“There must be a mix-up, because I’m not fostering him.”
Merry stepped forward.“Sorry for the confusion.”Her gaze moved to Colin.“I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet.”
“Oh.”His brown eyes widened.“Sorry.”
In that moment, Holly felt as though she’d stepped in a trap.Her instinct was to leave, but her thoughts were jumbled.She couldn’t come up with a legitimate excuse.
“Holly.”Merry’s voice softened.“I could use your help.I need a home for Tater Tot.”
Cute name.But this isn’t happening.Holly’s wide-eyed gaze moved to the puppy on the desk and then back to Merry.“I… I can’t.I don’t know anything about dogs.”
“Oh.”Merry sent her a reassuring smile.“I think you’d do an amazing job.Don’t you think so, Colin?”
He turned his attention from the puppy to Holly.“Definitely.I remember how she was always good with my dogs when we were kids.”Then he gestured for her to step closer.“Come say hi.”
Her feet of their own volition stepped closer to Colin…and the pup.She had no idea what they were up to, but there was no way she was taking that puppy home with her.Even if he was cute and had big almond-shaped brown eyes that could melt even the coldest of hearts.Still, she had to stand her ground.
She just had to tell them it wouldn’t work.Yet, when she opened her mouth, she said, “He’s so cute.”
Now why had she gone and said that?It would only encourage those two to further their agenda.Still, as she stared at the puppy, she couldn’t deny her words.He was cute, and he was going to make someone a great pet, just not her.
“Go ahead,” Colin said.“You can pet him.”
She glanced over and saw Merry watching the interaction.Holly’s attention returned to the pup.It wouldn’t hurt anything to pet him.Because who doesn’t like puppies and want to pet one?
She reached out, and the puppy jumped back, away from her reach.Well, that wasn’t the reaction she’d been expecting.She yanked her hand back as a frown pulled at the corners of her lips.
“It’s okay,” Colin said.“He doesn’t know you, so you have to move slow.Slowly raise your hand and hold it out so that he can get your scent.”
She didn’t think this would work, but what better way to prove to them that she wasn’t the right person to foster him.And so, Holly raised her hand and held it out there.Tater Tot looked at her hand, but he didn’t move, not a single solitary step.
“Now, call him,” Colin said.
Really?Couldn’t they see this was hopeless?Apparently they didn’t get the point that she wasn’t good with animals.She swallowed.“Tater Tot.”
“Not like that,” Colin said.“Put a little enthusiasm in your voice.You know, like you’re going to play with him.”
“But I’m not.”
“But you could try.”Colin arched a brow at her, just like he’d done all those years ago when they were kids, and he’d bring her over to play ball with his dog Moose.
That dog had been almost as big as her.She had been scared to death of him, though she didn’t tell Colin that.She’d wanted him to like her, and she knew he loved all animals, both big and small.
Moose hadn’t been your typical dog.He had problems walking, and eventually Colin’s family had to get Moose a wheelchair for dogs.
But as she looked at Tater Tot, she realized she had nothing to fear.Tater Tot was just a little dog, one that was made for cuddling.Something told her Tater Tot was more afraid of her than she was of him.
And so she tried again.This time she took her time so as not to startle him.
“Talk to him,” Colin coaxed.“Let him know that you want to be his friend.”
Holly cast Colin a frown.She knew that much.When she turned back to the puppy, she wore a smile.
“Hi.”She tried to keep her voice soft.“I’m Holly.I just want to pet you.I promise I won’t hurt you.”
As she talked to him, she continued to move her hand forward.Tater Tot’s little white tail swished back and forth like a windshield wiper on overdrive.And then at last, her fingertips touched him.His fur was smooth as she petted him.All the while, he was staring at her, as though trying to decide if he should trust her.
When she went to pull her hand away, Colin said, “Here.”He got to his feet.“Sit here and keep petting him.Let him get used to you.”
