Between a Book and a Hard Place (24 page)

“No!” Alvin dropped to his knees, then tilted his head toward the ceiling and howled.

“Alvin, use your words.” Skye checked her watch. The vet would be here any second. She had to get control of the session. With one boy cowering in a corner and another baying at the moon, she wasn't sure which behavior to address first.

As she considered her options, the door swung open and Dr. Linc Quillen strode inside. He had a beautiful Maine Coon cat in a Pet Taxi and a Siberian Husky on a leash.

“Wolf! It's a wolf!” Clifford screamed. “He's going to eat us.”

“It's only a dog.” Skye jumped to her feet, trying to calm the boys and herd them back into their chairs. “He's a nice doggy. Really.”

But it was too late for reassurances. Group hysteria took over, and the boys scattered. Alvin, Duncan, Gavin, and Christopher huddled against the far wall, but Clifford skirted around Dr. Quillen and the animals and ran out the door.

“Sorry!” Skye yelled, dashing after the escapee, adding, “Keep an eye on the boys. I'll be right back.”

Skye sprinted down the hallway, then realized the others might try to follow her. Just as she twisted her neck to look, she heard footsteps in front of her. Before she could swing her head toward the sound, she slammed into what felt like a brick wall. Flailing her arms for balance, she lost her footing. But before she could fall, hands gripped her arms and steadied her.

Skye's gaze shot to her rescuer's face.
Shit!
The man holding her upright was Palmer Lynch, the school board member who was running against her godfather, Charlie Patukas, for the presidency. She was so screwed.

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