Chapter One
POPPY
“That confirms it, folks. Our local climate super-predictor, Carl, has been telling us all for weeks that the big one’s coming. But now it’s confirmed by the weather service. We’re due the worst snowstorm in thirty years. Stay tuned for our tips after this stone-cold classic from Foreigner, Cold as Ice…”
My phone starts to ring and I snap off the radio.
“Poppy? Any news?” The shelter manager’s voice is anxious.
Sighing, I walk to stand by the window. “I’m sorry, Kimiko. Nothing. I’ve been out twice. I’m really worried about him out there in the storm.”
“Me too. And I appreciate you driving out here to get the treats. He’s such a fiend for them. It might just swing it if he smells them or hears you shaking the bag. I know it’s asking for a lot, but could you have a final look before the storm hits? I feel so bad that Scamp won’t get his happy ever after now.”
“Of course. I was going out anyway. I keep hoping I’ll hear him bark. You don’t think he’ll try and make his way back to the shelter, do you?”
“I sure hope not. Especially in this weather. I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed, okay? Text me if there’s any news.”
I put the phone on the desk, willing Scamp to appear bounding through the snow. Except there’s only a blanket of white outside, with the snow getting heavier by the second. It looks like a Christmas card, but that’s no comfort. My poor foster dog is out there alone in the cold.
Scamp’s the first dog I’ve lost. I foster shelter dogs to give them a chance to live in a home, rather than the shelter, before they’re adopted. Scamp was doing so well. Then he disappeared from the yard early this morning and I’ve been trying to find him all day.
I’m also behind on orders for my holiday decoration store. Fostering for the shelter doesn’t pay very well, so my side hustle is making ornaments and selling them online. This year I’ve had more orders than usual, so I’m frantically trying to juggle my free time getting everything done. Between the shelter, the ornaments and my parents, I have a lot on my plate.
I sit down at my desk and pick up the glittering globe. Silver and white glitter glistens as I turn it from side to side. Hand-painting it is delicate work and I’m squinting into the light when my phone rings again. I place it down gingerly.
“Hey sis, you back okay?” Mari’s voice is relaxed and happy. She got together with Dean, one of the guys from the firehouse, over the summer.
“Yeah. The roads were wild on the way back, but they’re keeping them plowed until the worst hits later.”
“What about Scamp?”
“No news. I hate to think of him out there in the cold. Alone.” My voice hitches.
“Hey, it’s okay Pops. Dogs are resilient. I bet he comes back when you least expect it.”
“What if he doesn’t? It’s all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault. You’re a great foster dog mom. That big pupper will come back, mark my words.”
A tear rolls down my cheek. I don’t cry easily. Scamp’s disappearance has shaken me. “I hope so. But he was going to be adopted tomorrow.”
“Hey, it’s okay Pops!”
“Well, I’m going to go look for him before the storm–”
“Wait, you’re going towhat?”
“Look for him. Before the storm hits.”
Mari’s voice is stern. “No, you’re not. Dean says it’s already fierce out there.”
“The worst hasn’t hit up here. And I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do a final search, okay?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I’ll text you when I’m back.”
“Seriously, Poppy. I don’t like the sound of you wandering around–”
