by Sydney Allan
"It's hotter than hell--," Amy said behind Hailey, catching her off guard and making her jump.
The dog lunged forward, her teeth bared, a savage growling bark warning her back.
Hailey fell on her bottom and threw her hands over her face. Teeth clamped onto her forearm, and she swallowed a feral howl. She knew nothing but the tug of strong jaws as her heart hammered out ten, fifteen, twenty beats.
Then Amy screamed.
Hailey tucked her head lower. The dog hadn't bit down completely, but it had a firm hold. She couldn't look up, didn't wish to aggravate the animal and welcome a more vicious attack. Never had she felt so powerless and out of control.
And never before had she vowed to quit rescue for good.
Between growls and snarls, she listened to her breathing, gasping fast and hard. Her arm grew numb, and she guessed the dog's teeth had punctured the skin, or at least left huge bruises.
And then the pressure eased.
Hailey heard panting, nothing more. Her arm throbbed. Reluctantly, she raised her head, knowing she could fall prey to another attack if she made direct eye contact with the dog.
Two dark eyes met hers.
A strange energy charged between them.
Hailey braced herself, cowering behind her good arm. But the expected didn't come. Instead, as she dropped her hand, she caught the dog turning and nestling down with the tiny sleeping pups.
Scared, knowing she should back away, and yet strangely drawn toward the animal, Hailey leaned forward and reached to the dog. She was crazy. She knew it. But for some reason, she believed they'd connected.
Gut reaction or possibly the effects of shock?
"It's okay. I'm here to help you." She slipped the leash she'd dropped in her lap over the dog's neck then glanced at the tiny pups, still wet from birth. "You're protecting your babies. A good mother. But we're going to take you somewhere safe and clean." She reached to the nearest pup, but when a low growl promised more of what she'd just received, she paused and instead offered her hand to the dog again.
"Are you okay?" Amy whispered.
Hailey nodded.
"I have the carrier for the puppies."
Hailey slowly turned. "Thanks."
"Oh, my God!" Amy gasped, her lips milky white. "Your arm!"
Hailey refused to look down, despite the steady throb coursing from her wrist to elbow. "I'm fine." She took the carrier from Amy and returned to her task. "What time is it?"
"Quarter to eleven."
Darn! "You'd better leave. I don't want to upset the dog more." Once she heard Amy's retreating footsteps, she gathered some loose bedding and dropped it in the carrier, then reached for a puppy, reassuring the mother dog as she lifted it. "Easy, Jensen. We're going to help you."
The puppy was shivering and limp. Worried about heatstroke, Hailey carefully placed it in the box, then reached for the next one. Before long, she had four wet and shaking puppies, near death, in the carrier, and an apprehensive dam beside the container, alternately peering in and pacing.
Hailey stood, handed the carrier through the hole to Amy, and led the dog outside to the car.
Only after Amy started the car and drove down the street, did she look at her arm. She saw a brief flash of red then stars. She dropped her head between her knees.
So much for the meeting. Hopefully Tonya Barrington would have an opening in tomorrow's schedule.
"The hospital is only five minutes away," Amy said, after calling the local police station about the cats remaining in the warehouse. "You did the right thing. Thanks."
Hailey didn't respond. The soft whimper of a puppy said it all.
As soon as her head cleared, she asked for the phone and called Mrs. Barrington to reschedule. Luckily, the woman had an opening first thing tomorrow morning. Hailey apologized once more, thanked her and hung up.
Tomorrow, nine o'clock, her dreams would either become a reality or be dashed. She didn't know which was more frightening.
About Sydney
Sydney Allan is the alter-ego of erotic romance author Tawny Taylor. Like Tawny’s books, Sydney’s stories are sexy, and sassilicious. The only difference-- Tawny’s characters get to play in dungeons.
But that doesn’t mean they get to have all the fun...
Sydney, an animal lover, has fostered dozens of stray and neglected animals for the Michigan Humane Society, and is currently proud parent to three rescued dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and several toads.
Sydney’s website
Also By Sydney
Rescue Me
About Monday (writing as Tami Dane)
Raphaela’s Gift