They nodded and Charlie grinned.“We rented some Christmas trees this morning.And we bought a couple more that we’re going to plant in the spring.”
Kimi’s eyes brightened.“That sounds like an awesome way to spend the morning.”
Charlie nodded.“Do you guys want to stay for lunch?We can make up some sandwiches, right Dad?”
Nash grinned.His boy didn’t have an introverted or selfish cell in his body.“Right.There’s always room for more.”
Garrett snorted a laugh.“Does that apply only to humans?Or is there a space for an extra canine, too?”
Charlie’s eyes widened as he looked from Garrett to Kimi and then to Nash.Hope shone in his eyes along with doubt.
Nash smiled.“What do you think, Charlie.Do we have room for a dog?”
“Seriously?Are you serious, Dad?”
Heart full, Nash nodded, and Charlie threw his arms around him and squeezed him tightly.
When he let him go, Charlie’s eyes were misty, and his smile filled the farm.“You’re the best, Dad.”
Then they both looked up to find Kimi holding a beagle, and Charlie hooted with joy.“You got a beagle!Ella, do you see the doggy?He’s a beagle.They’re good with kids of all ages.And he’s the cutest thing ever.What’s his name, Kimi?”
Kimi closed the distance and handed Charlie the dog.“He’s a rescue found by another vet.He’s about two years old and already house-trained.When I heard about him, I knew he’d need just the right home.And I think he’ll find that here.Along with a name, because he doesn’t have one yet.”
Charlie’s eyes filled with tears as he took the dog in his arms and held him to his chest.The beagle snuggled in, and Charlie squeezed his eyes shut as he held him.“I’m sorry someone didn’t want you, but we do.We want you, and we’ll take good care of you.”
Nash had to swallow tears.Olivia wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned in.He held her with one arm while he ruffled his son’s head with the other.“He’s a lucky dog, Charlie.”
“Oggie.Oggie.”
Ella’s words had them all blinking away tears and Olivia set the girl down on the ground.Charlie dropped to sit beside her and held the dog in his lap.“Do you like the doggie, Ella?”
He leaned in.“You need to be gentle because he’s been scared before.But he’s going to be okay because we’re going to give him a good home.He’s going to love it here.What do you think we should call him?”
Ella leaned forward and gently touched the dog’s head.“Oggie.Oggie, Lee.”
Laughing, Charlie looked up at Nash with joy and love in his eyes.“What do you think, Dad?Does Oggie work?”
Heart full, Nash nodded.“Oggie, it is.”
Charlie kissed the dog’s head.“Hello, Oggie.Welcome to the family.”
The beagle raised his head and licked Charlie’s face, making him laugh.“Oggie, this is Ella Mae.She’s little, so you need to be gentle with her, too.”
Ella moved right beside Charlie, and he helped her pet the dog, who wriggled in delight with all the attention.
Garrett slapped Nash on the shoulder, and his voice was thick with emotion when he spoke.“Good job, Alice.I think Oggie is the perfect addition to your family.”
“Thanks, Scooby.I do too.”And his eyes moved to Olivia who was sitting with the kids and loving the dog too.He wanted to make her officially part of their family as well.
Soon.
Chapter18
Again And Again
Saturday morning, Nash worried about Charlie going over to help Sylvia with the Christmas trees.He didn’t want Charlie to think he didn’t trust him to do a good job, but he also didn’t want his son out of his sight.
Marcus had located Adam Parsons’s address in New York.He’d discovered the man worked at a gym as a personal trainer as well as at a sporting goods store.Not the one where they’d spotted the lookalike, but a different chain in Queens.The owner hired ex-cons who were looking to improve their lives.According to Marcus’s sources, Parsons was a solid employee, and hadn’t been in any trouble with the law for over a year.
