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Immediately, Owen’s face closed up. “Did you manage to sell the others?” he asked tightly.
“Sure did. This male is the last one left, and I have to sell it today.”
Owen’s voice iced up. “Why? What will happen to him if you don’t?”
The young boy beside her turned a haunted gaze up to them. “Mama said we have to get rid of it either way,” he said. “Puppies are expensive.”
The young woman ignored the boy. “I’ll drop it off at a shelter,” she said curtly.
Chloe knew immediately she was lying. It was in her eyes, and the truth hit her full force. If the puppy didn’t sell, she’d dump him somewhere and leave the pup to fend for himself. With a lame leg, the pup wouldn’t have a chance. Chloe doubted anyone here would buy an obviously injured puppy for that type of money.
Once again, an animal was looked on as an object rather than a living creature who not only wanted to live, but to be loved. She’d seen it a thousand times before. Overbred dogs produced puppies. Puppies were sold for the profit, and whatever dog didn’t sell got dumped.
Rage overtook her, but she bit it back. The helplessness was the worst—knowing this woman would probably do it again, and never think twice about the repercussions of the murders trailed behind her.
Her thoughts whirled with ideas of how to handle the situation until Owen spoke.
“I’ll take him.”
The woman lit up. “Great! Let me just—oh, can you wait a moment? I have to take this call, Sam will help. We have change if you need it. Make sure you count the money,” she counseled the boy, turning away and hitting the button for the call.
Shocked, Chloe watched Owen kneel in front of the boy. The kid wore ripped shorts, an old Mets baseball jersey, and a dirty blue hat. His face was a bit gaunt, his dark eyes sad and solemn as he stared back. “Sam, my name is Owen. Do you have one dog that births all the puppies? Or many?”
“Just one. She’s old, though, and Mama said she may not be able to have any more litters. I wanted to keep one but I can’t. Mama said we need to sell them.”
“I understand. Does anyone ever hurt the puppies?”
The boy shook his head hard. “No, but this one was super little and jumped out and hurt his leg. Now he don’t walk good. But I’m glad you’re taking him 'cause I don’t want him to go into the woods like the other ones. I’m afraid he’d get cold.”
A sob trapped in her throat, Chloe kept still and listened. “Okay, listen to me, Sam, this is important. I’m going to give you my card. If your dog has anymore puppies, or your mom gets another dog that keeps having puppies, I want you to call me. You see, baby animals need a lot of extra care and I can find good homes for all of them.”
“You mean even the sick ones don’t have to go to the woods?”
“That’s right. I’ll take care of the sick ones too. Are you able to use the phone on your own?”
The boy puffed up. “Sure, I’m seven already! I have a phone to do video games on but I know how to make a call.”
“Good. Take this card and put it someplace safe. I’d like it to be our secret, but I understand if you need to tell your mom. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
The boy nodded. “Okay, but I don’t need to tell Mama everything. I don’t think she likes the puppies like I do, anyway.”
“I don’t think so either. When you grow up, you’ll take care of your animals, right? They depend on us to treat them good and then they love us forever.”
“I promise.”
Owen gave him the card and Sam tucked it in his pocket. Then he took out fifty dollars and pressed it into the boy’s hands.
The woman rushed back, a big smile on her face. “All set?”
“Yes.” Owen didn’t thank her. Just nodded at Sam and scooped the puppy gently out of the box, cradling it against his broad chest. “Bye, Sam.”
“Bye, mister.”
They walked a few feet away and watched until the woman packed up and left with the boy. The puppy mewed in distress, pressing against Owen, who stroked his head with gentle fingers and murmured soothing phrases. His face reflected a fierce focus toward the vulnerable animal, a man intent on righting a wrong, a warrior and protector rolled into one. Like his grandfather.
And Chloe realized she still loved Owen Salt.
Maybe she’d never stopped.
