Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel by Maggie Brendan Page B

you, then you do something about it!” He smirked. “In fact, I’ll be the first to donate to your cause! The streets of Denver have enough riffraff to deal with without having to worry about stray animals.” His mocking tone rose as a man and woman walked out of the bank and paused to stare at them a moment. He doffed his hat at the couple, then glared at Anna and dismissed her with a wave of his hand before waltzing into the bank.
    Anna clenched her fists at her sides, muttering under her breath. Overbearing pig! She turned and noticed the dog lounging on the porch of the general store, his head on his outstretched paws. Drawing closer, she noted that he had sad eyes and graying hair around his mouth. His thick hide stretched over protruding ribs. Her heart twisted inside. Why, he’s nearly as big as a moose. Moose! That was what she’d call him. She knelt next to the dog, stroked his broad forehead, and told him to stay put until she came back outside. The dog only closed his eyes, appearing too weary to move.
    Once inside the general store, she headed directly to bins that held the freshest vegetables still available and found tomatoes, squash, and potatoes. Anna nodded to the skinny clerk, who grinned at her as she gave a tomato a brief squeeze.
    “May I be of help?” he asked, strolling over to her.
    “No, I think I’ve found what I need for today.” Seeing his crestfallen face, she paused thoughtfully with a finger against her chin and said, “But there is one thing you could do for me.”
    The freckle-faced young man immediately perked up. “Anything. Anything at all, miss.”
    “Do you have bath salts and body fragrances?”
    He bobbed his head, and suddenly his pink cheeks flamed red. “Follow me. I think we have exactly what you’re looking for, Miss . . . ?”
    Anna lifted her eyes to his inquiring ones. “Oh . . . it’s Mrs. I’m Mrs. Edward Parker.”
    The young man’s face went blank, and he stammered, “Yes, Mrs. Parker, of course.” He motioned her to the counter housing all the sundry items. “Help yourself. We have some nice rose bubble bath or lavender-scented oil,” he said, holding up a bottle of liquid for her to take a whiff.
    “I’ll take the lavender bottle,” she said. “And do you happen to know if that dog on the porch belongs to someone?”
    The lad shrugged. “Not that I know of. He just hangs around all the shops, looking for a handout. Don’t worry yourself none about him. I saw you hurrying to his rescue a moment ago.”
    Anna paid for her purchases, then said, “Oh, I’m not worrying. I’m going to take care of him!”
    “You what?” He shot her a disbelieving look. “He ain’t worth keeping. He’s got rheumatism and he’s old.”
    “That’s just the reason he needs looking after,” she said, taking the sack he handed her. “Thank you.”
    He shrugged again. “Suit yourself.”
    She started out but stopped to ask, “Do you know that man I was talking to across the street?”
    He gave a short laugh. “That’s ol’ man Waldo Krunk. He’s the president of the bank.”
    “I see. Well, thank you.” Anna hurried out and stood over the huge dog still resting right where she’d left him. She bentdown to give him a scratch behind the ear, and he rolled his head sideways to look at her contentedly, lifting one paw nearly as big as the palm of her hand.
    “Come on, boy. I’m taking you home with me and filling that belly of yours.” The dog blinked and she laughed. “Matter of fact, I’ve christened you ‘Moose.’ But we need to hurry,” she urged, nudging him up. “Phew!” She pinched her nose with two fingers. “We’re gonna need a bath, aren’t we?”
    The dog rose to his feet, tail wagging, when Anna produced a piece of bread from her sack. She handed it to him and he quickly gobbled it down. Somewhat stiffly, he obediently followed her down the sidewalk in hopes of another handout.

9
    Edward glanced up from his work at one of