Oliviaarchedaquestioningbrow Sawyernodded.“Thirty-fiveyears.”
“Congratstothem”Tibbysmiled “Howlongwillyoubefillingin?” “Sixweeks.”
Brie’seyeswidened.“That’salongvacation.”
“It’sbeenyearssincetheytookmorethanaweekendtrip.”Sawyersaidsimply.“They’llbeinEuropeamonth,thenthey plantospendthenexttwoweeksvisitingfriendsintheStates.”
“Soundswonderful”Briebreathedthewords
“Iheardfromthemearliertoday.”Theemailhadbeenfilledwithexclamationpoints,tellinghimmorethanthewordsthat thiswasadreamcometrueforhismother “They’rehavingagreattime”
“SawyerhelpedAnniephotographtheanimalstodayforoursocialmediaaccounts,”Oliviaexplainedtoherfriends.
ThecommentmadehimthinkthatAnniemightbepartofthisgroup.
“Thatissocool,”Brieexclaimed.
“Oliviaismakingmycontributionsoundlikemorethanitwas.”Sawyercouldnottakecreditforanyoftheamazingpics that Annie had gotten “I retrieved the animals, held themwhile Annie dressed themand thendid whatever other tasks she assignedme.”
“Ibetyoumadeagoodteam,”Tibbydeclared
NotwantingtointrudeonOlivia’snightoutwithherfriends,Sawyerdecidedthetimehadcometoendtheconversation. Hestillwantedtoswingbytheclinic.“Itwasgoodmeetingyou.Enjoytherestofyourevening.”
“Youcouldjoinus?”Brieoffered
“Iappreciatetheoffer,butI’mheadedtotheshelter.”SawyerglancedatOlivia.“IwanttocheckonGeorge.” “George?”Tibbyasked
“AShihTzuthatwasfoundonthestreets.”ConcernfilledOlivia’sdarkeyesasshefocusedonSawyer.“Ithoughthewas doingbetter”
“Ibelieveheis,but,”Sawyerofferedareassuringsmile,“Iwanttomakesure.” Oliviatouchedhisarm.“Pleaseletmeknowifthere’sanythingIcando.”
Aftersayinghisgood-byes,SawyerstrodedowntheRiverWalk,thoughtsofthecaramel-and-white-hairedShihTzufront andcenterinhisbrain.
Annie held George close, the softblanketwrapped around himas she rocked and he slept. Thoughthe temperature inPaws Havenwascomfortable,theShihTzudidn’thavemuchmeatonhisbones
Besides, the softfleece had to feel comfortingagainsthis skin. Thoughhe hadn’tbeenshaved, the extreme haircuthe’d beengivenbecauseofmattinghadn’tleftmuchfurbehind
After Erniehadpassedawayandher father hadgottensick,therehadn’tbeenanymoretalkofgettinganother dog.Once herdadhadpassed,sheandhermomandbrotherhadbeenjustgoingthroughthemotionsofgettingthroughtheday-to-day.
Adding another pet to the household had never been brought up Then she’d gone off to college She’d returned to GraceTownaftergraduation,startedworkingforSensorTechandsettledintoapet-freeroutine.
While Annie rarely worked late into the evening, she was still gone more than she was home Didn’t this sweet boy
deservebetter?Didn’tanyanimaldeservebetter?
ThesoundoffootstepsinthehallhadAnnie’shearttrippingoveritself.Sheknewtheshelterhadsecurity.Well,maybenot afull-blownsecuritysystem,buttherewerelocksonthedoors She’dneededtousethekeyOliviahadgivenhertogetinside IfGeorge’shealthhadbeenprecarious,atechwouldhavespentthenight.Becausehewasstable,therewasnoneedfor extrastaffing
HadOliviadecidedtostopbyandcheckonhowGeorgewasdoing?Itseemedlikesomethingshe’ddo.
“Olivia?”Anniecalledout “NotOlivia.It’sSawyer.”
ThefamiliarvoiceeasedthetightnessinAnnie’schest,andshefoundshecouldbreatheeasilyagain. WhenSawyerroundedthecorner,hislipscurvedintoasmile “Thisisapleasantsurprise Ididn’texpecttoseeyouthis evening.”
AnniegesturedwithherheadtowardtheShihTzusleepinginherarms “Icouldn’tstopthinkingabouthim,soIthoughtI’d dropbyandgivehimsomemoreTLC.”
“Greatminds”Sawyer tappedhis templewithanindexfinger,thendroppeddownintoanearbychair “Andhow is our boydoing?”
“Snoring.” She andSawyer exchangeda smile.“Iwas consideringthe possibilityoftakinghimhome withme once he’s better”
Thecommentpoppedoutbeforeshehadtimetocarefullyconsider.
InterestsparkedinSawyer’sbrowndepths “Tofosterortoadopt?”
“Iwasthinkingadopt.”Now,shespokemorecautiously.“I’mnotsureit’stherightdecision.”
“Forhim?”Sawyergesturedwithonehandtowardthedog.“Oryou?”
“Bothofus.”Annieresistedthenearlyoverwhelmingurgetosigh.“Idon’tworkfromhome,andwhileI’dbetheremost evenings,myweekendsarefairlybusy.”
“It’s somethingto consider” Sawyer’s tone remained offhand, displayingno judgment “ShihTzus are amongthe breeds knowntoexperienceseparationanxiety.”
AnniethoughtofErnieandhowupsethe’dgetwhennoonehadbeenhomewithhim “Whyisthat?”
“Onetheoryistheywerebredtobecompaniondogs.Theylikeconstantattention.”
“OurShihTzucertainlydid.”AnnietightenedherholdonGeorge.“IjustworryaboutGeorge.Iwanthimtogotosomeone who’llloveandcareforhim.”
Anniewasn’tsurewhyshefeltsostronglyaboutthisdogfindingtheperfecthome.Theshelterwasfilledwithanimalswho deservedthesame TheonlythingshecouldfigurewasthatshewasidentifyingwithGeorgebecauseofErnie “WoulditeaseyourmindifItookhim?”
“You?”Anniewidenedhereyes “Don’tlooksosurprised.”Adimplethatshe’dnevernoticedbeforeflashedinhisleftcheek.
Annie’sanalyticalmindcouldn’tquitemakehimadoptingGeorgeaddup.Anymorethanitcouldmakeherbelieveshewas therightpersontogivethedogagoodhome “Don’tyoutravelalotasalocum?Wouldn’tthatbedisruptiveforhim?”
Frankly,Anniecouldn’timagineanythingworsethanachaoticscheduleinwhichyouwereinonetownforashortperiod oftimebeforeleavingforanother
Sawyerappearedtobegivingherquestionseriousconsideration.“Idon’tbelieveso.Iwouldbetheconstant.AndIwould makesurebeforeIacceptedanewassignmentthathecouldgototheclinicwithme”
“Whatabouttheclinicswhereyouarealreadyscheduled?Bringingadogwouldn’thavebeenpartofthedeal theymade withyou.”
“You’reright,buttheonesalreadyonmyscheduleareclinicsI’vebeentobefore”Sawyerappearedtothinkforaminute asifgoingoverinhisheadallthedifferentlocations.“No,noneoftheseclinicswouldhaveanissuewithmebringinghimto workwithme”
AnniecouldpictureSawyertendingtopatientsinexamroomswhileGeorgewanderedthehallsallday,beingfawnedover bythefrontdeskstaff,vettechsandclients
“He’dlikethat.”Theknowledgethatthiswasthebestsolutionstilldidn’tstoptheacheinherheart.
“Ithinkit’sagoodsolution…unlessyou’reinterested?”
“Iam,butIdon’tthinkIwouldbethebestchoiceforhim”Anniegazeddownatthebundle “Ineedtothinkofwhat’sbest forhim.”
Sawyernodded “Haveyoueverconsideredgettingacat?”
Thequestiontookherbysurprise,thoughshewasn’tsurewhy.
“Ihave.TherewasaSiameseIkindofhadmyeyeon,butIwasn’tsure,andshewasadopted.”
“WereyourreservationsabouttheSiameseinparticularoraboutgettingacatingeneral?”
Annie liked the way he got straight to the point. Her mind worked much the same way gather information, evaluate,
