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native tongue seemed to have a calming effect on Fiona—that is, until Johnnie Dempster said, “I have no idea what language that is, but we really have to get going.” He shot Gabriella a frown and then looked at Fiona again, his direct stare somewhat menacing. “I heard that Barry Simpson at the Shop ’n Save across the street might be looking for a new duck dog, and that’s our next stop after we leave here. So I’m actually doing you a favor by offering him to you for five hundred, considering Barry would probably pay seven.”
    Fiona clutched Misneach to her chest. “I beg you, Gabriella,” she pleaded, once again in Gaelic, “give the man his five hundred dollars, and please let’s get out of here.” So I can run home and crawl into my cupboard and never, ever come into town again, she silently added.
    Gabriella lifted the flap on the wallet and pulled out the money inside. The girl painstakingly counted the paper bills out loud, until she reached five hundred dollars exactly—all the money Fiona had to her name.
    But if that was the price of getting out of the store without angering the men, so be it. She nudged Gabriella. “Pay him for the puppy,” she said, this time in English.
    Just as soon as Gabriella handed him the money, Fiona grabbed her friend’s arm, dragged her past the man named Jason, and headed for the door.
    Only Johnnie Dempster started following them. “How about if I bring his papers over to you this evening?” he asked, reaching around Fiona to open the door.
    She took a relieved breath when she stepped onto the sidewalk and saw all the people milling about. “What do you mean by papers?” she asked, feeling slightly more in control now that she was no longer trapped.
    “His kennel club papers,” Johnnie said, giving her a frown. “If you ever want to stud him out, you’re going to have to register him.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” she said, again pulling Gabriella closer when Jason came up beside her. For hadn’t she seen firsthand how men would separate their prey under the guise of being nice, just before they turned into brutes?
    “We’ll follow you ladies to the Shop ’n Save,” Jason said, “and show you what food the puppy should eat. You can also buy a collar and leash there.”
    Fiona didn’t want either of these men following them anywhere. “Misneach will eat what I do,” she said, wondering why they thought she would buy special food for a dog. She started walking in the direction of home. “And I saw a soft rope hanging in the barn, so I don’t need a collar or leash.”
    “Gabriella, you forgot your magazine!” Ruthie called out, waving it in the air as she stood on the sidewalk.
    Gabriella pulled Fiona to a stop. “Oh, I really want to buy that magazine,” she said. “Wait right here; I’ll only be a minute.”
    “You’re just going to tie a rope around his neck?” Johnnie Dempster asked, his expression incredulous.
    “And you can’t feed him people food,” Jason added, equally appalled. “It’ll make him puke.”
    “Not to mention turn him into a beggar,” Johnnie growled.
    Fiona bumped into a lamppost, as she’d slowly been inching away from them. “I’ve had several dogs before, and I’ve never fed them special food.” She glanced back toward the bookstore, wishing Gabriella would hurry.
    “Come on,” Johnnie said, making her bump into the post even harder when he suddenly plucked Misneach out of her arms. He shoved the dog at his brother. “You stay here and wait for Gabriella, and I’ll take—” He smiled at her. “Fiona, isn’t it? I’ll take Fiona across the street and help her pick up what she needs.”
    As desperately as she wanted to wait for Gabriella, Fiona didn’t dare resist when Johnnie took hold of her elbow and led her off the sidewalk, stopping only to look for traffic before guiding her across the street to the Shop ’n Save. But surely Gabriella was safe with Ruthie, and they were in the