Saving Sentry: Requires Rescue, #3

By Liza O'Connor

The largest, strongest dog in the pack was miserable. He was born to be a leader, yet he wasn't. He was born to be special, yet he wasn't. He was called "Grumpy" by the humans. And while he was grumpy and sad, he had every right to be. This was not the life he was meant to have!

When Sean, Molly, and Eliza returned to their home, the mass of twenty-five giant Shiloh Shepherds frightened Eliza. She wanted her puppies!  Still, she could see the great sadness in the massive dog's eyes as he crawled submissively into her room. Her father explained that Grumpy expected to be pack leader, but none of the dogs will accept him.

She objected to his name at once, and once Sean discovered how smart and gentle the dog was with Molly, he suggested they rename him Sentry. When Eliza learned a sentry watches and protects, she agreed with the name change. Sean explained to Sentry that he was to protect Eliza at all times. The change in Sentry was remarkable. He now had the most important job in the world: protecting Eliza.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Authors Online
• Release date: Mar 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386140863

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

When Nancy Ashcraft announced she’d be opening their finest physical therapy center in the bucolic New York countryside, close to Sean, Molly, and Eliza, all the patients demanded to transfer to Pea Pod.

Hold on, it’s not yet open. We’ve only broken ground, laid the foundation, and built the exterior walls and roofing. There is still much to be done. If all goes well, we will open in three months. However, by then I expect every one of you to be well.

After a long, happy party, Sean took his two girls to the car waiting in the underground parking lot.

The head of security, Jack Thorp escorted them down, then patted Eliza’s head, hugged Molly, and finally shook Sean’s hand. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to know you. Just so you know, I’ll be relocating to Pea Pod in a few weeks to ensure the security features are properly installed.

Do you have a place to stay? Sean asked.

He grimaced. In Brewster. Turns out Pea Pod doesn’t have a hotel, motel, or even a Bed and Breakfast, he complained.

Molly leaned across the car seat so she could see Jack. We have enough rooms to be a Bed and Breakfast.

Sean kissed his wife’s forehead. I am not having my home taken up by petulant strangers demanding food. He then turned to Jack. However, you are welcomed to stay at our house for as long as you like.

You sure?

Positive, Sean added. Besides liking Jack, having the fellow around would add another layer of security for his girls.

Then I gratefully accept.

Come as soon as you like.

Jack’s brow furrowed, evidently reading more to his invitation than hopefully Molly would.

Well, if it’s not too soon, I do have some things that need to be done next week.

Come then, Sean suggested and gripped his shoulder. Your presence will be greatly welcomed.

As Sean got in the car and buckled up, Eliza, their adorable five-year-old child asked, Since he’s coming to live with us, can I call him Uncle Jack?

Sean laughed out loud. Sure, why not.

During the drive home, he kept a watch in his rearview mirror until both his girls noticed.

Is Uncle Jack supposed to be following us? Eliza asked.

No, why?

Because you keep looking at the rearview mirror.

Molly now studied him, waiting for his reply. Nor was she smiling.

No way in hell would he ruin their homecoming by admitting to his daughter his good deed had made him some serious enemies, and he feared they would retaliate by killing his family.

Just habit. Cops always check to see if bad guys are following them.

But you aren’t a cop anymore, Eliza reminded him.

He forced a smile. No, I’m not. Any idea what I’ll do to keep occupied?

Molly chuckled. Well, according to Sanders, we have twenty-five unruly, mostly grown dogs in desperate need of training. You can help us train them if you like.

Or we could hire professional trainers, he softly suggested.

Daddy no! That’s our job. You can’t take it away from us before we even try. We have first dibs.

He glanced at Eliza through the rearview mirror. If the dogs are truly unruly, then I don’t want either of you near them.

Eliza looked to Molly, who smiled at Sean. It is possible that Sanders exaggerated their behavior issues. I cannot imagine he’d put up with bad dogs.

Good point, Sean said. I recall this untrained and quite frankly dangerous mastiff that the Korgers owned. The health officials brought it to Sanders to hold for six weeks because it bit Sonny Korger. Six weeks later, Sanders returned them a well-mannered and obedient dog, certified to be free of rabies. Not a day had passed before Mr. Korger demanded the police chief arrest Sanders for dog theft, insisting the dog Sanders had returned wasn’t theirs. Upon seeing the poor conditions of the dog’s habitat, the police chief rescued the poor thing, and when Sanders refused to take it back, he took it home with him. To this day, he declares it the best dog he’s ever had.

Molly leaned back and closed her eyes. We’ll be fine then.

MOLLY WOKE THE MOMENT they turned off the highway and onto the weaving country road bordered by miles of corn.

She gasped at the giant building on what used to be a cornfield. It reminded her of the mansion in Gone with the Wind. That’s so beautiful.

I can’t believe the town approved this, he whispered.

Why wouldn’t they? she asked.

Sean huffed. Well, I got grief just getting the permits to change the façade on my house. And there was a cry of outrage over the kennel. Locals said it was too fancy for Pea Pod.

The town hated their home? Why didn’t you tell me? I could have drawn something more to their liking.

He glanced over and gripped her hand. "You drew something to my liking. Since I’m paying for it and we’re living in it, I felt that outweighed their complaints. The council agreed by a majority of one and gave me my permit. He stared at the long grand mansion they were still passing. I have no idea how Nancy got this through."

Sean slammed on the brakes. Crap, I almost missed my own driveway.

The fast stop woke Eliza. Are we in a wreck?

Molly turned to her and smiled. No, sweetheart. Daddy was admiring the pretty castle and nearly missed our driveway, but he found it in time.

That woke Eliza up at once. Castle! I want to see the castle. Daddy, turn around!

The driveway is too narrow to turn around.

Eliza sighed heavily. But I want to see the castle.

The castle will be there waiting for you to admire it the next time we go someplace, I promise.

Eliza huffed. Okay, but let’s go out soon, she insisted.

When they made the last curve, Sean came to a halt and Molly hoped it was because he loved the new kennel and façade to his house. Molly certainly did. It looked exactly like her sketch.

Wow! Eliza exclaimed. That’s a beautiful castle.

Before Molly could correct her, a herd of dogs rushed out of the kennel and entered their fenced in lawn.

They sure do have a lot of big dogs, Eliza said. Are they mean?

Sean couldn’t believe how large they’d gotten. They aren’t supposed to be, but let’s be cautious all the same.

Eliza pulled her knees against her chest. I don’t want to see the castle. Let’s go home now.

Sean ignored her and drove in front of the house and parked.

You do have a garage now, Molly reminded him.

I do? he asked and smiled. Where?

She pointed to the building next to the kennel.

No, Daddy, I don’t like the dogs. Let’s go home, Eliza cried.

Sean turned to face her. Baby, these are your puppies.

With face puckered, she shook her head adamantly. No!

Sean turned to Molly for help.

Stay here, she suggested and hurried to the garage, eventually making her way through the kennel, into the fenced in lawn. The pack of dogs turned and stared at her.

She sensed their tension. They didn’t recognize her.

Bandy, Coco, Panda, here! she called, hoping the three they had cared for as pups would remember her despite the time she’d been away.

Three dogs broke from the pack and ran to her with wagging tails. The rest moved closer with tails down, but slowly wagging.

She focused on her three, greeting them with hugs and pets. It’s so good to be back.

The three shepherds whined with happiness and washed her face and hands with excessive enthusiasm. The other dogs now moved closer, wanting to be petted too, which she did. When she reached to pet one dog, it snarled and within seconds Panda and Coco had the dog on the ground, with their teeth on its neck.

Molly froze, having no idea what she was supposed to do. From her reading she knew what Panda and Coco were both saying was, ‘I am dominant. You will do as I say.’ She wanted to gently call Panda and Coco off, but given those dogs remembered and loved her, she decided not to interfere with them being dominant.

Suddenly, strong arms pulled her from the mob of dogs.

Panda and Coco lost all interest in the bad dog and focused on Sean, wagging their tails. Bandy joined them and pressed his forehead against Sean’s leg.

Molly motioned to the three dogs. They remember us.

Sean knelt down and greeted the three while Molly petted the others. He finally glanced up at her. You scared the shit out of me, coming inside and getting in the middle of a dominance fight.

I didn’t get in the middle. I tried to pet the grumpy dog and he growled. Panda and Coco leapt to my defense at once and put him to the ground.

Which one is Panda? Sean asked.

She laughed. I don’t know...how about the one that looks like a panda bear? she teased.

You’re going to pay for that, he warned with a grin and stared at the dog right in front of him. According to Miss Smarty Pants, you’re Panda.

The dog barked once as if answering him.

Now find Coco, she challenged.

He pointed to the dark brown one.

Coco barked once and wagged his tail.

And Bandy?

He pointed to the dog on the other side of Panda.

She patted his head. Very good. The bands on his feet have faded, I wasn’t sure you’d recognize him. He’s happy you did, aren’t you Bandy?

Bandy barked once.

Sean grimaced. Honestly, I had no clue, so I chose the third dominant dog of the group.

Dust rolled above the ornamental cherry trees, alerting Sean that a car was coming up the driveway. Do me a favor. Go inside the kennel.

What about Eliza, she whispered.

"She’s in her room. She promised to wait there while I rescued you from the dogs.

Okay, she replied and ran into the kennel. All but one of the dogs followed her.

SEAN GLANCED DOWN AT the dog Panda and Coco had taken down. Looks like it’s just you and me, Grumpy. Have my back, and I’ll forgive you for growling at my wife...this once.

The dog whimpered.

Come on, he said, and headed to the fence to see who was coming up his driveway.

Tomorrow, he was going into the police station and file the papers needed for a private gun permit. The NYPD assholes in HR had his police permit revoked.

He relaxed as he recognized Sanders pickup truck.

He’s a good guy, Sean assured Grumpy, before heading back into the kennel. There he found Molly sorting the dogs. It’s just Sanders, he said, and headed outside. He failed to close the door before Grumpy slipped out. Since the dog seemed keen on having his back, he didn’t try to force it to return to the kennel. Instead, he and Grumpy went to meet Sanders.

Welcome home, Sanders said, then frowned at Grumpy. I see you’ve befriended Grumpy. He patted the dog on his head.

Did you name him while he was at your place? Because that’s what Molly called him as well.

No, he’s earned his name over time. But I’m glad Molly and I are in accord.

Have you named any of the others? Molly is sorting them right now, and I’m guessing she intends to name them.

Good luck there. I could identify the three you guys took because they came back full of themselves and dominated everyone, including old Grumpy here, who clearly believes he should be leader, only no one else agrees. If he attempts to dominate even the lowliest of the pack, Panda, Bandy, and Coco will jump all over him.

Sanders sighed and thumped the dog’s side. You might want to find him a home where he’s lead dog. He’s quite miserable here.

He’s seems to like you?

Sanders shook his head. I’m gone all the time. He needs time with his owner...and don’t even suggest I bring him to work. He’d eat someone’s cat. Where’s Eliza?

Pouting in her room. She doesn’t like these dogs. She wants her puppies back.

Yeah, well, I’m sorry I signed you on to taking them. I would have suggested you sell them months ago, only you were occupied with physical therapy. Now they’re too damn big. Honestly, until Molly gets them under control, no one will want them.

They entered the kennel where twenty-four dogs patiently waited, while Molly sketched a portrait of one and wrote a name on top.

You are Kiyote, she announced to a smaller gray female.

Why don’t you name her Wolf? Sanders challenged.

A gray dog on the left barked.

She smiled up at Sanders. That’s his name, she replied. I’d give you a hug, but then my project might be ruined. She stood and taped the drawing to the wall. She then pointed to the space beneath the picture. Kiyote, here.

The dog rushed forward and sat where Molly had pointed.

This is amazing, Sanders whispered. Do you by chance have a video camera?

I do, unless someone has stolen it, Sean said. He headed into the house, with Grumpy at his side. He found the camera and returned to the kennel just as Molly