Pushed

Chapter 29

I wasin the dining room moving tables around to prepare for a big birthday group coming in later, when in walked Tillie. She carried a big cardboard box in her arms, just like the last time I’d seen her. I could barely see her white head peeking over the top of it.

“Tillie. Nice to see you again. How are you? Did you bring me some more herbs from your garden? The last batch you brought was fabulous.”

“No, but I’ll be sure to send some over. Today, I have a special request. This poor dear was found abandoned and starving. He needs a good home and the animal shelter is full. I was wondering if I could sit him in the restaurant for someone to fall in love with him.”

“Well, I can’t have a puppy in the restaurant. I’m sure the health department would have something to say about that, not to mention the ruckus it would cause in the dining room. But he can stay in my office, and I’ll ask around and see what we can do. Let me see him.”

I peered into the box. Big, sad, caramel-colored eyes gazed up at me. I reached in to pet its soft golden fur. It looked like it might be some kind of golden retriever or lab mix. Excited by my touch, it perked up and tried to climb out of the box and into my arms. Its tail wagged so hard, it was like a wrecking ball pounding the walls of the box.

Unable to resist, I scooped it up and cuddled it to my chest. “Aren’t you the cutest thing? Is this a boy or a girl I wonder?” I peeked at its underside. “Ah, a little boy, I see. What’s your name, little guy?”

“There was no tag or anything. So you can call him whatever you like.”

“Oh, I can’t possibly keep him. I’m always working. He’d be so lonely locked up in the apartment all day and evening,” I explained, even though a part of me desperately wished I could.

“Can he at least stay here until he finds a new home?”

I sighed, knowing it’d be easier to argue with Mother Nature than with Tillie Devine. “I suppose you can hang out here for a little while.”

The door opened and our local florist entered alongside a bouncy little girl. “Hi, Serena. Perfect timing. I was just setting the tables for the group tonight. Do you have a new assistant with you today?”

“This is my daughter, Sadie. We have the flowers you ordered. Would you like me to set them out on the tables for you?”

“That’d be great. I kind of have my hands full at the moment.”

Sadie’s eyes went wide, and her face lit up when she saw what I was holding. “A puppy! Can I pet it?”

I didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but I’d guess Sadie to be about four years old, judging from her size and the missing tooth in her smile.

“Sure. He’s very soft and cuddly.” I knelt down so she could reach.

“I always wanted a puppy. Mom, can we take him home?”

“No, sweetie. You know we can’t have a dog right now. We’ve talked about this. Remember?”

The girl’s shoulders sank. “I know. But can I hold him?”

Serena nodded as she arranged flowers in a vase. “If it’s alright with AJ.”

Sadie sat on the floor with her legs crossed and I placed the pup in her arms. He squirmed enough to lick her face all over. She giggled with joy. I wished I had my phone to take a picture of this beautiful sight.

The door opened and in walked a tall, good-looking man I’d never seen before. Though I spent most of my time hidden away in the kitchen or office, so that didn’t mean anything.

“I thought this was a restaurant, not a petting zoo.” He huffed. “Is Jasper here?”

“Storm Rhodes,” Tillie said with a tsk, “Where are your manners?”

“Sorry, Tillie. I didn’t see you there.”

“That’s no excuse for rude behavior.” She folded her arms across her chest and scowled at him.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. My sense was that only Tillie could get away with talking to him like that and not get her head bit off.

Serena was glaring at him like any momma bear would. Good thing Tillie was here, so I didn’t have to play bouncer.

“Maybe you need some cuddle time with this little guy to brighten your day,” Tillie suggested.

“No thanks, Tillie. Too much to do.”

“If you say so. I just saw Jasper out at the farm, if you want to?—”

“I’ll go find him there then.” Storm abruptly turned on his heel and left.

As soon as the door shut, I burst out laughing. “Tillie, the way you put that man in his place was priceless. Who was he?”

“That, my dear, was your fiancé’s brother, Storm.”

“Aptly named, it seems.”

“He’s a lovely boy, just has a very different energy than Jasper.”

“I’d say.”

The pup wiggled out of Sadie’s arms, and Tillie caught him before he ran off. She held him up in front of me and scratched him behind his ears. “Look at that adorable face, Aurora. Does he remind you of anyone?”

“Jasper.” I said without even thinking.

Tillie’s voice jingled as she laughed. “That’s exactly what I thought. I was tempted to bring this little cutie over to the farm, but they’re dealing with enough after Rob’s heart attack. I didn’t want to add to their stress.” She handed the pup to me. “I’m sure it won’t be long and someone will snatch him up. Who could refuse that face?”

“Not me,” chimed Sadie.

“Not me either.” Apparently, it didn’t matter if it came from either the four-legged or two-legged variety. I couldn’t resist.

“I said I’d help find it a home, Tillie. Not keep him. It wouldn’t be fair. He deserves to be in a home with children and people who will play with him and give him the love he deserves.”

Tillie’s wise eyes held mine. “Love comes in all shapes and sizes. And not only when it’s convenient, either.”

A shiver moved down my spine. This sweet old woman sure had a way of unnerving a person. It seemed she was talking about more than fostering this puppy. And maybe that was true. I’d been saying all along that I didn’t have time for love or a relationship. But then Jasper came along, at the worst possible time, and BAM.

Holding this puppy, it struck me that I could say a million times that I didn’t have time for a pet, but he was already wiggling his way into my heart, just like Jasper had. And I had the sinking feeling I wouldn’t be able to let him go to anyone else, either.

The puppy gently kissed the side of my face and looked at me with the same mischievous sparkle in his eyes that I’d seen so often in Jasper’s. Same color too. Yep, this dog could be Jasper incarnated—if one could reincarnate while still alive. “He’s a mini-Jasper Rhodes. JR. Junior. That’s your name, isn’t it? Junior.” The puppy licked me again, his tail spinning like a propeller. “Well, hello, Junior.”

Sadie squealed, “Junior, Junior. A cute name for a cute puppy.”

Tillie had a knowing grin on her face as she watched the puppy snuggle into my arms and fall asleep, as if it was the most comfortable place in the world. She clasped her hands at her chest and smiled triumphantly. “My work here is done. For now.” She gave the pup one last pet on the head. “You be good, Junior. The matchmaking business is always full of surprises. But then, so is love, isn’t it?” Tillie gave us both a squeeze. “Oh, and Jasper said you need a bookkeeper. I know someone who would be perfect for the job. I’ll have her call you.” And before I could squeak out a response, she sauntered out the door.

“We need to leave, too,” Serena said, pulling her daughter away. “Sadie, we have more deliveries to make.”

I waved goodbye to them and looked down at the puppy, who, even amidst all that commotion, was still sleeping in my arms. He yawned and smacked his lips, snuggling in deeper.

What just happened? Did I just adopt a new puppy?

No. I agreed to foster him. Just until a good home could be found. I set him down in the box and moved it to the floor behind my desk. Junior was curled up on a blanket in the box, and looked like he could sleep there for hours.

“Okay. Since you’re sleeping, I’m going to get some work done. But I’ll come back and check on you in a little bit.”

I sent a message to Jasper.

Have I got a surprise for you?

Jasper

I like surprises…As long as they’re good ones.

…

Jasper

Is this a good surprise?

That remains to be seen.

Come over when you have a chance and I’ll show you.

Jasper

Now my curiosity is piqued. I should be done here in about an hour.

See you soon ;)

I closed the door to the office and went back to the kitchen, wondering what Jasper would think of his mini-me. Maybe I should put a bow around his neck and say it’s a gift. Yes, that’s it.

A devious smile crept across my face. Junior just became our newest prank.

In a miscellaneous drawer, I found a big red bow that had probably been wrapped around some flowers before. Junior cowered in the corner of his box when he saw me coming with the bow. Sorry little guy, but I promise, this won’t hurt a bit. The bow looked adorable on him.

“Well, Junior. I need to get a little work done. You take a nap in here while I’m gone, and then we’ll surprise your new dad when he gets here. Aren’t you excited?” The pup yawned, circled the box, and laid back down, ready for his next nap. “Alright. I’ll leave you to it then. Have a nice nap.”

I quietly closed the door and went back to the sounds and smells of a bustling kitchen. The chaos pulled me in, drowning out all thoughts of Jasper and the sleeping pup. At least for the moment.