Chirp(27)

“Huh?”

Rance scanned the street for an adult, but saw none. Who’d let a kid this age camp out downtown with no supervision? “You said house broke and everything, so what’s the everything you’re talking about?”

“Oh. Well, he ain’t got fleas.”

Rance felt guilty about busting the kid’s balls but couldn’t help himself. “Good to know, but I don’t need a pet.”

The boy shoved the dog toward Rance, and Rance took it without thinking.

“See, Mutt likes you.”

He tried not to look at the scruffy mongrel, but it licked his hand. Rance came to his senses and thrust it back to the boy. “Sorry, no deal.”

The child cradled the pup and sat down on the sidewalk. His lip began to quiver and tears ran down his dirty cheeks.

Rance reached for his wallet. Holy hell. Kids and animals.

When he arrived home, the workers were in full swing. He took care of everything he’d bought, then strapped on his tool belt. In the new bedroom, men taped and bedded sheetrock, while in the bathroom another guy laid tile.

Rance headed back outside to work on the porch addition. Over the last year, he’d given a lot of thought to how he wanted his master suite. Spacious enough for a king-size bed. French doors opening out to a deck. Wood-burning fireplace. Surround sound. Didn’t know when it’d happened, but somewhere in the middle of all the planning, he’d decided to keep the place.

By the time the carpenters left for the day, he noticed real progress. Paint and carpeting would come next. Bricklayers still had the chimney to finish, but the stone fireplace and hearth were ready for winter. And soon he’d have an inside shower.

An upbeat country song blared from the radio, and Rance hammered to the beat, nailing the last board. He didn’t know why he was in such a good mood. Maybe it was because the construction was going well. Or because he took pride in his accomplishment. Or that he’d bought the puppy from the kid in town. Whatever it was, he shuffled a couple of dance moves, twirled around, and found Blaze standing in the doorway, holding the dog. He holstered the hammer and plastered on his poker face. “Where’d that come from?”

She clutched the animal close to her chest. “I found him in the shed. He’s not wearing a collar, so I don’t think he belongs to anyone. Can we keep him, or are you an enemy of dogs, too?”

“I’m not an enemy of anything, but you have to admit, the Lennon sisters needed to go. Even the vet said one of them was too sick to save. She was in pain.”

“Well, this dog looks healthy. I bet someone dumped him and he needs a home.”

Rance moved closer, then leaned down and studied the pooch. “Looks a little wormy.” He knew that wasn’t true. He’d stopped by the vet’s office to get the mutt checked out and caught up on shots. It had also provided an opportunity to find out if the three remaining cats had found homes, which they had.

“He’s just small,” Blaze said. “I’ll keep him in my room. You won’t even know he’s here.”

He waited to answer. Wouldn’t want the kid to think he’d gone soft. “Tell you what. If you let me name him, I’ll let you keep him.”

She pulled her brows together. “I’ve already thought of some. I like Finley, Chesley, or Bentley.”

He shook his head. “Sissy names. I’m thinking—Mutt.”

“No. That’s terrible.”

“Let him decide. Put him down.”

She eased the scrawny pet to the floor.

Rance crouched. “Here, Mutt. Come on, boy.”

The dog scampered to Rance and licked his outstretched hand. Smart dog. Wouldn’t bite the hand that had already given him treats. “See, he likes it.”

Blaze’s frown drew tighter. “Well, I don’t.”

Rance rose to full height and smiled. “Since we need dog food, let’s drive to Danvers and get a burger. You won’t have to cook.”

She lowered her head. “I don’t really . . .”

“I know. You don’t like crowds. We’ll use the drive-through, then go to the park and eat in the truck. How about it?”

Wheels obviously turned in her head. Since Hanna did all of Blaze’s errands, he didn’t think the kid ever left the house other than going to work.

“Okay.”

“Good. Give me time to shower and change. Oh, and while I was shopping today, I bought you a couple of T-shirts. Something besides black.”

“Why?”

“Just because you work at a funeral home doesn’t mean you have to dress like the grim reaper. A little color won’t kill you.”

She frowned. “I have dough in the fridge. I should knead it before we go. Do I have time?”

“For homemade bread?”

“Cinnamon rolls.”

“Damn right you have time.” He left to get a towel and washcloth.

Behind him, she called the dog. “Come on, Muttly.”





Blaze


Blaze put the puppy in the laundry room, washed her hands, and removed the dough from the fridge. She’d learned the cold-rise recipe from one of the cooking shows. She sank her fingers into the soft mound. Squish.

Outside, Rance threw the blue tarp open and stepped from the shower. He had one towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hand.