Free Wanted: One Mommy by CATHY GILLEN THACKER Page A

off. Smiling, Caroline introduced Jack to Jericho.
    “So—” Jericho gestured for the two of them to take a seat at the retro silver-edged counter “—I hear the wedding has a Cinco de Mayo theme.”
    Jack looked pained by yet another of his mother’s decisions. “I know it’s unusual.”
    Jericho had the opposite view. “Sounds fun,” he said. “As well as challenging.”
    Caroline told the baker the preliminary guest list was now topping out at three hundred, the majority of whom were expected to attend. “What would you suggest we do?”
    Jericho brought out a portfolio of his designs and a trayof cake bites to sample. “Depends on how fun you want to go.”
    “Knowing my mother? As fun as possible,” Jack said.
    “That’s the spirit!” Jericho said, choosing to mistake Jack’s grudging participation for enthusiasm. He offered both of them two square-shaped bites of cake. “So…I was thinking…how about a chapel-shaped dulce de leche wedding cake and a sombrero- and serape-shaped devil’s food cake for the groom?”
    “I’m not sure about the flavors, but I think they’ll love the designs,” Caroline said.
    Jack studied the rough sketches Jericho had produced. “They’d be great for a party, but I’m not certain either is appropriate for a wedding.”
    Jack was a linear guy. Caroline supposed she should have expected him to take that view. Still, this wasn’t his wedding, and Dutch and Patrice wanted everything to be fun.
    Caroline opened her mouth to argue the subject with Jack. His cell phone chimed. He looked at the caller ID screen and frowned. “Excuse me. I have to take this.” He walked a little distance away. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
    He listened. “Okay, first thing. Get Maddie away from the scene . I know, Mom, but she doesn’t need to see this. And then do what you can to stop the bleeding. I’ll be right there.”
    He ended the connection. “Got to go. Bounder’s hurt.”
    Unable to bear the thought of the adorable dog in pain, Caroline dashed after Jack. “What happened?”
    “Mom and Dutch aren’t sure. They put Bounder out back while Maddie was having her bath. When they went to let her in, she was lying on the patio, and there were bloody paw prints all around her. Obviously, Bounder’shurt at least one foot, but they can’t tell which one, and she’s so upset, she won’t let anyone touch her. Dutch and Mom have been trying to get a closer look but they can’t catch Bounder—she keeps running away from them. And Maddie’s hysterical. I could hear her sobbing in the background.”
    Her heart going out to all of them, Caroline struggled to keep pace as Jack rushed toward his car. “Sounds like you need help.”
    Jack shot her a grateful look. “You offering?”
    Caroline nodded.
    “Then let’s go. We’ll take my car and come back and get yours later.”
    Jack climbed behind the wheel of his SUV. He got them “home” in record time. Bypassing the front door, he headed through the gate to the backyard. Adrenaline pumping, Caroline was right behind him.
    Bounder was curled up behind Maddie’s swing set. When she saw Jack, the golden retriever whimpered, stood. But when he started to approach, she took off again.
    Dutch was on the patio, kneeling, a box of dog treats in his hand. “I’ve been trying to tempt her,” Dutch said, concerned. “She’s not interested.”
    “She’s scared.” Caroline kicked off her heels and walked barefoot through the grass, talking softly all the while. “Oh, my poor Bounder. What happened to you, girl? How’d you get hurt?”
    Bounder whimpered and went left.
    Jack came up behind her.
    Dutch started to approach on Bounder’s other side.
    Caroline got as close as she dared, then dropped to her knees. She held her arms open wide. “Come on, sweetie. Come see me. Let me help you.”
    Bounder hesitated.
    Jack caught the golden retriever in his arms.
    The family pet whimpered and tried to break free. Caroline closed