day, we made a visit to the hospital, then went straight to the place
where the babies were kept.
Hailey and I separated as we walked along the rows of them
crying out for adoption. I wanted to take them all and fill our
house and yard with them, but we’d made a promise before we
came—only one. I stopped at one kennel that didn’t have a dog
scratching at the wire mesh. A sign said “male, two months.” I
bent and looked inside, and there he sat against the back wall, the
ugliest thing I’d ever seen. He crouched against the back wall as
if he knew no child would want him when there were so many
adorable younger and fluffier competitors.
I pressed my hand against the wire and he approached timidly.
He sniffed at my hand and licked it. When his eyes met mine, I
knew.
“Is he snarling?” Hailey came to stand beside me.
“No, he’s scared.” I pointed to the smaller sign at the bottom
of the door that explained that he’d been hit by a car and lost a
portion of his top lip. “And he’s perfect.”
“Can we take a closer look at this one?” Hailey asked an
attendant.
The woman gave us a knowing smile as she opened the cage
and lifted him out. His brown paws that gave way to black legs
weren’t that big. I watched his big brown eyes as they regarded
Hailey when she presented her hand for him to sniff. His tail
thumped the keys hanging at the attendant’s waist as he licked
the back of Hailey’s hand.
“He’s smaller than he should be,” the attendant said. “He was
severely malnourished when he was brought in.”
I looked up to find Hailey looking at me. She nodded. “We’ll
take him,” I said.
“What will we name him?” Hailey asked as our new baby
rode in the backseat with her.
“Pitifully Ugly, P.U. for short.”
21
About the Author
Robin Alexander is the author of the Goldie Award-winning
Gloria’s Secret and five other novels for Intaglio Publications—
Gloria’s Inn, Gift of Time, Murky Waters, The Taking of Eden,
and Love’s Someday. Her short story “Crossing the Line” can be
found in the anthology Romance for Life.
Robin spends her days working with the staff of Intaglio and
her nights with her own writings. She still manages to find time
to spend with her partner, Becky, and their three dogs and three
cats. You can reach her at robinalex@yahoo.com. You can also
visit her Web site at www.robinalexanderbooks.com.
You may also be interested in:
Gloria’s Inn
by Robin Alexander
ISBN: 1-933113-01-4
Hayden Tate suddenly found herself in a world unlike any other,
when she inherited half of an inn nestled away on Cat Island
in the Bahamas. Expecting something like the resorts found in
Nassau, Hayden was shocked and a little disappointed to find
herself on a beautiful tropical island undiscovered by tourism.
Hayden reluctantly begins to adapt to a simpler way of life found
on the island, and her conversion is often comical.
Not only did Hayden’s aunt leave her an inn, but the company of
her former business partner as well. Strange as she is beautiful,
Adrienne turns Hayden’s world upside down in many ways.
Hayden quickly learns that being with Adrienne will always be
an adventure.
The tranquility of the island is shattered with the disappearance of
a mysterious guest. Hayden and Adrienne soon find themselves at
the center of a murder investigation, fearing for their own safety
and the lives of their guests. Eager to rid themselves and the island
of a ruthless killer, Adrienne and Hayden decide to conduct their
own investigation. The eclectic mixture of guests and staff make
their efforts both interesting and humorous.
Gloria’s Secret
Robin Alexander
ISBN: 978-1-933113-93-7
2008 Golden Crown Award Winner - Mystery
Hayden Tate had hoped that life on Cat Island would be peaceful
with her former trouble causing handyman Hank out of the picture.
But when strange occurrences and noises begin to happen around
the inn she operates with her partner Adrienne once again the top
suspect is Hank the only problem is – Hank is dead.
In this long awaited sequel to Gloria’s Inn, Hayden and Adrienne
join their zany guests for another madcap adventure.
Love’s Someday
by Robin Alexander
ISBN: 978-1-935216-08-7
Ashleigh Prather committed the sin of omission when she failed to
reveal secrets of her past to her lover of five years. Her relationship
becomes the casualty when the past and present collide. Erica
Barrett’s world is turned upside down when she is forced to watch
Ashleigh confront old demons and become someone she doesn’t
recognize.
Is love worth fighting for when you realize that you never truly
knew the person you’ve shared five years of your life with?
Published by
Intaglio Publications
Walker, La.
You can purchase other Intaglio
Publications books online at
www.bellabooks.com or at
your local bookstore.
Intaglio Ebooks are available on our Web
Site
Visit us on the web
www.intagliopub.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32