Page 11 of Black Dog

Even with his hand over the phone mic, she could hear the choice words he had to say. “I’d like to talk you out of that.”

“Not happening.” She sneezed.

“And that’s why. You’resick!”

“But I’m not dead. Elora would do it for me and you know it.”

He was silent for a minute. “That’s beside the point.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That is the point. I’ve used up my allotted time for an invite-the-husband-to-a-dog-hunt phone call. Going? Or staying?”

“Have I told you I don’t like it when you get all adamant?”

“Hanging up now.”

“Going.”

“Good. Hurry.”

On the way back to the vineyard, Storm called Ram.

“Aye. Thought you might call.”

“I guess we’re on the way.”

“Aye.”

“How are things there?”

“Have a family that is inconsolable and a mystery that has me stymied.” When Storm didn’t reply, Ram’s intuition went on alert. “You know somethin’. What are ye no’ sayin’?”

“This is just for you because it’s probably unlikely and I don’t want to cause more worry than necessary.”

“Spit it out.”

“I’ve heard that dogs like Blackie get napped for illegal gambling.”

Ram shot out of the chair, walked into the other room out of earshot, and lowered his voice so that even Helm’s ears wouldn’t hear him say, “Dog fights?”

“It’s just a wild thought.”

“Great Paddy. So far ‘tis the only thing that makes a lick of sense. Thank the gods your wife is on the way.”

“You’re making a habit of relying on her.”

“Aye. ‘Tis no’ the first time she’s pulled our asses out of the mire. If I were you, I would no’ be thinkin’ this is the last.”

“Under the circumstances, we won’t be coming with pecan pie and poinsettias.”

“No’ expected. Just bring yourselves. We have pie.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Litha and Storm appeared near the rear door. They knew the Hawkings didn’t bother to heat the front part of the downstairs during winter.

Reaching past Litha, Storm raised a hand to knock, but the door flew open and Helm grabbed Litha into a hug. “You’re goin’ to find him, are you no’, Auntie?”

Helm’s plea was pitiful as he balanced on the teeter totter of post-pubescence between childhood and manhood.

---