Chapter 6
Six
N orah hovered with her fingers over her phone, hesitating for the third time that morning. The clock on her desk blinked 10:47 a.m. She She put off this call since eight when she first settled into her home office.
“Come on, Norah.” She swiped open her contacts. “It’s just a phone call.”
Paddy raised his head and shot her a look that said, You talking to me?
She leaned over to pet him. “No, no, talking to myself. If you hang around, you’ll need to get used to it. I’ve lived alone for too long to change my ways now, Paddycakes.”
But it wasn’t just a phone call. It was an official step back into a world she left behind two decades ago—a world of wagging tails, wet noses, and hearts that were too easy to break.
A world that included Matt Gray.
“Am I ready for this?” she asked Paddy.
He thumped his tail and gave her a moony-eyed gaze.
“Okay, okay, one treat.” She reached for the homemade treats in the glass jar on her desk and Paddy hopped right up to take it from her hand.
Once Paddy settled again, she punched in Dwight’s number before she could chicken out.
The phone rang once, twice.
Norah fidgeted with a pen, tapping it against her desk calendar. December 18th stared back at her, a red circle around the 23rd reminding her of Matt’s adoption event.
“Norah?” Dwight’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Everything okay with the books?”
“Oh, hi, Dwight. Yes, everything’s fine on that front.” Norah sat up straighter, gazing out at the bare oak trees in her yard. “I actually wanted to talk to you and Colleen about something else. Is this a good time?”
There was a pause, then the muffled sound of Dwight calling for Colleen. “Sure, just give me a second to put you on speaker.”
Norah heard shuffling and then Colleen’s warm voice. “Norah! What a lovely surprise. How are you, dear?”
“I’m well, thanks.” Norah smiled despite her nerves. “How are you feeling, Colleen? Recovery going okay?”
“Oh, you know. Some days are better than others. The doctor says I need to walk more, but…” Colleen trailed off with a sigh. “But it’s hard to get motivated.”
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling,” Norah said, seizing the opening. “I was talking with Matt—Dr. Gray, I mean—about his upcoming foster-to-adopt event at the shelter.”
“Right, I saw a flyer for that at the grocery store,” Dwight said.
“Yes, that’s right, but here’s the thing. There’s this dog, Georgia. She’s about seven or eight, calm, well-trained. Matt mentioned she’d be perfect for someone who needs a gentle walking companion.”
The line went quiet for a moment, and Norah held her breath.
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Colleen asked.
“Well, Dwight did say how much you two missed having a dog around and with the doctor wanting you to walk more… I thought maybe Georgia could help with that.”
“Oh, Dwight!” Colleen said, her voice excited. “What do you think?”
Dwight cleared his throat. “I don’t know, honey. A puppy is a big responsibility. With your recovery and all…”
“But that’s just it,” Norah said, trying not to press too hard. “Georgia’s not a puppy. She doesn’t need hours of exercise or constant attention. Just some gentle walks and companionship. She’s great on a leash and doesn’t pull at all.”
“How do you know all this?” Dwight asked.
“I-uh-I’ve been helping Matt with the shelter dogs. I took Georgia for a walk myself yesterday.”
“You did?” Colleen sounded surprised. “Norah, I thought you swore off dogs after…”
“Yes, well,” Norah cut in, not wanting to revisit old wounds. “Sometimes life has other plans, I guess.”
Dwight and Colleen whispered something to each other that Norah couldn’t hear. Debating the pros and cons of dog ownership?
She crossed her fingers. “Listen, I’m not trying to push you into anything, but maybe you’d like to meet her? She needs a good home, and you two are such kind people...”
“I’d love that,” Colleen said and then hesitated. “If you think it’s a good idea, Dwight?”
“Well,” Dwight said. “I suppose there’s no harm in meeting the dog. When were you thinking?”
Norah relaxed back in her chair. “How about this afternoon? I could bring her around six if that works for you.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Colleen said.
“Great! I’ll see you both, then and don’t worry. If it’s not a good fit, there’s no pressure. We just want what’s best for Georgia and for you.”
After exchanging goodbyes, Norah ended the call. She’d done it. The first step, at least.
Her gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk of her seventeen-year-old self with her arms around a golden retriever. Goldie. Her heart clenched.
The sharp trill of her phone startled her. She cleared her throat. “Norah Wells Accounting, how may I help you?”
“Hey, Norah,” Matt said. “Just checking in. Did you have a chance to phone the Whitleys yet?”
Norah’s stomach fluttered, and it had nothing to do with dogs or phone calls. “Yeah, just got off the phone with them, actually. They’re up for meeting Georgia this afternoon.”
“That’s great news! Want me to go with you?”
“I would like that,” she said. “Thank you.”
“How about I pick you up at your place around five thirty?”
“Sounds good.” Norah tried to ignore her quickening pulse. “See you then.”
Dusk settled over Christmas Beach as Matt guided his truck down the quiet neighborhood streets. He stole glances at Norah sitting in the passenger seat. Her hands rested in her lap and to an outside observer, she appeared self-contained, in control, but Matt knew better. Her stillness was a telltale sign of anxiety he remembered from when they were younger.
He reached over to touch her hand. “Nervous over Georgia?”
She flashed him a grateful smile. “How did you know?”
“You turn into a statue when the stakes are high.”
“I so want Georgia to get adopted,” she said. “I want all the dogs to find great homes.”
“We’re working on it.” Matt winked at her and then shifted his gaze to the rearview mirror.
In the back seat, Georgia sat buckled in, her ears perked forward, relaxed but curious. He agreed with Norah. He desperately hoped Georgia was a good fit for the Whitleys, but he wouldn’t force anything. Adopting a pet was a big commitment.
He pulled into the Whitleys’ driveway, killed the engine, and took a deep breath. This visit wasn’t just about finding a home for Georgia anymore. It was about Norah, too. About coaxing her back into a world she shut herself out of for far too long. Facing fears wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to move on.
Matt ought to know. He had a few fears of his own to face.
“Ready?” he asked, keeping his tone light.
Norah nodded. “Let’s do this.”
He opened the back door, unbuckled Georgia from her doggy car seat, and hooked a leash to her collar.
The surge of hope he always felt before a potential adoption gave his spirit wings. But this time, the feeling was tinged with something else. Something that had everything to do with the woman now beside him.
Georgia was on her best behavior, calm and focused, walking at Matt’s side, keeping perfect pace with him, neither pulling ahead nor lagging.
The front door opened before they reached it and Colleen Whitley hobbled out, leaning on a cane, but the excitement on her face made her look years younger. Behind her, Dwight hovered.
“Oh, look at her!” Colleen exclaimed, her eyes fixed on Georgia. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
Matt knew from the moment Georgia arrived at the clinic that she was special. “She sure is. Georgia, say hello.”
Head held high, Georgia trotted right up to Colleen, tail wagging.
Matt loosened his grip on the leash and assessed the dog’s body language. This initial interaction would set the tone for the entire visit. To his relief and delight, Georgia pushed her nose gently into Colleen’s outstretched hand, asking for pets. The laugh that burst from Colleen was full of joy.
He glanced over at Norah who had her clasped hands lifted to her heart, fingers folded down, a happy smile on her face.
“Come in, come in,” Dwight invited them into the cozy living room decked out for Christmas.
He and Norah sat down on the couch. He kept Georgia leashed for now, and the dog obediently sank in front of them.
“So,” Dwight said. “Tell us more about Georgia.”
Matt launched into what they knew of Georgia’s history, and Colleen seemed utterly smitten. She sat in a chair close to the couch and leaned over to shower attention on the animal.
“I think she’s already in love,” Dwight said, nodding at his wife with an indulgent chuckle.
“Should we go for a walk?” Norah asked.
“Oh yes! Let’s!” Colleen clapped her hands, and Georgia hopped to her feet, ready for an adventure.
Colleen and Dwight bundled up, and the five of them started off for a walk. Georgia kept looking back at Colleen, who held the leash. She seemed to be gauging Colleen’s gait and adjusting her steps to match.
Matt looked at Norah, wriggled his eyebrows, and sent the silent message, Good sign . Norah smiled, nodded, and gave a covert thumbs-up. If Colleen and Dwight decided against adoption, there were plenty of people who’d love to add Georgia to their family.
Outside, the street lamps and Christmas lights were coming on, and the established neighborhood with big streets looked like a winter wonderland. He and Norah let Colleen and Dwight go ahead with Georgia, hanging back to watch. Despite using her cane, Colleen moved right along, and several times, she let out an excited giggle.
“Look at them,” Matt murmured to Norah. “It’s like they were just waiting for Georgia to come into their lives.”
Norah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. Matt’s heart skipped, just like he’d been waiting for Norah to come back into his.
After walking twice around the block, they returned to the Whitleys’ home. Colleen gushed about Georgia. “She’s a treasure. I’m so surprised someone hasn’t adopted her already.”
“I think she was holding out for the right home,” Matt said.
Colleen looked at her husband. “I think she found it. Right, honey?”
Dwight placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “She does look promising, hon, but let’s not jump the gun. There’s a lot to consider.”
“Would you like to foster her?” Norah asked. “Keep her for a few days and see how it goes before you commit to anything long-term.”
Matt admired the way Norah took the lead.
“Can we do that?” Colleen asked her husband.
“No harm in that, I suppose,” Dwight said. “What’s involved?”
Matt went over the fostering details with the Whitleys. “I keep supplies in my truck if you’d like to start tonight.”
Colleen and Dwight nodded in unison. Georgia had already curled up on the rug and fallen asleep, tuckered out after her walk.
Matt retrieved the supplies from his truck and gave the Whitleys his contact information. They said their goodbyes to Georgia, who didn’t seem the least bit worried that they were leaving her behind. She seemed happy to be with the Whitleys, and they with her.
Once they were out in the truck, Matt buckled up his seat belt and turned to Norah. She wiped a single tear from her cheek.
“Hey, hey, are you okay?” Alarm grabbed his gut. Had being here drudged up sad memories for Norah?
“Yes.” She smiled at him through misty eyes. “I’m just so happy for Georgia. The Whitleys will adopt her, I can just tell.”
“I think your instincts are right.” Pride pushed against Matt’s heart. “You did a good thing here, Norah. A really good thing.”
Her gaze met his. “ We did.”
Matt knew helping animals heal could heal people, too. He’d seen it countless times in his practice, but watching Norah now, he realized just how true it was. In trying to help Georgia and the Whitleys find each other, Norah was finding her way back to herself.
And maybe Norah was finding her way back to him, too.