Page 71 of The Weight Of Falling
I freeze, the dog in my arms, my heart rocketing inside my chest.
Then a voice yells, “All right, put your hands up in the air and turn around slowly.”
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“I can’t put my hands up,” I say, my voice shaking. “I’m holding a dog.”
“I don’t care what you’re holding!” he yells. “Keep your hands where I can see them! Don’t make me say it again.”
I recognize that voice. “Owen?”
A beat of stunned silence. “Kenzie?”
“Yes, it’s me.” I take in an uneven breath, then let it go. “Can I turn around? You won’t shoot me?”
“Of course I’m not going to shoot you.”
Still cradling the beagle, I turn around slowly. My hands won’t stop trembling. Owen stands a few yards away in full police uniform. The shock on his face causes my chest to tighten.
“Is anyone else with you?” he asks.
“No,” I admit, shamefaced. “Just me.” I glance down at the beagle. “And him.”
Owen’s gaze shifts from me to the shattered window to the trash can lid leaning against the brick wall, then back to me. For what feels like an endless moment, we simply stare at each other. I watch him trying to process what he’s seeing. I’m still trying to process it myself, hardly believing what I’ve done. At least the dog is safe, resting contentedly in my arms.
“Did you break that window?”
“Yes,” I answer miserably. “I was rescuing a dog.”
“That one?”
I nod. “He was locked inside, and he looked so scared and hungry. I had to get him out.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
I swallow. “I...um...I guess I panicked.”
“Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “No.”
He nods at the dog. “Is he?”
“I don’t think so. Just thirsty. And scared.” I press my cheek to the top of his soft head.
Owen plants his hands on his hips. “Kenzie Ellis, never in my wildest imagination—and I’m a Lord of the Rings fan, so I have a pretty wild imagination—did I picture you standing here like this. Tess? Sure. That mouth of hers has landed her in hot water more than once. Sofia?” His eyes narrow. “I’ve suspected her of masterminding a stunt or two, but I could never prove a thing. But you.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I never thought it would be you.”
Tears burn the backs of my eyes. I’ve disappointed the man who’s known me since I was a child. I’ve disappointed myself. The only one not disappointed is the beagle, who’s currently sniffing my armpit, ecstatic to be experiencing fresh air and freedom.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You can’t just go around breaking windows,” he says sternly.
I nod meekly, my cheeks burning. “I know.”
Regret lines Owen’s face. “There are consequences, Kenzie. I’m duty-bound to treat this like any other break-in.”
A bubble of panic rises and black spots dance in front of my eyes. I have to put the beagle down so I don’t drop him. He doesn’t bolt. He presses against my calf as if he knows I need the contact more than he does.
