“Merry Christmas, Teag,” she said, handing the wrapped box to Teagan, who waited on the walk. “I remembered how much you loved this when we were at the mall in Chestnut Creek.”
“The blue sweater?” Teagan angled her head. “Pru. Thank you. And here, this is for you.” She handed Pru a tissue-wrapped little package.
“I thought you didn’t have a gift.”
“They’re the dog-covered leggings. My mom got them for me, but I know how much you wanted them.”
“Teagan!” Overwhelmed, Pru threw her arms around her best friend. “I will think of you every time I wear them. Thank you.”
They hugged some more, until Gramma and Yiayia came to the door to leave.
“Let’s let these fine people rest,” Gramma whispered.
“We’re headed back to the North Pole!” Yiayia called to Avery, cracking them all up.
“I gotta go, Teag. I’ll see you this week?”
“Of course.”
“And UNC…class of…’27? Promise?”
Teagan gave her one last hug. “Are you kidding? That’s just the beginning.” She pointed to the grannies, their arms linked as they headed to the car. “Someday, we’re going to be exactly like those two. Besties to the very end.”
Pru gave her one more heartfelt hug. “I love that idea! Merry Christmas!” She took off and caught up with her grandmothers, waving at Dad and the crew in the van.
Climbing into the back of the car behind Yiayia, she patted the red velvet arm. “Well done, Santa. Now just follow my dad’s van. We’re all seventy thousand Kilcannons, Mahoneys, and Santorinis going to Midnight Mass.”
“I can’t wait,” she said, just dryly enough for Pru to wonder if it was genuine sentiment or Yiayia sarcasm. For some reason, she kind of thought it was genuine this time.
With one more wave to Teagan, Pru let her head hit the back of the seat with a sigh of complete contentment. “This really is the best Christmas ever.” Then she leaned forward and put her hand on Gramma’s little shoulder. “Of course, with you, who knows what’ll happen next year?”
“Not knowin’ is half the fun, lass.”
“I think I’ll be Santa again,” Yiayia said, waving the van in front of her before pulling out.
“Really?” Gramma asked. “You will?”
“Only if I can sing…dachshund through the snow!”
Gramma rang the bells. “With my bells of sleigh.”
Pru finished it off, leaning her face right between theirs. “Off to church we go…laughing all the way!”
And Connor Mahoney is next! Can the Dogmothers find a woman who will finally settle him down?
Of course they will! It won’t be easy but it sure will be fun!
Want to know the release date, see the cover, and find out the title? Sign up for the newsletter at www.roxannestclaire.com.
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The Dogfather!
Sit…Stay…Beg – book one
New Leash on Life – book two
Leader of the Pack – book three
Santa Paws is Coming to Town – book four (a holiday novella)
Bad to the Bone – book five
Ruff Around the Edges – book six
Double Dog Dare – book seven
Bark! The Herald Angels Sing – book eight (a holiday novella)
Old Dog New Tricks – book nine
The Dogmothers Series
Hot Under the Collar – book one
Three Dog Night – book two
Dachshund Through the Snow – book three (a holiday novella)
And many more to come!
For a complete list, buy links, and reading order of all my books, visit www.roxannestclaire.com. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to find out when the next book is released! And join the private Dogfather Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/roxannestclairereaders/ for inside info on all the books and characters, sneak peeks, and a place to share the love of tails and tales!
A Dogfather/Dogmothers Family Reference Guide
THE KILCANNON FAMILY
Daniel Kilcannon aka The Dogfather
Son of Finola (Gramma Finnie) and Seamus Kilcannon. Married to Annie Harper for 36 years until her death. Veterinarian, father, and grandfather. Widowed at opening of series. Married to Katie Santorini (Old Dog New Tricks) with dogs Rusty and Goldie.
The Kilcannons (from oldest to youngest):
• Liam Kilcannon and Andi Rivers (Leader of the Pack) with Christian and Fiona and dog, Jag
• Shane Kilcannon and Chloe Somerset (New Leash on Life) with daughter Annabelle and dogs, Daisy and Ruby
• Garrett Kilcannon and Jessie Curtis (Sit…Stay…Beg) with son Patrick and dog, Lola
• Molly Kilcannon and Trace Bancroft (Bad to the Bone) with daughter Pru and son Danny and dog, Meatball
• Aidan Kilcannon and Beck Spencer (Ruff Around the Edges) with dog, Ruff
• Darcy Kilcannon and Josh Ranier (Double Dog Dare) with dogs, Kookie and Stella
THE MAHONEY FAMILY
Colleen Mahoney
Daughter of Finola (Gramma Finnie) and Seamus Kilcannon and younger sister of Daniel. Married to Joe Mahoney for a little over 10 years until his death. Owner of Bone Appetit (canine treat bakery) and mother.
The Mahoneys (from oldest to youngest):
• Declan Mahoney and…
• Connor Mahoney and…
• Braden Mahoney and Cassie Santorini (Hot Under the Collar) with dogs, Jelly Bean and Jasmine
• Ella Mahoney and…
THE SANTORINI FAMILY
Katie Rogers Santorini
Dated Daniel Kilcannon in college and introduced him to Annie. Married to Nico Santorini for forty years until his death two years after Annie’s. Interior Designer and mother. Recently married to Daniel Kilcannon (Old Dogs New Tricks).
The Santorinis
• Nick Santorini and…
• John Santorini (identical twin to Alex) and…
• Alex Santorini (identical twin to John) and Grace Donovan (Three Dog Night)with dogs, Bitsy, Gertie and Jack
• Theo Santorini and…
• Cassie Santorini and Braden Mahoney (Hot Under the Collar) with dogs, Jelly Bean and Jasmine
Katie’s mother-in-law from her first marriage, Agnes “Yiayia” Santorini, now lives in Bitter Bark with Gramma Finnie and their dachshunds, Pygmalion (Pyggie) and Galatea (Gala). These two women are known as “The Dogmothers.”
About the Author
Published since 2003, Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty romance and suspense novels. She has written several popular series, including The Dogfather, The Dogmothers, Barefoot Bay, the Guardian Angelinos, and the Bullet Catchers.
In addition to being a ten-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITA™ Award for the best in romance writing, Roxanne has won the National Readers’ Choice Award for best romantic suspense four times. Her books have been published in dozens of languages and optioned for film.
A mother of two but recent empty-nester, Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband and her two dogs, Ginger and Rosie.
www.roxannestclaire.com
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