Free Spicy Lasagna Murder: Book 13 in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning Page A

resist keeping them all?”
    “Because I don’t want to try to house train six puppies at once,” she said, chuckling. “I like my house to stay at least semi-clean.”
    Keeva and Maverick were both lying on the floor outside the baby gate that blocked off the mudroom, watching Karissa sadly as she gave all of her attention to the new arrivals. The deli owner slipped them each a dog treat, not wanting them to feel left out, then stepped over the baby gate to join her friend.
    “Hazel likes you,” she said. “She seems perfectly comfortable with you handling her babies.”
    Sure enough, the chocolate lab was laying contentedly by Karissa’s side, her head resting on one of the woman’s knees, and her eyes half shut.
    “She seems like the sweetest dog,” the other woman said, putting down the chubby black puppy that she had been holding so that she could give some attention to the mother. “You don’t have any clue who dropped her off?”
    “None,” Moira said. “And I don’t want to go asking around. I think it was a kid, and I don’t want to get them in trouble. Whoever it was, their dad sounds like a piece of work.”
    “I’m so glad you were able to take her in,” David’s sister said. “I hate to think what might have happened to her otherwise.”
    She petted the dog for a few more moments, then stood up slowly. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”
    “Of course. You don’t have to ask.”
    The other woman smiled her thanks and stepped over the baby gate. Moira watched as Hazel got up and made as if to follow her. The dog leaned her chin on top of the gate and whined.
    “Hush, girl, what are you doing?” Moira said. “Come back and be with your babies.”
    The dog ignored her and kept staring after Karissa. When the other woman finally returned, the dog’s tail began wagging faster than Moira had ever seen it go.
    “She really likes you,” she commented. “She hasn’t been like that with anyone else.”
    “Really?” David’s sister put her hand out, and the lab rested the side of her face against it, staring up at the woman with her soulful eyes.
    “Yeah, she definitely likes you more than she seems to like most people.”
    “Hmm.” Karissa met the dog’s gaze for a long moment, then smiled. “Maybe this isn’t the right time for a puppy, but it might be the right time for an older dog. You said you’re trying to find her a home, too?”
    “Yes,” Moira said.
    “Do you think maybe I could take her? Once she’s done raising her puppies, of course. It does seem like we have a special bond, and I’d love to have her keep me company when I’m at home alone.”
    “Of course,” the deli owner exclaimed. “I’d be thrilled if you did. I was worried about finding her a home, since she’s not a cute little puppy, and it would mean the world to me to know that she’s going to a good person… especially since I’ll still be able to see her.”
    Moira smiled to herself at the sight of Karissa and Hazel. She had solved one problem tonight, at least. Now just to find good homes for the six little puppies. She wasn’t worried, though; she had almost two months to do it.
     

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    By six o’clock, the stone house was redolent with smells of tomatoes and garlic. Moira clicked the oven light on and peered through the little window, her stomach growling hopefully as she eyed the lasagna. Nothing compared to a good, home-cooked meal, especially when most of the ingredients had come fresh from the farmer’s market the day before.
    A soft whine came from the mudroom, behind the baby gate. The deli owner looked over to see Hazel poking her head over, her floppy ears perked up as she gazed imploringly at Moira.
    “What do you need, sweetie?” she crooned. “Want to go outside?”
    Judging by the way the lab’s rear end began to wiggle back and forth, the answer was yes. Gingerly, Moira stepped over the gate and bent down to pet the puppies. All six of them were chubby