Oodles of Poodles (A PET RESCUE MYSTERY)
Page 23
“Okay. That’s good enough—for now.”
“Great. Are we having dinner together tonight?”
“Sure, if you’re hungry.”
I was. And I might even be hungry for more than food. His caring about me that way warmed me deep inside.
“Give me a few minutes, though,” I told him. “I have a couple of phone calls to make.”
He and Rex went outside into the kennel area, taking Zoey with them. That way the dogs could do what nature demanded, if they wanted, while I finished up in here. Of course I made sure that Matt had biodegradable poop bags with him.
I hurried down the hall into my office and moved the mouse so my computer woke up from sleep mode. Then I looked up a name and phone number. The Barancas. I’d have to call Kevin later to tell him that I’d called his girlfriend Mindi’s home, and what I’d been able to tell her parents.
I dialed their number. Judy Baranca answered.
“Hello, Judy,” I said. “It’s Lauren Vancouver—Kevin’s mom? I’m here at HotRescues and have some great news for you. Hope is now definitely available for adoption. When can Joseph and you come in and fill out the paperwork—and pick her up?”
Judy screamed in delight. And called her husband to the phone.
They promised to come in the next day to adopt Hope.
One more call to make: Carlie. “Hey,” I said. “I’ve got some more news both about the Hans Marford murder and some other stuff I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Great! Are you available for dinner tonight?”
“If you’d like to join Matt and me. You can bring Liam, too.”
That worked for all of us.
We had a great evening, especially since Carlie promised to feature the dogs from Sheba’s Story who needed a new home on an upcoming episode of Pet Fitness. I was sure that, for the first time, we were likely to have people lined up at the door of HotRescues ready to adopt a new pet.
Later, Matt and I, and our dogs, headed to my house and closed the door behind us.
I couldn’t help wondering, as I got ready to join him in bed, what he’d really do if I happened to get stuck trying to investigate another murder someday.
I hoped I wouldn’t have to find out—although I couldn’t help giving myself a virtual pat on the back for having solved my fourth—fourth!—case.