Hidden Blessings by Jane McBride Choate

Author:Jane McBride Choate
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2013-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Carla knew what Sam was doing. Suggesting they start at the shelter was his way of keeping her safe. But she couldn’t object. Visiting Saratoga’s shelter for the homeless was something she never tired of.

Today it hummed with activity. A basketball game occupied the recreation hall, where a makeshift court had been set up; an adult education class was being held in the office and an aerobics group worked out in the dining area.

Her smile grew as she saw Jared patiently instruct a small child on the right way to dribble. He had volunteered to coach a peewee basketball team made up of kids currently staying at the shelter. When he saw Sam and Carla, he said something to the younger boys and headed over to them.

“Hey, guys. You come down to get in some practice? Maybe improve your jump shot?” He slanted a smile at Sam. “How ’bout a game of one on one?”

“You looking for a chance to show off in front of the kids?”

“Just ’cause I beat you the last five games doesn’t mean I’d win this one.”

“Thanks.”

“Okay, you two,” Carla said. “Enough of this male macho stuff.” She leaned forward to kiss Jared on the cheek, smiling as he looked around furtively to see if any of the kids had noticed.

Apparently satisfied, he grinned. “What brings you two here?”

“Questions,” she said. “About the dogs.”

“You hear anything down here?” Sam asked.

Jared shook his head. “I wish I had. You know how I feel about Maude and Ethan. If I ever find out who took Samson…” His hands fisted on his hips.

Sam looped an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Yeah. I know. Just keep your eyes and ears open, okay?”

“You got it.”

After talking to a few more of the shelter’s residents, they stopped again to say goodbye to Jared.

“Seen Ron around?” Sam asked.

Jared frowned. “Not lately. Why?”

“No reason,” she said quickly, flashing a warning look at Sam.

They spent the rest of the afternoon asking questions on the street, with the same result. No one knew anything. Or, if they did, they weren’t talking.

“C’mon,” Sam said, tugging at her hand as the sky darkened. “You’re dead on your feet.” He gave her a strained smile. “And so am I.”

She looked at him in quick concern. His face was drawn and pinched. My fault, she berated herself. She’d been so anxious to find some clue to the dogs’ disappearance that she’d forgotten Sam was still recovering.

At home, she made sure Sam took a painkiller before bullying him into bed.

When the doorbell rang, she hurried to answer it, not wanting to disturb Sam.

Jared stood there.

“Can’t stay away from us?” she asked, gesturing for him to come inside.

The smile she’d expected to see didn’t materialize.

He followed her into the kitchen and accepted the soft drink she offered with a muttered thanks. He bunched his ever-present hat into his hands. “I know you think it was Stick—Ron—who snatched the dogs. But you’re wrong. He wouldn’t do nothing like that. It’s just those old biddies trying to pin it on him.

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