It was when we were driving near to the Sugar Creek Bridge, about five miles from our house, that
we saw the old, beat-up looking Chevy pickup parked right in the center of the bridge.
Evan, Guthrie and I had been to the feed store, and we were taking our time going back home.
It was Guthrie who noticed the truck first, and he kind of leaned forward so as to get a better look.
"Hey," he said, to Evan and I. "Look at that. Just parked right in the middle of the bridge like that."
"Maybe fishing?" Evan asked.
"Maybe. They can't block the road like that, though," Guthrie said.
I was sitting between Evan and Guthrie, and I craned my neck for a better look, too.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"I've never seen that truck before. Have you, Guthrie?" Evan asked.
"Naw. I don't think so."
Evan slowed down as we came up closer on the truck. There was a man, standing beside the
side of the bridge, and he was holding something in his hands.
"What's he doing?" I asked.
"Looks like he's getting ready to toss somethin' over," Evan said.
We could see the man look our way as we approached. And then, quickly, as if in a urgent hurry,
the man threw what looked like a feed sack over the edge of the bridge, sending it down into the
muddy water of Sugar Creek.
We were close enough that I saw the sack shaking and moving, and I sat up straight so suddenly that I
spilled my can of Coke all over my jeans.
"It moved! There's something alive in there!"
The man nearly ran to the driver's side of the truck, jumped in, and drove off quickly, tossing
gravel as he went.
"Stop, Evan!" I hollered, and as Evan pulled the truck to the side of the road, I was shoving
at Guthrie to get out, and we all three ran to the middle of the bridge and looked over.
"You see it?" Guthrie asked us.
"There it is!" I hollered, pointing at the sack, which had caught on a branch a ways up the creek. As
we stood there, it shook loose, and began to float slowly downstream.
I shed my jacket, throwing it to the ground, and I had one sneaker off to jump in when Evan grabbed the
back of my shirt in his fist. "Oh, no, you don't!"
"There's something in that sack, Ev! Let me go!"
"I said, no, Harlie!"
"I'll get it," Guthrie said, and pulled off his boots, and climbed up on the edge of the concrete bridge wall.
"Damn it, Guthrie!" Evan protested, albeit too late, as Guthrie dove headfirst into the water.
We lost sight of both Guthrie and the sack, and we moved quickly to the other side of the bridge, and
I heard Evan's sharp breath of relief when Guthrie's head popped to the top of the water.
"You alright?" Evan called down to him.
"Yeah! I've got it!" Guthrie yelled, holding the sack up to show us.
Evan and I went to the edge of the bridge and scrambled down the bank, to meet Guthrie,
as he swam over. He handed the burlap sack to Evan, who in turn handed it to me, so he could
offer Guthrie a helping hand out of the water.
"Damn, that water's cold!" Guthrie said.
There was a whimpering sound coming from the sack, and I was already busy trying to untie the string at the top, but it was knotted.
"I can't get it," I said, and Evan took out his pocketknife. "Move your hand out of the way," he told me.
After he had sliced thru it, he threw the string to the ground, and the top of the sack gaped open.
I opened it more, and looked in. "Puppies!" I said, and began to reach in and pull them out.
There were five altogether, four looking as if they were from the same litter, and the fifth one a little
older.
"How can anybody be so mean?" I said.
"Some people are heartless, alright," Guthrie agreed.
"This one is shivering," I said, holding the smallest puppy closer to my chest.
"He's not the only one," Evan said, gesturing towards Guthrie, who was noticeably
shivering.
"I'm alright," Guthrie said.
"Well, let's get you home," Evan said, and we all made our way up the bank to the truck,
carrying the puppies.
In the truck Evan turned up the heater to the highest level.
"For the little cold puppies, and for the little cold Guthrie," Evan said, with a grin.
"Bets on who's goin' to flip more. Hannah, when she sees me like this, or Brian and Adam
when they see all these pups," Guthrie said.
"They look like they're part Border Collie," Evan said. "It shouldn't be too hard to find homes for them."
"Border Collie?" I asked. "Aren't they used sometimes as cattle dogs?"
Evan gave me a sidelong look, as I rubbed my cheek against one of the puppies.
"Don't get any ideas, shortcake."
"What ideas?"
"You're thinking you can convince Adam or Brian to keep these pups. And there's no way
that's going to fly. At least not all of them."
"I know." I sighed. "I was just wishing."
When we got home, Evan backed the truck up to the barn and he got out and went to put the
tailgate down so he could start unloading the feed. It took Guthrie and I a few seconds longer to
get out, because we were carrying the wriggling puppies.
Guthrie set his two puppies in the back of the truck, and started helping Evan unload the feed.
I set down one of mine with the others, and looked towards the pasture, as the Jeep came
into sight, Crane driving and Adam riding shotgun.
"Hang on, here it comes," Guthrie muttered.
Adam and Crane pulled up, and parked, and got out, both of them stretching their
long legs.
"What do we have here?" Crane asked, a slight smile hovering at the edge of his mouth.
"We rescued them," I said.
"Why are you all wet?" Adam asked Guthrie.
"I went for a little swim," Guthrie said jokingly.
"Guthrie." Adam didn't sound amused.
"This guy threw them in Sugar Creek. I jumped in to get 'em."
"It was a white truck," I said, talking in a rush, "and this guy was parked in the middle of the bridge,
and he threw this sack in the creek. Then when he saw that we were watching him, he drove
off really fast."
"Slow down, peanut," Crane said.
"You know the guy?" Adam asked us, and I shook my head.
"Nope," Guthrie said.
"Never saw him before," Evan said, and lifted another sack of feed over his shoulder.
Crane picked up one of the puppies from the back of the truck.
"Poor little guys," he said.
Adam reached out to pet the puppy Crane was holding.
"Aren't they cute?" I asked him, and Adam gave me a knowing look.
"Yes. Very cute," he said dryly.
"Maybe Doc G knows some people looking for a pup," Crane suggested.
"That's a good idea," Adam agreed.
Adam reached out to touch Guthrie's sodden shirt. "It's not August anymore," he said.
"I'll bet that water was cold, huh?"
"It sure was," Guthrie said.
"Better get inside and get into some dry clothes," Adam told him.
When Guthrie had gone towards the house, Crane put the puppy back with its sisters and brothers,
and started helping Evan unload the feed.
"I guess you'd better get these little ones settled in the barn, and get them something to eat," Adam
said.
"Okay." I picked up two more of the puppies. "Do you think they can eat Gus's dog food?"
"Maybe if you soften it up for them a little. Put some milk on it."
"Can I take a couple of them inside first to show Hannah?"
"Yeah. But they're not sleeping in the house tonight."
"I know. The barn."
"The barn."
7
Supper was almost over when I told Hannah I was going back out to check on the puppies.
"You haven't eaten," she protested.
"Just not very hungry," I told her.
"You've hardly been eating at all lately."
"I had a big lunch," I said lightly.
"Harlie."
"I did. Evan bought Guthrie and I hamburgers when we went to town. Didn't you, Ev?"
Evan nodded his head, his mouth full of meatloaf.
"Well, you need to eat some more," Hannah insisted.
"I'll get a snack later," I said, standing up and pushing my chair in under the table.
"Harlie-" Hannah began, only to be interrupted by Crane.
"Sit down and finish your supper, Harlie," he said, from across the table.
"Crane," I protested.
Crane gave me a look that he doesn't often use. On me, anyway.
So I sat back down. I made an effort to finish my meat and carrots, but I left my potatoes. As everybody
started getting up, I still sat there, pushing the potatoes around. As Crane passed by, I looked up at him, and
he nodded slightly, and I got up to set my plate on the counter.
After that, I went out to the barn, sitting down in one of the stalls, and cuddling with the puppies.
I looked up to see Guthrie headed towards me, and he leaned his arms on the top of the stall railing.
"How they doin'?" he asked.
"Good. Except for this one." I held up the smallest puppy. "He doesn't want to eat."
"Did you soften up the food?"
"Yeah, I did."
"Maybe he'd eat some eggs."
"That's a good idea."
The scuffing of bootsteps made us both look up. "How's the dog daycare?" Crane asked.
"The little one won't eat," I said.
"I'll get him some eggs," Guthrie offered, and when he'd gone, Crane took his place, leaning his arms on
the top stall board.
"Why are you arguing with Hannah?" Crane asked, without preamble.
I looked up, surprised. "I wasn't-"
"Yeah. You were."
"I just wasn't hungry, Crane. That's all. I wasn't meaning to argue."
"And why is that?"
I looked at him, confused. "Why is what?"
"Why aren't you hungry?"
"Like I said, Evan bought me a hamburger-"
"That was lunch. Not supper. A lot of times, lately, you haven't been hungry. Are you feeling alright?"
"I feel alright."
"You're tired a lot lately, too."
"I'm okay, Crane."
Crane didn't look convinced. But all he said was, "Alright."
Guthrie came back then with a small bowl of eggs. I stood up with the smallest pup and we moved
to the next stall away from the other puppies, and put him down near the bowl. The puppy took a tentative
sniff of the bowl, and then laid down.
I knelt down next to him, picking him up, and dipping my finger in the egg mixture, and then putting
my finger in his tiny mouth. His little pink tongue came out, licking. So I did it a few more times. After that,
the puppy seemed to lose interest.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked, looking up at Guthrie and Crane in frustration.
"He had a shock to his system, being tossed in that cold water like he was. And he's the runt, so
he's just going to have to fight a little harder," Crane said.
I put the pup back with his siblings, and pulled the old blankets I'd found around them all. With full stomachs,
they all curled up together to sleep.
We all walked to the house together. I was glad the next day was Sunday so I could spend some more time
trying to get the little one to eat on his own.
"Hot chocolate?" Crane asked Guthrie and I, as we went up the front porch steps.
"Yeah. And some of those doughnuts Hannah made this morning," Guthrie said.
"Those are gone, I think," Crane said, and Guthrie groaned.
"Let me guess. Evan strikes again."
For the first time, I noticed that Crane was dressed up. He was wearing a new shirt, and clean jeans.
"Are you going out?" I asked him.
"Yep."
"With Lila?" I asked.
Lila is the assistant librarian in Murphys, and Crane has been dating her off and on for a few months.
"Yeah."
"What are you going to do? Go dancing?"
"Maybe." Crane raised an eyebrow at me. "Any more questions, Miss Nosy?"
I giggled. "I can probably think of a few more, if you want."
"No, thanks. That's okay."
Guthrie and I went to the kitchen with Crane, and while we were sitting there drinking hot chocolate and eating
graham crackers, we could hear the phone ringing, and then Clare calling for Crane.
"Crane? It's for you!"
Crane stood up, pushing in his chair. "Finish those crackers," he told me.
When he'd gone out of the room, I sighed. "Honestly! Sometimes Crane is more of a mother hen
than Hannah is!"
"You know how he worries," Guthrie said, taking out another cracker from the box.
"Finish this for me, okay?" I said, shoving my uneaten crackers at Guthrie. "And don't tell Crane I didn't eat them!"
7
Breakfast was oatmeal and toast, which I managed to finish, mostly because Hannah and Crane were
both watching me. Then, it was time to get ready for church services.
I went to Adam and Hannah's open bedroom door, where Adam was tying his tie looking at his reflection
in the mirror, and Hannah was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to put her good black flats on.
"I'll help you," I said, going in, and dropping to my knees, to help her put her shoes on.
"Thank you, sweetie," Hannah said gratefully. "It gets harder and harder to put shoes on with this
belly of mine."
"You're welcome," I said. "There you go." I stood up.
Adam turned and surveyed my jeans and Mickey Mouse sweatshirt doubtfully. "New church attire?" he asked.
"No," I said, with a smile.
"Better hustle up and get dressed," Adam said.
"I was actually wondering if I could stay home this morning," I said.
"And do what?"
"English homework. I have a ton of it."
"That can be done when we get home," he said.
"I have some other stuff to do this afternoon."
"Well, rearrange your time schedule, and go get dressed for church," Adam said.
I sighed, and went to put a dress on.
7
Church seemed extra long that morning. Lori wasn't there, so I sat with the family in our regular pew.
It seemed like Pastor Curry went on and on. It was warm in the sanctuary and I felt myself getting sleepy.
I closed my eyes and it seemed like immediately I felt an elbow jab me in the ribs.
I jerked up, and looked at Evan, who had jabbed me.
"Wake up," he mouthed at me.
I looked to the other side of me, and saw Brian's mouth crinkled up at the corners, obviously trying not
to smile.
I was so embarrassed, that I felt my face flaming. After the service was over, I got out as quickly as I could, and
went to get into Guthrie's truck. Evan came strolling over, and opened the driver's door, leaning in.
"Not riding home with me?" he asked with a grin.
"No."
"Come on, Har. I promise not to tease you about it. At least not more than three or four times."
"Go away, Evan."
Evan laughed as he walked away.
Guthrie and I didn't talk much on the way home. It was one of those nice Indian summer days, weather-wise, and
we rolled our windows down.
"Wanna go fishin'?" he asked me.
"Sure. If I get my homework done."
I picked Guthrie to ride home with because I knew he wouldn't tease me about almost falling asleep.
And he didn't. He just said, "Don't worry about it, Har."
"It's so embarrassing."
When we got home, and everybody was going inside, the smell of pot roast and potatoes from Hannah's crock
pot filled the air.
"About thirty minutes before we eat lunch," Hannah announced to everybody.
Without saying anything, I went upstairs. I was suddenly, very, very tired. I didn't know why, but I was.
I started doing some English, but I laid back and closed my eyes.
Somebody was shaking me awake, and I opened my eyes.
"Lunchtime," Guthrie said.
"I don't want any. I want to sleep."
I heard Guthrie say something, but I had already turned over and closed my eyes again.
When I woke up again, it was, according to my alarm clock, almost two o'clock. That meant
I'd slept over two hours. Good grief. I hadn't even checked on the pups since this morning!
I got up, picking up my English papers, crumpled since I'd been laying on them.
I went downstairs, intent on slipping outside to the barn. Brian was napping on one of the couches, and
Evan was watching a John Wayne western on t.v. Adam and Hannah were on the other couch. Adam was reading
the Sunday newspaper, and Hannah was stretched out, with her feet in his lap.
"You're awake," Hannah said. "Did you have a nice nap?"
I had the sudden feeling that it sounded like Hannah was talking to a five year old. Then I felt
ashamed of myself. She was just being her usual sweet self. I didn't know why I felt so irritable.
"Yeah."
"Your plate's in the refrigerator. Heat it up in the microwave," she said.
"Okay. I want to check on the puppies real quick first."
I saw Adam and Hannah exchange a serious look. "Go on and get your plate first," Adam said.
I would have argued but I didn't want another lecture on my eating, or lack of. I went to the kitchen,
and warmed up my plate. I poured a glass of milk and took it and my plate back to the living room, sitting
down beside Evan while I ate.
"Which movie is this?" I asked Evan. "El Dorado?"
"No," Evan said impatiently. "Rio Bravo."
"I get the two of them mixed up," I said, and Evan rolled his eyes at me.
When I'd finished my lunch, I got up to take my plate back to the kitchen.
"There's some brownies," Hannah told me.
"No, thanks. Maybe later."
I went out the back door, and to the barn. The puppies were all playing, and rolling around together. Except for
the small one. He was still lethargic, just laying and watching the others.
Evan came into the barn, and went to get his bridle.
"Evan! Come in here a minute!" I called to him.
Evan turned, and came back. "Hey. I didn't see you hiding in there. How're they doing?"
"Okay, except for the little guy."
Evan came into the stall, and crouched down. "Maybe he just needs more time."
"He's weaker than he was yesterday."
Evan picked up the weak puppy and started looking him over.
"Ev, do you have any money?" I asked abruptly.
Evan looked at me quizzically. "Yeah. A little. Why?"
"I want to borrow some. I'll find a way to pay you back."
"Well, how much?"
I nodded towards the puppy in Evan's hands.
"Enough to take him to the vet."
Evan looked like he was thinking about something, and I got irritated and said impatiently, "So will you loan it to me, or not?"
I didn't realize how curt I sounded until Evan put the puppy down, and gave me a look.
"Why are you so snarly, Har? What's your problem?"
"I didn't mean to sound snarly. I'm sorry."
"I can take him to the vet for you tomorrow," Evan offered.
"I was thinking maybe we could drive over to Doc G's today. He's usually around his house on Sunday afternoon."
"Oh, you were thinking that, huh?"
"Yeah."
I saw a small grin begin at the corner of Evan's mouth. So I smiled back.
7
