She was right. He’d barely been introduced to his temporary dogs when Eddie and Gladys arrived. Both women rushed into the house and insisted on checking on his wounds. Eddie hugged him tight. She was thin and felt so small and frail. While she was talking smack and checking out his butt, she was larger than life, but like this, she seemed tiny and old.
“I’m sorry,” she told him, her mouth trembling as tears filled her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I feel awful.” She sniffed, then swallowed. “We’re not going to show your butt on our show. It wouldn’t be right.”
He’d caught their cable show a couple of times and knew the naked butt contest was their favorite segment. He took one of Eddie’s hands in his good one and shook his head.
“You are so showing my butt and I am going to win the contest. Do you hear me?”
“You’re not mad?” Gladys asked.
“No. I’m not.” What had happened had been an accident. He was more relieved that Madeline was okay than worried about himself.
“We’re going to take the dogs for a walk,” Eddie said. “It’s the least we can do. I have experience. I have a little dog. Marilyn. After Marilyn Monroe. She’s a Chiweenie.”
“A what?”
“Dachshund and Chihuahua mix. She’s very sweet. It’s nice to have a companion. All right, let’s get your dogs together.”
Jonny wasn’t sure about two septuagenarians walking four dogs, but before he could voice his concerns, three teenagers arrived. They explained they were there to help out and joined Eddie and Gladys in collecting the dogs and herding them outside.
Jonny looked around his family room. There were large dog beds and bags of dog food. He could see into the kitchen where Madeline was sorting through all the people food that had been dropped off. In addition to the traditional casseroles, there were plates of cookies, pies and cakes along with a couple of six packs of beer.
“Exhausted?” she asked cheerfully.
“Kind of.”
She’d insisted he take a painkiller, so he wasn’t hurting that much, but the stress of what he’d been through was catching up with him. He patted the sofa beside him. She left the kitchen and joined him.
“How are you?” he asked. “Still no aftereffects?”
“Not a single one. I told you, I didn’t get hurt.” She studied him. “You’re really okay?”
“I swear.” Especially with her close. He leaned in and kissed her.
The front door opened and Eddie and Gladys walked in. They had one of the dogs with them.
“She’s done,” Eddie announced. “The other dogs wanted to run, but this one did her business and was ready to come home.”
Madeline got up and took the leash from the other women, then read the tag on the collar. “Her name is Raven.”
Jonny looked at the black lab. She was thin with a bit of white on her muzzle and kind brown eyes. As she glanced around, she seemed both sad and tentative, as if not sure what would happen next.
He had paperwork on all four dogs. He opened the folder with his good hand.
“Raven is nearly eight. Her family couldn’t keep her when they moved into an apartment and she’s been in foster care for nearly six months.”
Madeline’s mouth twisted. “That’s awful.” She stroked Raven. “It’s okay, little girl. We’ll find you a forever home. That’s what Saturday’s about.”
Raven’s gaze was steady, but her tail didn’t wag. After a couple of minutes, she walked over to one of the dog beds and laid down.
Eddie and Gladys promised to come by the next day to help with the dogs. Madeline walked them out to their car. By the time they’d left, the teenagers were back with the other dogs. The kids helped get dinner ready for the dogs. Jonny noticed that Raven hung back. When she didn’t attack her bowl, one of the other dogs started toward it.
“Not so fast,” he said, and swept up the bowl, then took it into the pantry. He returned to the kitchen and got Raven, then led her into the panty and shut the door.
The dog looked from him to the bowl, then back.
“It’s okay,” he told her. “Come on, Raven. You’ve got to be hungry. I’ll sit right here.”
He pulled up a step stool and sat down, then tapped the side of the metal dish. She took a step toward the food, then another. Finally she was close enough to start eating.
He sat quietly while she finished her meal. When she was done, he stroked her back and then her face. Her brown eyes didn’t have any hope left.