Page 4 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

“Try to breathe.”

I inhaled, but my breath got stuck in my throat; I went down on my knees next to the little ball of fur. Its whimpers made my heart squeeze tight. “I’m so sorry.”

The little thing looked at me, and I carefully let it sniff my hand while tears were gathering in my eyes.

Then it started licking my hand, and my throat closed up tight. The pain in my chest was almost too much to bear. “I’m so sorry, little one. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

It tried to crawl into my lap but couldn’t move its hindquarters.

The pain I felt made me double over.

“Where are you, Erin?”

The voice in my ear pulled me back from the pain.

“I’m with the dog.”

“On the road?”

“Yes.”

“You need to move off the street. Right the fuck now,” he barked.

“I can’t leave her.”

“How big is the dog?”

“Tiny.”

“Can you carry it?”

“Yes, but what if I hurt her even more?”

“You won’t. Just be careful. It might bite you.”

“No, she won’t.”

“Then do it. Move. Now.”

The command in his voice propelled me to move.

I got back on my feet, lifted her into my arms, and carried her towards my car. She was heavier than I expected but seemed to calm down in my arms.

“Erin?”

“Yes.”

“Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“We’re off the road.”

“Good girl. Are you hurting?”

I shook my head. Which admittedly hurt a little.

“My neck.”

“Anywhere else?”

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