Well, she would just add on a hefty service charge for delivering the puppy, she thought, gathering up the most expensive, elaborate pet bed they had on stock and throwing a bag of dog food on top of it. She added a fancy food and watering dish, dog brush, and bag of doggy treats. That should run up his bill considerably!

The man's name was Carl, she remembered from the card. Carl Branson. His name, address, and phone number had been all the information given. Well and fine with her, she didn't need to know anything more about him. She would just drop the dog and its accessories off, collect her money, and be on her way.

The house was, as she had known it would be, in an area of impressive homes, though it wasn't as large as most and it wasn't hidden behind a huge security fence.

Cindy drew her little Geo up in front of the house and climbed out, thankful that the trip was over. Not that it had been a long drive, but the whining of the unhappy puppy had begin to wear on her nerves. As she walked up the steps, the box held securely in hand, she heard noise coming from around back. Probably the birthday party was outside. A practical idea considering the destructive powers of seven year old children, she thought, and smiled.

But when she walked through the gate that stood ajar and turned the corner of the grassy lawn she was surprised to find a group of very subdued youngsters sitting and standing about in small groups. The man that had ordered the puppy was there, dressed in white slacks and white open necked shirt. He looked very distinguished, but also very out of place. Or he would have, if it had been the typical child's birthday party.

When he saw her he appeared greatly relieved. As he came toward her she couldn't help but think that he was even more handsome than she had remembered. Dark, thick, wavy hair combed neatly in place, tanned complexion with perfect features and a body that must have spent several hours a week in hard exercise.

"I'm glad to see you," he said with the smile that she so detested. "I'm afraid the party has turned out to be a bit of a dud. Perhaps the puppy will liven things up."

Cindy looked at the tables where trays with adult style hors d'oeuvres were laid out and she laughed. "How long did you say your niece has been with you?"

"Three months," he said a little sheepishly. "I'm afraid I haven't had much experience with children. I expect I should have hired a professional and had horseback rides and the like."

"There's no need for anything that elaborate," she handed him the box with the puppy who had finally settled down. "Don't you have cake and ice cream?"

"Of course!" he seemed offended. "I was going to have that after the games. Only none of the kids want to do any of the things I have planned."

"Such as?"

"Pin the tail on the donkey, tidily winks, and blind man's bluff," he explained. "The housekeeper suggested them," he defended himself as she started to laugh.

"How old is this housekeeper, I'm wondering." She forgot that she had planned on giving him the dog, collecting her money, and leaving as quickly as possible. "Doesn't Lizzy have something more up to date? Twister or children's pictionary, for instance?"

"I told you, I just took over Lizzy's care a few months ago, but I don't think the family was very big on games. Lizzy is a very quiet child. Most of the time she just sits and reads."

Cindy picked her out then. She was the small, slender girl, her long dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail who sat off by herself, her eyes, behind wire rimmed glasses, fastened on the book that lay open in her lap.

"Maybe you should bring out the cake and ice cream," she suggested. "Then, Lizzy can open her presents. Perhaps someone has given her a game that everyone would enjoy."

The cake and ice cream was eaten and enjoyed, and the presents opened. Cindy, who stood back watching, but not taking part, thought how indifferent the young girl seemed as she went through the motions. Most children would have been overjoyed at the expensive gifts that had been given her, but then, she didn't know what the young girl was accustomed to, nor why she had come to live with her uncle.

It was only when the box containing the puppy was placed before her that the child showed a genuine interest. As she opened the lid and looked inside her face broke into a smile that convinced Cindy that her little Pug had found a good home.

"Oh, Uncle Carl, thank you! Thank you!" she cried, carefully lifting the small animal up into her arms and letting it lick her face. "What's its name?"

Carl Branson shot her a questioning look. "He doesn't have a name yet, Lizzy," she explained. "Part of the fun of getting a puppy is the naming of it." Suddenly she had a brainstorm. "Have you a chalkboard or something similar?" she asked the man.

"I've a whiteboard I use to write reminders to myself on."

"If you'll bring it out, perhaps we can have some fun trying to come up with a name for Lizzy's new puppy."

He nodded and hurried toward the house. By the time he returned Cindy had gathered all the children, who were happier and livelier now that their stomachs were full of cake and ice cream, around in a large circle.

"Now, we'll work together to come up with a name for Lizzy's new pet," she said.

"Snuggles!" One freckled faced boy was quick to catch on to the idea. Cindy wrote down the word. Another suggestion was called out and then another. Soon they had a long list of possibilities.

After much consideration, discussion and laughter Lizzy chose the name Chum.

Carl Branson had told her that the parents had been asked to pick their children up at three. As that was still some time away, Cindy organized a few games that she knew the youngsters wouldn't mind taking part in. They were in the midst of a mighty battle to see who could crab walk the fastest across the lawn, she, in her jeans and loose fitting, light weight sweater was having no problem keeping ahead of the others, with Lizzy running her a close second, until she happened to notice Carl Branson watching her. Her hand slipped out from under her and she landed with a thud on her bottom. Laughing uproariously Lizzy zipped past and won the event.

Thinking that she could easily have a grass stain in a very embarrassing place Cindy sat for a moment, glaring at the man who, were he not so stiff and formal, could have been sharing in the fun and staining his designer styled clothing.

"I won, I won, Cindy!" Lizzy yelled, unexpectedly throwing herself on top of the woman.

"You sure did, darling!" Cindy laughed and pulled the girl's ponytail.

"Did you see, Uncle Carl?" the girl asked. "I won."

The man was busy talking to a middle aged woman dressed in a steel gray business suit who had just entered the yard. He looked over at Lizzy and waved his hand to show that he had heard her, and then turned his attention back to the new arrival.

"That's Ms. Harper," the girl explained. "She's the social worker that's handling my case."

Cindy looked at the woman more closely. Not a pretty woman, and not young, but very professional and very serious. She would hate to get on the woman's bad side she decided, and then the children clustered around her demanding another game. One more she told them and then she would have to get back to work! But as it turned out they spent another half hour playing duck, duck, goose. When the parents came to pick up their children most were reluctant to leave.

"I guess Lizzy's party turned out to be a success after all," the girl's uncle said as he accompanied Cindy to her car. "Thanks to you. If you handle animals as well as you do children, your pets must be a very contented lot."

"I like youngsters," she admitted, not adding that she had felt sorry for the little girl who had, at first, seemed so withdrawn and unhappy.

"Do you have any of your own?" he asked, opening the door of the Geo for her.

"That depends on what you consider children," she couldn't help but laugh. "My home is full of dependents, but none of them are human." She noticed the stack of pet supplies in her car and recalled how she was going to stick him. "I forgot I brought Chum a few comfort items. Take them to Lizzy and present them to her as a birthday present from me, will you please?"

"I can't let you do that," he protested as she removed the bed from her car and then turned back to unload the rest.

"You have no say over what I do," she informed him. "It's Lizzy I'm giving them too, not you."

"At least let me pay for your time and effort today in addition to the cost of Chum."

"That won't be necessary," the coolness was back in her voice. For a time she had forgotten that he was a man and would be thinking more of money than kindness. "Just the cost of the dog and a small delivery charge." She mentioned a sum that her creditors would not have approved of.

He wrote out the check and handed it to her.

"Thank you, Mr. Branson," she said in her most business-like manner, "If you need any other supplies I hope you'll keep us in mind."

Then she got into the car and drove away, thankful that she would never have to see the soft spoken Carl Branson again.

An e-magazine for the family with children's literature, romance, fantasy, mystery and science fiction stories in serial by authors past and present. New postings monthly by Antelope Publishing.

Copyrighted © 1996 by Antelope Publishing All rights reserved.

1978