didn’t have a choice.”
“You should have left him at home.” She glanced around, hoping no one else was nearby. She didn’t need everyone thinking that it was all right to bring their pet to work. “Come in my office.”
Once they were both...er...all three in the office, she closed the door. This was not the smooth start to the day that she’d been hoping for. And after Louise had soothed her worries about keeping Trey on staff, he pulled this stunt.
“Listen, I know this is awkward.” The dog began to wiggle in his arms. “Do you mind if I put him down?”
Sage shook her head. It probably wasn’t a wise decision. What if it peed on the carpet? Or worse?
Trey set the white dog on the carpet. She was relieved to see that the dog had a collar and leash. He began to sniff around, taking in his new surroundings. Sage kept an eye on it. She told herself that it was to make sure it didn’t make a mess and not because it was the most adorable ball of fluff. When it stopped in front of her and turned those big brown eyes on her, she longed to pick it up and cuddle him. But she just couldn’t give in to that temptation. She was the boss. She had to set an example.
She forced her gaze away from the cute pup and back to her assistant. “I don’t know what you were thinking by bringing him here, but he has to go. Now. And preferably without anyone seeing you.”
“But that’s the problem. I don’t have anywhere to take him.”
“I’d think taking him home would be an ideal solution.”
“But he’s not mine.”
Before she could speak, she felt something cold and wet against her leg. She glanced down to find the dog sniffing her. Her instinct was to kneel down and make friends, but she didn’t want Trey to think that whatever he was trying to pull here was acceptable. This was one of those moments when she didn’t like being management.
Sage turned her attention back to Trey. “Do you normally bring other people’s animals to work with you?”
“I must admit that it’s a first.”
“And your last.”
“If you would let me finish. I can explain this. It’s really kind of a funny story.” He hesitated. “Actually, it’s not funny ha-ha. It’s funny as in strange and a bit sad.”
She should be upset, but when the puppy looked at her with those big innocent eyes, her irritation melted away. The little white dog with long fur was so cute. No wonder Trey had taken it in.
Unable to resist any longer, she asked, “Can I pet him?”
“Um, sure.” Trey’s face filled with confusion soon followed with relief. “He’s a very friendly little guy.”
“Hi.” She knelt down and pet him. His white fur was soft, but it was long and gnarled. “You are such a sweet thing. That’s great that you adopted a dog—”
“I didn’t adopt him. It’s more like he adopted me.”
Sage straightened. “Say again.”
The dog moved and sat at Trey’s feet. Its little tail swished back and forth. “I found him hiding in a bush when I was out running last night. He was shaking with fear.”
“Aw...poor baby?”
Trey nodded. “He didn’t have a collar or any way to identify him. And from the looks of him, no one has cared for him in quite a while. I took him home, fed him and cleaned him up the best I could.”
“There’s one thing I don’t understand. Why did you bring him to work?”
“I didn’t mean to. I thought the animal shelter would be open early, but it opens late today. If I could just keep him here until they open—”
“You aren’t keeping him?” She glanced down at the little dog that was now leaning up against Trey’s leg as though they belonged together. “He seems to have really bonded with you.”
“I... I’m not a dog person.”
She arched a brow. “Really? Because you certainly seem like it to me and...what do you call him?”
“I didn’t name him because I’m not keeping him.”
“You can’t keep calling him puppy or dog.” She turned her attention back to the white puppy. “Come here.”
Surprisingly, the dog came right to her. It’s little tail swished back and forth. “You certainly are a friendly little guy.”
“He’s certainly that. Even when he woke me up at 4:00 a.m. to take him outside. He was as happy as could be. Me not so much. I was half-asleep and almost walked into the wall.”
She scooped the dog up in her arms. “Is that true? Are you a happy little guy?”
Arf!
Sage couldn’t help but smile at the dog’s cheery personality.
“Maybe you should keep him,” Trey suggested.
“Me? I don’t think so. I spend all of my time here at the office.” She couldn’t resist running her hand over the dog. It was when she touched his front leg that it whimpered. “Is it hurt?”
Trey frowned. “Not that I know of. But he was so dirty last night that I might have missed something when I was cleaning him up.”
Sage moved to her desk and set the dog down. “He whimpered when I touched his front right leg.”
They worked together until they uncovered a nasty, oozing cut beneath some knotted fur. Sage scooped the dog back in her arms, careful not to touch the wounded area. Through it all, the pup continued to wag its tail.
Trey reached out to pet him. “You certainly are one happy guy.”
“That’s it.”
“What’s it?” Trey looked utterly confused.
“His name. We’ll call him Happy.”
“Really?” Trey’s gaze moved from Sage to the dog, whose tail picked up speed. “I guess it fits.” Staring at the dog, he asked, “Would you like the name Happy?”
Arf! Arf!
Sage laughed. “I think he agrees.”
“I’ll take him over to the shelter. I’m sure they’ll know what to do with him.”
Sage looked into Happy’s eyes and she just couldn’t let him go to some shelter where he would get lost in the crowd and possibly forgotten about. She had to be sure that he was well taken care of.
“Call the Smith Veterinarian Clinic. Tell them you found a stray and its injured. If they give you any problems, you can mention my name. It might help.”
He sent her a puzzled look. “I thought you said you didn’t have time for pets.”
Busted. “I don’t have any pets. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have roommates with pets.”
Trey’s eyes widened and he smiled as though his problems were solved.
“Don’t,” she warned. “I’m not keeping him. But I want to make sure that he’s taken care of. Besides, as I recall, you’re the one that found him.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll call.”
Knock. Knock.
The door opened and Louise stuck her head inside. “Good morning. I...” Louise’s voice faded away as she took in the sight of Trey’s disheveled look. “Sorry. I just wanted to tell you about some new coffee I picked up last night. But it can wait.”
Arf! Arf-arf!
Louise’s