Page 26 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

I finished the eggs on my plate, set my fork down, and then wiped my mouth with a napkin. "May I be excused?"

I needed to go throw up.

Jos gave a grunt, which I took as a yes.

I stood, bowed respectfully to Mrs. Gibbons. "Thank you for the meal." I grabbed my dishes and carried them into the kitchen. It didn't take me more than a few minutes to wash them, dry them, and put them away.

I grimaced as I glanced around the kitchen. Mrs. Gibbons kept it pretty clean, but there were still a few dishes left over from cooking breakfast. It wouldn't take me long to clean it all up for her.

I grabbed all the dirty dishes and put them in the sink, adding some hot water and soap so they could soak, and then grabbed a clean rag and some cleaner and began wiping down all the counters. Once I was done with that, I dealt with the dishes I had been soaking.

I smiled with satisfaction as I glanced around the clean kitchen. My grandfather had always said hard work was honest work and honest work was satisfying work.

He was right.

I started to head back to my room when I heard a noise outside I couldn't decipher. I cautiously walked to the back door and peered out of the window on the upper half.

I couldn't see anything, but I could hear it. It sounded like whimpering, but not from a human. From an animal. I didn't have a ton of experience with animals. Mostly birds and butterflies.

I had no idea what was making this noise.

I turned the handle and pushed open the door, stepping out onto the back porch. When I walked to the edge of the porch, the noise grew louder. I went down the steps and started to look around. I didn't see anything, but the sound of painful whimpers was growing louder. I followed it, dropping down to my knees to look under the porch.

Two bright blue eyes peered back at me from the shadows.

"Hey," I said in the calmest tone I could muster at that moment. I had no idea what I was facing, but if the whimpers were anything to go by, this little thing was in pain.

I crawled under the porch as far as I could and then lay down on my stomach and scooted closer. It wasn't until I was just a couple of feet away that I realized I was looking at a dog. Maybe a puppy. It was hard to tell its age.

"What seems to be the problem, little guy?" I kept my tone soothing as I moved closer.

When I spotted bits of bloody metal wire wrapped around the dog's leg, I wanted to howl as loud as he did. Someone had hurt this poor thing, and it looked as if it was on purpose.

I crawled a bit closer and then very slowly reached my hand out. I jerked it back fast when the dog snarled and snapped at me. Considering what was done to him, I'd be wary of humans, too.

I had to figure a way to get this dog out from under the porch so I could treat its wounds. I hated leaving it here, but I crawledback out from under the porch, jumped up, and ran into the house.

The only thing I could think of to do was wrap it in something until I could get it out. I doubted they had a muzzle on a cattle ranch and I really didn't want to do that to an injured dog, but a big thick towel might work.

And some gloves, something to protect my hands. I also needed some wire clippers and a first aid kit.

I grimaced as I paused in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room. That list was going to be a big ask. I wasn't sure what I had for compensation. I doubted Jos would accept an IOU.

I remembered the jade necklace my grandfather had given me. He had said it wasn't worth much, but maybe it would be enough to save the little dog.

Instead of going into the large dining room where I could still hear people talking, I ran upstairs to my bedroom. I went to the top drawer of my dresser and pulled out the small wooden box I kept my treasures in.

I grabbed the jade necklace and stared down at it for a moment. It had been one of the few presents I had ever been given, but this was a life or death situation.

I had no choice.

I closed my hand around the necklace, put the box away, and then headed downstairs. Time was of the essence here. I didn't know how long the dog would survive. I needed to hurry.

I ran into the dining room and over to where Jos was sitting. I swallowed tightly when I saw everyone watching me. I didn't know what the protocol was here. How did I ask for what I needed without letting Jos lose respect?

Life in Japan was all about respect. Failure to be respectful to your elders was incredibly painful, and in this case, Jos would be considered my elder.

"Forgive my impertinence for interrupting you. I meant no disrespect," I said as I gave a quick bow. "A moment, please."

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