AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER ONE
“We can’t thank you enough,” said the sweet woman. “We’re already feeling better than when we arrived.”
“Losing a child isn’t something that just goes away and allows you to return to your life the way it was,” said Katherine. “It’s very obvious that you two love one another. I’ve never felt so much love coming off two people in my whole life. You’ve been blessed with several children, correct?”
“Oh, yes,” nodded the handsome man. His eyes were simply spectacular. A phenomenal blend of brown, yellow, and green. They looked like fine whiskey just poured into a crystal glass. “We’ve been blessed with more than a baker’s dozen.”
Katherine laughed, nodding at them.
“I think this will just take time for the two of you. You said that your sex life is still healthy and fulfilling. That’s more than most of my patients can claim. I’m here if you need me, but you’re doing beautifully.”
“Thank you, my love,” said the sweet woman, touching her cheek.
It was such an odd gesture. One that an older woman might give someone younger than herself. Katherine just smiled, nodding at her. She waved as they left her home office, wondering why they’d come so far to see her yet didn’t want to give their names.
She didn’t require it. Not unless they were coming back for several visits. This couple just needed reassurance that they were doing everything right. She waved again until their car was out of sight, then made her decision.
“I need a dog.”
The middle-aged woman had a furious expression on her face as she approached the man outside the superstore where she’d met him earlier that day. When she was there at nine a.m., he had cages that held more than twenty dogs. Now, he was down to just three. Soon to be four.
“Well, back again,” smirked the man. “Want another dog, pretty lady, or did you want somethin’ else from me?” The man laughed, licking his lips.
“Don’t call me that,” she frowned. The man’s smile disappeared, replaced with an angry expression. “You sold me a dog that’s sick. I took him right to my vet, and he has heartworms, he’s covered in fleas, and he’s got a bad hip. This is just a puppy! How does that happen?”
“Lower your voice,” growled the man. Another man took the seat beside him behind the table, setting two bottles of soda and several bags of chips on the table. He looked at his partner, frowning.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“What’s wrong is you sold me a sick dog!” she yelled loud enough for others to hear. She wanted to draw a crowd so they could hear what these men were doing.
“You best lower your voice, sweet lady, or you won’t be leaving here any time soon,” said the man.
“Are you threatening me?” She looked around the busy lot and smirked at the men. “Hey! Hey, anyone who can hear me. These men are threatening me!”
“Shut your mouth!” growled the man, standing to reach for her. She evaded his grasp stepping back. Two young men turned, walking toward the table.
“They sold me a sick dog. Don’t go near them!”
“Something wrong here?” asked the first young man coming toward them. The two men laughed, shaking their heads.
“Just another moody female,” he laughed.
“I’m moody because they’re selling dogs, puppies, that are sick,” she said to the two young men. One of the men walked behind the table, reaching toward the cage.
“Don’t touch them! If you ain’t buyin’, don’t touch our dogs!” he said, reaching for his arm.
“Mister, if you wanna keep that hand you’re gonna let me look at these dogs. Or I could just call the police right now.”
Both men stepped away from the table as the young man knelt, pulling out the first puppy. He knew immediately that the woman’s claims were right. The poor thing could barely breathe.
“It’s alright, girl, it’s alright,” he cooed to the puppy as she whined. He gently rolled a hand over her, frowning. “She’s covered in fleas, and her foot looks bad. I’m not sure.”
The second young man knelt down as well, the woman looking over their shoulders.
“This is what my dog looked like. I didn’t notice it at first but took the puppy right to the vet, and she said it was the second one she’d seen this week. These guys…” She turned to look at the men, but both were gone.
“Damn!” muttered the young man. “Barney? Call the police.”
