Fighting Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 2)

by Guimond, Heather

“If you think I’m going to get a dog and think of it only in terms of its use to me, you’re sorely mistaken. This is going to be a new member of my family. We have to bond. There has to be love there.”

  “Of course there does,” he said. “I’m not an asshole, Mimi. I like animals, too. You just have to understand this one serves a double purpose. No offense to the retriever, but she looks like she’d invite people in. I think she’s too friendly.”

  “As long as she’s loyal, that’s what matters. To be honest, I really only need one that barks. One that will give me a head’s up that something is wrong.”

  “Kitten, if we had the time, I’d make sure you had the biggest and baddest attack dog we could find. I want one that will not just alert you, but protect you.”

  “Fine. We’ll just have to find a hardy breed and hope I bond with one.”

  With one last pat to the retriever’s head and a long, regretful look, we took off for the next sanctuary. This one was a pit bull rescue, and James had high hopes.

  I was amazed at the rows of kennels. There had to be upwards of fifty dogs at this particular rescue. There were volunteers everywhere cleaning cages and caring for the animals. There was a large fenced-in grassy play area where several of the dogs were playing with toys and other potential adoptive families. The dogs looked happy and well cared for.

  As we walked along a particular row of kennels, a snow-white dog caught my eye. I walked closer to her cage and took a better look. She looked almost albino so pure was the white of her coat. After checking the information sheet attached to the door of her kennel, I knelt down and pressed the back of my hand to the chain link that held her back.

  She sniffed at me for a moment before looking at me with these deep, sad eyes. Then, her soft pink tongue came out and she licked the back of my hand. That’s all it took. I was in love, and that dog was mine.

  James came over and read her information sheet. “It says here she was rescued a year ago from an animal hoarder and suffering from severe neglect when she came in. Her name is Snowflake.”

  “Yes, I saw that. I can see in her eyes that she’s been through a lot. Look how sad they seem.” I looked up at him from my crouch where Snowflake was now licking my fingertips that I had curled through the links in the fence. “This is the one I’m taking home with me.”

  “Let’s see if we can get them to let her out to play with us so we can observe how she interacts with us. It’s hard to get a sense of a dog’s true temperament from inside the cage.”

  “She’s going to be perfect. I already know it,” I stated firmly.

  We approached one of the volunteers who was all too glad to let us play with Snowflake. The dog stayed by my side, seeming only mildly interested in the other dogs and the toys. I picked up a toy made out of thick, braided rope and tried to engage her in some play. She immediately responded by biting at its end and trying to tug it out of my hands. The dog was strong. She nearly pulled me off my feet a couple times. She also refused to let go, shaking her head wildly as she tried to tear the toy from my grip.

  I let her have the rope and sat down to pet her. She immediately nosed the toy back towards me wanting to play some more. I put the toy aside and put my arms around her. She nuzzled my cheek, then licked it. The deal was sealed. I was going to have this dog no matter what.

  James sat next to me and began to stroke her flank. She turned her head toward him so I let go. She moved next to him and sat down in front of him, her tongue lolling out of her panting mouth looking at him expectantly.

  “What do you want, girl?” he asked as he pet her head.

  I laughed. “I think she wants you to hug her, too.”

  He laughed along with me, then tugged on her collar. She stood and rested her chin on his shoulder so he gave her a big squeeze. When he let go, she licked his face and then sat between us. You could see she was on alert, the way she watched the other animals and people milling about. It was clear she had adopted us first.

  We led her back toward the kennels where we found another volunteer and let him know that we wanted to take Snowflake home with us. He knelt down and ruffled her coat. “She’s a good dog,” he said. “Do you have kids?” he asked us.

  We smiled and shook our heads. “The reason I ask is she’s very good with children. I’ve watched her herd them together out in the play yard and try to keep the other dogs away from them.”

  “Maybe someday,” James said to my astonishment.

  “Well, she’s the perfect babysitter if you do,” the volunteer joked. “Let’s go fill out some paperwork and arrange for your home visit.”

  “We can’t take her home with us now?” I asked in disappointment.

  “I’m sorry, but no, you can’t. We are very diligent with who we let adopt these babies. There are terrible people who run fight rings and go around trying to get these dogs. We have to make sure she’s going to a safe place where she’ll be loved and cared for properly.”

  Once he put it to me like that, I fully understood. The thought of Snowflake in a fight ring horrified me.

  “I’ll make an extra, generous donation if we can bypass the home visit.” James said. When the volunteer looked at him suspiciously, James explained that I was up visiting from Los Angeles, and the dog would ultimately be living there though she’d still be in the area for another week. The volunteer, whom I learned was named Bobby, stopped to think. He proposed that we do a home-check at James’ place for now and then once I was back in Los Angeles, they’d have a representative from a rescue they worked with in that area to do a final check. We both thought that was entirely reasonable, and I was reassured by their caution with the welfare of these animals. I vowed to add them to my favorite charities list.

  We completed all the paperwork and provided our I.D.s. As luck would have it, there was a volunteer who was willing to come out and inspect James’ home that afternoon.

  I said my good-bye to Snowflake and promised her I’d see her again real soon. With a kiss on top of her head from me and a hug around the neck from James, we left the sanctuary and drove back towards home. We decided to go to a pet store and pick up supplies and toys and treats for her. It seemed James was as in love with her as I was because he wandered up and down every aisle searching for things she might like. He even said he was taking a leap of faith and made her a dog tag with her name on one side and my name and address on the other. He got her a thick leather collar to hang it from. We walked out of the pet supply store with James’ wallet three hundred dollars lighter. She wasn’t ours yet, but we had no concerns that she wouldn’t be.

  Sure enough, the visit went well, and we were allowed to keep Snowflake with us. The representative informed us that the adoption wouldn’t be considered final until the second inspection at my place was performed and approved. Until that time, we’d be considered fosters, and there was more paperwork to complete. After doing so, we were left alone with our new family member. It struck me as funny that I was considering us all a family.

  “I sure hope you don’t mind being a daddy.” I said to him.

  He looked at me funny, and I motioned to the dog. “You’re her new daddy. She adopted you just as much as she did me.” He laughed and reached down to ruffle her short fur.

  “Is that right, Snowflake? Am I your new daddy?” She woofed and pressed her nose into his hand.

  “There you have it,” I said. “Straight from the horse’s mouth. Or in this case, canine.”

  James just grinned back at me with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

  Snowflake fell into our routine as easily as if it had been her own all along. She slept in the bedroom with us, on the foot of the bed no less. James wasn’t real excited about having a dog in the bed with us, but I insisted she be as close as possible, claiming if she were truly to be my guard dog, then she should be right there when I was most vulnerable. I really just wanted her close to me at all times, I was so in love with the pooch. I think James saw through me, but he
relented and let her sleep where she wanted.

  She was my constant companion while he was gone. I spent untold hours walking her, playing with her and just snuggling up to her as we both watched TV on the sofa. She was probably just soaking up the love I was giving her, but it sure looked like she was watching it to me.

  Finally, the time came for me to head back down to Los Angeles. I left on a Sunday afternoon this time as Justin and I were meeting with Francesca on Monday. We were cutting things a little closer this time around as the pre-trial conference was set for Wednesday.

  Snowflake and I were ready to go, all of her things (toys, toys and more toys) packed into my suitcase. I’d pick up other essentials when I got back to L.A., but I had all the things I could think of that would help her feel at home in my house. After loading her into the car with all of my luggage, James and I stood outside saying our good-byes. We held each other with our arms wrapped around each other’s waists just looking into the other’s eyes.

  “You know, before I leave for Israel, I’m going to take a week’s leave. I’d like to take a vacation with you where we can put our worries aside and just be together. I’m thinking some cabin in a remote place where we can bring Snowflake along. What do you say?” James asked.

  “I’d like that a lot. We can make some memories that will help see us through the long months ahead.” I replied.

  “Then while you’re gone, I’ll work on planning it all out. Hurry back to me as fast as you safely can,” he implored, before giving me a soulful parting kiss. I kissed him back pouring my love into it. I wanted him to know how deeply I felt for him in the last moments before I left even if it was only to be a few days’ separation. He pulled back with a dazzling smile and reminded me, “I love you, Kitten.”

  “I love you, too, Zaldamo.” I said with a wink.

  He laughed and said, “I thought you’d forgotten all about that.”

  “Nope.”

  He gave me another kiss, softer this time, then turned me in the direction of my car and patted me on the ass. “Get going now before I tie you up and make you my love slave, never to leave me again.”

  I giggled, looking at him over my shoulder. “I wouldn’t object, you know.”

  “Yes, but then that would compromise the case against Delia and you know we need to get her behind bars where she belongs.”

  I blew him a last kiss and hopped in my car for the long trek home.

  After calling James to let him know I’d made it home safely, I called Justin. We had arranged for him to stay at my house again even though I had Snowflake to guard me. James did not want me alone in the event that Delia made a surprise visit. Justin was just waiting for my call, so he assured me he’d be over within the hour.

  Once inside the house, I unpacked all of Snowflake’s things. She immediately chose her favorite squeaky, a rubber toy that was made to resemble a small steak, then laid down and attempted to murder the damned thing. She didn’t seem at all concerned about being in a new place. I had expected her to wander about sniffing things, but she seemed to feel right at home.

  Daylight was waning so I went through the house turning on most of the lights. I wanted the place as bright as could be.

  I decided to take Snowflake out for a walk so she could relieve herself and get to know the neighborhood a little, not that I ever expected her to leave my yard without me. We walked through the neighborhood as I rattled on to her about which neighbors were which, as if she could understand me. We only walked for about ten minutes, just enough time to let her do her business because I didn’t want to keep Justin waiting if he arrived earlier than I expected. I walked around the side of the house to the backyard when we returned, letting Snowflake off her leash to run around and inspect it. I entered the house by the back door, leaving it open so Snowflake could come and go if she wanted. Although it was getting late in the evening, there was still enough daylight left that I didn’t feel uncomfortable leaving a free point of entry in the house. Besides, I didn’t think anyone would get past Snowflake if they tried to get through the backyard.

  I’d intended to go get a ball to return to Snowflake so we could play fetch for a little while. I was worried she needed more exercise after the long drive home. She hadn’t seemed stressed being in the car, and while we had taken several stops on the way home letting me get out and stretch a bit while she answered nature’s call, I wanted to make sure that she wasn’t feeling any ill-effects from the long ride.

  As I walked to the living room where I’d left the suitcase with Snowflake’s toys, I heard a small thump. I was instantly on alert, cursing the fact that I’d only turned on the lights over the stove assuming that would be enough with all the other lights in the larger rooms glaring brightly. I crept forward slowly, trying to peer through the shadows of the kitchen. Every hair on my body was standing on end, as I looked around for something I could use for a weapon. I heard another sound, this time a scrape before a figure jumped out from behind the wall between the kitchen and the living room. Standing in the doorway was Delia, her big brown eyes wild and frantic. Her posture was slightly bent into a semi-crouch and to my horror, she held a large hunting knife in her hand. I just knew she was going to attack.

  “I knew I’d find you alone at some point, bitch.” she growled. “I’m going to teach you a lesson once and for all,” she hissed at me. She leveled the knife at me and waved it toward the dining room. “Go sit down in one of the chairs. I have a few things to tell you before I get to the main event.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment and shivered. “I can’t tell you how satisfying this moment is. I am going to savor every bit of it.”

  Scared out of my wits, I slowly followed the direction she waved me in and pulled out one of the chairs. On the table was a length of rope and a strip of cloth. I sat down trembling from my fear of not knowing what she was going to do. Was she merely trying to frighten me again, or did she really intend to use that knife? I knew I already had the answer, and tears sprang to my eyes.

  “Crying isn’t going to help you. Do you think I care how you feel after everything you’ve put me through, Mimi?” She gave a sickening maniacal laugh. “No, I don’t. You’re going to do as I say while I take a moment to enjoy the fear I see in your eyes. Now, pick up the rope from the table and hold it behind your back with both hands, your arms around the chair.”

  I did as she asked, my fear increasing dramatically.

  She came around behind me and placed the knife on the table. I wanted to do something, anything, while she was unarmed, but I was paralyzed with fear, helpless to do anything but sit there and shake. She took the rope from my hands and bound my wrists together. Retrieving the knife, she came around to place the tip directly under my chin.

  “Now, little miss. Do you have anything to say to defend yourself? Anything that might stop me from slitting you belly to throat?”

  “Why are you doing this, Delia? What did I ever do to you besides be your friend?”

  “You’ve been stealing Justin from me!” she screeched. “I had him! He was mine and you jumped into the mix. You didn’t really want him until I entered his life!”

  “That’s not true at all.” I said with my voice trembling. “I never…”

  “Shut up! He’s going to come back to me and our baby as soon as I take care of you. He will see how far I’m willing to go to be with him, and he will understand how much I love him, how I’d do anything to keep us together.” She closed her eyes and stilled. When she slowly opened them with a malicious gleam, she leaned into my face and whispered, “Absolutely anything.” She stepped back and raised her knife. I looked up with horror, waiting for the blade to come down and pierce my flesh. Suddenly, I heard a low growl and the sound of paws moving quickly across the floor. In a flash of white, Snowflake leaped across my line of vision and attacked Delia. Delia screamed as she fell to the floor. The dog was growling and snapping at her while she struggled beneath it. I heard her scream in anger followed by a loud
yelp. Whimpering, Snowflake backed off of her and Delia scrambled to her feet. I screamed “No!” as she lunged for the dog, her knife stroking down and slashing at Snowflake. I struggled against my bonds, trying to break free. I had to save my dog.

  I felt the rope slip, and I was able to slide a hand free. I surged out of my chair just as Delia stabbed at Snowflake again. I heard another piercing squeal from my dog and launched myself on top of Delia’s back. She struggled to flip me over, finally succeeding, knocking the breath out of me. I landed on my back as she jumped to her feet. Snowflake was whining as she fought to stand on her feet. Her back flank was sliced wide open and blood poured down her bright white fur. I tried to gasp for air, my chest heaving to fill my lungs with oxygen.

  Delia dropped to her knees and grabbed me by the hair. With her knife poised to strike again, Snowflake pounced, this time grabbing hold of her arm, but not before Delia gave me a quick slice to my chest. Blood immediately welled up and dripped from the gash, as she dropped the knife. Snowflake bit down hard and thrashed her head about. Delia struggled against Snowflake’s hold on her arm, attempting to punch her in the head and kick her with her feet in order to get her to let go. Snowflake just growled louder and sunk her teeth deeper.

  Just then, I heard a loud bang as my front door flew open. Justin came running inside and dove onto Delia as she writhed in pain. I skidded over the hard wood flooring back away from them and stood. My eyes locked on the scene before me, I kicked the knife away from reaching distance then ran for the phone. I was just calling 911 as two officers came barreling through the open door to my house, their guns drawn. They ordered Justin to kneel with his hands behind his head. The officers then secured them both with handcuffs as I yelled “She was trying to kill me! He saved me!”

  Once they were both restrained, one of the officers ushered me over to the sofa. I was frantic, looking about for Snowflake as I heard her whining loudly. I located her lying near the entrance of the dining room licking rapidly at a wound on her side as blood cascaded out of it at what to me was an alarming rate.