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Chapter One

Katarina

“PUT EDGAR AND PAULINA over there” I nod at Curtis, looking toward the line of cages on the ground to my left under the canopy, as I set up the donation box and straighten up the clipboards, adoption forms at the ready

“What?” He cocks his head, holding a cage in each hand and squinting, shaking his head as he struggles to hear over all the barking

“Over there!” I half shout, pointing where I want hi two rescue wire-haired o

He nods and shuffles though the chaos as I direct the other three shelter volunteers We are setting up our adoption booth at the suhpoint of the Thickwood, Colorado summer

As I slip around the front of the table where ill take donations and applications for adoptions, I’ the corner posts to the canopy, and fly headlong into Curtis—who is now carrying a jug of water to fill the animal’s bowls

Cold water splashes into my face and the air

“For Christ’s sake, Kat” Curtis grabsover hiht into the tent pole…” He reaches up and pokes the bruise on my forehead, and I wince as I smack his hand away “You drunk?”

“No,” I snap “I’m not drunk I don’t even drink, you know that”

He rolls his eyes “Maybe you need to start”

“Maybe you need to start” I ives me a dirty look

“You off your irl” He screws up his face and walks away toward the lined-up cages, filling water bowls as he goes

We’ve volunteered together at the shelter since I o, when ht up a ton of real estate around town and transported our entire life—including ed after my mother divorced him and moved in with her Douess none of us saw that co