Collateral Damage by Alice K. Boatwright

Author:Alice K. Boatwright
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780983617259
Publisher: Standing Stone Books

12

At eleven, Charlie arrived with three dogs. He came in stamping the snow off his feet and blustering about driving conditions that were so bad he’d considered stopping at a motel for the night. The family clustered around, hugging him, and giving him a hero’s welcome as if he’d reached the North Pole by dogsled. Raz sat on the staircase and watched.

Charlie seemed pleased by their attention, but his eyes were red with fatigue. He looked thinner than Raz remembered and pale.

The dogs, a trio of mutts, were so happy to be out of the car that they raced up and down the hall between the people, whining and sniffing the furniture.

“I couldn’t leave them,” Charlie explained, setting two duffel bags and a guitar case down in a heap on the floor. “The guy who was supposed to take care of them decided to go to Florida this afternoon.”

“Of course you couldn’t,” said Claire, hugging him again. “We’re glad to have them,” she added as two of the dogs ran across her feet.

“Which way did you come, Charlie?” Ben wanted to know.

“Come and have a drink,” said Tom. “You look like you need one.”

“That’s Maura’s dog, isn’t it? Did Maura leave her dog?” asked Jane. She looked shocked. Charlie reached down to the little border collie mix who was dancing around him and picked up her front legs.

“Who’s Maura, Minnie? Do we know anyone by that name?”

“I can’t believe she did that,” said Jane.

“Oh, Jane,” said her mother.

“Way to go, Jane,” said Tom.

Jane looked embarrassed and angry. “Well, I’m amazed, that’s all.”

“You mean you weren’t surprised that she left me? Just the dog?” Charlie said.

Jane gave Charlie a punch on the arm. “You know I don’t mean that, Charlie. I can’t imagine anyone letting you go.”

“Of course not. None of us can. Let me help you with your coat, dear,” said Claire.

“But why are we all standing here in the hall when we have a nice fire in the living room?” asked Ben.

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