At least doing so was something I could be very proud of.
My godfather was animated, allowing the pups to jump all over him, still managing to make his way toward me. When he was near the fence, he allowed himself a few seconds of watching the horses running in the field. “How’s the fawn?”
“You were right. Momma and her hubby along with another baby found us just this morning.”
His eyes lit up. “Does that mean she’s going to make it?”
“She’s already returned home.”
“Animals are often much smarter than humans.”
“You’re right.” I knew my godfather far too well. He was toying with whatever he needed to say to me. Why did I have a feeling he was just as concerned about Viper as everyone else? “Did Darlene call you?”
He chuckled. “She did. She said you were pretty angry.”
“You bet. Still am,” I huffed, grumbling under my breath. “I’m sorry about the carrot cake. I got busy on Sunday and completely forgot.”
“You’re a busy girl.”
“Yes, I’m finally starting to get more clients.”
“Does that include whoever owns the black pup or did you get another dog?” He removed his sunglasses and finally turned to face me. You bet he had his fatherly look in his eyes. “Viper. Right?”
“The emaciated dog was on the side of a road. Viper saved him and brought him to me for care, and I’m taking care of him for a little while. He’s doing much better.”
“The man or the dog?”
There was some ire in his voice, a slight lilt I knew far too well. “Both. Maybe.”
Landen shook his head. “So it’s true. Viper is staying here.”
“Let me guess. I could kill Darlene. Or maybe your good buddy Chief Taylor told you even before.”
His chuckle was one of confusion. “Sam Taylor is no friend of mine. We’ve clashed for years so he wouldn’t open up about anything personal to me.”
“So another reason to hate Darlene?” Not that it would last for long.
“I knew long before Darlene picked up the phone. Viper was required to fill out some paperwork in starting a job with the Zullies. He listed your address.”
I gritted my teeth, now forced to tell him the truth. A mixture of emotions was right under the surface. “He didn’t have any other place to go.”
“O-kay. How did you meet him?”
“Yelling at him for keeping his dog in his truck. One thing led to another and he ended up at my clinic Saturday. When he was tossed from his motel because of who he is or what he did in the past, he didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Oh, I see.”
I hated when he used his condescending voice. “No, you don’t. It seems no one does. He’s not a bad person. In fact, in the couple of days since he’s been here, he’s fixed several things. See the fence? The gate latch? He even replaced half of the rottingboards on the front deck of the house. He’s a good person being condemned for a mistake. One mistake. Now, everyone is treating him like he’s a terrible person. He’s not.”
Not only was his smile growing, there was also a twinkle in his eyes. “Why don’t you take a deep breath for me.”
“I can’t. I won’t. The treatment isn’t fair.”
Landen allowed me to huff and puff as he knew I did when I was frustrated. Which lately was often. “How much did he tell you?”
“You haven’t spent much time with him. Have you?”
“No.”
