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Mochi whined. He knew what she wanted—for him to toss her red ball. He wondered if she’d always be a puppy at heart.

He looked directly at her and in a serious voice said, “I know you’re going to want to carry on with the other dogs, but try to behave. I’m still hoping to find you a home. Maybe even with Leah.”

Mochi just stared back at him with those big brown eyes filled with love. He smiled at her.

“Anyone would be lucky to have you. You have the biggest heart to go with those big paws of yours.”

“What did you say?” Leah approached him.

Shaun straightened and turned to her. She was wearing a white sweater, faded jeans, and cute ankle boots. “You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks pinkened as she smiled at him. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure what to wear.”

“You could have worn anything, and you would still be the most beautiful woman in the room.”

The color in her cheeks intensified. She looked adorable when she blushed.

“Shall we go?” Just then his phone rang. “Hang on. This might be my father.”

When he pulled the phone from his pocket, he saw that it was his ex. She called him more now than when they were married. He declined the call. If she called again that evening, he was going to block her. He didn’t want to take such a drastic step, but this was getting out of hand.

“Is something wrong?” Leah’s voice drew him back to the present.

“Uh. No. It was nothing important. They can just leave me a message.”

With Mochi leading the way, like she knew exactly where they were headed, they went to Leah’s car. Mochi got into the back seat, but situated herself in the middle so she could lean forward onto the center console.

He gave Leah the address. She put it in her phone and let GPS direct her. It wasn’t far. Nothing in Kringle Falls was far.

“I think that’s it.” Leah gestured to a two-story log home.

In the front yard was a small pine tree decorated with twinkle lights. There were also twinkle lights trailing the roofline. In each window were white candles.

When they pulled into the driveway, they found there were a half dozen vehicles in the driveway.

He glanced over at Leah. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Sure.” She sent him a smile that arrowed into his chest and sent his heart racing.

As they got out of the car, they heard a chorus of dog barks coming from inside the house. This was definitely the right house. Mochi barked back at the other dogs, even though she couldn’t see them.

Shaun tightened his grip on the leash. “Mochi, quiet.” The sound of his voice had her letting up on pulling the leash. “You be good. Do you hear me?”

Mochi didn’t so much as look at him. Her gaze was zeroed in on the front door. She was just waiting for it to open and her new furry friends to run out and greet her. He wondered how that would go, but since they were all shelter dogs and used to being around other dogs, he wasn’t worried.

They had just stepped onto the porch when the front door opened, and a woman with long strawberry-blond hair pulled back in a ponytail stepped into the doorway. She had a big smile that lit up her face.

“Hi, Shaun. It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too. Thank you for the invitation.” And then he turned to Leah. “And this is Leah Mitchell. She owns the Kringle B&B.”

“Of course.” Candi turned a smile to her. “I think we met once at the Kringle Cup Café. It’s great you could be here. Come on in.”

Once inside, introductions were made. Shaun wasn’t sure he was going to be able to remember all of their names. There was Candi and Michael. Belle and Sheriff Bishop, but they said to call him Parker. And then there was Holly, whom he recognized from the soap company. And she was with the town’s veterinarian, Colin. Lastly, there was Felicity and Justin.

After shaking hands and saying hello to everyone, Shaun said, “My father would have been thrilled to be here. As Candi can tell you, he loves animals, and he’s responsible for sending the pups into your lives. Would it be possible to get a photo of each of you with your dog?”

Everyone agreed. Soon people and dogs were posing for him. He snapped picture after picture. His father was going to love this.