Leigh shook her head again."No hospitals.No cops."
Annie inhaled deeply, accepting her sister's choices.She stepped closer to Hunter."Thank you, but no."She shook her head to make it clear."If we can stay here for another day, maybe Leigh will feel better.I can work around here to pay for all you've done—"
"No."Hunter tilted his head."Does she like dogs?"
"Dogs?"The change of subject came so fast she couldn't follow along."I guess."
When they were younger, they had a dog.Leigh loved all animals.Though there was none at the house when she arrived.
Hunter left the room.Annie sat back down beside her sister.She hoped Hunter understood that she'd try to pay him back someday.It was vital for her to do that.
Because of him, Jason couldn't find them.
But the next step?
She had no idea.
The door creaked open again, and Annie looked up, expecting Hunter.Having him around brought her more peace than anxiety.
He approached the doorway, and that's when she spotted him holding a medium-sized dog.Short-haired and black but with a white patch and some brown hair on its face, the dog resembled a boxer, except for the longer nose, which reminded her of a dachshund.The dog had one floppy ear and soulful eyes that made her chest ache.
Annie blinked, watching him cross the room like this was the most normal thing in the world.
The dog was calm in his arms, tail wagging slowly, tongue lolling out in a lazy pant.
Annie's heart twisted.It'd been a long time since anything brought her comfort.
She reached over and gently tapped Leigh's arm."Sis," she whispered."Look."
Leigh stirred, her eyes fluttering open.She turned her head, wincing at the movement, and followed Annie's gaze.
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
The dog perked up at the sound, ears twitching.
Leigh's eyes filled with light.That was something Annie hadn't seen since arriving at her sister's.
Hunter stepped closer.The dog's tail wagged harder.He set the dog down on the floor beside the bed.Leigh reached out.
As if the dog knew it was needed, it put its paws on the mattress but didn't jump on the bed.
Leigh petted the dog."What's its name?"
Hunter never answered.Annie hadn't explained to her sister that their hero was deaf.
Annie looked at Hunter and lifted her hand to get his attention."What's his name?"
"Alanis."
She turned to Leigh, caught her gaze, and whispered, "Hunter's deaf and reads lips, so you have to get his attention first before you talk."
Leigh pushed herself up until she sat on her butt and then looked at Hunter."Can Alanis stay with me?"
Hunter nodded.
Annie's throat tightened.Her sister was twenty-four years old.Two years older than her, but the vulnerability in her sister broke her heart.
Leigh had always been the leader.Head cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend in high school, she put herself through community college right after graduation and was always confident in herself.She admired her sister her whole life.
