If the Stick Turns Pink... by Carla Cassidy Read Free Book Online Page A

problem. That’s what friends are for.”
    She settled onto the floor before the cages and pulled the bucket next to her. Within minutes the barn smelled of sweet fresh straw and the tangy scent of the antibacterial soap.
    â€œWhat kind of puppies?” she asked as she worked on the first cage.
    â€œMostly miniature schnauzers and a litter or two of cocker spaniels. The sheriff said conditions out there were absolutely deplorable.”
    â€œPoor babies,” Melanie said as she moved to the second cage.
    For a few minutes they worked in relative silence, the only sound that of Bailey humming beneath his breath. Bailey always hummed when he was deep in thought. It was a habit that had often gotten him in trouble with his teachers in school but was as familiar to Melanie as her own heartbeat. More often than not she found herself humming along with him.
    She wondered if maybe Stephanie had found the habit irritating and that was part of the reason she’d left him. Bailey had never been real specific about what exactly had gone wrong in his marriage, onlymentioning that small-town life hadn’t agreed with his beautiful wife.
    He finished spreading the straw and joined her at the cages, working next to her as he hummed a Beatles tune.
    â€œDid Sheriff Bodock say when he’s bringing the puppies?” she asked, noting the clean scent of him as his broad shoulder brushed hers.
    â€œI’m expecting him anytime now. He had to figure out a way to transport the dogs and when he called, there was still a lot to sort.”
    â€œBailey, how are you going to handle twenty puppies?”
    He sat back on his haunches and frowned. “I’ve got the space and I’ve got the supplies, but I’m probably going to have to hire some part-time help.”
    â€œLike who?” she asked curiously.
    â€œI’ll probably give Susie Sinclair a call later and see if she could help me out a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon. She helped me out last summer and I know she’s only working part-time right now at the family store.”
    â€œShe’s also a candidate for Miss Dairy Cow,” Melanie replied, then grinned. “She would probably think it was udderly wonderful to work for the judge.”
    Bailey groaned. “That was really bad,” he exclaimed.
    She laughed. “It was, wasn’t it,” she agreed.
    The sound of a truck rumbled in the air, and abovethe engine noise rose the yipping and crying of dogs. “It would seem that our guests have arrived,” Bailey said, rising to his feet.
    He held out a hand to help her up off the floor. The minute his hand touched hers, she felt a sparkle of electricity travel through her fingertips into the center of her stomach. The sensation caught her by surprise, but thankfully he didn’t seem to notice anything amiss.
    As they walked out of the barn and into the warm sunshine, there was little time to think about what might have caused the unusual reaction to Bailey’s casual touch.
    Outside of the barn, chaos reigned. Not only was there a large cattle truck parked in front of the barn, but also the sheriff’s car and several fire department volunteers.
    â€œBailey…Melanie,” Sheriff Bodock greeted them with a tired smile. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He looked at Melanie. “It’s about time you make an honest man of him.”
    â€œI can make him a married man, but I’m not sure I can make him an honest man,” she replied and earned a teasing nudge in the ribs from Bailey.
    â€œLet’s get these puppies unloaded,” Sheriff Bodock said. “I brought some volunteers to help make this go as smoothly and quickly as possible. George Clairborn needs his cattle truck back in an hour.”
    â€œWe’ll unload them into a pen in the back of the barn for now,” Bailey said.
    For the next hour they all worked together to get the