Higgins panted.
As Sabine drove away, Elias waved. He carried a bag and box and led the dog into the house. He set the items on the floor before taking the dog away from the door. “Stay here while I bring in the other items.”
Higgins sat, and his tail wagged.
The tension in Elias’s muscles eased. “Good boy.”
Elias brought in the rest of the bags and boxes. Higgins hadn’t moved. “Sabine’s right. You’re a smart dog.”
As if on cue, Higgins tilted his head. Big brown eyes stared up at Elias.
Something unfamiliar and unwelcome shifted in his chest. He rubbed over his heart. “Stop it right now.”
The dog’s head slanted more, and the tail wagging stopped.
“Nope. It won’t work.” Elias pointed at Higgins. “I’m telling you. I won’t be one of those foster failures. Your being here is temporary. T-E-M-P-O-R-A-R-Y.”
Not that even intelligent dogs could spell.
Higgins’s expression didn’t change.
Elias fought the urge to roll his eyes or comfort the dog. The battle was real. “Did she train you to do those puppy dog eyes so fosters fall in love with you?”
Unsurprisingly, Higgins didn’t answer.
No matter. “I have a job. A life. It’s not fair to leave you alone all day, even though Sabine said you were used to the cage…crate. And sorry your, um, person died, and you ended up with me.”
Higgins’s sad expression made Elias want to pick the dog up, but he wasn’t the cuddling type. Best to leave the dog to get acclimated. “The only thing left outside is the crate. Stay there.”
Once again, the dog didn’t move. Sabine was correct about the dog being chill too.
Elias left the front door cracked to make it easier to open. Outside, he picked up the crate. It was lighter than he expected but bulky. He maneuvered his way inside and placed the crate against a wall in the living room. That would be a suitable spot for it.
His phone rang.
Of course, his phone was on the coffee table.
Elias left the door open and grabbed his phone. Grammy’s name flashed on the screen. He accepted the call. “Hey, Grammy. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Your grandfather is being a worrywart.”
“He loves you.”
“He just doesn’t want to have to find a new wife,” Grammy teased. “Are things going well with the Extravaganza?”
“Yes, but the committee is still debating this year’s Christmas performance.”
“Let me guess. Penelope Jones and Charlene Culpepper can’t agree.”
Of course, Grammy would know what was happening even if she wasn’t involved personally. “You nailed it.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry you had to take my place.”
So was Elias, but he would never admit that to Grammy. “It’s not so bad. The Berry Lake Cupcake Shop provides dessert and Brew and Steep brings coffee.”
“That’s the spirit.” Grammy’s enthusiasm filled Elias with warmth. “Did Sabine drop off the foster dog?”
Elias gripped the phone. “About fifteen minutes ago.”
