Out of the Black (20 page)

“He doesn’t have to be Dash.”

“No, but those are big shoes to fill.” I held the puppy up and looked at him. “Dash was perfect.”

“He doesn’t have to be perfect, Matt. He just has to be hers.” Dorothy reached out and touched my arm. “She’ll love him.”

We walked around to the back of the house, and I saw Anna. Sson why we can

he was holding a plastic bubble wand and running through the grass, spinning in the sunlight, leaving a scattered trail of bright soap bubbles behind her.

She didn’t see me.

I looked over and saw Jerry sitting on the porch. He nodded, and I put a finger to my lips then bent and set the puppy on the ground.

He stared up at me and didn&#p>

“Go say hello,” I said.

The puppy looked from me to Anna. Then he saw the bubbles and started toward her. Slow at first, then faster, running up and racing around her, snapping at the air.

Anna stopped running and watched him spin around her. Then she dropped to her knees and patted her legs. The puppy jumped on her, licking her face as she laughed.

I stepped closer.

8217;t move.