"What are youlooking for exactly?"
"Not really sure.I'll know it when I see it. You understand I'm sure, Mr Stubbs. I want theanimal that tugs at my heartstrings." All of these poor little buggersare doing that. If you could show me everything you have available, I wouldappreciate it." It'll give me a chance to video everything too. Themore evidence I have against you, buddy, the happier I'll be.
Mr Stubbs muttered andslowly walked the length of the building.
When they got to theend, Cade noticed another door. "Are there more in there?"
"Nothing in heresuit you, then?" He looked annoyed and Cade's chest tightened.
"Actually, I'm nottoo sure. Nothing has really said 'Take me home,' just yet. If you wouldn'tmind?"
He pushed open the doorand walked in with Cade behind him.
Cade made sure to walkthe length of this building too, videoing both sides of the barn. A whimpercaught his attention and he went to investigate what was in the dark corner amongstempty feed sacks and cardboard boxes. Tied with a piece of hay baling twine, asmall collie lay in the dirt. He reached out a hand and it backed away,cowering in the corner.
"That one's notfor sale."
"Why not?" Cadeheld out his hand and whispered to the dog. It sniffed his fingers and a smallpink tongue risked a quick swipe against his skin.
"Past her use bydate. Didn't get in pup for the second time. Going to shoot her later, got notime for dogs that don't earn their keep."
"This is the one Iwant." Cade stood and turned to Mr Stubbs.
"Not getting itfor free, if that's what you're thinking. I've had to feed and look after ituntil now, should give me something for it."
Cade reached into hispants pocket. "I have two hundred dollars here, take it or leave it."
A grubby hand snakedout and grabbed the notes. "Don't go thinking you'll get any refunds forthat money either. Buyer beware."
"I appreciate yourhelp, Mr Stubbs. I wonder if you would be kind enough to give me a hand out tomy car with her, though? I'd hate to get tangled in her on the way out. I'msure you understand."
Cade stood back whileMr Stubbs untied the dog and dragged her out of the barn. The walk past all ofthe undernourished and dirty animals just about broke his heart, but he was ona mission and had to get to Rooney before they took the next step.
Mr Stubbs opened thecar door and pushed the dog inside, slamming it before the terrified animalcould slink back out.
Cade lifted his hand infarewell. "Thanks for this, much appreciated." He turned the cararound and headed down the driveway, stopping at the gate to switch off hisphone and glance over at the poor dog shivering on the back seat. "Youpoor bloody thing. I'll look after you, girl. I promise. We’ll shut thatbastard down if it's the last thing we do."
He drove as fast as thespeed limit allowed and pulled into the car park at the practice. Before hecould turn off the car, his sister came running out the door followed by hernew receptionist.
"Oh Cade, we'vebeen so damned worried."
He grinned and shruggedhis shoulders before opening the door. "Don't know why. I told you I wouldbe okay."
"We know what MrStubbs is like, Cade," Rhian said. "Just a little on the weird andcrazy side."
"Hi, Rhian. Niceto see you again. Well, what do you think?" He indicated the poor dogshivering on the back seat.
"Oh baby, look atyou." Rooney cooed to the animal and opened the door. She crouched down totalk to the dog, holding her hand out. It sniffed her fingers and gave atentative lick, looking over at Cade. "I think it likes you,brother."
"And why wouldn'tit? It's a girl after all." He laughed, relaxing now he was safely awayfrom the farm. "Can you take her in for me please and check her out.Bastard was going to shoot her because she didn't fall pregnant two seasons ina row. I couldn't leave her there hoping he didn't get around to it before theauthorities visited."
Rooney sat on the backseat beside the dog and ran her fingers around its ears, talking soothingly toit. When it relaxed, she took the length of string it had around its neck andled it inside the surgery.
Cade followed withRhian and shut the door behind them. Rooney cut the string from around its neckand let it wander around, sniffing. Rhian placed a bowl of water on the floorand the dog took a sniff before drinking her fill.
"Poor little thingis so malnourished and dirty." Rooney took a seat and watched the dog. Itlooked around and sniffed at a bag of dog food on display before going to Cadeand sitting at his feet. "I guess she’s your dog."
"Looks like it.I'll get Squirt to help me give her a bath after school and pick a name. Canyou give her the once over before I go please, Sis?"
"Sure, come in andI'm sure she will follow you." Rooney walked into the treatment room.
"Rhian, do me afavour will you?" Cade held out his phone to her. "Can you downloadthe video from my phone and save it just in case we need to use it."
"Sure. Noproblem." She took it and sat behind the desk, her fingers skimming overthe keys.
ChapterTwenty-three
Rooney watched the doghover around her brother’s feet as he hopped into the treatment room. He leaneddown and stroked her head, whispering to her before he wrapped his arms around herand lifted her up onto the table.
"I could have donethat."
"No need. I'm nothelpless, Rooney. My leg is out of action for a bit, not the rest of me."
She stroked the dogwhile looking into its ears and eyes. When she put the stethoscope into theears it shrank back, trying to get off the table.
"It's alright,girl, shh now." She nodded for Cade to help hold the dog while shelistened to its heart and lungs. When she took its temperature, it cowed andtried to get away from her. "Understandable, love, I wouldn't like iteither."
Rooney ran her fingersdown the spine and palpated the dog’s stomach before giving her verdict."She’s fine, Cade, just very malnourished. With love and
