Lucky's Choice(59)

Knox went to the dog, sticking out his hand to be sniffed, and the dog licked his hand after a few moments.

“How is Sissy adjusting?” Willa took advantage of the opportunity to ask about her former foster child as he petted the dog. She had an appointment with Diamond later this week, and she was going to use the opportunity to ask for information since Flora refused to give her any news on the girl, citing privacy guidelines. However, this gave her a chance to keep her appointment strictly business.

“Good. She’s spending time with Sex Piston and her crew.”

“That must be fun for her.”

“I don’t know about that,” Knox said. “She thought making fun of Diamond’s doomsday prepping was hilarious until Sex Piston heard her. Now she’s trying to survive working in Sex Piston’s beauty shop part-time.”

Willa could imagine the biker women making toast of Sissy if she showed them her teenage angst.

“She seems pretty friendly.” Knox said, drawing her attention back to the dog. His hand went to the collar Willa hadn’t noticed. “Her name is Ria.”

“Does it say who to call?”

“No, but if she belongs to someone, they usually call the dog shelter. It will be tomorrow before we can find her owner if she belongs to someone.”

“Of course she belongs to someone, or she wouldn’t have a collar,” Willa reasoned.

“Not if the owner couldn’t take care of her anymore. Sometimes, they let them loose, hoping they’ll find a new home. What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to get rid of her.”

“I don’t have any place to keep her. I guess I could chain her up at the dog shelter. They’ll find her when they open in the morning.”

“Let her stay tonight,” Charlie begged.

Willa didn’t even think twice. “She may be dangerous. I can’t take the chance with the children.”

“I can test her and see if you want. I’ve had several dogs, and we have a K-9 on the force.”

Willa didn’t want to keep the dog, regardless, but the children made it hard to say no.

They stood around as Knox gave the dog a series of commands that she followed. Even Willa could see the dog was well trained.

“I’ll be right back,” Knox said before disappearing to the front of her house then coming back with a bag of dog food.

“I keep an extra bag in my car for Bane when his handler works double shifts.”

Willa watched as Knox fed the dog out of his hand.

“You have a bowl?”

Leanne ran inside the house, returning with one of her fine china bowls that had been from when her mother was married. Willa didn’t chastise her, watching closely as Knox filled the bowl with dog food then sat it down in front of the dog. He took the bowl away after the dog ate a few bites, and the dog sat down on it haunches, wagging its tail.

“I’m no expert, but I think she’ll be fine around the kids.” Knox’s hand smoothed over the dog’s head. “You can drop her off at the shelter in the morning,” Knox reminded her.

“Please, can we keep Ria tonight?” Charlie moved closer to the dog as if Willa would snatch her away.

“I suppose one day won’t make a difference,” Willa relented.

“Yay!” the children all yelled.

“We are not keeping her, though,” Willa said firmly.#p#分页标题#e#

“I’d say she’s housebroken. She won’t be too much trouble. The shelter’s pretty full right now. I had to call them Friday on a hoarder. She’ll have to be put down if they don’t find her a home.” Knox wasn’t helping.

Willa shot him a glance as the children began crying, begging her to let the dog stay. Charlie and Leanne glared at her like she was a monster.

“She can stay for a few days until I can find her a new home.” Willa caved in to the children’s cries.

“I’m glad that’s settled. Anything else I can do for you, Willa?”

“No, I think you’ve done enough,” Willa said reproachfully.

Knox gave her a grin, and Willa thought she caught sight of a tongue ring before he caught her staring. He gave her a wink before leaving. Willa blushed when she remembered Diamond’s words from the night before.

“Wait, what about my cat? Is she going to eat it?”

Knox’s lips twitched. “The cat give you those scratches on your arms?”

“Yes, she doesn’t like me, but she likes the kids. Will the dog eat her?”

“If you’re lucky.”

Willa looked at him aghast, not finding the imminent death of her cat funny.

“The dog won’t bother the cat.”