Page 16 of Loving Kai

“Donovan is under the bed and won’t come out.”

Abe removed his slicker and dropped it on the floor. “Where is he?”

Maggie headed down a hallway, and Abe followed her. He’d never been inside her house, and it was hard to see anything with only the flashlight bobbing ahead of him in Maggie’s hand. So he tried not to run into anything or knock anything over.

She went into the bedroom and shone the light at the bed, revealing a purple bedspread, several pillows, and two stuffed animals.

“I’ll lift the bed up. You grab him.”

Maggie looked at him for a moment. “You’re going to lift the bed?”

“Not all of it. Just one side.”

“Still.”

“Just be ready.” He slid his hands under the metal frame and lifted the box springs and mattress high enough for Maggie to crawl under and grab the dog. Once she was clear, he set the mattresses down with a bang. Donovan growled at Abe.

“Hey, dude. I just possibly saved your life.”

The dog growled again, and Maggie cuddled him. “It’s okay. Abe isn’t going to hurt you.”

“Is that it? Are we good to go?”

“Yes.”

They left the bedroom and returned to the front door. Two bags sat next to it.

“Is that all you’re bringing?”

Maggie looked at the bags. “It’s so hard figuring out what to bring.”

“Last chance to grab anything else.”

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

Abe picked up the slicker. “Here, put this on.”

“Then you’ll get soaked.”

“Just take it, Maggie.”

She put on the slicker and tucked Donovan inside, as Abe picked up the bags. They left the house and ran for the truck. Abe set the bags on the seat, and Maggie moved them to the floor by her feet.

She looked at him. “You’re really wet.”

“It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.” He started the engine, then drove through the empty neighborhood. The road was covered with a couple of inches of rainwater, and some of the small yards had puddles in the low spots. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky, and Maggie reached for Abe’s arm. She glanced at him, then let go. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Thunder rattled the truck, and Donovan whined. Maggie tucked him back under the rain slicker as the flashing lights of the sheriff's department vehicles cut through the dark night. Abe slowed down, and Deputy West came to the window again.

He peered in at Maggie. “How are you doing, Maggie?”

“Okay, I guess, considering.”

“Drive straight home, then stay off the roads.”

Abe nodded. “Will do.”