Rescued

by L. P. Maxa

  “Yeah, this is Shane Hopper, you called me about a break-in?”

  Luke assured Shane there was no break-in and told him what had happened and what he required. Shane said he could pull up the film from his Dropbox and gave him an email address for a shared file.

  “Give me about an hour to find what you need,” Shane said. “I’ll text you when I load it.” Emily returned from letting Serta out as he hung up.

  “That was Shane,” Luke told her. “He should have something for us in about an hour.”

  Chapter Seven

  I can’t believe I kissed him. Emily must have said it in her head a thousand times while she took Serta out into the fenced backyard, another foresight on her grandmother’s part. Yet when Emily walked back into the kitchen and Luke told her about Shane’s call, all she could think about was kissing him again.

  It had been over two years since Danny died. She’d always think of him as Danny. Emily’s beliefs had always been that God had a plan for her life. For so long she had tried to make it work in Charlotte, thinking corporate America was her future, and then when her grandmother died and left her everything, it made her take a long look at her life and what she wanted and where she wanted to be. Emily realized that she wasn’t really happy and she then had a chance to do something that she loved. But she was still waiting for that one piece to fall into place.

  Could that piece be Luke? Had Danny’s fate been to guide Luke to find her? Could sweet little Serta, who after checking on her sleeping babies had followed her into the kitchen, been an innocent instrument in their meeting?

  It was a lot to think about after a bone-searing kiss.

  Would she have Danny alive if she could? Absolutely. But there was no changing the past. However, she could see that something good came out of it. That Danny’s sacrifice had some meaning, and knowing that would definitely be a blessing to her aunt and uncle.

  “That will give us time to finish our meal,” Emily said. Please don’t let this be awkward now.

  Luke patted her stool. “Pizza is getting cold.”

  “That’s the great thing about pizza,” Emily replied. “It’s good either way.” She went back to join him and it didn’t feel weird, or awkward. It felt right. They filled up on salad and pizza and talked about the merits of thin crust over thick while the pizza they shared was somewhere in between. Meanwhile, Serta made herself at home on the chaise end of the sectional, which put her close to the fireplace.

  “Hey, there’s the segment,” Luke said. They both moved to the living area to watch, Emily for the second time. It ended with the anchor reminding everyone that abandoning a pet was against the law and if anyone had news to please call the sheriff’s office.

  Luke’s phone beeped with a text. “It’s Shane. He’s uploaded the video. Said it looked like a woman to him.”

  “I’ll get my laptop,” Emily replied. She sat it on the coffee table and Shane gave her the file sharing URL. They found the video and saw the back of the building. The time stamp was from Saturday at 1:17 a.m. The mattress was already present when a small SUV, either blue or black, pulled up. It was an older model Ford. A woman got out. She wore a dark jacket and a gray toboggan. Her hair was either blonde or gray, it was hard to say. She held something in her hands, and when she came from behind the driver’s side of her car, they saw clearly that it was a pregnant Serta. The woman put her on the mattress where it hung out of the dumpster and shoved her over the side.

  Watching that happen, Emily had never felt such anger, or even hatred, for another person. If she could get her hands on the woman, she would be hard-pressed not to kill her.

  “Son of a bitch,” Luke muttered under his breath.

  “What I’m thinking shouldn’t be said out loud.”

  Without a backward glance the woman got in her car and drove away. The tag on her car was clearly visible and Luke stopped the video and copied it on his phone. “I’ve got to go to my car to run this tag.”

  “Go,” Emily said. “I’ll clean up while you do it.”

  He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Then he gave Serta a caress before he went outside.

  Emily moved over to where Serta lay. “I can’t believe you were in that cold dumpster by yourself for two entire days,” she cooed as she stroked the little dog’s head. “I can’t believe anyone is that cruel, to do something like that to a pregnant dog.” Serta looked at her with her sweet brown eyes. “You’re a good girl. A brave girl. And I’m going to make sure that you never have to worry about being cold, or hungry, or alone again.”

  As if she knew what Emily was saying, knew what was promised, Serta climbed into Emily’s lap and jumped up to give her a kiss.

  “I guess this means you choose me too.” Emily laughed as she held her beneath her chin.

  Chapter Eight

  The tag came back registered to Sandra Jessup. Luke did a Google search and was surprised when a news story Thad had done popped up. Luke had to show this to Emily.

  She was sitting in front of the fire with Serta on her lap. The sight of them together was a snapshot he would keep in his mind, no matter how this worked out. Her connection to Dan was still something he had to settle in his mind. He hoped it was a blessing. Fate was a bitch most of the time. If there was some good to come from Dan’s death, some reason why it was him instead of Dan who lived that day, maybe Luke had found his reason.

  “Did you find her?” she asked.

  “Yeah. And you’re not going to believe this.” Luke sat next to her on the couch and showed her the video.

  “She works at the shelter?” Emily asked in disbelief. The video from five years ago was about a woman working tirelessly, according to Thad, to get shelter pets adopted. She was having an art show with pictures she took of the animals who came through the shelter and a percentage of the funds raised were supposed to go to building a new shelter, something the residents of Scenic County had been supporting for years, but so far the government had not shown much concern.

  “She’s not there anymore, at least not that I know of. They fall under our jurisdiction and I’ve never seen a woman there.”

  “But why would she do this?”

  “That’s what I hope to find out,” Luke stated. “If you don’t mind me cutting our evening short.”

  “No, go.” Emily grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Throw her in the deepest and coldest cell you can find.”

  Luke pulled her close, with Serta captured between them, and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll let you know.” He took a step away and then stopped. “Why does your hair smell like bread?”

  Emily laughed. “It’s rosemary oil. It’s good for your hair.”

  He kissed her again. “I like it.”

  ###

  An hour later Luke and another sheriff pulled into the driveway of Sandra Jessup’s house. The car from the videos was right in front of them. Luke had in his possession a warrant for her arrest for animal abuse, which was a class one misdemeanor, and animal abandonment with intent to kill, which was a felony. Ms. Jessup was surprised when she answered the door. More so when Luke read her the rights while handcuffing her.

  “But I was trying to help,” she said as they put her in the car.

  “Animals are not disposable, Ms. Jessup,” Luke replied.

  “You don’t understand.” Her protests continued the entire way to the station where she was booked and put in a cell. It wasn’t a deep one, and it had heat and fresh water, along with a blanket for the skimpy mattress. It was a lot more than Serta had.

  But Serta was safe now. And loved.

  ###

  Eight weeks later

  Luke sat in his usual place at Knead. He’d become something of a permanent fixture there, stopping in before his shift, or after, depending upon which one he was on. He liked being out of the way, where he could observe, especially today.

  Today was a big deal for Emily and Knead. Today was the day the puppies were going to their new homes. Aft
er Thad’s story aired there’d been an outpouring of support for the Scenic County Humane Society. The donations had topped five thousand dollars. So many people had filled out applications for the puppies that they’d had to draw names to see who would get them. That was after the home visits and approvals.

  Thad wanted to cover the puppies going to their new homes so they decided to do it at Knead. The place was packed with the mayor and city council members and all the Humane Society volunteers. The fire chief and police chief and the sheriff were all there too, along with the local newspapers.

  Emily and Serta were in the middle of it. She was so at ease with everyone and Serta seemed to enjoy the attention. The counter was set up with free samples and Emily had to hire someone to help out since business was booming.

  Sandra Jessup had confessed to everything. Her reasons were pretty much out there. She missed the attention she’d gotten from the art show she’d done and the media coverage. She’d been fired from the shelter for falsifying records about adoptions. It was something Luke preferred not to think about, what really happened to the animals that she claimed were going to good homes because of her pictures.

  She’d gotten Serta off craigslist. It was her plan to dump her and then go back and rescue her, claiming all the glory for herself. Luckily Emily showed up first as another video from Shane showed Sandra’s car going by the dumpster right before Luke arrived.

  The other puppies included a German Shepherd mix, another craigslist find, and the mother was found in a shed on the Jessup property, fretting about her missing babies. Luke stroked her head. He’d named her Shiloh and she was now his.

  Theirs.

  “Can we get a picture with both the mothers and their owners?”

  Emily arched an eyebrow at him. She knew him well. Very well in such a short time. The heart knew what the heart knew. Luke’s heart knew that Emily was the one for him. Hopefully, her heart felt the same way. It was time to find out.

  “Come on, Shiloh.”

  Luke went, with Shiloh on his heels, to where Emily was waiting. Serta too. He touched the little dog’s head for luck, then he got down on one knee and took the ring box from his pocket. “Emily, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you the moment you fell out of the dumpster and into my arms.” Everyone laughed. Everyone except Emily, who was laughing and crying at the same time.

  “Will you marry me?” He looked at Shiloh and then back. “Us?”

  “Yes.” Luke slid the ring on her finger, then wrapped his arms around her, Serta in between them. Shiloh stood on her hind legs and the both of them pulled her into their embrace.

  They had found a place to belong.

  CHAOS

  Gabi Stevens

  THE PLAN

  Festus waited for his friend to reply. Looking for all the world like a pure-bred, white Persian cat, Malachi was a Cath Palug, an ancient creature, much like Festus. Perched on the desktop like a sphinx, Mal peered back at Festus with striking blue eyes. His tail swished in the air behind him. “Are you sure you want me to meddle?” The cat’s Scottish accent added to the air of absurdity.

  From beneath a bulbous nose, a sly smile split Festus’s wide lips. “It’s why I’m here. The boy needs help.”

  “Aye.” Mal blew out a breath. “It’s no’ as if I havena noticed he spends too much time alone.”

  “It isn’t healthy. He needs a companion.” Festus raked his fingers through his hair, thick and bushy and untamable, although now home to a few gray streaks.

  “That’s his decision. The boy’s an adult.” Mal never minced words.

  “I know that. Nevertheless, I’ve neglected him lately.”

  “He doesna need his father hovering over him.”

  “Not to mention I’d scare too many people away.” Festus leaned heavily on a gnarled cane that could support an elephant, and indeed, acknowledging his ugliness, he might have been related to a pachyderm.

  Despite his deformity, his shoulders were broad, his chest as wide as a tree, and his thighs belonged on an Olympic speed skater. He had a helluva time finding trousers that fit. Luckily he had connections.

  “We dunna run a matchmaking service.” Mal pinned him with a cool stare.

  Festus spread his hands in front of him. “Mal, get him a dog. Anything to get him out of that house and his workshop.”

  Mal chuckled. “But you wouldna complain if I did find him a gel, would you?”

  “The boy needs to meet people, and a dog will force him outside.” Festus started to pace. He no longer heeded his uneven gait. When his weight should have landed on his malformed leg, the cane supported him. He’d had centuries of practice.

  “Calm yourself. I did no’ say I wouldna help.” Mal used a front paw to rub his nose. “He’s wary of coming out in public since the fire.”

  “That was ten years ago.” Tinges of anger singed Festus’s voice.

  Mal clicked his tongue. “We know that. We’ve told him as much. If he’d let me coach him—”

  “He’s stubborn and hotheaded.”

  “Like his da. You should have sent him to me earlier.” Mal sighed. “You’re right, though. We need to coax him back into town. Leave it to me.”

  “Now, wait, Mal. I expect you to keep me informed—”

  “Dunna you have a mountain to get back to?” Mal asked.

  The heat roiled in Festus’s chest. “He’s my boy, and I am—”

  Mal lifted his paw. “I know who you are. A good friend and a good father. Now go. Trust me.”

  There were only a few people who dared to defy a god, but Mal was one of them. Besides, Festus’s powers would be of little use here. Mystic was a strange little town and had its own way of taking care of threats. Festus shrugged. “I’m going, my friend. Thank you. And tell my boy to comb his hair.”

  Mal nodded, but he already had a faraway look in his eyes.

  Festus smiled. Mal would handle it.

  Probably with better success than a father could hope for.

  THE SETUP

  As she drove into the valley, Amelia drew in a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. Although she lived in Colorado, coming to Mystic always felt like coming home. The mountains of Wyoming served as sentinels, protecting and cradling the small town at the bottom of the valley. The first time she’d come to the Campus was for training. She’d been thirteen. Six weeks of grueling, but incredibly fun exercises and tests. After that, they’d call her on the rare occasions when they needed her skill, but she loved it. So much so that she spent two weeks out of the year here using the ostensible excuse of follow-up training to keep her ability sharp. Here she knew more people than in her neighborhood in Colorado.

  Here she lived one life.

  Here she didn’t have to hide who she was.

  She followed Mal’s directions to the guesthouse she’d be using while she trained for this mission. She was getting hungry, but she wanted to reach the house before sunset. The house was farther out from where she’d stayed before. Maybe jogging was part of her training. Eeesh. She hoped not, but if she had to run, then she’d do it willingly. The center of town disappeared behind her as the road wound into the foothills. They’d better deliver pizza out here. Hmm. Maybe she could get the ice cream parlor to deliver as well.

  The house’s gravel driveway crunched under the wheels of her Subaru Forester. Old-growth pines and aspens grew around the house, giving it a sense of being tucked into the woods. When she stepped out of the car, birdsong greeted her. The air was chilly, but she only noticed how invigorated she felt.

  Leaving the back of her car open, she carried her small suitcase to the front door and stopped. On the mat lay a dog. A big dog. A really big dog. A dog with wiry, mottled, gray, white, and black hair, and a scruffy muzzle. It lifted its head when she approached and its dark eyes shone. Its bushy tail thumped against the mat for three beats, then it swung in its full arc when the mutt stood up. The creature would reach her waist if it stood next to her. Its shoulders tre
mbled slightly as it watched her, and its tongue lolled out of its mouth. The dog was definitely smiling.

  “Uh, hello, boy. Or girl. I don’t know which yet.” Amelia peered beneath the haunches. “Boy it is. Hello, boy.”

  The dog gave a woof and sprang toward her.

  She dropped the handle on her suitcase and lifted her palm to protect herself.

  The dog braced itself on its front paws to stop beside her and proceeded to give her hand a thorough cleaning with his tongue.

  She laughed. Okay. He was friendly. “Hello, beautiful.” She scratched behind his ears and the dog leaned into her ministrations, all the while trying to lick any part of her he could reach. “Who do you belong to?”

  From the direction of the road, a voice called. “Chaos. Here, boy. Chaos.”

  The dog cocked his head.

  She looked at him. “Is that your name? Chaos?”

  The tail flew faster.

  “Okay, Chaos. I think Daddy is looking for you. Come on, boy.” She slapped the side of her thigh and walked back toward the road.

  “Chaos,” the man’s voice called louder.

  “I think he’s here,” she called back.

  At the end of the driveway a tall man appeared in silhouette. Really tall. And wide. Oops, wrong word. Broad. Broad, broad shoulders. A few more steps changed the shadows and revealed him. Whoa. The T-shirt he wore stretched across his chest as if painted on, and the short sleeves seemed to strain at the corded arms that filled them. Her gaze drifted downward. While his torso slimmed at the waist and hips, his thighs filled out his jeans. As in really filled out his jeans. Maybe he had them custom made. No way could you get that size off the rack.

  The dog bounded over to him and circled him until the man reached down and grabbed the dog’s collar. Big dog. Bigger man. Chaos reached the man’s thighs. With a goofy grin on his muzzle, the dog settled beside him.

  Amelia forced her gaze to his face. A well-trimmed, ruddy beard covered his chin, and deep-set, dark eyes made his brow seem prominent. His hair was as ruddy as his beard, a brownish red, and there was a lot of it. He wasn’t model handsome, but it was a strong countenance with a hint of wildness and something untamed. There was a glint of mischievousness in his dark eyes. Or there would be if he smiled. He wasn’t smiling.