Without a Trace by Patricia H. Rushford

Author:Patricia H. Rushford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2015-09-30T17:28:25+00:00

12

“Get help. Quick. Tell them—” But Lisa had already gone. Just as well. At that moment Jennie couldn’t give voice to her thoughts.

She clenched her teeth, willing her stomach not to ache, her heart not to break, and her eyes not to cry. No, don’t think about it. Nick’s okay. “Nick’s okay, isn’t he, Bernie? You’re going to be all right.”

Needing to concentrate on anything but Nick at that moment, she leaned over and placed her ear against Bernie’s rib cage. His heartbeat was faint, but steady. At least he was alive. Nick would be too. Afraid to move him, Jennie sat beside the pup, stroking his fur.

“She’s under there.” Lisa had come back.

The bushes parted and light from two flashlights streamed in. Jennie shielded her eyes against it. Michael crawled in beside her. As if he knew what she’d been thinking, he placed an arm around her shoulders. “This might not have anything to do with Nick. Maybe Bernie got hit by a car and crawled here.”

Jennie nodded. “Dogs will do that, won’t they?” She let herself believe Michael’s words, even though deep inside, she feared they weren’t true.

“Stay strong, Jen.” Michael gave her shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll find him. In the meantime, we’d better get Bernie to a vet.”

Jennie pinched her lips together. Stay strong. Yes. She could do that. You have to, McGrady. You have to for Nick—and for Mom. Michael lifted Bernie into his arms and carried him into the open. Jennie followed.

“Here, I’ll take him.” Uncle Kevin lifted the dog out of Michael’s arms. “Any idea what happened?”

“Looks like he’s been hit on the head.” Michael repeated his theory about a car.

“Too bad you can’t talk, little fella.” Kevin stroked Bernie’s head. “We’d better wake the others to let them know. Maybe you and the girls can do that while I get Bernie to the vet.”

Uncle Kevin called their veterinarian and left a few minutes later.

Jennie looked up at Michael, sensing that he expected her to go back to the house with him. The last thing Jennie wanted to do was be with her mother when they broke the news about Bernie. Mom would fall apart. Gram might too. And that would be her undoing. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather to stay out here while you tell them.”

A look of understanding passed between them. Michael started to go, then turned back. “Don’t shut her out, Jennie. She needs you. You need each other.”

“I know.” When Michael had disappeared inside, Jennie sank onto the step. “This is crazy, Lisa. I’m almost afraid to think about what happened.”

“Maybe we’re better off not thinking too much. Maybe we just need to keep looking.”

They sat on the porch swing together, trying not to think. They’d agree to wait up for news about Bernie. In less than an hour Uncle Kevin returned.

“What did Dr. Phillips say?” Lisa asked.

“Is Bernie going to be okay?” Jennie held her breath waiting for his answer.

“She thinks he’ll survive. Looks like Michael’s theory was right,” Kevin told her as he wrapped his arms around both girls and drew them inside.

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