made a casual jingle. She stepped up to the unoccupied front desk and rang a golden bell that echoed through the small shop.
“Be with you in a second!” called a high-pitched voice from a backroom.
Shortly after, a small man with a mustache and obvious toupee came in. He was just tall enough to see over the three-and-a-half-foot counter.
“Welcome to Carter Selling inc. If it can be sold, you can buy. We own every house, ship and automobile that’s not in use. Including the papers.” he smiled warmly.
“You certainly can.” replied Susan.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a map she had previously bought. She pointed to a point on the map.
“I wish to buy this.” she declared.
The man stood on his tip-toes to see where she was pointing.
“But miss… That hasn’t had a soul in it for two years, and last time I checked it was in deplorable condition. I could sell you one that is in a better condition if you like.”
“No thank you. I want it. It’s a fixer-upper but so what? I can live.”
“Okay.” sighed the man shaking his head. “Sure thing ma’am.”
He then turned around and went to the back room. He returned shortly with the documents and told her the price.
“It’s a good cause.” Susan said as she handed him the sum of money owed.
The man counted it up.
“You check out.” he said. “But what’s a lady doing with so much money?”
“Well, I’d rather not go into detail.” she said.
Chapter Nine:
Jenna was just about the kiss Greg when she held a doll in front of her face. Greg kissed the doll and it made a high-pitched “Mom-ma” cry. Jenna smiled smugly. Greg, realizing that he had kissed a doll, quickly turned away and spat while running his paw over his mouth.
“What was that!?” he spluttered angrily.
“Oh nothing.” said Jenna, “But for your information, I’m spoken for. And you should know that by now Greg, I-”
“Jenna!” scolded Duchess as she and Ritchie came back out from around the corner. “That is no way to treat a friend of the family!”
“Can’t you tell that that’s-? Jenna started, but was quickly interrupted by Ritchie.
“Young lady! You do not talk back to your mother like that!”
“But-” tried Jenna again but she failed.
“No.” said Duchess. “Apologize to Greg and I don’t want to hear anything from you.”
“Sorry Greg.” Jenna said with as much sincerity as she could muster.
“I hope you can forgive out daughter for her… rude behavior.” Duchess said.
“It’s no problem.” said Greg. “Maybe after she calms down we could try again.” He then looked a Jenna slyly.
‘I’ve just got to tell Balto about this as soon as I can. This isn’t going to be good.’ Jenna thought.
Within minutes, Duchess, Ritchie and Greg, exited the house. Jenna took this chance to head to Balto’s boat. She made sure to take the back streets to avoid her parents seeing her. She walked briskly the outskirts of town. She walked up the plank to the deck of Balto’s boat and saw Alue and Boris, but no Balto.
“Ah Jenna. You are sight for sore eyes. Are you going to take this ball of energy back home with you yet?” Boris asked. Alue then latched onto his leg. “Please!” he yelled out in surprise.
“Not quite.” said Jenna, trying to suppress a giggle. “I wanted to ask, have you seen Balto at all today? I have to find him and quick.”
“Balto? I thought he was with you. He left last night, and poof, he was gone… This can’t be good.”
“You’re telling me.” said Jenna nervously.
Kaltag and Balto had just gotten out of the shed and were headed to their next destination.
“Is it just me, or are we getting glared at by these dogs?” asked Balto to Kaltag.
“It’s not just you. I feel it too. Did you do something?” Kaltag asked.
“No. But I think they think I did… Let’s just hurry up and get to Jenna’s.”
“Agreed.”
Balto and Kaltag continued towards Jenna’s. But the closer they got, the more intense some of the stares were getting. Some even started to follow them.
“Okay. This is weird.” murmured Balto.
“Hey guys!” Kaltag said loudly as he turned to the small crowd, “There are things such as common courtesy. I don’t think we liked getting followed and glared at.”
With Kaltag’s words the small group disbanded.
“That’s better.” smiled Kaltag triumphantly.
The two walked through town until they made it to Jenna’s home.
“I’ll go in.” said Balto when they got their. “Something’s really fishy in Nome, and I need to tell her.”
Kaltag gave a simple nod and sat down. After all, Balto had gotten him out of that shed, the least he could do was to wait for him.
When Balto first walked through the small door he didn’t see anyone except for Nancy in the kitchen doing the usual cooking. He didn’t even see Jenna.
“Must have just missed her.” he thought aloud.
Balto walked over to her bed and sat down.
“Might as well wait ‘till she gets back.”
Just then he noticed a red and white tail disappear behind a corner into another room.
“Jenna?” Balto called out.
A face came to look at Balto. But it wasn’t Jenna. It was Duchess.
“Oh… It’s… you.” she said trying to add a happier tone.
She turned back around the corner to where Ritchie was.
“We just get back to find no Jenna, and now Balto.” she quietly said with a little bit of anger. “I thought that you got rid of him for awhile.”
“So did I. Must have gotten out.” shrugged Ritchie.
“What do you think?!” she nearly barked.
She looked back around the corner to make sure Balto hadn’t heard them.
“Just a minute.” she said curtly to Balto when he noticed her and smiled.
“What are we going to do now?” she asked Ritchie silently.
“I guess we only have our last option.” he whispered.
“Thank goodness. It’s about time.” she grinned toothily.
Ritchie and Duchess both walked out into plain view of Balto.
“It’s so nice to see you again.” said Ritchie.
“Likewise.” replied Balto kindly.
“Well Balto,” started Duchess, “I believe that my little Ritchie already told you how important or angel is to us. Well, I think we forgot to mention one last thing. Do you mind if we tell you right now?”
After she had said this, Balto got a strange feeling. Almost like the tension when they first met, but this time if felt stronger. Like it was charged with static. He had the feeling that something was going to happen. But he nodded anyways.
“Good…” smiled Duchess.
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