“Thanks. I really appreciate that. It’s just going to be a matter for the attorneys.” He frowned as the words left his mouth.
“You don’t sound very confident about that.”
He grunted softly. “I suggested making a settlement offer immediately to Addison and my attorney told me he doesn’t deal in buying babies.”
Harper scoffed. “Buying babies? What kind of special snowflake is he? The world revolves around money. It’s a sad reality, but it’s true. He should know that more than most people. I’m sure for the right amount, Addison would sign on the dotted line and never think twice about Kyle or Ruthie again.”
A smirk bent Mitch’s mouth. “This is why we get along so well. I couldn’t agree more.”
He pulled into the parking lot of the rescue. “Here we are. Sandy Paws Rescue. Lucas couldn’t say enough nice things about them. This is where he got Scout.”
There were two dogs they had come to see. Sergeant, a male black Lab, and Bunny, a female Jack Russell. They headed inside. Harper wasn’t sure Mitch was as excited as she was, but adopting a dog was such a great thing to do. Maybe seeing the dogs would help take his mind off the trouble Addison had caused.
Not that she blamed him for being upset. Harper was upset, too. But Addison really didn’t know what she was up against ifshe thought she was going to win this. Somehow, Mitch would save Ruthie. Harper had to believe that.
A woman at the reception desk greeted them with a big smile. “Welcome to Sandy Paws. How can we help you today?”
Mitch, in a ball hat and sunglasses, approached. He took his sunglasses off and moved them to the top of his hat, resting on the brim. “I have an appointment to see a couple of dogs. Mitch Ripley.”
The woman’s face changed the instant Mitch gave his name. She obviously recognized him. She stood up. “We’re so happy you’re here, Mr. Ripley. I have some good news and some bad news for you.”
Mitch glanced at Harper before responding to the woman. “Okay. What is it?”
“The bad news is that Sargeant has already been adopted. But we still have Bunny. We have a few other dogs you might be interested in, too. We have an adorable little Chihuahua and a Shih Tzu mix that just came in.”
Mitch shook his head. “I’m sure they’re great, but I’m looking for a dog I can run with.”
“I see. Well, let me get you into one of our adoption rooms and I’ll have Bunny brought right in. Just down the hall here.”
They followed her to a small, open room with a bench along one wall and some dog toys scattered on the floor. She gestured at the bench. “If you want to have a seat, one of our volunteers will be in with Bunny in just a minute.”
“Great,” Mitch said. “Thanks.” He and Harper sat as the woman left, closing the door behind her. “You think I could change the dog’s name? I don’t know about Bunny.”
Harper laughed. “I bet Ruthie would love it.”
He smiled. “Yeah, she might. I wonder what her first word will be? I hope I get to hear it.”
“You will,” Harper insisted. “I’m sure of it.”
The door opened and a young man came in with an excited Jack Russell on a leash. “This is Bunny. She’s a great dog, loves people, loves other dogs. We don’t know about how she is with cats, but I’ll give you guys some time to get to know each other.”
“Thanks,” Mitch said.
He handed Mitch the leash. “Have fun!”
“I’m sure we will.” Mitch looked at the dog as the young man left. “Hi, Bunny.”
Bunny stared back, mouth open in a smile. Her tail was up and she looked ready for anything.
“Do you know how to sit?”
Bunny sat.
Mitch looked at Harper. “Already trained or coincidence?”
“Hard to say.” Harper stuck her hand out. “Bunny, can you shake?” Bunny put her paw into Harper’s hand. She smiled at Mitch. “Definitely trained. No surprise. Jack Russells are super smart dogs.”
Mitch gave the dog an appraising look. “She’s smaller than what I was imagining. But I know they have a lot of energy. That’s important if she’s going to run with me.”
