He looked at Rachel without breaking contact. “Can you do me a favor and scoop a few kibbles in my hand.”
She moved quietly and slowly as to not alarm Bandit. She stuck her arm in the bag and brought him a handful.
Keeping one hand on Bandit, he held out his other hand with the food. Bandit ate directly from it. “He’s a gentleman. I can’t imagine why his owners would abandon him.”
“We can’t keep him here.”
“I know.” He thought through the options. “Let’s take him to the vet. They can scan him for a microchip and maybe give us a clue to the owner.”
She growled under her breath. “Those owners don’t deserve to have him back.”
“What if he was stolen at some point? The original owners might be looking for him.”
“That’s true.” She shifted her gaze to the car. “I hope Roxie doesn’t mind sharing the backseat.”
“Why don’t we drop her off at your house first. We don’t know how long this will take.”
She went to the end of the rope that was tied to the post. “I’ll untie while you hold him, then I’ll hold Roxie while you get him in the car. She’s always loved other dogs. I pray this isn’t the one time she decides not to.”
A nervous laugh tickled his lips. “I hope not.”
Bandit didn’t pull or try to run away. It was almost as though he knew he was being rescued. When he got closer to the car, he jumped right into the backseat.
Aaron held his breath, waiting to see Roxie’s reaction. He exchanged a glance with Rachel, who held her hands together tightly.
The two dogs sniffed each other, then Roxie licked Bandit’s face. Bandit nuzzled Roxie’s snout then plopped down on his stomach.
He looked at Rachel again, and they both laughed.
She shrugged. “I guess they like each other.”
He hopped into the car after Rachel got in and took Roxie home. She gave Bandit another sniff before Aaron hefted her down.
“I’ll be right back.” Rachel took the leash and led Roxie inside.
Bandit looked at him with pleading, amber eyes.
Aaron scratched him under the chin. “Sorry, buddy. You have another stop to make.”
He didn’t make a peep the entire way to the vet’s office. Aaron replaced the rope with the spare leash Rachel had brought from the house. They walked inside, and he was relieved to see there weren’t any patients waiting.
Hannah stared at the dog with confusion. “Did Roxie undergo a transformation in the last half hour?”
Rachel shook her head. “She’s at home, but we found this guy tied to a stop sign. We were wondering if you could scan him for a microchip.”
“Mandy can take care of that for you. I’ll let her know you’re here.” Hannah went through the batwing doors and reappeared a minute later with Mandy and Dr. Scott.
“What’s going on?” Dr. Scott bent down and immediately started examining the dog as Aaron relayed the story.
“At first glance, he looks healthy enough, nothing a little love and affection won’t fix.” Standing up, Dr. Scott waved them to the back. “We’ll scan him in the back, but my gut tells me he won’t have a chip.”
“Mine too, but we have to check.” He handed the leash to Mandy.
“What will you do he if doesn’t?” Dr. Scott turned the knob and opened the door to the exam room. “Animal control is closed due to a parvo outbreak. I was out there most of yesterday treating dogs.”
“I’ll keep him.” The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them.
Rachel quirked a brow but didn’t say anything.
