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“Lots of fun, outgoing She had to delay leaving for Knoxville for a year so she took a couple of courses here After the attack, she changed Becauarded and withdrawn But you have to understand, she endured a brutal attack Post-traumatic stress would be a normal reaction”
“She still has scars Keeps her journal”
She released a weary sigh “I went to see her in the hospital after the attack The plastic surgeon did a great job stitching her up, but she still looked like Frankenstein”
Alex shifted in his seat, trying to connect the woo with the woht her odd initially, aloof and standoffish Nohen he considered the attack, he had nothing but pure respect for her
“During that last summer school session, after the attack, a boy in class who didn’t know her history jurabbed her textbook and hit him hard in the face She would have hit him a second time but he fell to the floor”
A ses?”
“Not after I explained her history But he walked one hell of a wide circle around her after that”
“Any other incidents?”
“Not that I saw”
“Thanks, Dr Miller I appreciate the insight”
Alex hung up and immediately dialed a contact in South Carolina
Chapter Thirteen
Thursday, January 19, 9 AM
He arrived at the hus, he learned, could be chaotic there Dogs being dropped off Dogs needing feeding and walking Deliveries It was a busy time
He pushed through the front door, wrinkling his nose at the ss weren’t his favorite They were de emotionally and needed lots of care Cats were more to his taste They took care of themselves and didn’t need constant attention His wife had alanted a black Lab and had ether Of course with their busy lives, there hadn’t been ti so he’d refused to allow one
That had been a , she’d have been happier, wouldn’t have been so discontented Maybe, maybe, maybe
The lady behind the counter looked up through horn-ri hair in a loose ponytail that alloisps of hair to frame a very round face
“I’d like to look at the dogs,” he said “My ants a black Lab”
The wo a blousy peasant top worn over faded jeans that covered a very wide set of hips He wasn’t a fan of overweight figures, and when his wife splurged on ice cream or chocolate, he was always quick to joke about her clothes getting too tight He’d never teased her out of meanness He’d only reminded her of what she ate because he knew she are of her figure and would have been upset if she’d put on a few pounds
“You specifically want a black Lab?”
He s she always talked about She likes to take walks, and I know Labs need a lot of exercise” He extended his hand “My name is Brian Lawrence”
“Hey, Brian My naer”
He glanced at the clock “I know you just opened I bet you haven’t had your coffee yet”
“I’ll delay the coffee for a dog”
He rubbed his hands together “So what do I need to do?”
“Let’s have a look at the dogs, and if you see one that ht work in your family, we’ll talk about the paperwork”
“Sounds like a plan”
He followed her down a tiled hallway Green hospital walls were covered in a collection of photographs featuring all kinds of dogs and cats A Lab shepherd mix A dachshund mix A tabby cat with a bent ear A collection of white furry puppies Happy and upbeat, theyHe
iined the look on his wife’s face when he surprised her with the dog
Betty pushed through a swinging door and they entered a long roos andcats filled the sterile room The floor was tile, easily hosed down, and the walls were painted a
“So you only want a Lab? Because we have some very cute aniht be surprised by the friendly dogs we do have”
He nearly refused, but then reminded himself that he needed to beAny animal “Let’s see what you have”
As they ly to the dogs Most rushed to the front of the cage and licked her fingertips, eager for her attention He senuine He found the dogs, especially the puppies, to be a bit annoying and dreaded the idea of co, even petted a couple of animals so Betty wouldn’t think him odd He was supposed to be an animal lover
Finally, at the end of the row, he spotted a e but didn’t cower in the corner either It eyed hiaze that made him stop He sensed, as the creature looked at his
“You like this one?” Betty asked
He tore his gaze fro “Yeah, I think I do”
“Are you interested in adoption?”