Chapter 36
Britney squealed. “Look what I found.”
Several of the cheerleaders ran toward her. “What?”
“A puppy.” Britney crouched down to encourage the dog to come out from under a pile of debris. The chestnut puppy whimpered and trembled. Britney held out open fingers to encourage the pup to trust her.
She got on her knees and leaned closer. “Come here, puppy. I won’t hurt you.” The reddish Pomeranian tucked its head between its paws. Only the dog’s dark eyes and front paws were visible. After she pulled limbs away until he was freed, the grateful puppy limped toward her. “He’s hurt.”
One of the cheerleaders said, “My dad’s a vet. I’ll take him.”
Britney twisted away from the cheerleader as she clung to the dog. “Thanks, but I know a vet. I’ll take him.”
Hope overheard the interaction and highly doubted Britney knew a veterinarian but she let it go. The girl needed a purpose. Britney could nurse the puppy back to health and Hope would take it to a vet until they found the rightful owner.
One of the baseball players looked from side to side as he searched. “Where is everyone? I mean, the homeowners?”
“Maybe the hospital, hotels, or with family,” Hope said.
Willow nodded. “That’s right. I checked the website for Ozarks5 earlier. A reporter gave a live report and said a few victims are being treated in local hospitals. Others are being housed at the Red Cross, and some are staying with friends or relatives. I’m sure they’re all devastated. You kids are doing something wonderful here. Don’t ever forget that.”
The baseball player nodded as he tossed another armload of lumber onto the pile. “Glad to help.” A nail sticking out of the wood tore his striped uniform. “Damn.” He picked at the gaping hole. “Oh, well. It’s just a baseball suit.”
A tear snaked down Hope’s cheek. Who knew a catastrophe could teach these kids so much? She touched her still-throbbing head and was thankful the school nurse had told her to take Ibuprofen. It definitely eased the pain. She hoped the lump didn’t show through her hair. This was one time she was happy she had full, frizzy hair.
As the bins filled with the neighbors’ treasured mementos, the janitor stacked and hauled them inside the school. Even though he appeared frail, he managed the weight. After he returned, he carried armloads of heavy lumber to the pile. Hope noticed he and Willow exchanged smiles and brushed arms a couple of times but worked in silence.
Britney lugged the puppy everywhere. “I named it Cinnamon and wrapped its hurt paw with a sock I found. I love this puppy, Miss Truman. Think I can keep it?”
“I doubt it, Brit. It belongs to someone who is probably heartbroken and thinks it got swooped up by the tornado.”
Britney’s eyes filled with tears. “But I’ll be heartbroken if I have to give him back.” She kissed the top of the dog’s head.
Hope patted her shoulder. “You’d want someone to give your puppy back if he was lost. Why don’t you ask your mom if you can have a puppy?”
Britney sniffled. “I already know the answer. She’ll tell me we can’t afford it.” Britney ticked off excuses on her fingers. “She’ll mention the dog food, vet bills, even the water bowl. Anything that’s one penny over our budget gets a big thumbs-down.”
Hope stroked the dog’s ears. “I’m sorry. I wish I could help but I can’t get involved. It’s your mom’s call.”
A tear rolled down Britney’s cheek. “I know.”
Dr. Holmes apparently overheard the conversation. “When we leave, I’ll take the dog to see a vet, make sure nothing’s broken, and buy some dog food.”
Britney’s face fell.
The principal smiled. “Hear me out. I have an idea. Until the rightful owner is matched with the puppy, how about if Cinnamon is our school mascot? You can make sure he has water before and after school and take him for walks when you can. I’ll keep him near my office. What do you think?”
Britney beamed. “Really? I can be in charge of Cinnamon?”
The principal nodded. “Until we find the owner.”
Britney squeezed the puppy so hard it gave a little yelp. She kissed its head. “I love you, Cinnamon. I’ll take good care of you.”
Hope winked at Dr. Holmes and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’ She worked another two hours and was more than ready to meet her friends for cocktails.