Anything for Her(26)

“Um...some of these dogs really are going to be killed this week?” Sean’s voice cracked.

Nolan hesitated. “Maybe. I don’t know, but...probably. There are never enough homes.”

“I guess I knew that.” He hesitated. “Which ones have the worst chance?”

“Big dogs.” Nolan had read enough about the problem of pet overpopulation to answer without hesitation. “Older ones.”

“There aren’t that many small dogs here.”

“No.”

The boy swallowed. “Do we have to go?”

“Sean.” When their eyes met, Nolan said, “You have to choose a dog that’s right for you, not only because you have some noble goal of saving it. You’re a kid. You’re entitled to...” He hesitated. “Take one home who will be fun. Even a puppy, if that’s what you want.”

Sean looked at him defiantly, his cheeks flushed. “Pedro was... He was a good dog, and he was old. I loved him.”

“Your grandmother’s dog.”

He nodded.

“What happened to him?”

“When she died, he was put down.” He shrugged jerkily. “I mean, I think it was the right thing to do. He was pretty sick. The vet said his kidneys were toast. Grandma kept saying she was going to do it, but she didn’t want to. You know?”

“I know.” Nolan took a chance and laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He gave a gentle squeeze and let go. “You’ve been a shit today.”

Sean ducked his head. “I just wanted...”

“I get it. I was insensitive.” You think? “I’ll say I’m sorry if you do the same.”

“Yeah. Okay,” he mumbled. “I shouldn’t have... I mean, I’m sorry.”

“All right. Were there any dogs that especially caught your eye?”

Of course there had been. Nolan kept thinking about Allie, waiting out in the hot sunlight in the parking lot. He should have given her the keys so she could at least sit in the truck. Maybe he should excuse himself... No. She knew this might take a while. She was probably hoping it would, that they didn’t emerge still angry at each other, sans dog.

They didn’t. Nolan inspected the three or four that had attracted Sean, and they finally came to a stop in front of the kennel that held a black Lab mix female that was supposedly five years old and, yes, cat- and kid-friendly. Her family had moved and had, for whatever unimaginable reason, been unable to take her.

Nolan thought again of the dog they’d seen being released earlier, but it was smaller and therefore probably less at risk.

The black Lab wasn’t barking at the front of the kennel, like many of the other dogs. She lay curled in the back, depression in the chocolate-brown eyes that watched them. Nolan noted her release date and wondered if she’d given up.

Sean coaxed her to her feet, and talked to her until she bumped her head against his hand and her tail gradually began to swing hopefully. They were allowed to put her on a leash and walk her outside, where she sniffed noses noncombatively with several other dogs and generally proved her good manners. She sat on command, and wrapped a long pink tongue around Sean’s wrist when he patted her.

“I want her,” Sean said, his glance anxious.

“I like her, too,” Nolan agreed, glad to feel no hesitation. He was well aware that the responsibility was ultimately his. When—if—Sean headed off to college, the dog would be staying behind with Nolan.

They were subjected to an interview and approved. Nolan filled out the papers and paid the fee, after which they walked out.

Allie waited, sitting on a curb, her arms wrapped around her knees, her expression pensive. She turned her head, saw them and didn’t move for a long moment. Her face was completely unreadable.

Nolan felt a chill of apprehension.





CHAPTER FIVE



ALLIE HAD BEEN angry and hurt enough to consider calling a cab. Or her mother. No, not that—of course she’d never give Mom ammunition against Nolan.

She’d guessed as time passed that Nolan and Sean might eventually emerge with a dog, and was relieved when they did. At least she hadn’t totally ruined today’s expedition.

She rose to her feet and swiped at the grit on her butt, then held out a hand to the black Lab that reached her first, straining at his—or was it her?—leash.

“Well, hello,” she said softly. The dog sniffed then licked her outstretched hand. “Do you have a name?”