CHAPTER TWO
Sophie parked the stroller on the sidewalk beside Aidan’s Animal Hospital’s glass doors. With Jamison on one hip and Atticus on the other, Sophie pushed through the door of the vet’s office.
“Hi, Mrs. Vines,” she greeted the receptionist. “Is Aidan in?”
Mrs. Vines, who had the face and figure of the Pillsbury Doughboy and the temperament of a hostile schoolmarm, frowned at Sophie. “Thedoctoris busy. Did you make an appointment?”
“No, I just hoped…” Her voice trailed away when she caught sight of Aidan through the swinging door.
He waved and smiled at her. “Be right out, Sophie!” he called, not seeming surprised at all to see her with a puppy in his office.
Sophie settled onto one of the hard plastic chairs, and kept Jamison on her lap. Atticus took the seat beside her. She absently stroked the dog’s head, wondering about his parentage. “What kind of dog do you think this is?” she asked Mrs. Vines.
Mrs. Vines wrinkled her nose as if Atticus were a particularly smelly breed. “It’s hard to say. You should have him groomed.”
“I gave him a bath. I just found him last night,” Sophie explained. “I wasn’t planning on keeping him, but…”
“He has to belong to someone,” Mrs. Vines said.
“That’s why I came by. I thought maybe Aidan would know if someone had lost a puppy.”
Mrs. Vines raised her eyebrows. “He probably needs his shots, as well.”
Atticus barked at Mrs. Vines as if he’d understood what she’d said and he disagreed.
Aidan emerged from the back, wiping his hands on a paper towel. “Who have we here?” he asked, eyeing the dog with a smile. He squatted beside Atticus and ruffled his ears.
Sophie explained to him what had happened. “I wanted to ask you if you know who might have lost him, but I’m reconsidering.”
He stood, waiting for her to continue. “You’re thinking of keeping him, then?”
“Well, yes. His owners are obviously irresponsible and undeserving.”
His lips twitched with a suppressed smile.
“You think I’m making a mistake. You think I have my hands full with a baby and adding a puppy to my chaos is a mistake.”
He shook his head and sat in the plastic chair beside her. “That’s not what I think at all.”
“Oh.”
“I think if you insist on staying at Chloe’s, you should get a dog. They’re the best security system money can buy.”
Sophie eyed the dog and edged away from Aidan. “He’s not ferocious.”
“He’s a puppy. And even if he doesn’t get very big, he can still be very noisy. That’s usually enough of a deterrent for most burglars.” Aidan’s knee brushed against her thigh.
Sophie squirmed in her chair. “That’s another reason I came by. Do you have any idea what breed he is? Or what size he’ll get?”
“He could be part beagle, maybe some terrier…”
“But his fur?”
“He’s got hair, not fur.” Aidan chuckled and ran his fingers over the dog’s matted coat. “There’s a difference. Want me to get you an appointment with Clare?”
“Clare?”
“She’s a dog groomer as well as a hairstylist.”
