Rescued

by Linda Rettstatt

  “Just a scratch, I’ll be fine. Ricky, we have to get those puppies out of that Dumpster.”

  “I got a flashlight.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “Evan, would you get those milk cartons sitting by the back door of the library?” She was already removing her shoes while blood trickled down her arm.

  He set the milk cartons down, shrugged out of his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. “You can’t reach in there with that open wound on your arm. You’ll risk all kinds of infection. Take my handkerchief, it’s clean.” He reached into the trash and, one by one, extracted a litter of four wriggling puppies. The dog railed against the confinement of the carrier, barking wildly.

  Alex wrapped the white cotton fabric around the cut and accepted each of the puppies he passed to her. Once the carrier was loaded into the back of Evan’s SUV next to the box of puppies, the mama dog settled down a bit. Evan turned his attention to Alex’s arm. The handkerchief was saturated. “We have to get you to a hospital. You need a tetanus shot. What about rabies?”

  Ricky retrieved a first aid kit from his cruiser and handed her a gauze pad. Alex pressed the square of gauze onto the deep scratch. “It’s not a bite, and it’s not as bad as it looks. It’s almost stopped bleeding already. Let’s get to the shelter and get this mama dog settled in with her pups, then I’ll tend to my arm.”

  When the puppies were settled into a kennel, along with filled bowls of food and fresh water, Alex carefully released her captive. The dog growled, but didn’t bear her teeth and once she was free of the leash, hurried to examine her pups.

  Alex stood and let out a deep breath. “She isn’t mean. She was scared for her babies. And she was hungry. That’s often the key. Food can soothe the most agitated dog. I guess there’s truth to that saying that the way to the heart is through the stomach.”

  He grinned. “I’ll have to remember that. Now, let’s take a look at your arm. Is there an urgent care center that’s open?”

  “Come with me.” She led him out of the kennel area and into a small bathroom with a sink. She removed soap, peroxide, antibiotic cream and bandages from a drawer.

  “You do this often?”

  “Often enough. A frightened animal will strike back if they feel cornered. Their trust has been betrayed so many times, they have to learn how to trust again.”

  “Sounds like you know that quite well.” He watched while she washed and examined the scratches that ran down her arm.

  “See, she barely broke the skin. She and the puppies will be vetted tomorrow. I had a tetanus shot a few months ago. I’ll be fine.” She patted the wound dry, winced when she poured peroxide over the cut and covered it with antibiotic cream.

  “Here, let me help you.” He wrapped gauze around the wound and applied tape.

  “Thanks.” She turned and put away the medical supplies. “I need to check on them once more, then I’d appreciate a ride home.”

  “Of course.”

  The dog was lying on a pile of blankets and her puppies were nursing. They looked like a perfectly content family, although the dog’s ears perked up when he and Alex approached the kennel.

  Evan shook his head. “I can’t believe someone just tossed those puppies into that Dumpster.”

  “People can be cruel and heartless. You have no idea what I see.”

  “It must be difficult at times.”

  She nodded. “The ones we can’t save—those are the ones that hurt the most. But there are so many others who end up with a home and family. That makes it all worthwhile.” She yawned. “We can go. They’ll be fine for tonight.”

  “Do you get calls like this often?” he asked as they walked to his vehicle.

  “Sadly, almost every day some dog has been tossed out or left beside the road. It’s heartbreaking.” This time she waited and let him open the door for her. He suspected the arm hurt more than she was willing to admit.

  “Isn’t there a city animal control to handle some of those calls?”

  “There used to be. They would have euthanized her and the puppies in a matter of days. That is if they didn’t have Ricky destroy the mama dog on the spot because she was ‘vicious.’ I took over our local animal control and it became Harley’s Haven. We’re a no-kill shelter. They’re lost, homeless, afraid. But they don’t deserve to die. We rescue them, spay or neuter, socialize them and, hopefully, find them homes. At least most of them.”

  “What happens to the rest?”

  She grinned. “They become our lifelong residents—the ones that can’t adapt.”

  He gazed into her face. “You’re a hero to those animals.”

  “Nah. Just doing a job.”

  “Saving their lives. That’s a hero in my book.” He frowned. “You don’t take a compliment very well.”

  “I don’t think that what I do is all that extraordinary. Someone’s got to do it.”

  “You’re wrong, Alex. You are extraordinary.” He cupped her face with his hands. “You’re beautiful, smart, and caring. I’d like to help you learn to trust again.” He was surprised that she leaned into his kiss.

  And not surprised when she abruptly pulled away. “We should go.”

  So much for trust building. They rode in silence to her house. “Thanks for this evening. I did have a nice time. And thanks for helping me with the puppies.” Alex slipped past him and up to her front door.

  “No problem. It was an education.” He watched as she fumbled with her keys. “By the way, tonight was a celebration of sorts for me. My divorce was finalized today.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Alex stared as Evan’s SUV disappeared from view. His divorce is final. She pressed her fingertips to her lips, still feeling his kiss. What if she’d known this before he drove away? Before she ended that kiss?

  She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Getting her feelings in order would take a little more effort. She and Evan had danced around this attraction for one another almost from the first moment they met at the grill, mostly under the guise of sparring. After Tiffany appeared on the scene, Alex had good reason to steer clear of Evan. She’d told herself it was the right thing, the moral thing to do. That reason was now off the table. Evan was divorced.

  Sippi and General Lee wound themselves around her ankles. She bent and picked up both cats, ignoring the hair that would cover her black dress as she dropped onto the sofa. She stroked Sippi’s head while General Lee rolled onto his back beside her and stretched. “Sippi, I can only admit this to you—I’m scared. You know how hard that is for me to admit. I’ve lost too many people, had too many walk away. How do I know I can trust Evan?”

  The cat rubbed her head against Alex’s chin. “I’ve heard all the clichés—love is always a risk, life goes on.” She picked up the cat and snuggled her close. “I get lonely, Sip. Don’t take that personally. You and Lee are the best company. But, still….” She hugged the cat until the animal mewed in protest. “I’m sorry. See, I think that’s what always happens. I love too hard. I need too much. At least that’s what Jeff told me when he called off the wedding.”

  Her cell phone bleeped from her purse. She set the cat aside and dug into the handbag, reading the text from Kellie: r u OK? How did the rescue go? Evan still with you?

  Alex stared at the words. How did the rescue go? She had refused to give up on a frightened dog that desperately needed help, needed to learn to trust again. And she wouldn’t give up until that dog could trust and let herself be loved and ready for a new family. As for herself, it would take a little more for Evan or any man to gain her trust again. Would that ever be possible, or was she too damaged—like the dogs that would live out their days at the Haven? That thought sent a shiver through her.

  She punched a reply into the phone: OK. Got dog and puppies. Evan went home. C U tomorrow.

  After a moment’s hesitation, she sent a second text: Thx for 2nite. Enjoyed dinner.

  By the time Alex changed clothes and brushed her teeth, both cats had cla
imed their places on her bed, barely leaving her room to stretch out. She nudged Sippi with her foot and slid in between the soft sheets, letting out a deep sigh. She knew what she needed to do. She needed to simply decide to either back off from Evan completely or to dismiss her fears and take a chance.

  And she would decide. Soon. She didn’t want to back off, to let go and turn him away. He was attractive, funny, charming, intelligent, sexy—something she’d refused to let herself dwell on—and he didn’t need her money. Tonight he’d proven he respected her and the work that was most important to her. How many men would have stood on milk crates and reached into a Dumpster while wearing a suit to save a litter of puppies? She smiled at the memory of him ever so gently cradling those tiny, filthy bodies to carry them to his SUV. The memory of his touch when he helped bandage her arm sent a pleasant shudder through her. In her heart, she knew Evan Whiting was a good man. If she could silence that damned warning voice in her head.

  She lifted up, pounded a pillow into submission, and flopped back down again, garnering disgusted stares from both cats. “Oh don’t look at me like that. It took the both of you a good six months to snuggle up to me.”

  *

  Evan had watched the way Alex approached the frightened, growling dog. She’d moved slowly, murmured reassurance, stopped when the animal became more anxious, and offered something the dog wanted. And she would take her time gaining the animal’s trust now that the dog and her pups were safe.

  This method obviously worked well for Alex. Maybe it could work for him, too. He’d make his first move next week—Labor Day weekend—with an invitation to join him for an end of summer picnic.

  The following afternoon, Evan arrived at the restaurant to find Alex racing around the side yard with Lambchop who was beginning to look more like a dog now. He started toward her, but held himself back. Slow and easy does it. Lifting a hand to wave, he turned and went into the restaurant.

  He managed to avoid Alex for the next two days. Piling peanut butter cup and chocolate chip cookie dough brownies onto a plate, he crossed the newly-paved parking lot on the third day and rounded the fence to the shelter’s entrance. He glanced into Alex’s office. She sat staring at her computer screen, a tear trailing down her cheek.

  “Alex?”

  She turned her head, startled.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Swiping away the tear, she nodded. “Fine.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  “Happy tears. Come and look at this.”

  He rounded her desk and peered over her shoulder. A yellow lab raced around a yard with two young children, leaping to catch a tennis ball before following them into a swimming pool. “Now there’s a happy dog.”

  She opened a file drawer in her desk and removed a folder. When Evan saw the photos she spread out, he gasped. A dog missing large patches of fur, a blood red ring around its neck, and ribs that could be easily counted. “My God.”

  “That’s Molly when we first found her. She was chained to a tree not fifty yards from the family home. They moved and just left her there. The chain embedded itself into her skin. She was severely dehydrated and on the verge of starving to death. Two teenage boys found her and had the sense to call me. What you see in this video is Molly today, after much medical attention and loving care.”

  He swallowed hard, imaging that poor dog left chained to a tree without food or water for heaven only knew how long. “How can people be so cruel and heartless?”

  Alex shook her head. “It always astounds me.” She pointed back to the video. “This is what makes it all worthwhile.” Then she stood and turned toward him. “What brings you by?”

  “I brought you all a treat.” He thought of Alex offering treats to animals she was trying to save. Why not apply the same theory here? He held out the plate of brownies.

  “Oh, thanks.” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “These look great.”

  “They’re sinfully good. Peanut butter cups with chocolate chip cookie dough.”

  She started to reach for one, then drew back. “I need to wash my hands first. I was playing with the puppies earlier. I’ll be right back.”

  He walked over to the kennel in the waiting area and watched the three puppies roll and tumble over one another.

  “Those three are all clowns,” Alex said on her return.

  “What breed are they?”

  “A mix. I see a little shepherd, some retriever. By the looks of their paws, they’ll be big dogs.” She took a brownie from the plate and bit into it. “Oh my gosh, these are delicious.”

  He offered her the plate. “I made some for tonight’s dessert bar and thought you and your volunteers would enjoy them.”

  “Thank you. That was thoughtful.” She took the plate and set it on the counter.

  “Hard to believe next weekend is Labor Day.”

  “Yeah. Time goes fast.”

  “Are you working on Monday?”

  Alex shook her head. “The grill will be closed. I’ll be here most of the day, though.”

  “Oh. I was hoping you were free. I, uh, thought I’d drive over to see Shiloh Battlefield, maybe take a picnic lunch.”

  “I’m sorry. It sounds like it would be fun. But I don’t have any volunteers on Monday. There’s a lot here to do.”

  He was disappointed, but thought of a Plan B. “I can help. It’ll make me a better parent to Walter. And we can have a picnic here. I saw your picnic table in that fenced area in the back.”

  She grinned. “You want to spend your holiday here, cleaning dog kennels?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “You did prove yourself by Dumpster diving for puppies.” Her gaze slid to the plate of brownies. “Are you making more of those?”

  “I can.”

  “You’re on. Be here at nine a.m.”

  Evan strode back across the parking lot with a broad smile on his face. This plan could work. Alex was relaxed and willingly accepted his help and his lunch. He just needed to keep his libido on a leash.

  *

  Alex sat on the floor of the kennel, tears rolling down her cheeks. One of the puppies had died and the others were showing signs of distress. Every time she tried to remove the dead puppy, the mother dog whom she’d named Xena, snapped at her. She was still protecting her babies.

  “Alex? You here?” Evan called out as his footsteps approached. Barking dogs announced his arrival. “It’s okay, guys. I come in peace. Where’s your keeper?”

  “I’m back here,” Alex called out.

  Evan stopped at the kennel and stared at her. “What’s going on?”

  She sniffled and nodded. “One of the puppies died and the others are in trouble. I don’t know what happened to them and she won’t let me near them.”

  “How can I help?”

  “I have to try to get her out of here and into a different kennel. Or I have to call Howard to come and sedate her.” She pushed up to her feet. The dog watched and growled until Alex was outside the kennel. “I can’t fight with her. Let me see if Howard’s free to come over.”

  Evan followed her to the office and waited while she made the call.

  “He’ll be here in twenty minutes. We can’t do anything until we get those pups out of there and figure out what’s wrong with them.”

  She tugged a tissue from the box on the counter in the lobby and blew her nose. “Thank heavens those pups have been kept in that one kennel.” She sank down on the sofa and Evan sat beside her.

  “Did you get any sleep last night?”

  Alex shook her head. “I’ve been here all night, trying to get close enough to at least remove the dead puppy from the kennel. I know I dozed off at some point, but Xena was having nothing to do with sleep.”

  “Xena?”

  “Warrior Princess. She’s like a warrior with her puppies. You’ve got to give her points for being protective.”

  “How will the vet get near her to sedate her? He won’t use a
dart gun, will he?”

  Alex laughed. “She’s a dog, not a bear. We do it the good old fashioned way—a pill rolled up in ground beef.”

  “You keep ground beef on hand just for this occasion?”

  “Actually, I don’t. I should get some before Howard gets here.”

  Evan got to his feet. “Stay put. I know the guy who owns the restaurant next door. I’ll be right back.”

  Howard arrived and followed her back to the kennels. Xena stood over her pups, lowered her head and growled when he approached the gate. “I’m going to have to give her something and wait until it takes effect. Just enough to relax her.” He reached into his bag and removed a pill bottle. “You have something I can wrap this in?”

  “Evan went next door to get some ground beef. He’ll be right back.”

  “Evan? He’s volunteering here now?”

  “He offered to give me a hand today. My volunteers are all busy.”

  “Isn’t that thoughtful of him?”

  Alex didn’t much like his tone, but she needed his help, so bit back a retort.

  Evan came in carrying a bowl bearing a huge ball of ground beef. “Here you go. I hope she likes the good stuff.” He nodded to Howard. “Howard, nice to see you.”

  “Yeah. So, let’s see if she takes the bait.” He wrapped a pill in a chunk of ground beef and handed it to Alex. “You better do the honors. She knows you better. You’ve been feeding her.”

  “You two step back so she’s not distracted. I don’t want her getting excited and taking my hand with the beef.” She opened the gate and entered the kennel, squatting down. “Here you go, girl. Yeah, smells good, huh?” She tossed the meat to the dog that sniffed and swallowed it whole, looking for more. “You can have the rest later.”

  Alex joined the men in the lobby. “She took it. How long do you think before it takes effect?”

  “Given her size, maybe fifteen minutes,” Howard said. “I heard the grand opening didn’t go so well, Evan.”

  “We had a glitch, but the second opening went quite well.”

  “The glitch, I understand, was food-tampering by a disgruntled ex?” He shook his head. “Man, that’s rough. What did you do to piss her off that much? You must always be looking over your shoulder.”