“Let’s see what we’ve got here.” I pull out my medical kit and step up to the edge of the pen to take a look.
Six puppies, all with oozing eyes, but they look well fed. Their fur is dirty and they stink, which is typical.
Kellen returns with the water, and he bends over the pen to set it down. The puppies all go running for it, and he ends up holding it for them to drink out of so they don’t knock the bowl over in their rambunctiousness.
One by one, I snag puppies and lift them from the pen. I sit cross-legged on the ground to examine them. I squirt ointment into their gummy eyes and treat the few with fungal infections in between their paw pads.
When I’m done, Kellen and I move to the next setup and repeat the process. He makes sure all the puppies have water in their pens and fills the bowls over and over again while I provide medical attention. We work in silence, unless I have questions for the breeders to help me help the pups. Kellen won’t engage with them, and I can see his anger bubbling under the surface.
The last vendor has golden retriever puppies, and Kellen puts a hand to my lower back as we walk there, giving it a tiny rub. I know he’s thinking of Princess… same as me. These aren’t her puppies, but they probably came from a dog just like her.
I’ve seen a lot of dogs in my lifetime. On our farm, we always had them, as well as many barn cats. But nothing can really beat a golden retriever puppy for cuteness. I treat the ones that need it, and Kellen plays with the others, making himself at home inside the pen. While we’re there, a few people come by, but no one is buying. It’s still early, though. The market’s only been open for a few hours and the puppies are at the back. Anyone coming to buy a new pet will wait until it’s time to go.
When I finish with the last fur ball, I push up from the ground and dust off my pants. Kellen reluctantly sets down a rotund male he’s been cuddling and exits the pen.
I stretch my back, feeling a few joints crack.
“How do you feel about an impromptu barbecue at my house? I thought I’d invite some of the Jameson folks over.”
That’s random, but I’m not averse. “Yeah… sure. Maybe something easy like hamburgers and hot dogs. We can stop at the grocery on the way home.”
Kellen’s not even listening to me but has his phone out, sending a text. When he’s done, he lifts my backpack and slings it over his shoulder.
He pulls his wallet from his pocket and walks over to the seller. “I’ll pay you five hundred dollars right now for all the pups.”
“Wait! What?” I exclaim, scurrying to his side.
I glance back at the pen, and although I’m well aware of how many dogs are in there, I count again.
Five.
The seller is asking for three hundred apiece, but for the life of me, I can’t begin to imagine that Kellen thinks this is a good idea.
I tug at his arm, but he pulls it away from me.
“A thousand,” the seller says, and negotiations ensue.
I watch boggled as Kellen dickers with the guy. They finally agree on eight hundred for all five puppies, and Kellen gets the guy to agree to throw in the pen too.
“What are you going to do with five puppies?” I stammer.
The man grins at me, eyes sparkling. “I’m going to save them. Gotta start somewhere, right?”
This right here… this is the moment I realize I’m hopelessly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with Kellen McCord.
?
We’re able to drive Kellen’s SUV around to the back gate where the puppy pimps are set up. It’s not ideal without a crate to get them home, but he folds his seats flat and drives like a grandma to his house.
The introduction of the pups to Bubba is seamless. He’s such a good boy… curiously gentle as he sniffs them while they run around the backyard.
Kellen pushes me out of the house by handing me his keys and leaving it to me to handle the grocery shopping for the barbecue. I don’t mind—I’m still reeling over him buying the pups. And I’m excited his friends are coming over. I enjoyed meeting them last night at the wedding, putting faces to the names. The women were super nice and inclusive, and I think I made a few new friends.
Kynan told me that I am part of their family now, and as someone who has been isolated to an extent from family—my doing, admittedly—it’s comforting to have this new group willing to welcome me in.
At the store, I get everything needed to grill dogs and burgers, along with sides from the deli counter. I grab beer and soft drinks and three bottles of wine. A quick mental calculation of Kellen’s cupboards makes me realize he doesn’t have enough plates and utensils, so I go with paper and plastic products, including a sleeve of Solo cups. Last, I hit the bakery and grab cookies and two pies.