I gazed over at Soren. “Okay, should I ask? It’s damn cold to—”
Daphne was back with a silver tray within moment. “My mother’s cheese-puff recipe. Simply the best.” She glanced down at Penny. “Just one second, luv.” She scooted past us and headed toward the kitchen.
Soren laughed. “You knew this was going to be—”
“What’s going on?” Noah’s voice came from behind me.
I spun. “You’re early!”
His eyes widened. “Okay, well, there are like eight vehicles in our driveway. Did you think I wasn’t going to—”
“He’s here!” Glynnis’s bellow could undoubtedly be heard throughout the entire house, our vast property, and probably over to the next country.
“Surprise!” About eight voices mingled to share what I’d planned—but evidently hadn’t thought through very well.
Daphne bounded out from the kitchen. “Oh, perfect! I can start serving the food. Quite a spread, Christian. Well done.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “Uh—”
“Merry Christmas!” I threw my arms around him. I whispered in his ear. “Just work with me here, okay? This was supposed to be agoodsurprise.”
Penny was already trying to chew Noah’s pant leg. He bent to scratch her ear. “Hello, Penny Lane. How are you?”
She gave his face a lick.
He pivoted his attention to Tibby—since he was down at her level. “And Tibby. Are you being a good girl?”
Soren’s dog also gave him a lick.
He giggled. As a dog trainer—the best in all of Foggy Basin—he was accustomed to enthusiastic dogs. Even more so the ones he’d trained.
This crew, all ten of them, had gone through puppy class, then beginner training as well as intermediate. At that point, three had dropped out. The rest had taken advanced training, then tricks, and two had completed therapy-dog training. Noah’s company was called, of course, Tips, Tricks, and Backflips. None of the ten had managed a backflip yet—but I wouldn’t put it past either Haggis or Frankie. Both were wicked smart and very athletic.
Noah rose and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Best present ever.” He chuckled.
“Uh…where are Sable and River?” I glanced around, looking for our two terrier mutts.
“Well, Sam should be bringing them in. I just wanted to get the lay of the land first.”
Sam was the manager of the pet store where Noah’d gone. The great guy who I’d asked to help by keeping Noah occupied.
“He’s here? That’s great!”
“I couldn’t figure out why he was acting so strangely, so I invited him home. Now, in retrospect, I can see he was in on this little party.” Noah turned around and opened the front door.
“Oh, thank God.” Sam stepped inside with River and Sable by his side. “It’s snowing out.”
“This is Northern California in December.” Noah laughed. “Are you glad you joined me?”
Sam laughed. “Well, I couldn’t detain you any longer without it looking super awkward. Like I was trying to hit on you or something.”
Noah grinned. “Yeah, I sensed something.”
“Come in here, dear boy.” Miss Esmeralda’s voice carried. “I want to see you with my own eyes.”
“Yes, Miss Esmeralda.” Noah’s eyes softened. He loved the woman as much as I did. He removed his coat and hung it in the closet. “And everyone else’s coats?”
“Upstairs in your bedroom.” Malcolm hit the bottom of the stairs. “And I might’ve snuck a peek to sayhelloto Snowy and Jasmine. They’re quite unruffled by all the noise.”
