Another dog streaked past them, low and fast.
“There,” Caleb said. “That’s Poppy.”
The Australian shepherd skidded, doubled back, then bolted again, operating on pure instinct and adrenaline. The animal was smart, wired, and loving every second of freedom.
Millie slowed, raising her hands slightly. “Poppy! Hey, buddy.”
The dog glanced back but didn’t stop.
Caleb circled wide, blocking the dog’s path. Millie adjusted, herding instead of chasing, keeping her voice light and steady.
“Good boy,” she called. “That’s it. Easy.”
Poppy hesitated then darted toward her instead of past. Millie dropped into a crouch just as she reached her, fingers closing around her collar.
“Got you,” she breathed.
Caleb appeared a second later and clipped the leash on, relief cutting through the tension in his shoulders.
A sense of victory flashed through her.
They walked Poppy back into the kennel and placed her in her run.
Then they went outside and continued to catch the rest of the dogs.
It took over an hour until they were all caught. Thankfully, the fence around the property was intact, which had trapped the dogs within the enclosed space.
When the last dog was captured, Millie and Caleb walked back into the kennel.
They stood there a beat, the situation contained. Dogs barked from inside the kennels now—they were all safe but still hyper from their midnight escape.
Together, she and Caleb walked the length of the kennels. Caleb checked each latch, each hinge, and each lock.
“Someone did this on purpose,” Millie muttered.
“Yes, they did.” Caleb’s jaw hardened. “I need to find out who’s behind this. We’re running out of time, and next time we might not be so lucky.”
chapter
twenty-two
Caleb movedto the next run, then the next. His adrenaline was still pumping and his thoughts racing.
Millie hovered close, arms folded tight as she watched him. “Do you have cameras out here?”
Caleb paused by one of the runs and shook his head. “A few. Not enough. And two of them have been down for months.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Broken?”
“Old. Weather got to them. We’ve been patching things as we can.” He straightened and rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re trying to save money for replacements, but it’s expensive.”
“It sounds like what you need is a big donor.”
Her words landed heavy on him. Caleb let out a breath and looked back toward the house, lights glowing warm and unaware.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to that. If you know someone, feel free to send them our way.” He paused, then shook his head as something flickered in his chest. “Actually, scratch that. No one should know you’re here.”
“You know, that’s not a terrible idea,” she told him. “I’m really good at what I do—at finding money for causes. I couldlook around, see what I can find. And I can do it anonymously. No one has to know it’s me.”
