Page 56

Besides, she had Shaun and Mochi to keep her distracted. And as soon as she got her guests fed and off to enjoy their day, she could spend time with her two favorite guests.

With that thought in mind, she leaped out of bed and rushed through her morning routine. There was a spring in her step as she headed out the door.

Although, she came to a full stop when she found that there had been snow overnight. In fact, there was at least four or five inches on the ground.

A smile pulled at her lips. After spending most of her life in Southern California, she had always craved a white Christmas. Even though the holiday was a few weeks off, the white stuff put her in a merry mood.

She made her way into the kitchen, where she turned on some Christmas carols. She was humming to herself, when she heard footsteps behind her. She paused from pouring pancake batter on the hot griddle. Shaun stood there. His hair was going every which way. He had on a pair of blue-and-white flannel PJ bottoms and a gray T-shirt. He looked adorable.

“I’m sorry if I woke you,” she said.

He shook his head. “Mochi got me up.”

Mochi was on a leash and straining to get to Leah. She set aside the bowl of batter and gave the pancakes a quick glance. Then she walked over to Mochi, who jumped up on her. Mochi was already quite big for a puppy. Leah couldn’t imagine having her jump up when she was full-grown.

But would she know Mochi then? Would Shaun still come back to visit? As soon as the thoughts crossed her mind, she pushed them away. She was going to enjoy the here and now.

“I have to get back to cooking,” she said. “Oh. Bundle up before you go outside. It snowed overnight.”

“Oh boy.”

Leah glanced back at him. “What?”

“I have a feeling that someone”—he pointed to Mochi—“is going to want to play in it.”

“Is this her first snow?”

He nodded.

“I wish I could see her, but I have to get breakfast ready. Can you take pictures for me?”

“Sure can. See you in a little bit.” And then they were off.

The morning moved swiftly. The guests arrived at different times and took their meals in the dining room where Leah had set up the buffet. By the time Shaun joined her, the guests had checked out.

As he filled his plate, he asked, “Did you eat yet?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t get a chance.”

“Then come join me.” When she hesitated, he said, “I’ll show you pictures of Mochi. I also took a video. You’re really going to like it. She had so much fun in the snow. She might have overdone it because I noticed she has a slight limp.”

“Oh no.” Her gaze shifted to Mochi, who was now lying next to him. “Did she hurt herself?”

He shook his head. “It’s her hip. It isn’t formed correctly. It’s always going to give her problems for the rest of her life. It’s why she ended up in the shelter. People didn’t want to be bothered with her disability.”

“Oh. That’s so sad.”

“Don’t be sad. It’s all going to work out for her.”

She smiled. “Does that mean you’re adopting her?”

There was a long pause as he stared at Mochi with love in his eyes. “I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. And she really is a good girl.” Then his gaze shifted to Leah. “Unless you want to adopt her.”

Leah’s gaze moved from him to Mochi and back. “As tempting as that offer is, I think she’s made her choice.”

“You do?” He looked down where Mochi was leaning against his leg.

“I really do. Are you trying to tell me that you haven’t become attached to her?”