Page 38 of Hound Dog
Haylee smiled and bent to pet Ellie as Yipper barked at a squirrel up a tree. “She has an attachment toallthe dogs. But I think she’d be content to let Ellie go to a good home.”
Just then, my client came around the side of the fence, waving at me.
“Let’s hope so,” I murmured to Haylee. “Here’s my next client.”
I smiled and waved at Sarah as she flipped her elbow length blond hair over her tanned shoulder. “Finn, hi!”
“Come on in,” I said, unlatching the gate and opening it for her. “This is Ellie and Yipper. I can attest to the fact that they’re both incredibly smart, working dogs. But I haven’t had a chance to see how they are at the beach or in water. So, we may want to try one out and if it’s not the right fit, we can try the other dog on another day.”
Sarah entered the yard and pulled her long hair into a high ponytail. “That’s a good plan,” she said.
Right on cue, both dogs came running at Sarah, but I quickly put a palm up and in a sharp, commanding voice said, “Sit!”
Both dogs obeyed immediately, and even though their tails were wagging like crazy, they stayed in their seated positions while Sarah bent and greeted both dogs.
I filled her palm with treats and let her pet and get to know each of them. “Oh my goodness,” she cooed. “They’re both justsosweet.”
Haylee dropped to her knees beside Sarah, smiling. “They really are.”
“They’re yours?” Sarah asked.
“My aunt’s. We need new homes for them because they’re both very active dogs and my aunt is… well, not.” Haylee gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I’ve only been here a few days, but I’m going to miss them.” She ducked her head and wiped at her eyes with a small sniffle.
Was Hayleecrying? I thought she adamantly wanted to find homes for these dogs? But suddenly I felt like I was tearing apart a family.
I bent down beside her and placed my hand gently to her back. “We don’t have to do this, you know. I can find another way…”
I didn’t know what the hell that other way would be. But God help me, I didn’t want to make Haylee cry.
She laughed in spite of herself and swiped her fingers beneath the damp skin around her eyes. “No, no. They’ll be happier in a home better suited for them. I’m just a sap when it comes to animals.”
“But you put on such a tough front to your aunt.”
“I have to! You’ve seen her! If I didn’t, next thing you know, she’d be bringing in raccoons and skunks to rescue.”
Sarah laughed and squealed as Yipper, tired of patiently sitting as he was asked to do, launched up from his seated position and started licking at her face.
“I think this guy might be perfect for me,” she said. “He’s smart and obedient, but when he wants something, he goes for it! Just like me. Plus, he looks like the dog from Frasier!”
I arched my brows at Haylee, awaiting her answer to my unasked questions.Is that okay?
Haylee lengthened her chin and nodded. “I think you and Yipper make a cute team.”
I stood, clapping my hands. “Awesome. Sarah, let’s you, me, and Yipper head to the beach and start scouting out some dudes.”
Haylee stood as well. “Great,” she said. “Just let me grab my purse.”
I froze, halfway to the gate. Haylee was coming with us? “Your purse?”
“Yeah,” she said. “I mean, she hasn’t officially adopted Yipperyet. Aunt Meryl insisted I stay with the dogs until the adoption is official.”
Sarah looked back and forth between Haylee and me. “It doesn’t bother me if she wants to come,” she said. “I get it. It’s her dog and she wants to make sure he’s safe.”
I narrowed my eyes at Haylee. It wasn’t exactly what we’d agreed on, but what the hell could I say? No wasn’t exactly an option. I needed Yipper today. She had me over a barrel and she knew it.
“Fine,” I muttered. “Go grab your purse and meet me out front by my car.”
If she wanted to join me on a manhunt? Then that’s just what we’d do.
