A Dog's Way Home Read Free Page B

with Shetland sheepdogs?” Mama asked.
    â€œMy wife grew up with them. She loves these little dogs. We’d have one if our son wasn’t so allergic.”
    Daddy placed the rest of the flyers on the desk. “Any chance you could post these around for us?”
    â€œWe’re offering a reward,” I said.
    The ranger ran his finger along the edge of the picture. “Agility champion, huh? I seen that on TV once. My wife watches Animal Planet all the time. Generally speaking, we don’t post private notices, though.”
    Mama said, “He’s very , very important to my daughter, sir. And to us.”
    He looked me over with my crutches and Mama with her bandaged arm and complicated sling. “There’s some bathrooms and picnic areas fairly close. I reckon I can post a few of these around.”
    Daddy’s face broke open with relief. “We’d really appreciate it. We’re heading home, but if anyone finds him or knows anything about him, they can call us collect. The phone number is right on the flyer.”
    The ranger glanced down at our number below Tam’s picture. “That a North Carolina number?”
    Daddy nodded. “About forty-five miles south of Asheville in a little place called Harmony Gap. We live just outside of there in Wild Cat Cove.”
    The ranger whistled. “The other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. That’s a heck of a ways from up here in Virginia.”
    â€œIf somebody finds him, we’ll come get him right away,” I said. It couldn’t be that far.
    The ranger sighed and gathered up the flyers. “Let’s hope someone does and soon, honey. Winter’s not far off up here. Once it sets in, most of the Parkway closes down. Nobody will be back up until spring.”
    My heart dropped down to my sneakers.
    Â 
    After Daddy settled my leg on pillows in the backseat of the van, I said, “Can we go back and look one more time?”
    â€œNo, Abby,” Mama said.
    â€œBut he might be there.”
    â€œIt’s almost ten miles back. Besides, it’ll be dark soon.”
    â€œSo?” I said, not caring how much Mama hates it when I say this. “We could spend the night in Waynesboro again, come back up tomorrow and look some more.”
    This time Daddy turned around. “Abby, we need to get both of you home . Your mama has to see that doctor in Asheville tomorrow, and your grandmother’s worried sick.
    â€œBesides,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “we just don’t have the money to be spending on all these nights in motels.”
    â€œBut Daddy, we can’t just leave without Tam. He’s—”
    His blue eyes, the eyes that always laughed, turned hard. “A dog, Abby. He’s a dog. I know how much he means to you, but you and your mother are more important to me right now.”
    Daddy turned around, steered the van onto the road.
    I was so shocked by my daddy’s hard heart, I felt like I’d been slapped full in the face.
    â€œI bet by the time we get home, someone will have called,” Mama said. Touching Daddy’s shoulder, she added, “And I’m thinking we’ll try and get back up here in the next weekend or two.”
    â€œBut Mama, if he’s trapped in that crate, he’ll starve or thirst to death.”
    Daddy glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “It’s the best we can do right now, sugar. Besides, Tam’s a tough little dog.”
    Every foot, every bit of mile we went down that road tore at my soul. “Promise?” I asked. “Promise we’ll come back?”
    Mama reached back and squeezed my hand. “We’ll try.”
    We took the turnoff for Roanoke. The forest and trees closed behind us like a green, secret wall.

CHAPTER 8
Tam
    T am sniffed the spot where Abby had stood just hours before. He smelled the woman and the big man too, but he drank in the scent of his girl. It was not