To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,86

here?”

Callan grinned as he walked closer. Tall, his dark hair trimmed short, he was still wearing his Virginia Marine Police uniform. “I thought I’d stop by. Sophia and I are thinking about getting a dog and want a rescue. I had a dog growing up, but once in the Coast Guard, I couldn’t have a pet. Now that we’re settled in Baytown, I think we’re ready.”

“The way everyone else is having babies, I’m surprised the two of you aren’t!”

Callan laughed and shook his head. “Hell, we just got married. I’m sure babies aren’t far off, but we’ll start with a dog.”

“Any particular breed?”

“Honestly, we’re fine with a mutt. We’d like something with a sweet disposition and probably not too big.”

“Well, take a look around to see if there’s one you like. Otherwise, I’ll keep a lookout and let you know when something comes in that you might be interested in.”

They spent a few minutes walking up and down the aisle, talking about the different dogs as they petted each one.

The front door opened, and Joseph turned to see Samantha hurrying toward him. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail although tendrils had come loose and waved about her face. Her eyes were bright as they stayed pinned on him.

“Sweetie, I got the blood work on the Tolsons’ dog sent off to the lab for the DNA test to see if there is wolf in him… oh… Callan! I… uh… didn’t see you there.” She made big eyes at Joseph while mouthing ‘sorry’.

Callan laughed and shook his head. “Sounds like I just overheard something I wasn’t supposed to.” He glanced between the two. “You don’t have to say more but… wolf?”

Joseph wrapped his arm around her as she sighed.

“I guess you’ve heard that there may be someone on the Eastern Shore who is breeding wolf-hybrids. I had a client that found a puppy and I… well, I have no proof, but thought I’d check to see if it was pure dog or had some wolf in it.”

Callan’s chin jerked back slightly. “Wow. I knew that Liam wanted us to keep an eye on some of the inlets, mentioning the possibility of dogs being sold and taken to Norfolk for fighting, but that’s hard for us to do. The VMP stationed here don’t have enough manpower to watch all the inlets. Plus, it’s not illegal to sell or buy or transport dogs. I’m afraid it would be for the local police to actually catch the dogfighters to put them away.”

He rubbed his chin for a moment, then looked back at the couple. “But wolf? If we knew for sure someone was transporting a wolf-hybrid, then it would be illegal in this area.”

“But there’s no way for you to tell,” she said. “Not unless it was a full-blooded wolf because they look different than a dog. Even then, you’d probably have to have a DNA test to prove it, and that can take a couple of weeks.”

Nodding slowly, he grimaced. “Sorry, guys.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, Callan, the Virginia Marine Police do a lot… don’t apologize over something that you can’t control.” She glanced around. “Were you looking for a dog?”

“Actually, yes. Joseph was showing me what the shelter has now. Sophia and I are hoping to adopt a dog soon.”

Joseph gave her a squeeze, saying, “Babe, I’ll walk Callan out while you inoculate the puppies.”

The two men walked toward the front, then shook hands. “I’ll let you know what comes into the shelter.”

Callan hesitated, then said, “Joseph, just gotta say that I’m real glad you’ve decided to make the Eastern Shore your home. You’re well-liked and everyone in the American Legion thinks you’re perfect for this shelter and…” He turned to look toward the back. “And for Sam.”

Grinning, Joseph glanced at Samantha bending into one of the kennels, laughing as the puppies jumped around her. “I appreciate it, Callan. I’m the lucky one.”

Waving goodbye, he walked to the back and watched as she inoculated the dogs. “Is this something I can learn to do?”

“Yes, for everything except rabies. For that, a veterinarian has to be the one to give it.” She twisted her head around. “That reminds me… someone on my staff is still not marking the rabies vaccinations down correctly! I’m missing two more.”

Locking up the shelter, they drove her truck down the lane to the house. As they entered, he turned the problem of her vaccinations over in his head. She let Frodo out into the yard as