“Yes, and as I said, everybody benefits. Sometimes it’s hard to know who’s rescuing whom.” He smiled down at Trooper. “Some of the inmates even end up working as dog trainers when they’re released.”

“Wow,” she said again. “Will I meet his trainer?”

“Yep. I heard she’s getting out at the end of the month, so I’d like to see her, show her what a great job she did with Trooper, what a difference she made. And I want to thank her.”

“What’s her name and what’s she in for?”

“Her name is Jennifer. And you don’t need to know why she’s there. Trust me, it wasn’t murder or anything like that. This is a minimum security prison.” The crime, in fact, had been financial fraud.

“Oh-kay.” She stood up, dusted her hands and sent Cord’s dogs inside. “Tina’s in the house. Let me go tell her and get my bag.”

J.P. figured they’d arrive by twelve thirty or one, spend an hour or so, then go to a local place for lunch. He returned to his car and put Trooper back in, holding the front door as he waited for Carly. The day was bright and warm, but not too warm, the sun still reaching its zenith. Ideal July weather.

She climbed in, and once he’d exited the driveway, he saw her take a notebook from her backpack. At first she just held it on her lap. Some twenty minutes later, she started writing; he glanced over and noticed what looked like…a poem? No, it was a song! He realized that as soon as he heard her humming quietly to herself. Some lines were crossed out, some words circled.

“This is one of your songs?” he asked. “Do you want to read me what you have?”

She took a moment to consider his question, then began to read.

“The animals I know

Are the animals I love

It’s as simple as that

Here and in the world above.

“I’m rhyming lines two and four. Love and above aren’t the best, but I can’t come up with anything better. Dove? Shove? Don’t think so.”

“I think it’s okay,” he reassured her. “It makes the point. Love lasts beyond death.”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah, that’s actually what I’m saying in the next verse.

“If I loved them once,

I love them still

Even if they’re gone

“To their graves—I’m stuck there. Need something to rhyme with still.”

“On the hill,” J.P. suggested. “Maybe not the strongest choice, but…”

“To their graves on the hill. I like it. Next I’ve got—

“I love my Dooley and our Holly, Bandit, Smoky.

I love Trooper and Logan and Plum.

I also love the horses.

And the animals all love me back—they’re not dumb!”

J.P. laughed.

“I have another stanza,” she said.