Noah’s Holiday (Foggy Basin Season Two)

Chapter 1 Early December

Early December

Christian

How hard can it possibly be to buy a Christmas gift for one’s husband?

In truth? Virtually impossible.

Miss Esmeralda, the former owner of the house I shared with Noah and our menagerie of pets, sat in her favorite high-backed chair and smiled. “You need to relax, Christian. Noah’s going to be excited. He’ll be thrilled.”

“I sent him to the pet store. I gave him a long list.”

“And you asked Sam to keep him there as long as possible.”

I eyed my watch. “Yes, but will everyone—”

The doorbell rang.

Stormy popped up from where she’d been asleep next to Esmeralda’s chair. Our Newfie loved when we had guests.

For their own protection, our cats, Snowy and Jasmine, were upstairs in their room.

Miss Esmeralda had arrived early to spend some time with the cats before I spirited them away.

Our nearly one-year-old terrier-mix puppies, River and Sable, were out with Noah at the pet store.

I didn’t need their chaos at the moment.

I pressed my hand to Miss Esmeralda’s. “Ready?”

“My dear boy, I was born ready.”

I believed her. So, I headed to the front door, took a deep breath, and then opened it.

Glynnis, the unofficial crew chief, stood in front with Bear. Her black lab—nearly a year old—was one of the more headstrong in the class of ten puppies. “Merry Christmas, Christian!” Glynnis grinned. “Now let us in! It’s freezing out here, and the snow’s starting to fall.”

As per her request, I opened the door wide.

She and Bear were through first.

“Don’t worry about boots—I removed all the throw rugs, and accidents can easily be cleaned off the hardwood floor.” I said the words as Janelle and her spitfire puppy, Roxy, entered.

She gave me a warm smile. “Jackets?”

“Uh—”

“I’ll run them all upstairs at once.” Soren stepped inside with Tibby, who immediately lunged for Stormy. Best buddies, and all.

“That’s kind of you.” I eyed the gorgeous man with the snow-white hair, light-brown eyes, and not a wrinkle to be found. He almost appeared out of time—with the flawless skin of youth and the white hair of old age.

“Happy to help. Nice of you to invite us.” He handed me a gift bag that clearly contained some kind of alcohol.

“Oh, you didn’t need to bring a gift.”

He eyed Frankie, with owner Mickie, and Haggis, with her owner Duncan. “Yeah, I really did. Everyone who’s driving can have only one, though.”

Duncan tipped his cap. “I’ll run the drinks. That way I can ensure Haggis doesn’t get into mischief.”

His puppy only grinned wider. She was mischief incarnate.

Flora entered next—coaxing Sleepy.

“Is she about ready for a nap?” I petted the sweet dog. Who promptly licked my hand, then tried to lie down.

Her owner tugged on her harness. “At least she should stay awake until Noah gets here, right?” She eyed her wayward puppy. “I thought she’d outgrow this sleepy phase. Nope.”

“But she’s a healthy dog.” Dr. Malcolm Jones stepped in next. The vet was as tall as I was, and his grin was wide. “Solo tonight, although thanks for inviting Gideon.” He offered me a soft smile.

I’m so glad he found someone.

“Hey, Dr. Jones.” Soren positioned himself next to the vet.

The contrast couldn’t have been more striking. Soren was as pale as a ghost this far away from summer, and Malcolm’s rich mahogany skin was just like Noah’s.

“Soren.” Malcolm glanced down. “Glad to see Tibby’s doing well.”

“Almost ready for her one-year checkup.” Soren arched an eyebrow at the vet. “I suppose here’s where we say I told you so to our host.”

I blinked.

Soren and Malcolm both laughed. Soren pressed a hand to my arm. “If either you or Noah had found either of us—” He gestured between Malcolm and himself. “—attractive, then you and Noah wouldn’t have wound up married to each other.”

I flashed back to the disastrous double date with these two perfectly lovely men. He was right though—Noah, and I only had eyes for each other and, in the end, had married. “Yes, glad you two aren’t offended that we wound up together.”

Malcolm laughed. “I’m much happier with Gideon. No offense.”

“None taken.” My gaze shifted to Soren. He’s still single. I felt a pang of regret at not having been able to set him up with someone.

“Tibby and I are happy as clams.” He grinned. “All good here.”

On cue, Tibby woofed.

“You said something about coats?” Glynnis had several piled on her outstretched arms.

“I’ll help.” Malcolm grabbed them. “Since I don’t have a dog.”

Soren laughed. “That’s considerate of you.”

“I’ll take yours as well and head upstairs.” Malcolm met my gaze. “I’ll know which room?”

“Yep. The primary bedroom is fine. The one with the closed door belongs to Snowy and Jasmine.”

“Smart. The cats would probably not be happy with this crowd.”

Miss Esmeralda’s twinkling laugh carried over the general murmur of the gathered crowd.

I grinned. “You may be right. We’ve agreed that once Noah’s home with River and Sable that any well-behaved dogs can be let off their leashes. Needless to say, my favorite senior citizen is staying put—less likelihood of tripping.”

Soren poked his head into the living room. “I notice Stormy has taken her place beside said older, distinguished woman.”

I laughed. “She told me to call her a senior citizen. She takes that role seriously and, as you might suspect, takes great pleasure in ruling the roost at the nursing home.”

Malcolm smiled again. “She’s a darling woman, and we’re lucky to have her.”

My heart seized. I wouldn’t have her forever in my life.

And she’d been more of a parental figure in my life than my parents had—even though she’d only been part of my world for eight months.

She’d been the one to nudge me toward Noah.

Well, I’d been in love with my best friend forever.

Esmeralda told me to make a move before Noah found someone else.

Given how both Malcolm and Soren were attractive and super-nice men, I was lucky they hadn’t made a move on Noah.

The front door opened.

Penny burst in with her owner, Daphne, hard on her heels. “Sorry we’re late.”

“Not too late. Let me take your coat.”

Malcolm waited for me to add Daphne’s to the pile. He nodded and headed upstairs.

“Dr. Jones is such a lovely man. I’m happy he’ll be doing Penny’s spay when the time comes.” Daphne petted her dog. “Okay, I hear lots of noise. Oh, crap.” She shoved Penny’s leash in my hand and bolted back out the front door.

I gazed over at Soren. “Okay, should I ask? It’s damn cold to—”

Daphne was back with a silver tray within moment. “My mother’s cheese-puff recipe. Simply the best.” She glanced down at Penny. “Just one second, luv.” She scooted past us and headed toward the kitchen.

Soren laughed. “You knew this was going to be—”

“What’s going on?” Noah’s voice came from behind me.

I spun. “You’re early!”

His eyes widened. “Okay, well, there are like eight vehicles in our driveway. Did you think I wasn’t going to—”

“He’s here!” Glynnis’s bellow could undoubtedly be heard throughout the entire house, our vast property, and probably over to the next country.

“Surprise!” About eight voices mingled to share what I’d planned—but evidently hadn’t thought through very well.

Daphne bounded out from the kitchen. “Oh, perfect! I can start serving the food. Quite a spread, Christian. Well done.”

Noah’s eyes widened. “Uh—”

“Merry Christmas!” I threw my arms around him. I whispered in his ear. “Just work with me here, okay? This was supposed to be a good surprise.”

Penny was already trying to chew Noah’s pant leg. He bent to scratch her ear. “Hello, Penny Lane. How are you?”

She gave his face a lick.

He pivoted his attention to Tibby—since he was down at her level. “And Tibby. Are you being a good girl?”

Soren’s dog also gave him a lick.

He giggled. As a dog trainer—the best in all of Foggy Basin—he was accustomed to enthusiastic dogs. Even more so the ones he’d trained.

This crew, all ten of them, had gone through puppy class, then beginner training as well as intermediate.

At that point, three had dropped out. The rest had taken advanced training, then tricks, and two had completed therapy-dog training.

Noah’s company was called, of course, Tips, Tricks, and Backflips.

None of the ten had managed a backflip yet—but I wouldn’t put it past either Haggis or Frankie.

Both were wicked smart and very athletic.

Noah rose and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Best present ever.” He chuckled.

“Uh…where are Sable and River?” I glanced around, looking for our two terrier mutts.

“Well, Sam should be bringing them in. I just wanted to get the lay of the land first.”

Sam was the manager of the pet store where Noah’d gone. The great guy who I’d asked to help by keeping Noah occupied.

“He’s here? That’s great!”

“I couldn’t figure out why he was acting so strangely, so I invited him home. Now, in retrospect, I can see he was in on this little party.” Noah turned around and opened the front door.

“Oh, thank God.” Sam stepped inside with River and Sable by his side. “It’s snowing out.”

“This is Northern California in December.” Noah laughed. “Are you glad you joined me?”

Sam laughed. “Well, I couldn’t detain you any longer without it looking super awkward. Like I was trying to hit on you or something.”

Noah grinned. “Yeah, I sensed something.”

“Come in here, dear boy.” Miss Esmeralda’s voice carried. “I want to see you with my own eyes.”

“Yes, Miss Esmeralda.” Noah’s eyes softened. He loved the woman as much as I did. He removed his coat and hung it in the closet. “And everyone else’s coats?”

“Upstairs in your bedroom.” Malcolm hit the bottom of the stairs. “And I might’ve snuck a peek to say hello to Snowy and Jasmine. They’re quite unruffled by all the noise.”

“I have to go say hi to all our guests.” Noah eyed me.

“I’ve lost count. Most of the lab crew.”