Perfect Storm

Chapter 20

"Really bud? You have to go potty?" I groaned, hearing the rain pelting on the roof while Sturgill whined pitifully and scratched on the door. He then ran to the window, scratched on it, then began barking.

"Okay. Maybe you should go now before it gets too bad." I sighed, my storm phobia beginning to kick in.

I opened the door and stepped onto the porch, and in just those few moments the rain picked up even more and the wind was howling and kicking, sending the rain sideways from the force of it. However, through the downpour, I saw what I believe was the real source of Sturgill's restlessness: the puppy we had seen yesterday was back, now pressed tightly against the shed, using the small overhang to seek some kind of shelter.

The sight tugged at my heartstrings. There was no way I could leave it out there to fend for itself. It was so small and defenseless, poor thing wouldn't stand a chance if the storm got as bad as predicted. With another sigh, I grabbed my shoes from next to the door and slipped them on, then stepped out in the downpour, immediately getting soaked to the bone.

I approached the puppy slowly, not wanting to scare it off, however, the puppy made a beeline for my car, crawling beneath it. There were already deep puddles developing around the car. Soon, those puddles would spread underneath the car and this poor puppy would drown in them. Muttering and cursing under my breath, I lowered myself onto the ground, right in a puddle.

Small, dark eyes stared fearfully back at me, but I couldn't reach it. From beneath the car, I saw headlights approaching, and wondered what kind of fool was out on the road with this weather. The lights got closer then shut off and I heard a car door shut. I stood up, and watched in disbelief as a figure approached.

"Ryan?" What the hell was he doing here? He was supposed to be in New York.

"What are you doing out here Bree? It's storming" Sturgill immediately ran over excitedly to greet his dad, unconcerned with the heavy rain. I had a million questions, but they could wait.

"There's a puppy under my car. I think it's a stray, but I can't leave it out here." I quickly explained, becoming more frantic.

Ryan didn't say a word, he just lowered himself onto the ground. "I can't reach him. Try on your side." He finally said a few moments later.

I got back down on the ground and reached as far as I could. I could feel the ends of the wet fur, but I couldn't get a hold of him. "I can't reach either. Damn. I'm so close."

"I'm going to come around to your side, and see if I can reach." Ryan said.

"No. If you get up, he may see that as an opening and run off. Just give me a minute." There wasn't much time though. The water pooling under the car was getting closer and closer to the terrified puppy.

I wedged myself as much as I could beneath the car, but it still wasn't enough. "Come on little guy, just work with me here. I know you don't want to be out here anymore than I do. I promise I won't hurt you. Come with me and I'll take you inside where it's nice and warm and dry. I'll get you some food. Please sweetie. Let me help you." I pleaded, wanting to cry in frustration.

A loud crack of thunder boomed from the sky, scaring the absolute shit out of me, but it also scared the puppy enough that he moved closer to me. Close enough that I was able to wrap my hand around his back foot. "Sorry little guy. I don't want to hurt you, but we have to get inside now." The puppy yelped when I tugged his back leg, but soon enough I had the little soaked, shivering body against mine.

"I got him. Let's get in the house." I hollered to Ryan and we ran to the door, Sturgill following close behind.

Both Ryan and I were soaked to the bone, dripping puddles of water onto the floor. I held the puppy out to him. "Hold him for a minute, I'll go and get us some towels."