Die Before Nightfall

“What’s to do? You feed her. Run with her. Give her some love. She’ll be your friend for life. Here, just hold her for a minute. Then tell me you don’t want her.”

Raven gritted her teeth and put out her hands to take the puppy, telling herself it was only for a minute—that she’d hold the dog just long enough to find an excuse to say no.

Twenty minutes later she was back on the road, heading home. Merry, sporting a rhinestone collar and faux leather leash, tumbled along behind, her long legs and big feet tangling until Raven gave up and lifted the awkward puppy.

“Greyhound, my eye. You’re no more greyhound than I’m a world-class sprinter. That man’s a menace. He could sell sand in the desert.”

And Raven would probably be the first in line to buy it.

She shifted the dog in her arms and tried not to notice the comfortable warmth against her chest. “I’d rather have a gun or sword. At least that I could hand over to Tori.”

The dog wiggled in Raven’s hold and turned just enough to lick her cheek. “Oh. Yuck. Hold off on the kisses, mutt. I’m only keeping you as long as it takes to find you a home.”

A sporty black car sped around a curve in the road and screeched to a stop a few feet away. The door flew open and Tori Riley jumped out.

“I knew it. I knew that man was up to no good. Got to the office and it all clicked. The secrecy, the sly questions about puppy care. That’s one ugly mutt.”

“She’s not that bad.”

“How’d he talk you into taking her?”

“I don’t know. One minute I was saying ‘no thanks’ and the next I was walking home with a puppy.”

“Didn’t even have the guts to give you a ride home. That’s low.”

“He was probably afraid I’d come to my senses.” Raven glanced down at the wiggling puppy. Merry wasn’t that ugly. Actually, she was kind of cute…in a homely sort of way.

“Uh-oh. I know that look. You’re hooked.”

“I’m not. I’m going to find her a home.”

“Right. Come on. I’ll give you a ride and then take a look at her. Make sure she’s healthy. You’ll have to make an appointment to have her shots done. The sooner the better.”

“Okay. But I’m not keeping her.”

“Of course you’re not.”

Raven shot a look in Tori’s direction, but decided not to argue further. The fact was, she was already starting to like the idea of having a dog. She pushed Merry into the car and climbed in behind her. Tomorrow would be soon enough to make a final decision. For now she’d accept the ride that was offered, and be thankful for it.

Shane stepped out of his office, trying hard to control his irritation. He had work to do, plenty of it, before his manuscript could be sent out. The last thing he wanted was a visit from his cousin. Not that he minded Mark stopping by to see his mother. On the contrary, he wished he’d come by more often. Unfortunately, this time he hadn’t come alone, he’d brought Adam.

The son of Abby’s only brother, Adam was a savvy businessman and aspiring politician who hadn’t had time for his aunt until recently. Now, with election year looming, he made bimonthly visits and mentioned those visits to anyone willing to listen. That bothered Shane. What bothered him more was that Adam had plenty of opinions about Abby’s care, but not a lot of ideas about how to help.