Free A Texas Chance by Jean Brashear

but my dog, well, sort of our dog, is recuperating at the vet’s and I need to go see how he’s doing.”
    “Our dog?”
    “Um…mine and…Cade’s. He’s mine, really, but Cade is very…hardheaded. But I really do have to go.”
    “And you think you’re just going to waltz off and leave me with a million questions?”
    Guilt struck. “I’m sorry, Maura, it’s just…”
    Maura chuckled. “I’m kidding, Sophie. I mean, my curiosity is definitely killing me, but it is wonderful to hear you sound…flustered.”
    “I’m not flustered.” But she was. And it was all Cade’s fault.
    “You are. It sounds lovely. You’ve been too serious in your life, Sophie. I never understood what happened between you and Kurt, but I’m absolutely delighted at this news. I’ve been worried about you. Cheers to Cade MacAllister if he can discombobulate you like this.”
    “It’s only about his photographs, Maura.”
    “If you say so.” Then Maura relented. “The photographs will be a tremendous draw, kiddo. Congratulations.”
    “I don’t have them yet. And he really can be cranky.”
    “The privilege of a great artist. Go see your dog, sweetie.”
    “Thanks for understanding, Maura.”
    “Oh, I’m not sure I understand…but I think you’re a little confused yourself, and that’s not all bad.”
    “Goodbye, Maura.” She was not discussing Cade one second longer.
    “I told you there would be a much better man than Kurt come along. You deserve it.”
    “Goodbye, Maura.”
    “All right, all right. Goodbye, Sophie.”
    A much better man than Kurt, indeed. Maura had no idea. The older woman thought his involvement in Sophie’s life had ended with their brief liaison.
    But Kurt had created the scandal that cost Sophie her job and her reputation. He’d turned on her just for having the effrontery to break things off with him and, worse, to surpass him in the race to the top.
    He’d gotten even. In spades.
    And Maura’s beloved nephew, Gary, who had worked under Sophie, had been Kurt’s instrument in the scheme to discredit Sophie. He’d doctored the books for various accounts under Sophie’s control. But Kurt was clever and had disguised his tracks well, and Sophie couldn’t prove any of it. Even if she found some evidence, she’d be exposing Maura’s nephew to prosecution. So Sophie had chosen to perform the acting job of her life and convince Maura that she was eager and ready to open her own place, that she wanted to resign. When Maura had insisted on investing in the hotel, Sophie had been caught in her own deception.
    Quickly she dressed and headed out, grateful that the vet was open later on Thursday evenings. She spared a minute to wonder if she should take him something—the dog, not the vet—but then she considered that he was probably on a strict diet and no doubt did not feel like playing, so she was fresh out of ideas on what she could take the animal she so badly hoped would want to be hers.
    Less than a half hour later, she was standing in front of his cage. “Poor baby. I’m Sophie. How are you feeling?” She glanced around her to see if any of the staff were still nearby, but she was alone—well, her and about ten other animals. The dog studied her solemnly, brown eyes huge and sad.
    “You’re going to be okay,” she crooned, and ventured a finger through the wires. His hair was so soft. Once, long ago, she remembered asking her parents for a puppy. Her father had made a distracted promise to consider it when she was older. Her mother had talked about shedding hair and who would feed it. Then they’d moved, and their apartment had been too small.... In St. Louis, wasn’t it? After that had come Houston.
    Then the boating accident. Her parents had been together on a business outing for her dad, and she’d been with a babysitter. After that, no home. No puppy. No living relatives who wanted her.
    She’d gone into foster care, where she’d felt as caged as this dog. As forgotten.