by Wilde, Lori
Boy, did he ever know that. He had three dogs, all rescues adopted from Kringle Kritters Rescue. In each case, he’d gone to the rescue to help and ended up falling in love with a dog and once again adopting.
Going there tomorrow with Abby made him just a tad nervous. He did not want to end up with a fourth dog. He was going to have to steel himself against pleading eyes, both the dogs’ and Abby’s.
Deep down, he had a sneaking suspicion there was more to Abby’s plan than seen on the surface, but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what it was. But why ask him to take her? Why not wait a few days until Suzannah could come with them?
He’d been a Texas rancher for his entire life, and he knew he should trust his instincts. Those instincts had saved him more than once. Just like he was careful when he was walking on his ranch and heard something rattle, he knew he’d had to tread carefully tomorrow. At the moment, his instincts were on full alert.
Dear, sweet Abby was up to something.
Chapter 3
“Thank you so much for letting me get a dog,” Abby said as she cleared the table after Zach had left. As always, Zach had offered to help, but Suzannah had shooed him home.
“You’re welcome,” she said vaguely, focusing on loading the dishwasher.
Tonight had unsettled her. Something felt…well…odd between her and Zach. Different. Truth was, she had no idea why she was feeling this way, but she definitely felt off.
But not in a bad way.
She felt a twinge of excitement, something she hadn’t felt in a really long time. Excitement, though, made little sense. Sure, she was happy Abby was getting a dog, but happy enough to cause this feeling?
“What kind of dog should I get?” Abby tottered into the kitchen carrying way-too-many dishes.
“Whoa. Hold on there. You’re going to drop something,” she said, relieving her daughter of the dishes in most danger of falling.
Once the dishes were safely on the counter, she turned to Abby. “You need to find a dog that you’ll be able to care for. Puppies are cute, but they take work.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll walk it and I’ll scoop poop and she can sleep in my bed…”
“So you’re going to get a female?”
Abby shrugged. “I’m not picky. I’d take a male. I just want a dog.”
“We’re not home a lot during the day, so it may be difficult for a puppy alone in the house. They need to go out every hour or two.”
“Really?”
Although Suzannah had never had a dog of her own, she worked for a vet and had picked up a few things. “Really.”
Abby bobbed her head. “Yeah, you’re right, and Stephie told me that puppies usually have no problem getting adopted because they’re so cute.”
“True.” Suzannah rinsed one of the serving bowls and placing it in the bottom rack of the dishwasher. “They’re cute until they eat your shoes or gnaw the baseboards.”
“Why would they gnaw the baseboards?”
“I don’t know, but Mr. Teague brought his beagle because he was sick—”
“You mean Baron Von Bismark?”
“Yes, Baron Von Bismark.” Mr. Teague wanted everyone to call the beagle by his full name, but when he wasn’t around, Chloe secretly called the dog Busy, because he was always busy getting into trouble.
“So, what happened to Baron Von Bismark?” Abby rested her elbows on the bar and then rested her chin in her upturned palms.
“Dr. Chloe did an X-ray, and she found a chunk of wood in the dog’s stomach because Baron Von Bismark chewed up the baseboards in the mudroom where Mr. Teague left him while he was at work.”
“Wow.”
“Dogs—and puppies even more so—need training and exercise so they don’t dig holes and chew up things. They can be pretty destructive if they don’t get the attention they need. If you don’t give them proper exercise, training and attention then hold on to your hat because they’ll eat it.”
Abby wasn’t the only one laughing. Suzannah felt happy, truly happy, watching her daughter giggle about the dog. “I’m so glad Zach is taking me to get a dog tomorrow. I can’t wait.”
“Me either.”
“It’s nice of him.”
“He’s a nice man.” Suzannah smiled.
Abby fell silent a moment, then said, “Mom, why don’t you date? You’ll never get married again if you don’t date.”
Suzannah had been rinsing a plate in the sink, but now she stopped and looked at her daughter. For a moment, she considered giving a short, easy answer about being busy, but Abby deserved better than a flippant response.
“It’s hard, Abby. I miss your dad a lot,” she admitted.
“I miss him too. Do you think he wouldn’t have wanted you to get married again? Is that it?”
Suzannah wasn’t sure where this sudden curiosity was coming from. “No. I’m sure he would have wanted me to fall in love again.”
“You should date then so you can fall in love,” Abby said, sounding much wiser than her years. “When Stephie’s mom started dating again, she got to go to romantic restaurants. You could do that, too.”
Suzannah smiled despite herself. “I’m fine, thanks. I don’t need to go to romantic restaurants and meet new men.”
“It would be fun.”
“I’m sure it would be, but I’m just not ready to date.”
Abby rubbed her hands and, looked anxious, so Suzannah changed the subject. “What will be fun is the dog you’re getting.”
“Mom, please go on a date. Please? Just one and see how it goes? For me?”
“Abby honey, I—”
“Just one. If it goes badly, then you can quit. You don’t even have to go out with a stranger. You could date someone you know. Like Zach.”
“What?” A strange sensation passed through Suzannah. Abby was trying to fix her up with Zach?
“Sweetheart, Zach and I are just friends.”
“So going out with him should be no big deal, right? It’s just to dip your toe back in the dating pool. You’ll just be hanging out with your friend.”
“We hang out all the time.”
“With me around. You never hang out with Zach by yourself. Besides, you deserve a nice night out.”
“Abby—”
“Mom.” Abby folded her arms over her chest. “You’re always telling me that I should at least try something before deciding it’s not right for me. Just give dating a try.”
Suzannah leaned against the kitchen counter, completely baffled at what to say to her daughter.
“Well?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“But—”
“That’s the best you’re going to get. Now give me a hug and scoot off to bed.” Suzannah gave Abby a big bear hug. “And dream of sugar plums and puppy dogs dancing in your head.”
Abby giggled.
Suzannah kissed her daughter’s forehead and playfully swatted her bottom. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”
“Mom.” Abby rolled her eyes. “I’m not five. I always brush my teeth.”
“Just making sure. Go on. In a jiff, I’ll come up to tuck you in.” Smiling, Suzannah watched her daughter bounce up the stairs.
For so long, she’d felt like a cloud had covered her. Missing Keith ate at her, and even though it had been three years, she still thought of him every day. They’d had such a great marriage. Losing him had almost killed her. If it hadn’t been for her daughter, she could have easily slipped into clinical depression. It was only now that it felt as if she could breathe a little deeper. She’d finally stopped waiting for Keith to walk through the door or listening for the sound of his voice.
Abby missed her father too, but her wise-beyond-her-years daughter also knew that they both needed to move forward. They’d never forget Keith or stop loving him, but they couldn’t live in the past. It was just too painful and stunted their growth.
The dog, whatever one Abby picked, would help them move forward i
nto their future. And that thought thrilled Suzannah.
As did having Zach in their lives.
That’s when Suzannah realized something monumental. Something that was at the root of this shiny new happiness. Zach was rapidly becoming the person she most relied on for support, comfort and advice.
Secretly, she’d love going out on a date with him.
And that scared her.
Right down to the tips of her toes.
* * *
The following morning when Abby climbed into his truck, Zach knew, deep in his bones, that the girl was up to something.
“I don’t see why I can’t sit up front.” Abby got into the backseat, slipped off her bulky winter coat and buckled her seatbelt. “I’m almost old enough.”
Zach laughed. They had this argument every time he drove her anywhere. “You’re only ten. Sitting up front is not safe for you.”
“Aww, c’mon. We’re only going to the rescue. We’ll barely be on the highway.
“It’s also against the law.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “At least getting a dog will be fun.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Not one to pout for long, Abby brightened. “I’m really excited about getting a dog. Mom is too. You should have seen her last night after you left. She was laughing and smiling and super happy.”
“Why the sudden push for a dog?” he asked as he drove out of town and headed to Kringle Kritters Rescue on Caleb Sutton’s ranch.
“It’s not sudden. I’ve wanted one for years, but Mom said I wasn’t old enough to take responsibility, but now I am.”
“Fess up. There’s something more going on here than just getting a dog. What are you up to, Abby?”
She was silent for so long that Zach thought she hadn’t heard him. “Abs?”
Finally, she blurted, “I want you to fall in love with my mom and marry her. It’s my real Christmas wish.”
Since they were already on Caleb Sutton’s ranch near the rescue and there were no other vehicles in sight, Zach pulled over and stopped the truck.
“What?” Had he heard her correctly?
Abby took a deep breath, and the words flew out of her. “I have a daddy who lives in Heaven, but I’d also like a daddy who lives right here in Kringle with me and Mom.”
The air whooshed out of Zach’s lungs. He felt like someone had sucker-punched him in the gut. Where had this come from?
“Abby—”
“I’ve wanted this for a long time, and I’ve wished on stars and birthday cake candles and pulley bones, and I threw pennies in wishing wells. None of it worked, so I figured I would make a Christmas wish and then ask you to fulfill it.”
He sat for several long moments, trying to decide what to say.
Abby sighed loudly. “Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have told you my real wish.”
“No, no, I’m glad you did so we can discuss it.”
“Stephie said it would make you mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’m…” What was he? Worried? Frustrated. Concerned? All the above, but underneath that was something more. Something heavy and lonely. An emotional rock he was afraid to kick over.
“Please don’t tell Mom. I don’t want to upset her.”
“I don’t keep secrets from your mother and you shouldn’t either. Secrets aren’t a good thing. They keep people from communicating openly and honestly.”
“Then I did good by telling you?”
“You did good.”
“From that frown on your face I didn’t know if I did the right thing or not, but I had to tell you. I just had to, Zach. I like you bunches and bunches.”
“I like you too, Abby.” Except it was more than just like. He couldn’t love the girl more if she was his own child. But he feared coming right out and saying that. It would complicate things too much.
And here you are cautioning her against secrets?
Not the same thing. Not at all.
Yeah? Who you trying to kid? Zach turned in his seat so he could watch Abby’s face.
She looked so earnest and filled with hope. She beamed at him and pressed her palms together beseechingly.
Zach felt as if a giant hand had wrapped around his heart and squeezed.
Hard.
“Honey, you know I adore you and your mother. I will always be there for you whenever you need anything,” he murmured. “No matter what.”
“That’s not the same. I want you to fall in love with Mom and marry her.”
“Abs, you can’t force people to fall in love.”
“Mom likes you. I know you like her too. Daddy used to tease that he stole her away from you.”
“That’s not quite right,” Zach explained. Maybe he shouldn’t be telling this to a ten-year-old, but he wanted to set the record straight. “I saw your mom the first day she transferred to Kringle High School, and I told your dad that I was going to ask her out. Before I could stop him, your dad walked right up and asked her first.”
“That’s sad,” Abby said.
Zach didn’t want her getting the wrong idea. “Abby, it’s great that your dad asked your mom out first. They were really in love. Plus, it’s a good thing he did because that’s why you’re here. You are so much like him. When you want something, you take the bull by the horns and go after it.”
Abby nodded solemnly. “But wasn’t your heart broken?”
“I wasn’t in love with your mom, not the way your dad was. I thought she was pretty, so I wanted to ask her out. But I was a teenager. I thought lots of girls were pretty. After your dad asked your mom out, I simply went and asked out another girl.”
Which was true. He’d dated a lot during high school, and even after high school, he’d dated often. The last few years he’d slowed down, but that was because he was busy with his ranch and making sure Suzannah and Abby had everything they needed since Keith died.
“Mom’s still really pretty,” Abby said, hope in her voice.
Abby was right. Suzannah was beautiful, but that wasn’t the only reason Zach liked her. He liked her smile, and her sense of humor, and her caring nature. She was a smart, determined lady, and he admired her deeply.
“You think Mom is pretty, don’t you think?” Abby prodded.
“Yes, she’s pretty, Abby. But your mom and I are just friends.”
“But you could be more than friends, right? If you really wanted to.”
“Have you spoken to your mom about this?
Abby’s smile collapsed like a sandcastle hit by an ocean wave. “I try to talk to her, but she always changes the subject.”
“Maybe that means she doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“But I want to talk about it.”
“Could you come right out and tell her that?”
Abby tapped her bottom lip with her index finger. “Maybe. I know she likes you. She hangs out with you all the time.”
“You both hang out with me,” Zach pointed out. “I’m friends with both of you, and friends hang out together.”
“That’s it?” She looked disappointed and defeated.
“I’m afraid that’s all it is. We’re friends and nothing more.”
Abby flopped back against the seat and started fiddling with her seatbelt. “I thought you would help.”
“You need to talk to your mom,” he said, deciding it was past time for him to end this conversation. He had to make her understand that she couldn’t simply wish for something like this.
“I’ve tried lots of times to talk to Mom about her getting a boyfriend and dating and stuff. She always says she’s not ready.” Abby looked him dead in the eyes.
“Then maybe you should honor that. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we plan.”
“I know that. If it did, Dad would be alive.” The wistfulness in her voice broke his heart.
“Yeah,” he said, because his heart broke too. He’d loved Keith like a brother.
“I know
that Mom loved Daddy, and she still does. I still love Daddy too. But he’s gone, and he’s not be coming back. She needs to find someone else to love so she’s not so lonely. She needs a husband, and I think you’re the best man for the job.”
Her comment was both sad and funny. Although he knew how much they both loved Keith, he wasn’t sure “you’re the best person for the job” counted for love and marriage. He didn’t want to be the best person for the job. He wanted to be special. To be loved fully for who he was. Not a pale stand-in for a dead guy.
“Mom told me she’d consider going on a date with you,” Abby said. “You should ask her out. I think she’d say ‘yes’.”
“What?” A flicker of warm hope flared in his heart. “When did she say that?”
“Last night. After you left.”
He started to ask Abby a few questions and then stopped. He shouldn’t put Abby in between him and her mother. He wasn’t seventeen, and this wasn’t high school. “Talk to your mom, and I’ll talk to her, too.”
She gave him a look that did nothing to reassure him and then settled back in her seat. “Okay, but you talk to her first.”
A million responses crowded his brain, but he finally let it go. He felt tangled up in a giant spider’s web, and all he wanted was to cut himself free.
Zach put the truck in gear and headed toward Kringle Kritters Rescue. Yep, he’d been right all along. Abby was up to something. Unfortunately, now that he knew what it was, Zach had to address it.
And he couldn’t help thinking Abby’s wild Christmas wish would forever impact his relationship with his best friend’s widow.
Chapter 4
“Mom! Mom!”
Suzannah looked up from the computer where she was entering data at her desk in the Kringle Animal Clinic to see her daughter bursting through the door.
“She’s not exactly what we talked about, but you’re going to love her!” Abby exclaimed, her face flushed and smiling.
“Who am I going to love?” Suzannah asked, momentarily confused because she’d been so deeply focused on her work.
