Miracle on 30 Woof Street (Holiday Rivals)

Chapter One

REX

“C ome on now, buddy. Don’t look at me like that.” I can’t help but keep the grumble out of my voice as I look down at Tag. He tilts his head to the side, giving me an accusatory glare. The Santa hat on his head moves with him but somehow doesn’t fall off. It never does. “I can’t give you any more treats. It wouldn’t be fair to the others. They already think I play favourites.”

He growls, lifting his lips to show me his sharp teeth.

“It doesn’t have to be like this.” I narrow my eyes and put on my best ‘I’m not afraid of you’ face as I cross my arms and glare back at him. We enter into a staring contest, neither one of us wanting to back down.

We stay like that for a moment—me trying to act tough, him actually being it.

I roll my eyes and let out a sigh. “Fine, but only because I can’t be here all day.”

I toss Tag another biscuit from my treat pouch before turning and walking out of my office into the hallway. I pretend not to hear the loud sigh behind me, followed by the dramatic flop of Tag throwing himself onto his doggy bed.

“Good job, Rex. You’re a pushover with your own dog, and an overly dramatic one at that,” I mutter as I make my way down the hall. Tag may be a gruff German Shepherd, but he’s really the biggest teddy bear and I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Even if he bullies me into giving him more treats.

As soon as I open the door to the play area, I’m instantly welcomed by a rush of fur and yipping from three very excited dogs. The artificial tree in the corner of the room is guarded by a red picket fence adorned with twinkling lights. The empty boxes of ‘presents’ underneath it gives the room a warm feeling. Fake garlands hang around the windows. I’ve placed little knick-knacks all around. My feeble attempt at holiday cheer, making me feel like I’m spending Christmas with more than just my four-legged friends.

“Alright, alright. I know you smell the treats. This has nothing to do with me.” I bend down and rub Lucy behind the ears as she stares back at me with her big brown Labradoodle eyes. “I know you love me. Right, Luce?”

She licks my hands as the other dogs playfully circle my feet. I can’t help but laugh at their excitement.

I have three rescue dogs with me right now in the shelter. Lucy, a Bolognese named Fluffy, and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Ginger.

I pick Fluffy up while Ginger runs excited circles around the room. It breaks my heart that no one has come to adopt these lovable pups, but in a town as small as Candy Cane Creek, there aren’t a lot of families searching. I have to rely mostly on people contacting me from surrounding areas, usually looking for a specific breed.

In the meantime, I love them all as if they are my own, even if I can’t keep them all. I’ve done the best I can to include them all as family, including setting the shelter up on the same acreage as my home on the edge of town. It lets me be close enough to everything I need, but just far enough away that I have room for all the pups to run.

And then there is Tag.

I’ve had him since before I opened the shelter last year. He is my buddy. My best friend. Even if he takes an attitude with me when it comes to treats. He doesn’t get too jealous of the other dogs. Usually.

He came into the Miracle on 30 Woof Street Pet Rescue like many of the other animals I take in. He was abandoned, left out in the snow around Christmas, shivering, and cold. I’d taken one look at him and knew that there was no way he was going to anyone but me. Ever since then, we’ve been inseparable.

I put Fluffy back on the ground and get all three to line up in front of me. I make them do simple commands to earn their treats. Nothing fancy. A ‘sit’ here and ‘shake a paw’ there. It is the week before Christmas, after all. There is no way I’m going to start earning the reputation of being the town Scrooge. Especially not in a holiday-crazed one like mine.

After making sure all the dogs have everything they need for the night, I tuck them into their beds and say goodnight. At least I don’t have to worry about them finding out Tag guilted me into giving him an extra treat.

Letting out a sharp whistle for my wayward pup, I stop briefly in my office to grab my jacket. He comes running as I slip it on, falling in beside me, still with that ridiculous Santa hat on. All I can do is shake my head and chuckle.

He had found the hat in an old box last year and growled at me until I put it on his head. His sharp white teeth bared in a mocked, but still intimidating, snarl until the red felt was placed on his head. I don’t know how he keeps it on, or why he even wants to, but he hasn’t let anyone near it since, and even sleeps with it on.

Crazy dog.

I lock up the shelter and walk to my truck, opening the door, and moving aside for Tag to jump in first. We make our way into town, cranking up the Christmas carols and singing along to ‘Winter Wonderland’ more enthusiastically than necessary while driving through town. Well, I sing; Tag howls like he is calling on the rest of his pack somewhat in time with the chorus.

After the end of a song and a brief rendition of ‘All I Want for Christmas is You,’ I park in front of The Candy Cane Cafe. “Stay here.”

He gives me a dramatic huff as he slumps down in his seat.

“Don’t worry, I’ll grab you a treat and we’ll go for a walk.” With an eye roll, I open the door and jump out, shivering at the blast of cold that hits me. In a few rushed steps, I’m at the door, smiling at the warmth that welcomes me with the smell of coffee.

“Hey, Rex! I’ll be right with you!” Cassie shouts as she carries an empty tray through the swinging doors into the kitchen.

I take in the earthy, rich aroma of the ground beans mixed with the sugar and spice of the cookies Cassie undoubtedly went to collect.

My gaze roams to the festive decor as I lean against the counter. The tree in the window is expertly decorated with its carefully placed bulbs and lights. The window itself is sprayed with fake snow and a cartoon drawing of a reindeer holding a mug and candy cane painted in the corner. The sun is just setting, letting in the last of the day’s light, giving everything just an added hint of sparkle.

I need to up my decorating game.

“Sorry about that, Rex. I didn’t think you were going to make it in today. You don’t usually come in this late,” Cassie says as she wipes her hands on her apron.

“I got caught up at the shelter, but I couldn’t pass up my daily Holly Jolly Latte.” Even if it will most likely keep me up most of the night now.

“You got it. Anything for Tag?” she asks as she turns, grabbing a to-go cup.

“The usual for him, too. You don’t want to see him when he doesn’t get his gingerbread cookie.”

Cassie laughs as she glances up from pumping syrup into my cup to look through the window. In typical Tag fashion, he straightens in his seat, tongue lolling out to the side of his mouth.

Never one to shy away from attention.

“We wouldn’t want to disappoint him,” Cassie chuckles as she moves to the espresso machine.

“Will you have a booth at the Christmas Festival this weekend?” I ask as she pours the frothed milk over the coffee. My eyes track the movement, knowing that the sweet and spicy mixture will be in my hands shortly.

She gives me a smile as she creates a perfect holly with the milk on my coffee. “I sure am. I know it’s a little silly, considering the cafe is only a block from the square, but there’s something different about being there while everyone’s walking around. The excited chatter. The kids running around.” She gets a starry-eyed look on her face as she places the latte in front of me on the counter. “What about you? Will you have one for the shelter?”

“Yup. I’m hoping to raise enough money to expand so I can provide training for my dogs to be therapy animals.”

“Rex, that’s so amazing and thoughtful.” Her hand closes on top of mine with a squeeze. “You’re so amazing.”

“I don’t know about that.” I feel the blush on my face. I’m suddenly very aware that there isn’t anyone else in the cafe with us, which is a first. While Cassie and I exchange ‘hellos’ and small talk, the cafe is usually too busy for any sort of meaningful conversation. Or touching. The touching is new.

I take my hand and pull out the wallet from the pocket of my jeans, taking out enough cash to cover my drink and Tag’s cookie. Anything to avoid Cassie’s appreciative gaze. Not knowing how to respond, my default is to avoid, avoid, avoid .

“Trust me, Rex. Not everyone would look for ways to help people and animals, instead of making money. Anyone can tell that you love those dogs, and the homes that they end up going to.”

Avoid. Avoid.

“Uh, yeah. Well, they’re great.” I put the cash on the counter and take my drink and the offered cookie bag. We lock eyes and there’s a glint to hers that hasn’t been there before. I don’t know what to make of it, so instead, I do what I do best, and make an excuse to leave. “Anyway—thanks for the coffee. And the cookie. My night would be unbearable with a miffed Tag.”

“Anytime, Rex.” She hesitates, rocking from her heels to the balls of her feet while she looks down at her hands and then back up at me. “You know, the Christmas Eve dance is coming up…”

How had I forgotten about the dance?

Wait, is she waiting for me to ask her?

My hands are sweaty as I grip the items in my hand. “Oh, is it? I seem to have completely forgotten.”

“Are you going with…?” she starts, but I glance at the clock behind the counter and shuffle back to the door, pushing it open as I back away.

“I’m really sorry to have to—uh—caffeinate and run, but I have to go. Thanks again, Cassie! See you tomorrow!”

Smooth, genius.

I shake my head as I open the passenger side door to my truck to find an impatient dog tilting his head at me. “Don’t judge me. You weren’t there.”

Tag yips at me and flops his tail against the seat.

“Yes, I’m aware I could have handled that better, but this is Cassie . She supplies me with my caffeine. I can’t flirt with her. I can’t flirt with anyone.” My heart starts beating wildly in my chest. “Wait, was she flirting with me? Did I read that wrong?”

I’m now asking my dog for advice on flirting. Maybe I am as pathetic as I think I am.

I grab Tag’s leash and clip it on to his collar as he jumps out of the truck. “Just for that, I’m going to make you wait until after the walk for your cookie.”

Tag sighs but starts down the street beside me. I don’t dare sneak a glance inside the cafe in case Cassie’s watching me. Instead, I walk with my head held high, drinking my peppermint and spice latte, relishing in the secret mix that Cassie refuses to reveal to anyone.

I don’t need to focus my thoughts on what happened in the cafe, or the horror that will come tomorrow when I have to face Cassie again.

I certainly won’t think about the upcoming dance.

Nope, those aren’t even going to cross my mind.

While not thinking about any of that, I walk into a pole that hadn’t been there before. A pole that is wearing a very expensive-looking wool coat, that is also now covered in my Holly Jolly Latte.

My eyes trail up to find that it’s not a pole, but the face of a woman with wild auburn hair and striking green eyes. Eyes that right now are shooting lasers at me that would melt Jack Frost.

If I thought what happened a few minutes ago was bad, this is much, much worse.