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Hannah snuggled the puppy into her arms as she stood up, guessing he was probably around fifteen pounds or so. He was already bigger than Uncle Miggons and he couldn’t be older than a few months.
“You’re a big boy, huh? Will you be good while I finish my shift?”
Kenny laughed as they climbed the steps to the back door. “That little guy isn’t going to the shelter, is he?”
As the puppy rolled onto his back in her arms, exposing his smooth tummy, her whole body turned to melted butter. He turned his head, gazed up at her, and she knew Kenny was right. There was no way she’d let anyone else take him when those big brown eyes were staring at her as if she was the best human in the whole world.
I’m going to call you Milo.
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nbsp; The kind animal control officer showed up just before her shift was over, and Hannah texted him the pictures she’d taken with Kenny’s phone. He’d assured her they would keep her updated if they made any arrests in Milo’s case.
After work, she’d carried Milo out the back and around to where her car was parked. Once she got the door open, she slid in, closed it behind her, and set Milo on the passenger seat.
“What do you say we go see the vet? Huh?”
Milo tried to climb into her lap, but she sat him back on the seat gently. She started the car and headed up the road to Highway 80. She’d called the vet as soon as they opened, asking if Dr. Standen could squeeze them in. Her parents had taken all of their animals to him, and Hannah trusted him.
Twenty minutes later, she turned into Watt Avenue Veterinary Clinic and carried Milo and her purse inside. She passed by a white van with camo and black lettering on the side and paused in surprise.
ALPHA DOG TRAINING PROGRAM MOBILE TRANSPORT.
Her heart thudded in her chest, and she nearly skipped her way to the door. As she stepped inside, she noticed a man standing at the front desk in a pair of black boots, camo pants, and an army-green T-shirt.
Only he had blond hair, not Blake’s dark strands.
Disappointment zapped through her as she sat down and began stroking Milo’s ears and neck. He’d tensed up when they’d entered the veterinary hospital, maybe because of the distant barking in the back, but Hannah continued to comfort him.
The double doors heading into the back swung open, and Hannah caught her breath as a giant hound pushed through, dragging Blake behind him.
“Damn it, Charge, slow your roll!”
The blond man at the counter laughed as Blake struggled with the dog, and Hannah found herself giggling, too, covering her mouth with her hand. Blake hadn’t noticed her yet, and she wished she’d bothered to check her appearance before heading into the veterinary hospital.
Suddenly, the dog spotted Hannah and Milo, and to Hannah’s surprised terror, stood up on his hind legs and launched himself toward them. Blake looked up as he struggled with the dog, but when his gaze caught hers, his grip seemed to go a little lax and his jaw dropped.
“Hannah?”
Nothing for it now. She stood up with Milo, avoiding Charge’s eager nose. “Hi, Blake. How are you?”
“I’m good. Just brought this guy in to get neutered.” Blake pulled Charge back toward him and nodded at Milo. “Who do you have here?”
He didn’t seem upset seeing her, just surprised. “Milo. I found him duct taped in a box this morning behind the diner, and I’m having Dr. Standen make sure he’s okay minus a little hair.”
Now Blake’s expression was thunderous. “You were back there alone?”
She blinked at his furious tone, shaking her head slowly. “No, I mean, I was taking out the trash, but when I saw the guy, I screamed, and Kenny came running—”
“You don’t need to be going back there by yourself. Why didn’t Kenny take the trash out?”
Hannah opened her mouth to answer, but Georgia, Dr. Standen’s longtime tech, walked into the lobby behind Blake and called out her name.
“Hannah, is that you? Girl, I haven’t seen you since we put Misty to sleep four years ago. Come give me a hug.”
Hannah obliged, her head still spinning at Blake’s reaction to her being behind the diner alone. As if he cared about her.
“Hey, Georgia, it’s good to see you.”
