Chapter 4

“You said she had pups. You think she’d mind if I saw them?”

“Not in the slightest,” Megan replied. “She loves showin’ ‘em off. Susie, Brad wants to see your babies.”

As if she understood, Susie rose and trotted off toward a door in the back of the office. She pushed it open with her nose and disappeared inside. Brad and Megan followed her into the room. There, in a box in one corner, was a puppy pile of sleeping babies, six in all. Brad knelt beside the box. Susie sat at his side and sniffed each of her puppies. One by one they yawned and stretched. Becoming aware they had company, they began to get up and vie for Brad’s attention, spilling out of the box and onto the floor.

Brad sat down with crossed legs. The puppies piled into his lap, reaching up to lick his face. He laughed and picked up one after the other and snuggled them against his cheek. Susie lay down next to him, looking very proud and pleased.