Early December
Christian
How hard can it possibly be to buy a Christmas gift for one’s husband?
In truth? Virtually impossible.
Miss Esmeralda, the former owner of the house I shared with Noah and our menagerie of pets, sat in her favorite high-backed chair and smiled. “You need to relax, Christian. Noah’s going to be excited. He’ll be thrilled.”
“I sent him to the pet store. I gave him alonglist.”
“And you asked Sam to keep him there as long as possible.”
I eyed my watch. “Yes, but will everyone—”
The doorbell rang.
Stormy popped up from where she’d been asleep next to Esmeralda’s chair. Our Newfielovedwhen we had guests.
For their own protection, our cats, Snowy and Jasmine, were upstairs in their room. Miss Esmeralda had arrived early to spend some time with the cats before I spirited them away. Our nearly one-year-old terrier-mix puppies, River and Sable, wereout with Noah at the pet store. I didn’t need their chaos at the moment.
I pressed my hand to Miss Esmeralda’s. “Ready?”
“My dear boy, I was born ready.”
I believed her. So, I headed to the front door, took a deep breath, and then opened it.
Glynnis, the unofficial crew chief, stood in front with Bear. Her black lab—nearly a year old—was one of the more headstrong in the class of ten puppies. “Merry Christmas, Christian!” Glynnis grinned. “Now let us in! It’s freezing out here, and the snow’s starting to fall.”
As per her request, I opened the door wide.
She and Bear were through first.
“Don’t worry about boots—I removed all the throw rugs, and accidents can easily be cleaned off the hardwood floor.” I said the words as Janelle and her spitfire puppy, Roxy, entered.
She gave me a warm smile. “Jackets?”
“Uh—”
“I’ll run them all upstairs at once.” Soren stepped inside with Tibby, who immediately lunged for Stormy. Best buddies, and all.
“That’s kind of you.” I eyed the gorgeous man with the snow-white hair, light-brown eyes, and not a wrinkle to be found. He almost appeared out of time—with the flawless skin of youth and the white hair of old age.
“Happy to help. Nice of you to invite us.” He handed me a gift bag that clearly contained some kind of alcohol.
“Oh, you didn’t need to bring a gift.”
He eyed Frankie, with owner Mickie, and Haggis, with her owner Duncan. “Yeah, I really did. Everyone who’s driving can have only one, though.”
Duncan tipped his cap. “I’ll run the drinks. That way I can ensure Haggis doesn’t get into mischief.”
His puppy only grinned wider. She was mischief incarnate.
Flora entered next—coaxing Sleepy.
“Is she about ready for a nap?” I petted the sweet dog. Who promptly licked my hand, then tried to lie down.
Her owner tugged on her harness. “At least she should stay awake until Noah gets here, right?” She eyed her wayward puppy. “I thought she’d outgrow this sleepy phase. Nope.”
