Page 9 of No Good Deed

Kimi nodded and picked up her coat from where it rested over the back of a couch. “Yes. I’ve also left a dog bed, a harness, and everything else you’ll need. I stopped at Troy’s and picked up the bowls and food he’s already used.”

Piper looked from the vet to the dog and back. “But he’s not my dog.”

Kimi grinned at her. “He pouted after you left him with me. Kept looking at the door, waiting for you to return. When you walked in here, he reacted with joy. So did you.”

“But I’m only here for two weeks. And I’m currently out of a job and living in my car.” That sounded pathetic. “Until I find my next job and place.”

Kimi smiled and buttoned up her coat. “We’ll figure that part out later. For now, he needs some care and recovery time. You can provide that. He’s been well trained, but there’s no chip. I’ve put out notices on social media and to vets in surrounding towns.”

“But…” Piper’s voice trailed off. She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say.

Kimi tilted her head. “Some idiot probably chucked him into the ditch, and left him there to die because he got tired of taking care of him.”

Piper’s arms tightened around Oreo, and he wiggled up to lick her again.

Kimi nodded. “Happens a lot on quiet country roads. I’d like to do the same to some humans and see how they like it. Jim and Carl are fine with dogs staying here, and this guy can stay with them when you’re out. French bulldogs make excellent house and apartment dogs. They don’t need much exercise and are quiet and friendly. He’s taken to you and I can see that you’ve taken to him. But if you really don’t want him with you while you’re here, I’ll take him back. No problem.”

Piper blew out a breath and thought about losing touch with her little buddy again. A soft snore told her he’d drifted off again, and she couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on his head.

Kimi laughed. “That’s what I thought. I left instructions with the guys and they have my number. Text me if you need anything. Have fun.”

And the woman whirled out with a flourish.

Piper patted the sleeping dog and was surprised at the connection she felt. She’d never had a pet. She and her parents had always lived in apartments that didn’t allow pets.

She didn’t know the first thing about caring for a dog, but she would figure it out. Especially seeing as the vet had left instructions.

“What do you think, Oreo? Do you want to be my dog for now?”

Oreo wiggled into a more comfortable position and kept snoring.

She kept patting him and smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Looked like she had a dog. At least temporarily.

Phail was proving to be full of surprises. Good ones for a change.

* * *

The next afternoon, Troy walked in the front door of the B&B and heard laughter coming from the kitchen. He left his snowy boots along with the backpack he’d brought in the lobby, and followed the happy sounds.

When he heard a dog yip, he picked up the pace and swung through the door to find Piper and Jim on the floor, playing with the little dog she’d found on the side of the road.

Carl waved at him and gestured for him to come in and sit at the counter with him, watching the other humans play with the dog and a ball.

Piper looked up at him with the widest smile he’d seen yet. “Hi. Kimi dropped Oreo off here for me to take care of while I’m in town. Jim and Carl have talked me down from complete panic.”

He grinned. “You don’t look like you’re in much of a panic to me.” In fact, she looked happier than the day before, although there were still shadows in her eyes. Obviously, she’d had a good night’s sleep and her stress levels had dropped.

She shrugged. “They’re pretty good at this.”

Troy laughed. She was absolutely right. These two didn’t panic easily or often. Never, as far as he could remember. They were as steady a pair as Troy had ever seen. “So Kimi figured you were the one to take care of your Oreo.”

She nodded. “I’ve never had a dog. Or any pet. She left instructions, but I’m still nervous. I read up on French Bulldogs last night, but what if I mess up?”

He smiled at Jim and Carl. “You’ve got good backups in place. You’ll be fine. Oreo certainly seems to think so. Do you still want to take a tour of the town or would you rather stay here with your new guy? Things can wait another day.” The disappointment he felt at the thought of canceling surprised him. Piper Keenan intrigued him far more than she should.

She gnawed her bottom lip again and looked at the dog. “What do you say, Oreo? Would you like to go for a walk?” Then she glanced up at Troy. “Would that be okay?”

Troy nodded while Oreo bounced over to her and licked her hand. Piper laughed. “Apparently, he knows the word walk. Kimi brought him a little coat, along with a harness. How about we try it and see how it goes? I don’t know how far his little legs can go, though.”

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