The Bride Wore Red Boots by Lizbeth Selvig Read Free Book Online Page A

up. Sometimes, if it’s an unusual situation, they’ll let the shelter guests make a phone call. Buster could get in touch with you.”
    â€œThis is very helpful. Thank you so much.”
    â€œThis must be pretty important to you.”
    Mia wanted to say that it was more an accidental promise than important, but Rory’s heartfelt pleas wouldn’t leave her mind. He might be sharp as a fox, but his missing cat might be the only family he had for a while.
    â€œYeah,” she said. “It kind of is.”
    She stood to leave and Hannah smiled. “I’ll let you know if I get any information from other calls I put out.”
    â€œI can’t thank you enough. By the way, do you have any information on animal foster homes or institutions? The boy’s foster mother has said he can’t keep the cat with him. I’ll talk to her, but . . . ”
    â€œI have a few place names, but no real contacts. I’ll let you know.”
    Mia nodded and headed for Sam’s office where, she had a feeling, the news wasn’t going to be nearly as positive.
    Sam’s space was small and tucked into a corner across the hall from Hannah’s, but it was a relatively cheerful office, with a large desk and three file cabinets, bright yellow walls and a handful of inspirational posters. Sam grinned when Mia entered.
    â€œHey you, thanks for taking time to come in before you leave for the day.”
    â€œAnything for you,” Mia said. “I hear you’re the goddess of children.”
    â€œI wish. Sit down. I heard you’ve had a long day.”
    â€œCertainly an eventful one.” Mia rubbed her aching temples.
    â€œYou saw Rory. Small world, huh?”
    â€œI was shocked to hear about Monique. I’m worried about her. And about Rory ending up in the system after all this.”
    â€œI know. Which brings me to the point. There’s been a complaint filed, and I’d like to ask a couple of questions. You had a chance to meet Shawna Murray today, didn’t you?”
    Here it comes .
    â€œI did. I’m sorry, Sam. I admit to being astounded by Mrs. Murray’s cavalier attitude about some issues related to her foster son. I said some things in haste—”
    â€œWait, Mia, no. The complaint wasn’t against you. It was against Mrs. Murray by another member of our staff.”
    For a moment Mia sat stunned. She’d been told several times today that she needed a less brusque way of dealing with adults. She’d simply assumed Shawna Murray had joined the Dr.-Crockett-had-no-bedside-manner Club.
    â€œOh! What was the complaint?”
    â€œThat while she might be well-intentioned as a foster parent, she doesn’t seem to be providing the safest environment. Evidently Rory spent four or five days severely ill at home before he was brought into emergency with a ruptured appendix. Rather than have his symptoms checked, Mrs. Murray relied on the opinion of her live-in boyfriend, a man who wasn’t in her life when she was approved as a foster parent.”
    â€œI just learned that this afternoon,” Mia said.
    Sam nodded. “The second complaint is that Mrs. Murray used peanut oil in cooking for the child even with full knowledge that he has a severe peanut allergy.”
    â€œI did speak with her about that. She was not deliberately negligent, according to her story. I do believe she didn’t have any idea what she’d done was dangerous. I’ll be honest, though, Sam. I did criticize her actions—perhaps a bit strongly.”
    Mia wasn’t sure what, exactly, made her defend the woman, but as much as she wasn’t Shawna Murray’s biggest fan, it was her job to be as objective and honest as she could.
    â€œThe complaint definitely says that Mrs. Murray’s motives are not being questioned, nor are there allegations of any abuse. There was simply concern expressed that this home might not be the best