Alice said as they walked back inside. “I don't know how long she would have lain there before somebody found her.”
It made Shelby queasy to think about that vulnerable woman alone out here in the woods by herself. She took a quick look in the fridge and there was almost no food. She’d had no idea how bad Mrs. Williams’ situation was or she would have done more to help her.
After checking the house for medications or contact information and finding nothing of help, they walked back to Alice's house. Gabe was sitting on the front porch waiting for them, his fists under his chin.
He jumped up when he saw them and pulled Mutt into his arms. "You still have him.”
"You're a hero, you know that, Gabe?" Shelby said.
He looked up, bewildered. "What do you mean?"
"If it wasn't for you and Mutt, Mrs. Williams may not have been found,” Alice said. “She’d had a fall and needed help. We did what we could and then an ambulance came and took her to the hospital. You did well. She’ll be fine.”
"Are you sure?" Gabe asked, catching his breath.
Shelby put her arm around Gabe’s shoulder. "Don't worry, they'll take good care of her. And we'll take good care of Mutt until she's better."
"But," Gabe said, "what if she doesn't come home from the hospital?” He held the dog up to his face, and Mutt promptly kissed Gabe’s cheek. "I wish I could keep him. He wants to be my dog."
"I know,” Shelby said. “Why don't we ask your mother if Mutt can stay with you for just a few days until we know more?”
"Okay. I guess you never know. With my dad gone for a few days she might say yes.”
Shelby remembered Logan telling her his dad might be gone for the rest of the summer. Maybe they had not told Gabe. “Let’s go ask, then,” Shelby said.
They walked across the street and Gabe let them in.
"Hello," Shelby said, wanting to let his mother know they were there.
Iris, hair in a low bun, was in a robe drinking coffee at the kitchen island. She laid her cup on the granite counter and stood when she saw them. "Gabe, what are you doing outside? I thought you were...” She glanced at Shelby and Alice. “Is everything okay?" Then she looked down at Mutt. "Why is that dog back? Who does it belong to?"
"It could be mine," said Gabe hopefully. He put his palms together in prayer fashion. “Please.”
Iris stared at her son, obviously confused. “I don’t know.”
"Do you have any more coffee?" Alice asked. "We have a bit of a story to tell you."
"Sure, sure. Have a seat. You just caught me off guard.” She pointed to the kitchen table, her gaze going back to the dog.
"Mutt can stay on my lap," Gabe said.
Iris let out a deep breath and shrugged. “I guess so.” A few minutes later she brought coffee and cream and placed them on the table. "Are you all hungry?" she said.
“We’re fine. No need to put you to any trouble,” Shelby said. The warm coffee was a welcome comfort after a grueling night.
Iris took a seat and turned to Alice, who filled her in on all the details leading up to Gabe helping to rescue Mrs. Williams and Mutt. Iris sipped her coffee and listened, her eyes going from Gabe to Mutt and back to Alice as the story unfolded.
Gabe lowered his eyes. "I actually have been helping with the dog for a while now," he confessed to his mother.
"I see,” Iris said. “So before Fourth of July even?”
Gabe looked up and nodded. “I've been feeding him sometimes and petting and taking him for walks. Mrs. Williams is all alone out there, so she let me help. And plus, Mutt and I get along so well.” Mutt nestled his head against Gabe’s shoulder. “Just think how sad he's going to be now with Mrs. Williams in the hospital."
Iris smiled and her eyes softened. “He does look pretty content in your arms.”
"Do you think we could keep Mutt just for a couple days?" Gabe begged.
Iris looked at her son and then around the table at the rest of them. "Well, he is kind of cute," she said, a smile slipping out. “But you'll have to give him a bath."
"I'll give him the best bath ever."
"I can help with that," Shelby said. "We can wash him at our house and bring him back to you clean as new."