Rekindled Hearts by Brenda Minton

Author:Brenda Minton
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780373875481
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2009-09-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The yard around the High Plains Community Church was crowded with people, pets, tables of baked goods and some yard-sale items. Nearby, construction of the town hall had been suspended for a day. But it was coming along. They had the frame up and were about to start on the roof.

Today wasn’t about building. Today was about fun, and coming together for one another. A band played a mixture of country and gospel music, and laughter carried from the dunking tank where Colt sat on the board, waiting to go under. At least it was still warm.

Lexi didn’t want to hear him whine about being cold. The money raised was going to help those still in need within the community. And there were a lot of needs. People were still displaced and living in the Waters cottages that Heather had supplied after the tornado.

Families were still trying to replace what was lost, and not covered by insurance.

Lexi set the cages on tables that had been made with sawhorses and plywood. Kittens, puppies, even a goat and some chickens. As soon as the children saw animals, they came running.

She was the local petting zoo. And the animals really needed homes. Her feed bill for the last two months had been astronomical. Furthering the belief that her parents held: this was a bad career choice.

Two little girls with matching red pigtails and matching Kool-Aid smiles were the first to stop at the cage holding the sheltie and her new puppies. The puppies, four of them, were still curled against the momma dog’s side, eyes closed.

“How are you girls today?” Lexi knelt next to Lilli Marstow and her friend Alyssa. The two eight-year-olds were constant companions. And a big source of contention between Josie Cane, who worked at the church day care, and Silas Marstow. The problems had started the day of the tornado, when the two girls had escaped together. Lilli’s father, Silas, still grieving the loss of his wife, had blamed Alyssa’s aunt, Josie.

Lexi thought the two adults should make up, for the sake of the two girls. Lilli tugged on Lexi’s hand. “How much for those puppies?”

“Honey, they’re not for sale.” Lexi’s answer brought a frown to the sweet faces of both girls. The two actually looked like sisters. “I mean, they’re free. But I can’t give them away, yet. They’ll need their mother for another six or seven weeks.”

“Oh—” big frowns on angelic faces “—can we come back and see them, then?”

“Of course you can. But you have to ask permission. An adult needs to bring you.”

“Okay.” Alyssa was already sticking her fingers through the cage, petting a kitten. “I like kittens, too. I think Mr. Marstow is allergic.”

“Okay.” Lexi thought she might be missing something. But other children and parents approached and the girls scattered.

Tommy, still missing Charlie, peeked into the cage with the sheltie and her puppies. “Those are nice pups.”

He sounded so big for his six years. She wanted to hug him and promise she’d find Charlie.

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