by Donna Ball
Judging from the expression of ecstasy on her face, Majesty did.
“We had the best time,” my aunt confided, beaming. “After we got our hair done, we walked down the street and every few steps somebody would stop and want to talk to us and make a fuss over Majesty. We found this little café that actually serves dogs! I never knew there was such a thing. I had a stuffed tomato with garlic bread and Majesty had tuna tartare in her own silver dish, and yogurt crunch for dessert. I tell you, Raine, it’s a whole new world.”
I couldn’t help grinning at that. How many times had I heard that same sentiment expressed by gushing new dog owners?
I kissed Majesty atop the head and said affectionately, “Looks like everything turned out all right for you, you bad dog. But I was worried to death.”
Aunt Mart folded her hands and looked at Majesty adoringly. “Well, you needn’t have been. She knew right where to come, didn’t you, sweet girl?”
You know that expression, a goose walked over your grave?That’s what I felt just then. And I heard Sonny’s voice: She’s looking for something… I tried to ignore it.
I glanced around. “Where’s Uncle Roe? Not still in Bullard?”
My aunt’s expression faded into annoyance. “No, he got back a couple of hours ago. Tonight’s his lodge meeting. And you won’t believe what he’s done now—he’s gone and taken a part time job, if you can believe it, with the sheriff’s office again! Not even a paid job, but volunteer! The man is like a firehouse horse,” she admitted, but now her spark of anger was tempered by resignation. “He’ll never retire.”
I felt guilty, I’ll admit it, for encouraging Buck in his idea of putting Uncle Roe in charge of the cold case team. But he was the best man for the job, and the job was the best thing for Uncle Roe. I said gently, “Aunt Mart, Uncle Roe was a policeman when you married him.”
She smiled a little wanly. “I know that, honey. And I’ve been a good policeman’s wife all these years. But I’ve got to tell you, it’s a lonely thing. I just thought by now…” She sighed, and looked tenderly at Majesty. “Well, I’ll just say that it’s been years since I had such a good time as I did today, and that was because of a dog. Isn’t that a sight?”
She straightened her shoulders, made her smile even brighter, and said, “Well, I’ve got a nice chicken pot pie in the oven. You’ll stay and have supper, won’t you? There’s no telling when Roe will be back, and at least I can spend a little more time with my pretty pup, here.”
I looked at my aunt. I looked at my dog. I touched the pink bow in her hair. I felt my heart start to tear into two pieces.
I kissed the sweet-smelling spot on Majesty’s head once more, and I lingered to breathe in her scent until my eyes were dry again. When I was able, I looked at my aunt, and I said, “Aunt Mart, I hate to ask, but I need a huge favor. Everything is such a mess at my house, and I don’t know when I’ll have things back to normal, so I was wondering… would it be too much trouble for you to keep Majesty with you for awhile?”
My aunt’s face lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “Trouble? Why, it’s no trouble at all, is it beautiful girl? I’ll make her a bed right next to mine, and I just happened to pick up a few toys at the pet shop this afternoon, and I hope you don’t mind but I got her a new leash and collar and it will be good for me to start walking again, so you just leave her here as long as you need to and don’t worry about a thing. Now, how about that chicken pot pie?”
It was hard to feel sad when my aunt was so happy, and when my collie, clearly, had found what she was looking for. I hugged Majesty one last time, told her to be a good girl, and stood up. The smile Majesty gave me broke my heart, and made it sing. She just wanted to be needed.
“Thanks,” I said, “but I promised to have dinner with a friend.”
“Well, you go ahead,” my aunt said, still beaming at Majesty. “This sweet dog and I will have supper together. No salt, no sugar,” she assured me.
Majesty jumped down from the sofa, walked to the center of the room, sat beautifully and lifted one paw, just like Lassie. Aunt Mart burst into laughter. I wanted to burst into tears.
“Look at that!” Aunt Mart exclaimed. “She’s waving goodbye! Isn’t she the smartest thing ever? Do you know what I think I’ll do? I think I’ll take her to my Sunday School class social, won’t the children get a kick out of that? And maybe she’d like to go around with me when I deliver the turkey baskets for the food drive. I tell you, Raine, it would break your heart to see the way some of these children live, and a smart dog like that would surely cheer them up.” She bent to hug Majesty, leaving a light brush of lipstick across her head. “What do you think about that, girl? We’re going to be busy, aren’t we?”
I hugged my aunt hard. “I love you, Aunt Mart.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart. You go on and have a good time, now. We’ll be fine.”
I knew they would be.
********
Outside, I swiped my weeping eyes with my hand and dialed Miles’s number on my cell phone. Okay, so he programmed it in a month ago. We’re neighbors, after all.
“Hey,” I said when he answered.
He must have heard the sniffles in my voice because he said, “You okay?”
I bucked up. “Yeah, I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Lots to tell you, though. Are you free for dinner? I promised Cisco a steak.”
“Sure. Where do you know that takes dogs?”
“How about my place?”
“I thought you didn’t cook.”
I opened the car door and slid in. Cisco swiped a happy tongue across my face.“I don’t. But you do.”
There was a short silence. “I guess I’m bringing the steaks, too?”
“Right. I’ve had a kind of tough day.”
In a moment I heard him chuckle. “I’ll see you at seven.”
“Bye, Miles.” I hung up the phone and started the engine.
Okay, so maybe we’re dating.
Just a little.
###
Other Books in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series
SMOKY MOUNTAIN TRACKS
A child has been kidnapped and abandoned in the mountain wilderness. Her only hope is Raine Stockton and her young, untried tracking dog Cisco...
RAPID FIRE
Raine and Cisco are brought in by the FBI to track a terrorist …a terrorist who just happens to be Raine’s old boyfriend.
GUN SHY
Raine rescues a traumatized service dog, and soon begins to suspect he is the only witness to a murder.
Coming for Christmas, 2011
SILENT NIGHT
A Raine Stockton Christmas mystery
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And Don’t Miss These Books by Donna Ball
NIGHT FLIGHT
She’s an innocent woman who knows too much. Now she’s fleeing through the night without a weapon and without a phone, and her only hope for survival is a cop who’s willing to risk his badge—and his life—to save her.
SANCTUARY
They came to the peaceful, untouched mountain wilderness of Eastern Tennessee seeking an escape from the madness of modern life. But when they built their luxury homes in the heart of virgin forest they did not realize that something was there before them… something ancient and horrible; something that will make them believe that monsters are real.
EXPOSURE
Her stalker is using her darkest secrets against her
Coming June 2011
JUST BEFORE DAWN
A call in the night sends a mother down a terrifying path. Could her missing daughter still be alive? Or is she the victim of one of the cruelest serial killers of the century?
Coming in July 2011
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Romance Revisited by Donna Ball
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
He was a cowboy looking for a wife. She was a lady specializing in brides. They were made for each other... They just didn't know it yet.
A MA
N AROUND THE HOUSE
He was the answer to a busy working woman's dreams. But was he too good to be true?
FOR KEEPS
He's an animal trainer who lives by one rule: never get attached. She's a social worker who knows all too well the price of getting involved. It may take an entire menagerie to bring them together, but eventually they both must learn that sometimes it's for keeps.
STEALING SAVANNAH
He was a reformed jewel thief now turned security expert and her job depended on his expertise. But could he be trusted not to steal the most valuable jewel of all-- her heart?
UNDER COVER
She's working on the biggest case of her life, and her cover has already been blown-- by the very man she's investigating. Now they must work together to solve an even bigger mystery-- their future together.
THE STORMRIDERS
They were thunder and lightning when they were married, and their divorce has been no less turbulent. But trapped together during a deadly blizzard with the lives of an entire community depending on them, they discover what's really important, and that some storms are worth riding out.
INTERLUDE
Sometimes a chance encounter is over in a moment, and sometimes it can last a lifetime.
CAST ADRIFT
She was a marine biologist on short deadline to find a very important dolphin, with no time to waste on romance. He was a sailor who knew there could only be one captain on his ship-- himself. But two weeks at sea together could change everything...
Find out more about Donna Ball’s latest releases at http://www.donnaball.net
ABOUT THE AUTHOR….
Donna Ball is the author of over a hundred novels under several different psuedonyms in a variety of genres that include romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, western adventure, historical and women’s fiction. Recent popular series include the Ladybug Farm series by Berkley Books and the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. Donna is an avid dog lover and her dogs have won numerous titles for agility, obedience and canine musical freestyle. She lives in a restored Victorian Barn in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains with a variety of four-footed companions. You can contact her at www.donnaball.net.
