Hugh turned to Eli. “Wait here with the dogs. I don’t know how they might react, and I don’t want to scare Benjamin.” Cora tossed the leashes to Eli and followed behind their host without a second glance back.
Hugh walked through one of the four doorways off the foyer and into a small anteroom. It had the same low-beamed ceiling coupled with a vibrant black-and-white-check wallpaper that made her feel like she was inside a chessboard. An amazingly lifelike carved bulldog, crafted to look like a carousel horse and festooned with a saddle and cabbage roses, stood guard by the unlit fireplace. In the center of the room, next to a red plaid couch, sat a small pen.
Animal,Cora thought, ready to meet either a puppy or a kitten. Hugh reached into the pen and pulled out the tiniest pig she had ever seen, so pink and perfect that it looked like an animatronic creation. Benjamin was dressed for company in a miniature red bow tie that complemented his black spots. He coordinated with the room perfectly.
“Benjamin, meet Cora,” Hugh said, holding the pig out to her.
“I’ve never held a baby pig!” she exclaimed as Benjamin snorted and wiggled in her arms. “Where did he come from?”
“I can’t say where, but let’s just say that he was destined for the slaughterhouse. Do you eat meat?” Hugh stared at her face intently.
“I, uh, sort of? I mean, not really, but a little?”
“Well, just keep in mind that you’re holding bacon in your hands right now,” he replied gruffly. “Everyone involved with animals should be vegan.”
Cora looked down at the piglet and thought about how to answer Hugh. She opted for avoidance.
“What do you need to know about Bla—, I mean, Baxter and Horton?”
“Absolutely nothing. You said they’re young dogs, and they were living outside so their potty training and socialization are probably spotty. That’s all I need. I understand that there’s some drama related to them, so I won’t ask for more than that.”
“They’re probably chipped, so when you find a new home—”
Hugh waved her off. “To be honest, Cora Bellamy, my ‘rescue’ is more of a drop-off for lost souls like Benjamin. I had high hopes when I met you, but the reality is that I just can’t stand to give any of them up. I’m a hoarder. I have a wonderful staff that supports my efforts, which is why I now have four horses, a blind ass I call Forty-Five, a yard full of ducks, chicken, and geese, a turkey, six goats, three pigs, two peacocks, fourteen incredibly tolerant barn cats, three indoor cats, and, with Baxter and Horton in the mix now, eight dogs.”
Cora couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Now I feel terrible—I thought you were going to be able to find them a new home. You’re going to get overcrowded!”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? Cora, I canaffordto take care of all of them and more. I could hire a day nanny, night nanny, and personal chef for every single animal on my property and still bring home a thousand more animals in need. I’ve created a sanctuary. This is what I was meant to do, not tech. Now, if someone worthy falls in my lap and they’re interested in adopting one of my animals, then certainly, we can talk about it. Like you and Benjamin. He seems fond of you.”
Cora picked her chin off the top of the little pig’s head. “Me? Take Benjamin? Oh, I wish I could, but I live in an apartment and I’m already pushing the limits with my dog and my roommate’s dog. Plus, don’t these little guys get huge?”
“You’re right, there’s no such thing as a teacup pig. You’re looking at over a hundred pounds of pig in a few years.” Hugh reached out to take Benjamin and placed him back in his pen. “Everything is going to work out. My other dogs are a tough pack, but once they welcome in new dogs, it’s an unbreakable bond. They’ll school those two and show them how we run things here. It’ll be fine.”
Cora noted that Hugh was speaking with the bravado of someone with just enough dogsense to be dangerous, particularly when she knew how the dogs had reacted to Fritz and Josie. “Are you sure? Do you want me to help with the introductions? I could come back tomorrow and—”
“Not necessary,” he interrupted. “I know what I’m doing.”
She thought better of trying to correct the great and powerful Hugh Brannon.
“I’m always available if you change your mind,” Cora added, the hint of a blush tickling her temples.
“Thank you for saving the dogs from whatever their circumstances were, Cora. I can assure you that they will live very happy lives here onLe Mûrier.”
“Ah,avez-vous des mûriers ici?” Cora asked, wondering if the estate’s name was a nod to the nursery rhyme, or if mulberry trees grew wild on the property.
“Oui, they keep thechevresvery happy,” he replied, not even noticing that they had lapsed into French. He paused and stared off into space for a moment. “I’ll see you out.”
Cora followed Hugh back to the entry hall. Eli was sitting on an intricate wooden throne that looked like it had been salvaged from a castle or a cathedral with the dogs curled up on top of his feet. He didn’t look at Cora when she walked in the room.
“Do either of you need the washroom before you go?” Hugh asked. “May I get you some water?”
“We’re fine,” Cora said, answering for both of them. “We should probably hit the road.”
“Indeed,” he said distractedly. “I’ll take the dogs now.” He strode over to them and took the leashes from Eli. The dogs stood up slowly, stretching and yawning.
Hugh turned to Cora. “Cora Bellamy, from this point on, you will never be associated with these dogs again. They are strangers to you, and you to them. Agreed?” It felt like a benediction. He reached out his hand.
“Agreed.” She nodded and shook his hand to seal the pact.
