Page 29 of Rescue Them

Lyle nodded and sighed.“The wall of her living room was filled with pictures and ribbons from the dogs she had.She was always smiling and seemed so happy.And there were a lot of ribbons and winner’s cups.She had an entire case of them, and she told me once that she only put the really good ones in there.He daughter wanted to sell these sweeties off for breeding.”

His mom stopped stirring whatever she was making.It smelled heavenly, and it was no secret why the dogs were watching her.

“A King Charles puppy can sell for five to ten thousand dollars.I checked on the internet, and ones with a top pedigree can sell for even more.I wasn’t able to research the pedigree of these dogs because I don’t know the parents’ names.”

“I have them.When I got the dogs’ things, I also gathered their registration papers, and they have the parents listed.I put them away so I wouldn’t lose them in case they were needed.But the details don’t really matter, because I’m not going to sell them.”

“True.But if someone reputable inquires, Dash or Dover could father pups, and you could breed Daisy or Dahlia if you wanted.I’m not saying that you would, but I think they would both be good mothers, and having a littler of pups could be good before having them spayed.That is, if you wanted.”

“I haven’t given it much thought,” Lyle said gently.“I’m just getting used to being a pet parent and I know I’m at the limit for what my lease will allow.In fact, I’m over it, but apparently Corky thought of everything, because she got the landlord to sign specific permission for me to take her dogs.I doubt they would look past a litter of puppies, though.”

“If you wanted to have puppies, you could bring the dog here so she could have them in the house.There is plenty of space, and no one is going to tell me what I can and can’t do.”Sometimes his mother could surprise him big time.“They are pretty little things.”

“Yeah, they are.”He put down his hand, and they all came over for some loving.He sat on the floor in the corner, and all of them gathered around him, pressing in for his attention.

“Do they do that all the time?”Mom asked.

“Yes.All four of them think Lyle has pockets filled with bacon.They follow him everywhere he goes and can’t get enough of his affection.They love him, and when he sits on the sofa, they all crowd around him.The only time they keep their distance is at night.They have little beds that they sleep in.”

She looked down at the dogs, still sitting there waiting for goodies.“Think of it as a compliment on your cooking.It smells good enough that they want some too, and they aren’t willing to give up.”

Mom snickered and started dishing up rice and various components.“Tonight it’s Japanese… sort of.”She set bowls of various things on a tray, and Lyle carried it into the dining room.There was also salad and sauces.She even had Japanese beer.

“Okay.You start with rice, some sauce, and then add what you want on top,” she told them before sitting down.“In Japan, this is a kind of street food.I love it.”She seemed happy and rather carefree, which made Lyle wonder why she had called him here.

Lyle filled his bowl and began to eat.The food was really good, with beef, onions, and a slightly sweet, tangy sauce.“So, can I ask what it was that you wanted to talk to me about?”

His mom sighed.“Yes.Well… you know that I’m having surgery, and there is always a risk.I’m not a spring chicken any longer.So I wanted to go over arrangements if I don’t make it.”

Chapter 12

SHE TOOKa bite from the bowl just as Lyle put down his utensils.James felt like he had mental whiplash, because, damn, they changed subjects fast.From rice bowls to potential death and funerals in a matter of seconds.

“Jesus, Mom.You said it was no big deal and made me make all sort of promises the other day.Hell, you got testy with me for some basic caring, and now you want to go over your will and shit?”Lyle complained.She had done all that, but James could understand why she wanted to have things in order.

She set down her bowl.“I want to go over the arrangements I’ve already made,” she said gently.“I have a will.It’s with Champion Law, and they will help you act as executor.I’ve made funeral arrangements as well, and they are all paid for.You don’t need to worry about any of that.And everything I have will go to you, so that’s pretty simple.If something happens, I want you to use part of the money to go to grad school.I know you’re happy enough working where you are, but I want more for you.I don’t care what you major in, just find something that really makes you happy.”

“But Mom…,” Lyle began.

“I think she just wants you to know that she’s taken care of everything, and in case the worst happens, everything is all set.”James turned to Lyle’s mom.“Right?”

“Yes, of course.I’m going to be fine.But you know me, Lyle.I like to make sure that everything is taken care of.The lawyers have everything you could need.So there is nothing to worry about.Hopefully everything will be fine, and I’ll come out of this as smoothly as the doctor thinks I should.”James had to give her credit; Lyle’s mom knew what he needed to hear.But it was the touch of fear in her eyes that told James she wasn’t as sure of things as she was trying to project.

When he turned to Lyle, it didn’t look like he was fully buying it, but he went back to eating and seemed to let things go.The dogs were all lying down under the table, and they shifted closer to Lyle as though they knew he was distressed and needed the kind of comfort that only they could provide.

“You know, your dogs are kind of weird,” Lyle’s mom said.

“Why?They stay near me and are being really good.They may sit nearby when you’re cooking, but there is no begging at the table.”

“I didn’t mean that.The pack is pretty good.But they’re all crowded around you.Do you feed them when we aren’t looking?”

“Nope,” James chimed in.“He never feeds them that way.Dogs are clever and intuitive creatures.They know who they like and who they don’t.Whenever Corky’s daughter came around, because she wanted to take the dogs and sell them, they growled and got very agitated.All of them hate her.It’s my opinion that dogs are the barometer of the heart, and they know whether yours is good or not.And Lyle’s is pure gold.”He couldn’t help smiling a little.

“But what does that say about the rest of us?”

James shrugged.“Maybe that we all have a little more work to do in that area.All I know is that at the shelter, there are people who will come in and the shyest dog in the place will come up to them, and others where every dog seems to turn their back.They just know.And so does Lyle.”

She narrowed her gaze.“Are you talking about this dogfighting person?You didn’t try to take out this person?”