Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“You might want to check the local lost pet boards while I work on the dogs.” Jude shook his head, a weariness in his eyes. “I’m not holding out hope there.”
Sure enough, I didn’t find a single mention of a lost mom and daughter dog duo on the newspaper’s website, the local doorbell-camera app site, a lost and found section on the feed store’s site, or some more national lost pet lists associated with bigger pet stores. I also sent a message to Maverick to tell him about the situation.
At least my work kept me occupied until Grayson and Jude returned with damp shirts but clean dogs. The puppy’s foot had been bandaged and placed in some sort of little boot to protect it. Both dogs were now on red leashes with the vet clinic’s name printed on them.
“I didn’t find anyone looking for lost dogs.” I bent down to greet the dogs, gradually getting more comfortable with their size and the puppy’s bounciness.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting much.” Jude sighed. “By the looks of it, these two have been on the run for some time. You’re going to want to call the shelter in Durango. However, they were full to bursting when Luna checked yesterday. They’re overworked and understaffed, but hopefully, they can manage the injuries and antibiotics as the dogs recover and wait for adoption.”
“The shelter will probably separate them,” I guessed as the mother dog licked the smaller dog’s face.
“Yeah. Puppy’s more likely to get adopted fast, sadly.” Jude had the resigned tone of someone who’d seen this scenario before. “They’ll put the mom on the spay list, but older dogs tend to languish.”
I didn’t like the thought of languishing and all that implied any more than I liked the idea of this clearly bonded pair being separated. The mama dog had worked so hard to protect her baby and bring us to it. Luckily, though, I had a possible answer.
“Maverick says we can bring them back to the ranch.” I held up my phone.
“That’s a great solution.” Jude was far more enthusiastic now. “I can check on them on Monday. We’ll get them both in for a spay after they heal, no problem.”
He was only too happy to help us load the dogs back up and send us on our way.
“So, Maverick is planning to play dog nurse?” Grayson asked as he put the truck in Drive and headed out of the parking lot.
“Um. Not exactly,” I hedged. “Hannah’s allergic, apparently, so he can’t have them in the house. But he said we could—”
“Hold up. There is no we.” He was back to that stern tone and firm glare he seemed to reserve only for me.
“Okay, me.” I could argue my way into a we later. “I can take care of them.”
“You’re not bringing dogs into the bunkhouse.” He pulled off to the side of the road to glower at me some more. “Talk about a circus.”
I disagreed. Casey would likely fuss over the dogs, and the others could simply fall in line. However, I had an even better idea.
“You have a whole mobile home to yourself.”
“Yep.” Grayson blew out a long breath like he was trying hard not to tell me off. “Pet free in case you haven’t noticed.”
“The dogs like you a lot.” I hadn’t missed all the pats he’d handed out at the vet’s office or the way he kept glancing at them in the rearview now. He wouldn’t admit it, but he didn’t want them to go to the shelter either.
“All dogs do.”
“You’ve had dogs before,” I guessed, hoping I could garner more sympathy.
“Grew up around ’em, yeah.” Grayson shrugged. He’d shared earlier about his parents, which sounded like a horrific situation, but his voice was fond now. “Last one, Ol’ Blue, passed on six years back, same year as my dad. Cattle dog, like these two. Best dog Dad ever owned. Died of a broken heart, I reckon.”
I made a wounded noise. “That’s so sad.”
“Nah, that’s life.” Grayson’s tone was pragmatic. “Blue was fourteen, old and cranky by then. Not unlike my dad.”
“You miss him.”
“The dog?” Grayson rolled his neck from side to side as if tiring of this conversation. “Guess maybe.”
“Him too, but I meant your dad.” Something about his grief made Grayson that much more human to me, not simply a walking fantasy, but a real man with a complicated and painful history. I wanted to hug him, but he’d undoubtedly flinch away.
“Every damn day.” Grayson put weight on each word. “You live and work side by side with someone for forty years, you’re gonna miss ’em like you’d miss your right leg. I get on though.”
“He’d be proud of you.” I couldn’t offer a hug, but I could try to comfort nonetheless. “Everyone says you’re a good boss.”
He snorted. “Now you’re trying to butter me up so I don’t turn this truck toward Durango.”