Read A Texas Chance for Free Online

awake nights, wondering about their last moments and imagining what she could have done to prevent their deaths. This was not a human, or a dog she knew, but somehow every bit of I wish I could have thinking that had haunted her for years pressed in on her now. She could not let this animal die—or if he couldn’t be saved, she wasn’t going to let him die alone.
    But if she called Animal Services, even if they were available at night, there was no telling if she’d be allowed to stay with the dog—likely not. She didn’t know a vet, didn’t have clue who might…except Jenna. She didn’t want to interrupt Jenna’s party, but she didn’t see an alternative.
    Just as she pulled out her phone, she spotted a man approaching on the sidewalk.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    “I’m fine. Do you live around here?”
    “Not really. I’m visiting.”
    “Oh, dear. I need a veterinarian.”
    He looked past her. “What happened to your dog?”
    “It’s not mine. I found him like this.”
    He sank to his knees a little stiffly, though his frame was tall and powerful. “Hey, boy.” He extended a hand and let the dog sniff it. The dog’s tail thumped again, but only once.
    “Here.” She handed him the flashlight. “I don’t know anything about dogs, but he won’t move. When I touched his back legs, he cried out.”
    The man ran his hands over the animal, and he felt his way down the front legs. When he reached the back ones, the dog trembled and whined piteously. “I don’t think we should try to move him yet.”
    “I considered calling nine-one-one, but I doubt they’d appreciate it, and anyway, I don’t want him to get taken to a shelter.”
    “But he’s not yours, you said.”
    “He’s hurt and scared. He needs me.”
    “He doesn’t know you.”
    She frowned. “That doesn’t matter. He’s alone.” She gave him a look that had always sent her employees scurrying. “Never mind. I’ll handle this. There’s no need for you to hang around,” she said in her frostiest voice. “Don’t let me inconvenience you further.”
    He scowled. “Give me your phone.”
    “Why?”
    “Do you want to help this dog or not?”
    She seethed at his peremptory tone, but he was right. This was about the dog. She shoved the phone at him.
    He punched in a set of numbers. “Delilah, who’s your vet?”
    Delilah . Figures .
    “Will he take night calls?” He listened. “I came upon an injured dog on the street, an Irish setter that doesn’t want to move and is sensitive about his hindquarters. I’d like to talk to someone before moving him.” He waited for her to speak, then glanced over at Sophie. “What’s your cell number?”
    She told him and he relayed it to the woman on the other end.
    “Great. Thanks, Delilah. I’ll wait for his call.” He clicked off and handed her the phone.
    She took it. “I’ll stay here and deal with it. You go on.”
    “Well, now, like it up on that high horse, Queenie?”
    Her eyes went to slits. “Don’t call me that.”
    “Then don’t dismiss me like some peon.”
    “Look, I’m not sure what your problem is, but I’ve told you I don’t need you. Just return to your…Delilah. I’m sure she misses you, heaven knows why.”
    He stared at her, his hand on the dog’s head. “All this tension you’re producing isn’t good for the dog.”
    “ I’m producing?” She barely resisted the urge to scream.
    He grinned, and the sight of his smile silenced her. He might be a jerk, but he had a bone-melting smile, blast him. “I’m not the one doing all the yelling, Queenie.”
    She seethed but didn’t speak.
    He exhaled. “Sorry. I’m not in the greatest mood, but it’s not right to take that out on you.”
    Their hands bumped on the dog’s head, and she yanked hers back as if burned. “I couldn’t agree more.”
    “Don’t give an inch, do you?” But he smiled, and there was a dangerous level of charm in that smile.
    An awkward silence fell. Somehow, though, his