“I’d be more than happy to give him to you for no charge.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh yes, anyone who has a chance of giving him a good home deserves the chance to try.”
Veronica lit up. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”
Christopher was still looking at her from the corner of his eye. Veronica tried to push it from her mind, making the dogs comfortable in the carriage while he finished paying the man.
“Have you settled on names for either of them?” he asked, taking his seat.
“Yes, I think I have.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”
“I was thinking Theador, Teddy for short for our golden retriever and Shaggy for this boy,” she said, running a hand over his messy fur.
His face remained unreadable. “That sounds fine.”
“I’m glad you like them. We will have to find a someone to take a look at Shaggy soon.”
“I already spoke to Thomas. He’s going to have the man who helps with his animals come by later today or tomorrow at the latest.”
“I’m glad they are able to come so soon!”
“Yeah, me too.”
As the carriage rolled down the road, Teddy started chewing at Christopher’s shoe.
“Oh! Don’t do that!” Veronica said, trying to pull him away.
“It’s alright,” Christopher chuckled. “He just wants to play, don’t you?”
She could only watch stunned as he leaned down, playing with the small dog.
She felt a smile growing on her face. Maybe there was more of the man she had first met still inside him then she had initially thought. Though, something inside her did not fully let her hope.
When they got back to Ashton castle, Mrs. Carter was standing out front waiting for them.
“Welcome back, Your Graces,” she curtsied.
Teddy raced out of the carriage, already eager to begin running and exploring. He didn’t make it far before Veronica scooped him up.
“I’ll get Shaggy.”
Daisy came over with a bright smile on her face. “It looks like you got your dog, or should I say dogs. What are their names?”
“This is Shaggy and that one is Teddy.”
“They both seem so sweet.”
“Oh they are! Such good sweet boys.”
Daisy hesitated, “but is Shaggy going to be alright?”
“We don’t know for sure yet, but if I have anything to say about it, he will be.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
