Howhadhelettheir friendship lapse?
The next day, Colin couldn’t help but smile every time he recalled his evening with Holly.He wondered how she was making out with the puppy.Throughout the day, he’d given thought to calling her, but before he could turn thought into action, he was called away for a consultation or emergency at the animal clinic.
Now, with his workday over, his thoughts drifted back to Holly.It was no wonder she didn’t have any holiday decorations up, since it looked like she was still in the midst of moving in.It was almost like she wasn’t planning to stay, but he knew that wasn’t right.After all, where would Holly go?She’d been born and bred in Kringle Falls.She wouldn’t leave.Would she?
After broaching the subject of her parents, it was obvious she wouldn’t be going to see them.What had he been thinking to bring up the subject of her parents?It was a well-known fact that her parents had abandoned her as a baby.
He never saw her parents.They could walk right up to him, and he wouldn’t recognize them.Sadly, he wondered if it was the same way for Holly.
And worst of all, Holly had lost the one person who was solidly in her corner.Guilt assailed him.Sure, he might have gone to her grandmother’s funeral along with most of the town, but afterward, he should have been a better friend to Holly.He should have been there to give her a shoulder to lean on while she’d gone through those monumental changes in her life.
He was a pro at procrastination.He would tell himself he was too busy building up his clinic.He also would assure himself that he’d stop by and check on her another day.The only problem was that “another day” never came.He was done with all of the excuses and justifications.
The clinic closed at five o’clock, and he tended to a few walk-in emergency appointments before he walked out the door.He went straight home to check on his own furbabies.Everyone was happy to see him and even happier to get their dinner.And then he thought of calling Holly, but he decided that seeing her in person would be better.So, he went over to her place.
It wasn’t until he was ringing her buzzer that he felt as though he shouldn’t have shown up empty-handed.A moment later, the door swung open.Holly stood there with her hair in a messy bun, an old T-shirt and gray sweatpants on.
Her eyes momentarily widened.“Colin, what are you doing here?”She ran a hand over her hair before tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.“I mean, hi.Do you want to come in?”
He nodded.When she moved back, he stepped into the entryway.He closed the door against the winter air and followed her up the stairs.
As he climbed the stairs, he couldn’t help but think she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known.Once they were in the kitchen, she turned to him.Her face was flawless, except for a bit of flour on her cheek.His fingers tingled with the need to reach out to her, but he resisted the urge.
But when he took a second glance, he noticed the shadows beneath her eyes.She was tired.Maybe he shouldn’t have stopped over.
“If you’re busy,” he said, “I can go.”
“No, silly.You’re already here.So, stay.”
He wasn’t going to argue with her.“I hadn’t heard from you today, and I was wondering how things were going.”
Ding.Ding.Ding.
“That’s my timer.I have something in the oven.”
While she took care of the oven, he slipped off his coat and hung it over the back of a kitchen chair.The apartment was warm and cozy.There was a hint of a buttery sweet scent in the air.Whatever she had in the oven, he definitely approved of.
He also noticed there appeared to be fewer boxes in the other room.He took that as a good sign.If she had time to do a bit of unpacking, things with the puppy must be going all right.
Before he could find out what she was baking, Tater Tot ran over to the gate separating the kitchen and living room.He was barking with his tail wagging so much that his whole backside was swaying side to side.He had a good heart and would make someone a great companion.He just wondered if Tater Tot’s sweetness would melt through Holly’s resistance to keeping him.
Colin moved next to the gate and bent down.“Hey, boy.”He reached out and petted the dog.“Are you being a good boy?”
“As long as you don’t count him having accidents in the house.”Holly sighed as she came to stand next to him.
“I’m sorry.Once he gets comfortable here, he’ll do better.”
“But he’s not supposed to stay long.I thought Merry would come for him today, but when I called her, she said the family she had in mind didn’t work out.Do you know how hard it is to run a shop and take care of a dog?”
His brows rose.“You took him to work with you?”
“Well, yeah.I couldn’t just leave him home alone.”Then she sent him a worried look.“Why?Wasn’t I supposed to do that?”
“It’s fine.I was just surprised.You, uh…” He wasn’t sure how to phrase this without upsetting her.“You just seemed so unsure about having him around.”
“I took his bed and attached his lead to the counter.So, he was out of the way.When he was asleep, the customers didn’t even know he was there.”
Colin was afraid to ask the question, but he just had to know.“And what happened when he was awake?”
