Discovering Treasure by Crystal Mary Lindsey

“There aren’t many dog’s in this town you know,” he was trying to be serious and sensitive to her feelings. Yet Treasure sensed, he was finding it hard to control his mirth and wondered why? “I don’t think you have any reason to worry about stray dog’s wandering in. Why if any dared not to have an owner, they’d soon get picked up and taken home.” He roared laughing, and finished off with, “we have a scarcity of them!” His white teeth flashed, and the dimple on his chin stood pronounced. Treasure had never known such a positive sense of humor, and couldn’t help a smile. No wonder he laughed at her lack of knowledge.
    Right on the dot of time, as the clock chimed the half hour, Mrs. Ryan arrived. She was of medium height with grey streaked hair rolled into a bun, and a pleasant face. Her lilted accent was Irish and pleasant to the ear.
    â€œYou’re Irish!” Treasure declared immediately, “How wonderful, I love to hear your accent.” Mrs. Ryan seemed taken aback at Treasure’s candor, then realizing it was a compliment blushed. “Well now, and to be sure I come from the old country. I can also be a bit full of blarney and I love to sing, so I hope you don’t mind that.”
    Treasure didn’t mind at all, as long as it wasn’t at inappropriate times, like when they had visitors or wanted peace and quiet to talk.
    â€œNar Miss, no need to worry yourself about that now, I know my place and won’t overstep any boundaries. May I enquire my duties and if there is a day off?” They came to an arrangement and Mrs. Ryan was shown her room with a side sitting area for her own entertaining. Her mouth flew open with delight, “I’ve never had such grand quarters, thank you so much, mam. I am delighted—, truly I am.”
    Treasure smiled, glad to see the sweet lady pleased. They arranged for her to move in the next morning, giving time to settle in before commencing her first duty of the evening meal. “I’d be happy for you to eat with us Mrs. Ryan unless we have special visitors, then I’d need you to serve.” At this the housekeeper beamed, blessing Treasure for her kindness and thanking her, because it was nicer than eating alone.
    â€œOh you will never do that,” Treasure assured her. “You will still have Paris, and we can’t forget her.” This brought an amazed look from the lady? Her forehead creased, was there was a third person in the house? Learning Paris was a dog made her chuckle with glee. All was working out pleasantly, and Treasure felt she and Ella were really meant to be living in this amiable town.
    Ella arrived home with a meat pie each for lunch and a huge bone for Paris to gnaw on in the garden. They kept her company by sitting on the verandah and sharing their adventures of the day. The vet’s advice was to allow Paris to have a litter of puppies and keep one for her as company. The others would likely sell well as she was part Border collie which meant a well valued working dog.
    â€œBeing rust colored with a bit of white apparently added to her appeal,” Ella proudly announced. “He said she was about eight months of age, and her first season could be in about two months, but all dogs are different. Then he said he would let the homesteaders know about her, to find a suitable sire.” The two sat together reflecting on this advice. Neither wanted to think Paris might be sad at losing her pups, so decided it was a good idea to keep just one for company. And if her pups were valued, as he suggested, then they would be properly cared for. Ella began to laugh, tickled about what else was said. “He wanted to know how we came up with the name, Paris, for an Ozzie working dog. Then he asked me, with a funny glint in his eye, where we two ladies came from?” She went into fits of laughter again finding it hard to relate the story. “So I