Page 15 of Strictly Forbidden

“Oh. My. God. This is Max?”

“This is my Maxie boy. Say hello to my friend, Zoe, Max.” He was dutiful and continued his amazing training by walking the two steps closer that was approved, then offering his paw.

Zoe glanced at me, shaking her head before shaking my pup’s paw. “So nice to meet you, Max. You look amazing. You have stars in your eyes.”

I laughed as I pointed to the floor and Max took his place by my feet. As I sat down, I realized I felt incredible. So much so I could scream to the heavens. Sure, I continued to pray it wasn’t short lived, but it felt as if I had my entire life yet to live. “How can I not feel amazing. My book is sitting at number one in three markets, the audio book set to release tomorrow, the bastard who tried to kill me is likely receiving the death penalty as he should be, and I have this boy.”

She laughed and eased into the seat across from me. “I’m so happy you seem so happy. I took the liberty of ordering us margaritas.”

“Ooh-la-la.”

Almost immediately the drinks were brought to the table as well as a bowl of water for Max. I adored pet-friendly locations.

“To Max,” Zoe said as she lifted her glass.

“To Max.”

I had to admit the taste of the margarita was incredible, even more so than I could remember. Perhaps it had to do with my new lease on life.

“So,” I said after a sudden quiet settled in. Suddenly, my bestie appeared more uncomfortable than I was used to seeing.

Zoe sighed and finally leaned over the table. “Look, I told you before if I was lucky enough to find the information that it was possible I could get disbarred for securing it.”

“Oh, come on. It’s just a name. Nothing more. I don’t need to know the guy’s life story or learn about his medical records. I just want a name so I can write him a thank you letter. Nothing more.”

“You’re sure you want to do that? I mean…”

“Zoe. It’s the right thing to do. Incarceration or not, the man who trained this incredible pup, who was abused beyond imagination, into becoming this incredible little ball of fluff is a decent man in my book. As such, he deserves to be treated like a human being. I know you found out something. I can tell.”

“It’s not as easy as you think. I had to pull in a couple favors.”

I threw out my hand. “Give it to me.”

“His name is Conrad. All I managed to get was his first name and his prison identification number. Don’t send him brownies or anything because they won’t get to him.” She pulled out a folded slip of paper.

“Duh. I have no intention of doing so. We’re talking a single letter. Nothing more.” I glanced at the information and felt Max’s tail thumping against my leg. No matter the rules or the goddamn protocol, I knew it was the right thing to do.

Maybe, just maybe the guy would find peace in knowing all his hard work meant something to someone.

Kage

“Kage. You got mail.”

I’d gotten two letters from my baby sister over the years, both of which I treasured. But with the parole hearing ten days away, she had the same kind of hope I’d finally felt so I certainly wasn’t expecting a letter from her.

Unless she wanted to tell me more antics about my father and his continued hatred of me. He’d been a proud papa when I’d been decorated with the Silver Star. I’d done my best to keep my changing career from my parents, but the moment I’d been arrested for a murder I didn’t commit, my father’s shock had quickly turned into anger. He’d disowned me on the spot, forbidding even my mother to talk to me.

Could I blame them? Hell, no.

As the already opened letter was shoved through the bars, I glanced at the guard who was grinning at me. I snatched it from his hand, suddenly feeling the loss of having Max by my side more than I’d allowed myself to feel up to this point. What was interesting was that I felt something heavier than just a piece of paper inside the envelope.

The letters were checked and rechecked before being given to any inmate. Hell, if a family member sent cookies, they’d never arrive, the guards stealing everything. I sat down on my bunk, pulling out the piece of paper. When something fell into my lap, I slowly looked down.

A lump formed in my throat. It was a photograph of Max with what appeared to be his new owner, only half her face was hidden. In the background was an incredible mountain, snow already slicing across the tallest peaks. She was kneeling down, her arm wrapped around his neck, and in her other hand was a tennis ball.

For a few seconds, my heart soared before collapsing. I missed my boy, more than I’d thought I would. The picture was incredible, and even with only half her face showing, I could tell the woman was absolutely beautiful. If only I knew her story, which wasn’t allowed. I hadn’t been told anything about where Max was going other than it was a person in need of a support animal.

As I read over the letter, I felt a sense of pride all over again for my boy and maybe a little for myself. It seemed Maxie boy was already making a difference in the woman’s life.

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