Merry’s brows rose.“Is everything okay?I saw the sheriff pulling out when I walked up.”
“Uh, yeah.It is now.”She could already feel the tension in her shoulders easing.“What can I do for you?”
Merry smiled.“It’s what I can do for you.I’ve found the perfect family to take Tater Tot.I just stopped by to pick him up.”
“Oh.”It was all she could manage because it felt as though she’d just been sucker-punched.
Colin walked up to them with a wiggly Tater Tot in his arms.As she looked at the sweet pup, tears stung the backs of her eyes.She blinked them away.She wasn’t going to cry.Not now.Not in front of them.
Colin and Merry exchanged pleasantries.All the while, Holly was trying to deal with the shock that Tater Tot was leaving and never coming back.The crack in her heart kept growing, and she didn’t know how to stop it.
She swallowed past the painful lump in her throat.And when she spoke, she hoped her voice didn’t crack with emotion.“Merry came to pick up Tater Tot.She, uh….She found him the perfect home.”
“He’s going to love it,” Merry said.“They have a five-year-old son and a fenced-in backyard.”
Colin sent Holly a puzzled look.Before he could say anything, Holly said, “Can I hold him?”
Colin handed Tater Tot over.She hugged the pup’s warm body to her chest.He rested his head beneath her chin, as though he sensed this was their last moments together.The crack in her heart grew larger, and the pain radiated out of her chest.
Just keep it together for a little longer.She swallowed hard.And then she whispered, “You be a good boy.”Her voice wavered.“I know you’re going to love your new home.”
She stopped there.She wanted to tell him she would miss him.She wanted to say she loved him.But she couldn’t because she was about to lose her composure.
She had to keep it together.This was best for Tater Tot.After all, she didn’t even know if she was going to have a roof over her head for much longer.
She handed Tater Tot over to Merry.The pup sent her a look, as though he didn’t understand why this woman was holding him.She wished she could explain it to him, but she just couldn’t formulate the words without breaking down in tears.
And then she thought of something.“I have a whole bunch of Tater’s stuff upstairs.I can go get it for you.”
Merry shook her head.“That’s not necessary.You can drop it by the pet shop when you get a chance.”
Holly nodded.
“Well, I won’t keep you.I saw the Closed sign on the door.I was hoping I could catch you before you left.”Merry moved to the door with the pup.“I appreciate you helping me out.Tater Tot looks like he had a good time with you.”
Holly nodded, not trusting her voice.
“Well, thank you.”And then Merry exited the building.
Tater Tot was gone.The dream of having loving parents was gone.Her grandmother was gone.Soon this business would be gone.And soon her home would be gone.
She locked the front door and then turned to walk back to the counter.The weight of the day landed on her shoulders, and she felt herself stumble.Colin reached out.His hands gripped her shoulders.
She righted herself.She only had herself to rely on.She had to get it together, but not today.Right now, she was grieving her losses.
“Holly, why did you let her take Tater Tot?”Disbelief rang out in his voice.
“It was the right thing to do.”She kept her back to him.She didn’t want him to see the tears pooling in her eyes.“He wasn’t mine.And he’s going to the perfect home.”
“It might be perfect for another dog, but not for Tater Tot.He bonded with you.And even if you aren’t willing to admit it, you bonded with him.You two need each other.”
“I’ll…” She paused and swallowed, hoping to keep her emotions at bay.“I’ll be fine.”
“What can I do for you?”His voice was full of concern.
“Thank you for your help, but you can go now.”She was relieved she was able to get the words out.
“I don’t want to go.I can do whatever you want…even if it’s just to go upstairs and sit quietly on the couch with you.”
