16
Uninvited Guests
I quickly picked up Buddy and gently dropped him into my office, closed the door, and ran out our front door past startled party guests to Joy’s house next door. Joy and Edgar were racing ahead of me. I had plucked up my cell phone from the hall side table on the way in case we needed to call the police.
I saw everyone gathered in the backyard and headed toward the side gate. I made sure the gate was closed in case Kirby decided to go on an adventure and run around the neighborhood again.
“Is he okay?” I asked as I came to where Joy and Tom were standing.
“Yes, Heather. At least it looks like it. We’ll know more once the ropes are off him.”
I steeled myself as I looked to where their attention was. Kirby was tied up tight like a little calf at branding time and I
