Page 39 of This Christmas

He carried the dog to the car, wrapped it in an old flannel shirt he had in the back seat, and sat there for a long moment with the heat blasting until the pup’s head tucked under his chin.

“Guess you’re coming with me, huh?” he murmured, scratching gently behind its ears.

It gave a soft, exhausted whine and settled closer.

Joe smiled faintly. “Yeah,” he said quietly, “me too, buddy. Me too.”

He punched Aiden’s number in his phone and relayed the truck’s license plate and details.

Aiden seemed as pissed as he was, which was another positive sign he’d done the right thing.

“Are you heading back to town?” Aiden asked him.

“Yeah,” he answered. “I’m still parked on the side of the highway but heading back now.”

The line was quiet. “We thought we’d spooked you off.”

Joe chuckled. “Naw, I just had to close out my life in the city.”

“So, you are planning on making the move permanent?” Aiden asked.

“Yeah, I’m looking at a place on Eagle Circle.”

“The old Timon’s place?” Aiden asked.

“Not sure, it has yellow trim.”

Aiden laughed. “I know the owners. It’s a nice place. You might need a new water heater, but other than that, she’s got good bones. I can give you the name of a guy or two.” He chuckled. “The Clark brothers, Clark Construction, have pretty much cornered the market on home repairs in town, if you can’t handle something yourself.”

“Thanks, I’m going to check it out before I put an offer in on her.”

“You are serious,” he said after a minute.

“Yeah.”

“Do you plan on opening your PI firm here?” Aiden asked, and Joe could hear the curiosity in his tone.

“Nope, I might take some time off or…” He smiled. “I might take you up on that offer of a job.”

Aiden laughed. “You know, after our first meeting, I did my own digging on you.”

“Oh?” he asked as the small dog fell fast asleep against his chest.

“Yeah. I knew there was a reason I liked you. When you feel up to it, maybe after the holidays, come on in. I’ll run you through the wringer and see if we’re a good fit for you.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” He waited while Aiden spoke to someone else on a radio.

“Well, it looks like Tom’s got the silver truck pulled over about two miles from your location. As you pass by, honk if it’s the right guy.”

“Will do,” he said, putting the car into drive.

“Hey, Joe?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll text you the number to the town’s vet. If you want⁠—”

“I’m keeping the dog,” he said, surprising both of them, “but I’ll take the number. I want to make sure he’s healthy.”