Page 88 of Beat of Love
“Thanks. And yes, we were fortunate.” She nodded to the injured animals. “How are they? Willtheybe okay?”
Siobhan took a deep breath, glancing down at her notes before answering. “The retriever is the one who’s injured. He has a broken leg, likely from a few days ago. And some internal bruising. Nothing life-threatening, but it’s clear that he’s been through a lot. He’s under sedation.”
Rafferty shifted and leaned against the counter, his expression tight. “So, you’re saying this injury happenedbeforethe accident?”
“Yes,” Siobhan confirmed. “None of his injuries are fresh, and the trauma to his leg is significant. It’s possible we might have to amputate. We’ll have to assess the nerve damage once he’s fully awake.”
Brandy’s breath hitched. “That’s awful,” she whispered.
“Both of these animals are malnourished. I suspect they’ve been wandering for a while, without proper care or food. It’s possible that they were abandoned, or perhaps they’ve been living in an unsafe environment.”
Rafferty grunted and crossed his arms.
Brandy took a step closer to the retriever. “We had a retriever. Tucker died a few months before we moved here.” Heart hurting, she knelt beside the kennel. “I’m sorry you’re hurting,” she whispered. A low growl from the neighboring cage took her attention away from the retriever. The terrier was on its feet, teeth bared. It gave a sharp bark, the sound piercing Brandy’salready sore head. “Hey, little one. I’m not gonna hurt your friend,” she pacified.
Siobhan continued, “The terrier’s in a better condition. She has some scrapes and bruises, but she’ll recover.”
The small dog’s gaze was back on the retriever, her body tense, as though she was guarding something precious. “She’s really protective of him,” Brandy remarked, her voice soft.
“Yes, she’s been very attached to him. It’s clear that they’ve been together for a while.”
Brandy’s heart tightened, and she looked up at Rafferty.“Do you think … maybe she was trying to get help for him when the accident happened?”
He crouched beside her, viewing the little terrier.“It’s possible.”
Siobhan added, “From the way she’s been behaving, I think you’re right.”
“You’re a good sister,” Brandy murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “But you can rest now. We’ll take care of your brother for you.”
The dog gave a soft whine and lay back down, resting her head on her paws, her eyes once more on her friend. Then she exhaled. And lowered her lids. For a heart stopping beat, Brandy thought the dog had died, but the steady rise and fall of her body quickly dispelled that dramatic notion.
Rafferty stood and helped her up, his hand under her elbow. He dropped his arm and turned to his sister. “I’ll take care of the cost for their recovery.”
Brandy sucked in a breath. “You don’t have to do that.”
He snagged her gaze with his. “I want to.”
She read the finality in his voice and pursed her lips. “Okay. Just don’t think that makes them yours.”
His eyes glittered with amusement. “I wouldn’t dream of thinking that, Red.”
“You want to adopt them, Brandy?” Siobhan asked.
“I do.”
“Normally, we would follow a process of trying to locate their owners—”
“Over my dead body,” Brandy snarled, “are they going back to whoever tossed them away.”
Siobhan took a step back. “Let me finish. That’s what we wouldnormallydo, but as these animals were mistreated, that’s not gonna happen.”
“Sorry,” Brandy said, contrite, rubbing her forehead.
“That’s okay,” Siobhan returned. “I’m just glad they have someone in their corner.”
“You ready to leave, Red?” Rafferty asked. “It looks like it’s time for another painkiller.”
Brandy nodded, her gaze lingering on the animals one last time before she followed Siobhan out, Rafferty once more at her heels, his fingers featherlight against the small of her spine.
