Free A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill

could find out exactly where Bailey lived, then she could return him to his family right away without having to wait for them to contact her.
Clever puppy; evidently he was thinking more clearly than she was.
    While Darcy didn’t relish the prospect of facing Aidan Harris’s wife or relatives, given her part in the accident, she would at least be able to return Bailey and the package to them
safe and sound.
    Then her part in all of the drama would be over, and she could relax for the rest of the day and try to put the incident behind her. Unless, of course, Aidan Harris tried to stick her with a
lawsuit for his medical bills, in which case she would put all guilt aside and stand up for herself.
    ‘Oh what the hell,’ she muttered, as she adjusted her bike and turned in the direction of the Park. Walking some more wouldn’t kill her, and it would surely be a lot easier
than trying to persuade a cab to take them both downtown. ‘At the worst, it’s a crap shoot, at the best, you get to go home soon.’ She nudged Bailey on, and let him take the
initiative. The dog looked back at her for confirmation, and she smiled. ‘Go on then, buddy, you’re the boss. Lead the way. Let’s go home.’
    Bailey tugged on his leash and set off. He barked as he started to trot, looking back briefly at her and breaking into a doggie grin as if to say, ‘
Finally
, you get it. I thought
we were going to be here all day.’
    Darcy trailed behind the Husky as he led her with purpose through Columbus Circle past the Time Warner Centre, and the Trump International Tower on Central Park West.
    Walking along at a brisk pace, they proceeded about fifteen blocks northwards, past the ‘Ghostbuster building’ and the beautiful German Renaissance-style Dakota residence, skirting
the Park all the while.
    As they walked she struggled to not only keep up with the determined Husky, but also manage the bike and come to terms with the idea that a dog seemed completely in control of where she was
going. But he was very determined, and his bearing clearly told her that Bailey knew exactly what he was doing.
    So even while he seemed sure about where they were headed, she half-wished Bailey was able to give her some sort of clue or indication as to how far away his home actually was, or how long the
journey would be. Fatigue was setting in again now, and at this point she just wanted this strange day to be over. Still though, Darcy held firmly to Bailey’s leash; she wasn’t going to
risk losing him after all of this.
    As they made their way along the streets, she was aware of the change in real estate. The salubrious historic apartment residences they passed, along with the fact that the sidewalk crowd became
increasingly well-heeled, started to weigh on her, and as always she felt conspicuous around these parts, especially in her bedraggled state. She guessed that with her limp ponytail, damp clothes
and scruffy coat, she looked as though she had quite literally been dragged through the gutter.
    Then something dawned on her and she came to a halt, stopping Bailey in his tracks.
    ‘Do you live in an apartment with a doorman?’ she asked him.
    Of course, he didn’t answer, but gave a slight cock of his head. Darcy wished she could read his thoughts. She looked up ahead, trying to get her bearings. He could just as easily be
heading towards Harlem (a distance which Darcy didn’t think her feet could take), but then she recalled the clothes that Aidan had been in that morning, and the fancy package he’d been
carrying, and suspected that he lived in a upscale part of the city. If it turned out that he and Bailey lived in one of those residence buildings with a carpet and awnings outside, and a doorman
or a concierge inside, she wasn’t sure how (or if) she would be able to get past them.
    She sighed heavily. ‘
Of course
your owner would have to live in this neighbourhood, Bailey.’ The Husky’s white-socked paws danced happily, and