She smiled. Tala loosed a war cry and streaked passed them, Dublin barking at her side, the pup, Dixon, falling over his own feet in an attempt to keep up with them. She sighed when Carter bent, scooped the little dog into his arms, and chased after the little girl. Aidan was quick on his heels. Their screams and their laughter drifted back to the deck where Henley reclined in the sun. She turned her head when she heard the door slide open. “That puppy is adorable. I thought you were going to the pound to pick out a rescue.” “He is. And we did. The staties broke up a puppy mill for inhumane treatment, among other charges, and all the rescued animals not requiring medical care were put up for adoption at the local shelter the same morning we visited.” Maggie handed her a glass of wine and tipped their glasses together. “I swear it took all my willpower not to walk out with as many of those gorgeous little monsters as I could fit in the car. Tala, on the other hand, showed amazing restraint.
