Page 91 of Finding Home

“Look at them!”Elle squealed as Clayton held the phone toward the yelping puppy pile that had been dropped anonymously at the shelter.

“They are pretty rambunctious.” Clayton chuckled as a brown and white puppy leapt at its siblings then flopped to the newspaper covered floor.

“What about that little nugget over there?”

A patch of brown covered the right eye of the smallest puppy, and ink blot-shaped brown patches littered its torso. The puppy sat quietly, more a spectator than a member of the little orphaned family.

Elle was drawn to that outsider puppy.

“This one?” Clayton asked, crouching down allowing the camera to come close to the puppy’s face.

“Yes.” Smiling, she pressed her face to the phone as if pressing her nose to the pup’s. “Hello there.”

“This is the sister.” He massaged her ears.

“She’s not playing. Is she okay?”

“Yeah. She’s healthy.”

“Are they not letting her play?” A furrow creased her brow. “Hello, lovely girl. Are your brothers being obnoxious?” she cooed to the puppy.

“No, she’s just watching over them. The staff say she’s sweet and friendly, as you can see.”As if on cue, she licked Clayton’s fingers. “She’s just protective of her brothers…keeping an eye on them.”

Elle could hear the smile in his voice, even though all she could see was his hand caressing delicate fur. She knew how great those same fingers felt as they stroked her.

“Like Lizzie Bennet always looking out for her sisters. Maybe we should call her Lizzie.”

“You know, she needs a good home.”Clayton winked, turning the camera to himself as he sat on the ground.

“I work and travel a lot.”

“Malcolm has dogs.” Clayton countered.

“Yes, but he’s married so he has someone that can help.”

“Noted.” Clayton grinned, as the puppy climbed into his lap and nuzzled his chest. “You know unmarried people can have pets.”

“Noted,” Elle mimicked his response.

She had thought about it in the past. There were times she walked by adoption fairs outside pet stores or lost herself down adoption website rabbit holes debating with herself whether to commit. There was always an excuse not to.

I work too much.

I travel too much.

I am alone.

They deserve a real home.

The strongest reason she hadn’t ever said “Yes” was the home piece. Everyone deserved a home and Elle had so recently forged her own home in Long Beach.

“I won’t push but you love dogs. You’re also really good with them,” Clayton said.

“How is that not pushing?” Elle cocked her brow.

“If I was pushing, I’d do this.” Clayton pressed the camera close to Lizzie’s face and pitched his voice high. “Please be my mommy, Elle. I’d be such a good girl. I could keep your always cold feet warm. I could lay on your lap as you read to me. I could eat burnt bacon with you.”

“Stop!” she barked, the giggles rumbling through her. “Your emotional terrorism will not work with me.”

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