“Who are they?”
“Well, I’ll introduce you to them.”
First, she couldn’t believe she was there in Colin’s home.It wasn’t anything like she’d imagined.Then again, she had never imagined his home.She’d been too busy taking care of her grandmother and then herself.
Second, she couldn’t believe he’d turned his home into an animal refuge.Actually, that part shouldn’t surprise her.Colin always had the biggest heart when it came to stray animals.
Once Colin turned on some more of the interior lights, she was able to see a dining room to the left.It wasn’t anything fancy.In fact, it looked like it was having some work done to it.There wasn’t any furniture, only a bunch of drop clothes.
A smile pulled at the corner of her lips.It felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders to know that she wasn’t the only one who didn’t have the perfect home.
Although, as she looked around, she realized that Colin was well ahead of her.But this was the sort of encouragement she needed to keep going.Because one day soon, her place would be completed, and hopefully, it would look warm and cozy like his place.
“When I got the place, I knew it was going to be a fixer upper.I just didn’t know how much work it would require.”
“You’ve done an amazing job fixing it up.”
“Thanks.It’s a constant work in progress.”
“That’s how I think of the apartment.”
“Don’t worry.Before you know it, you’ll have it looking just the way you want.”
She wanted to believe him.She truly did.It was tough living out of boxes.“I was thinking after the New Year that I might shorten the number of days a week the shop is open or shorten the hours.I’m still debating it.Anyway, it would give me more time to work on the apartment.”
“If you need a hand, just ask.”
“Thanks, but I know how busy you are.”
“Speaking of which.”He gestured for her to follow him.“Let’s go.”
“What about Tater Tot?”
“You can bring him with us, or you can leave him with the others.”
She looked at the other three dogs.Although they looked adorable, she wasn’t sure she trusted them alone with Tater Tot.“I think I’ll bring him.”
They grabbed their boots from next to the front door and carried them to the back of the house.While she slipped on her boots, Colin stepped outside and grabbed the snow shovel.He cleared the fresh snow from the porch steps.
When she joined him, he shoveled the walkway to what she could only describe as a small red barn.She searched her memory, but she couldn’t recall ever seeing it before.“Was this always here?”
“No.I built it last year.”
“Wow.You’re talented.Maybe I should hire you to remodel my apartment.”
He stopped in front of the door to the little red barn.He turned to her.“I can help you, but…”
“No.”Heat rushed to her cheeks.“I didn’t mean that.I… I was joking.I mean, uh… I know you could do it because you are talented.I was, uh…”
He smiled at her.“Holly, it’s okay.I know what you meant.But I wouldn’t mind helping you.”
It took her a second to realize he was serious.“I’ll keep that in mind.”She peered into the building.“Wow.It looks like a real barn in here”
“I did my best.”He glanced back at her.“You can put Tater Tot down.He’ll be safe in here.”
She took him up on the suggestion.The pup wiggled in her arms.As soon as Tater Tot’s feet hit the ground, he was sniffing everything.He reminded her of a blood hound as he smelled everything around him.
Holly stepped up next to Colin.“And who do we have here?”
