Page 7 of Whispers of Redemption

Inside the car, Cassie handed Ani the dog, who curled up on her lap as they drove off. Ani ran her hand over the soft, white fur, threading her fingers through it. “She’s so pretty. Officer Garcia is right, she is a little angel. Can we call you Angel?” she asked, leaning close to speak directly to the dog again. The pup lifted her head and licked Ani’s face. “You like that, huh? Okay, Angel it is!”

After dropping Ani off, Cassie made a quick call to Rachel and Mark Wainwright. Rachel and Mark had become her foster parents when she was in her junior year of high school. And although Cassie was now an adult, they continued to help her and act as true parents in her life.

Unlike the couple Ani currently lived with, Rachel and Mark had been wonderful foster parents. When their own children had grown and moved away, they’d decided to put their parenting skills to work making a difference in hurting children’s lives.

They’d participated in the program for several years before Cassie came to live with them. And she’d been their last placement before they finally decided to retire. Now, they allowed her to rent the studio apartment above their garage while she worked and went to school. With their encouragement, she’d been taking one or two classes per semester at the community college for the past few years. Progress was slow, but it didn’t really matter since she still didn’t know what sort of degree she even wanted yet.

Rachel answered the call and put it on speaker as Cassie explained to them about Angel. And just as Ani predicted, they were totally fine with it.

“Poor little dog,” Rachel’s voice filled the car. “Remember our sweet Oreo, Mark?”

“Yes, yes,” Mark replied. “I know you still miss him.” Oreo had been their black-and-white cockapoo who’d died a little over a year ago. “But, honey, we’re traveling so much now to visit the kids and grandbaby Logan, you know it doesn’t make sense to have a dog to take care of.”

“I know, you’re right,” Rachel sighed. “But it will be nice to have a dog around again, even if it’s only for a little while.”

After disconnecting, Cassie looked over at Angel, now curled up into a comfortable ball on the passenger seat. The dog lifted her head, dark eyes studying Cassie.

“Well, pup, I guess we have an errand to run before I take you home.”

Cassie stopped at the pet supply store. Quickly scooping Angel up into her arms, she made it inside fifteen minutes before closing. With the guidance of the store clerk, she hurriedly picked out dog food and dishes, a collar, leash, and the dreaded doggie poop bags. Then, as a quick afterthought, she tossed a package of liver treats and a squeaky stuffed squirrel into her cart.

She parked in the Wainwright’s driveway and put the collar and leash on Angel, escorting her to the back of the property for a potty run. Angel sniffed around with interest before completing her business. To Cassie’s relief, the dog didn’t poop, because she’d totally forgotten to grab a poop bag before taking Angel back there.

Cassie took the dog into the main house to meet Mark and Rachel, who made a big deal over her. Attention that Angel enjoyed immensely. Then she carried the little dog back outside and up the white wooden staircase to her studio apartment above the garage. “You need to be good,” she told the ball of fluff in her arms. “I still have a bunch of homework to do tonight.”

She finished unloading the car while Angel made an in-depth sniffing tour of the tiny space. Cassie filled the new pink-and-white ceramic doggie dishes and placed them near her kitchen area. Then watched as Angel devoured all the food and lapped up the water. Wow. The poor dog must have been starving. Cassie added more to each dish for Angel. Then she grabbed her laptop, pulled out her psychology textbook, and grabbed some pita chips and hummus to snack on while she studied. She was taking Psychology 101, and despite the accelerated speed of the summer session, she was determined to ace it. Plus, she really loved what she was learning in it.

She placed everything at her tiny four-seater kitchen table and sat down. The chairs were old and made from a hard, light-colored wood, and the white paint on the small, square table was slightly chipped and worn from use, but they served their purpose of providing the flexible work and eating space she needed.

She was typing up her notes when Angel finished eating. The pup came over and curled up comfortably at Cassie’s feet. Actually, on her feet. She looked so peaceful though, Cassie didn’t have the heart to move her.

Just before midnight, Cassie yawned and closed her textbook. Then she looked down at Angel and sighed. One more thing to do. Cassie pulled up the local county Lost and Found Pet social media page on her laptop. She snapped a photo of the sleeping Angel with her cell phone and posted it, along with information about where and when Angel had been found. Then she used the photo to create a flyer and printed off several copies to post around town the next day.

Finally, she closed the laptop, stood, and stretched. Angel stood, too, looking at her expectantly. “It’s time for bed, pup,” Cassie said. Under the watchful eye of Angel, Cassie brushed her teeth, changed into her soft pajama T-shirt and boxers, and headed for her bed, which was separated from the rest of the room by a simple Japanese shoji screen, its translucent white paper framed in glossy black lacquer trim.

She climbed into the bed and fluffed the soft, pale-blue quilt several times before cocooning herself within its inviting depths. Angel trotted around the screen and sat down, patiently watching her. Cassie suddenly noticed her. And it was only then that she realized she’d neglected to get a bed for the dog. While she was still considering what to do about this, Angel leaped up beside her on the bed.

“Oh no you don’t!” Cassie said. But it was too late, Angel was already walking in tight, little circles, pawing at the covers to make a nest for herself before settling down comfortably on the pillow next to Cassie’s.

Cassie eyed the dog, whose head rested on her little paws, dark eyes open, just looking back at her. Too tired to argue, with a sigh of resignation, Cassie slipped down beneath the covers again. Once she settled in, she reached over to turn off the lamp on the nightstand beside her. Before she hit the switch though, Angel got up and moved in closer, snuggling her warm, little body right up against Cassie’s.

Cassie lay there for a moment, wondering how she was going to sleep with this furball heater next to her on the bed. She reached down and stroked the dog’s soft side. It surprised her how quickly Angel seemed to trust her. Aside from Ani, Cassie hadn’t ever had anyone else rely on her in her life. And even though it was just a dog, she had to admit, it kind of warmed her heart. “You’re lucky you’re so darn cute, puppy,” she said, and turned out the light.

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