“This is probably a stupid thing I’m doing, but I’m betting you can get us to the top of the mountain. If not, oh, well!”

Sam checked the condo one last time; everything seemed to be in order. Three days to climb the mountain, if what Pappy had said was true. Surely he would let her take the cable car down after she delivered the dog. What could possibly happen to her condo in three or four days? Not much. Who cared anyway? She should move into a mansion and hire people to do everything for her.

Sam rummaged in the kitchen pantry for the special leash Joey had brought when they were going to take Alpha to Panella’s. She was going to pretend to be blind so she could take Alpha on the plane with her. He would go berserk cooped up in the cargo hold. She called the airline and booked two first class seats. She told herself she was meant to do this when she was told the next flight to Raleigh-Durham was in two hours. Her lucky day.

With Alpha at her side, she waited on the stoop for the taxi that would take her to the airport.

It was a beautiful day, she noticed. A perfect Indian summer day. Already the leaves were starting to change color. Big Pine Mountain would probably be alive with color. Overhead, the sun was bright and warm. Somewhere off in the distance someone was burning leaves. She thought then about her youth, football games, pep rallies, and pumpkins. It was all so long ago. She wondered if she’d ever been as young as she remembered. Young with no worries other than whether she would have a date for Saturday night. Most times there wasn’t a date. She’d been too shy, too plain. Boys wanted bosoms, brash words, wicked promises, and tons of makeup.

Sam gripped Alpha’s lead, making sure the sunglasses she was wearing were secure, and started down the steps. The taxi pulled to the curb.

Alpha howled either his pleasure or displeasure as Sam settled him in the cab.

They were on their way.