Page 27 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"What's wrong, Miko?" Jos asked.

I shot a quick look around the table before looking back at Jos. "A moment, please," I repeated.

"You can talk in my study," my father stated.

I took a quick step back when Jos stood. If he decided to reprimand me for interrupting his meal, I'd never survive it.

I followed Jos out of the dining room, but tugged on his shirt sleeve before we could head down the hallway to the study. I seriously needed to get back to the dog. "A moment, please."

Jos huffed before turning to look at me. "What is going on, Miko?" he asked. "Why are you acting like this?"

"Please." I held up my jade necklace. "Need towel, clippers, first aid kit, and maybe gloves. This is all I have for payment."

When Jos's eyebrows snapped together, I hurriedly said, "Will work to pay more."

Jos picked up the necklace and turned it over in his hand. "What do you need it for?"

Was he agreeing to the deal?

"There is injured dog."

Jos's frown grew even darker. "An injured dog? Where?"

"Under porch."

Jos's eyebrows shot up. "Our porch?"

I nodded. "Back porch off kitchen."

Jos shoved the necklace back into my hands and took off back into the dining room. I slid the necklace into my pocket as I chased after him. Jos called out orders to the ranch hands as he hurried through the dining room to the kitchen.

He paused to grab a flashlight out of a kitchen drawer and then he was out the door. He hopped off the porch and crouched down, shining the light under the porch.

"Where'd you see him, Miko?"

"Here." I moved to where I had climbed under the porch before and then dropped down to my hands and knees. "He's in the back."

When Jos dropped down beside me and started shining the light underneath the porch, I grabbed his arm "Dog is afraid. Hurt. Must be careful."

Jos nodded before standing back up and looking around. Just then, one of the ranch hands we'd had breakfast came running up with a blanket and a pair of gloves.

"Here, Boss."

Jos hurriedly pulled the gloves on. They looked a little different than the gardening gloves I'd been imagining, hardier and made of tan leather. I hoped them would protect Jos's hands.

"Miko, I want you to stay on the porch," Jos directed. "I'll bring the dog out."

I nodded and quickly climbed the steps. I wanted to argue because I was worried, but that wouldn't get the dog out any faster. It also might make Jos angry. He'd already agreed to do this for me. I wasn't going to push my luck.

Jos dropped back down and then moved out of sight as he crawled under the porch. Another man joined him. The whimpering I'd heard before started up again, growing louder by the second.

When the dog let out a painful yelp and Jos began to swear, I couldn't stop myself from going back down the steps and crouching so that I could see under the porch.

Jos had the blanket wrapped around the dog, but he seemed to be having a hard time pulling him out because the dog was struggling to get away.

I dropped down to my hands and knees and crawled under the porch. There was a lot of yelling and at one point I feltsomeone try to grab my ankle. I kicked the hand away and crawled a little faster.

When I reached Jos and the dog, I started talking in a low calming tone, and I spoke in Japanese, telling the dog that he was in no danger, that he was safe, and that I would make sure he was taken care of.

---