Page 70 of Unexpected Danger
Londyn’s temples throbbed. As if recovering from a concussion wasn’t enough, she’d suffered further head injuries. “I don’t know why.”
Renee whistled, and several dogs ran toward her. Several cats roamed throughout the room. “Do you still wonder why?”
“Yes. I don’t understand any of this.”Or any of Renee’s involvement.She had figured Renee to be an oddball, eccentric even, but a kidnapper? “Where’s Dustin?”
“Don’t worry about Dustin. He’ll be back later to visit you. But for now, I want you to know that you will enjoy living here.”
Londyn’s chest tightened. “What do you meanlivinghere?”
Renee giggled, her laugh bordering on maniacal. “You sure do ask a lot of questions.” She set the cat down, and it purred and walked over and rubbed against Londyn’s leg. Londyn had neverbeen fond of cats, especially since she was allergic to them. Just as she figured, her eyes began to water, and she sneezed.
“Keep an eye on her for a minute, King.” Renee patted the boxer on the head and retreated to somewhere else in the house.
Two dogs perched beside Londyn, while King growled and bared his teeth. Londyn inched as close as she could against the wall. Would the boxer attack her?
Renee returned in a few minutes with two dog dishes in her hands. “I thought you might like something to eat since it’s about dinner time.”
Dinner time? How long had Londyn been here?
One of the dogs rested its paws on Renee’s thigh, and she swatted it away, nearly spilling the contents of one of the dishes. “This is for Londyn. You’ll have your dinner soon.” She ushered all the dogs, except King, from the room and balanced the dog dishes on Londyn’s lap. “I hope you’re flexible so that you can bend down and eat these because Dustin says I can’t take the ropes off your hands or feet.”
One of the dishes held several square crackers. The other appeared to be milk. A layer of pet hair floated on the surface of the milk, and Londyn retched, nausea just at the edge of her throat.
“As you know, I take in strays. Dogs others don’t want, cats living outside all alone, or even sometimes I have to rescue dogs when their owners aren’t looking.” Renee emitted a shrill laugh. “As was the case for a couple of my newest rescues. They should never have been unleashed in the park.” She hiked up her shoulder. “That’s what they get for not keeping their dogs leashed. You’d be amazed at how the pets just came right to me. For treats, of course. But if a dog isn’t with its owner, then it’s a stray. Cats, too.” Renee counted on her fingers. “I think I’m up to twenty-three altogether, including the rabbit living in the bathtub and the goat and horse outside.”
Twenty-three animals? Twenty-one in this house? Londyn had no idea how big the house was or where all the animals would even stay. Were they being cared for? Neglected? Fed? Watered? What about the horse? Was it still there? Or the goat?
“Was Sesame even lost?” she asked.
“No. He’s been here all along, but it worked to get you to help me.”
Londyn inwardly groaned. She knew all about situational awareness, of not falling for ploys. And yet…
A pernicious grin crossed Renee’s face. “It’s an important job. I’ve rescued them all, and one time, I even had a pet goose. But you’re the first person I’ve rescued.”
It would do no good to tell Renee she didn’t need to be rescued. The woman patted Londyn on the head. “And you are a stray, Londyn. You don’t have a home.” She puckered her lips, blinked her eyes, and shook her head. “This will be your new home.”
Her new home? Goosebumps pricked her skin.
Londyn forced herself to not only digest all that Renee was saying, but also to attempt to fit some pieces together to determine where she was. If Renee truly had rescued a horse and goat, her house wasn’t within city limits.
“I would like to go home.”
Renee shook her head. “Dustin says I need to keep you here for a while. But don’t worry, you won’t be lonely.” Renee placed her hands on her wide hips. “I do have to tell you that if you do try to escape, King will have none of it.”
At the mention of the dog’s name, King bared his teeth.
Londyn fought the rise of panic. While she wasn’t typically afraid of dogs—and would easily consider herself a “dog person”—she wasn’t fond of mean canines.
“Now, do your best to eat up, and I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.” Much to Londyn’s relief, Renee gathered thethree cats that tiptoed around the room and hauled them out before shutting the door. And at least she had taken King with her.
Londyn sneezed again and attempted to itch her eyes with her shoulder, but as she did so, milk in one of the dog dishes sloshed over the edge onto her pants.
Dare she even think about drinking the milk? What had Renee put in it? Cat dander in the liquid wouldn’t do Londyn any favors. She was so thirsty, likely dehydrated if she’d been here any length of time. But no, she wouldn’t chance consuming anything Renee offered.
If she thought Renee was psychotic, it would be even worse when and if Dustin arrived.
Lord, please, please help me.
