Whistling Down the Wind by Irene Radford

Author:Irene Radford [Radford, Irene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Book View Cafe

Craig and I found Edgar Hooten trying to wrestle Big Al out of my office. Big Al did not want to go. He’d planted his hindquarters on the carpeting and dug in his toenails. He whined plaintively as Edgar tugged on the choke chain.

Pepper danced around them both, yapping and nipping at Edgar’s ankles. He ignored her as if she were no more menace than a mosquito.

Salt was nowhere to be seen.

“What is going on here?” I demanded.

Edgar released the choke chain abruptly.

Big Al gave a relieved woof and hastened to my side. If a dog that big could cower, he did, pressed so close he wanted to be a second skin and trying desperately to hide behind me. He was bigger than me.

Pepper gave out one last satisfied yap to announce to the world just how successful she’d been at rescuing a member of her pack and retreated to Craig’s side. She jumped against his leg, demanding attention and praise. He picked her up and cuddled her against his chest.

I knelt down and wrapped both my arms around Big Al’s massive neck.

“You didn’t answer my question, Edgar.”

“I’m taking that monster to the Humane Society. He’s vicious.” An aura of wood smoke seeped out of him. Not the pleasant fresh burn kind of smoke. Stale and soured with sweat.

“He is?”

Big Al responded by slurping his tongue the full length of my face.

“He savaged half a dozen ducks.” Edgar stood resolute, hands on hips, leaning slightly forward aggressively.

“The dog was hungry, Edgar,” Craig explained.

“Once a hunter...”

“He’s not hungry any more, Edgar. He’s a pet.”

“Well you can’t keep him here!”

“Why not? I have the hotel mascots.”

“That’s what I mean. The poodles belong to the hotel, they’re mascots and symbols. That monster doesn’t belong here. Now get out of my way. I’m taking him to the Humane Society where he belongs.”

“On whose authority?” I stood my ground. I’d board Big Al with Joy and Buster during the day before I let this oaf haul him off to the pound.

“On my authority. As a member of the Board of Directors...”

“I am also a member of the Board,” I replied.

“Let’s not make this a turf war,” Craig said. He moved to stand between Edgar and me. He set Pepper down. She didn’t start yapping again, but she did pace around and around the two men.

I stood between Edgar and the door, with Big Al further blocking any exit.

“How about you and I go play a round of golf, Edgar,” Craig offered. “I’m sure we won’t have to wait long for a tee time. The Cascade Nine is practically deserted today because of the rain.”

The two men left after some awkward maneuvers keeping Big Al and Edgar separate. Salt emerged from under my desk and added to the tangle of fur around our ankles.

“Now what was that all about?” I asked the dogs when we had the office to ourselves.

They didn’t know. So I took them outside for a piddle and sniff session, then went back to work.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.