Chapter 8
Eight
N orah promised Matt dog treats for the adoption event, and she needed to get on it ASAP, sandwiching baking time in with her accounting chores. She spent the morning, after her evening at the festival with Matt, calling back clients and answering emails.
At noon, she took Paddy for a short walk, wolfed down a power bar, and then headed for Toussaint’s for more recipe ingredients. She grabbed a cart—darn that wobbly wheel that pulled her in the opposite direction of where she wanted to go—and maneuvered through the crowded store.
The baking aisle buzzed, active as a beehive, shoppers conglomerating exactly where she needed to be. Norah felt her body tense.
Chill out. Deep breaths.
Trying her best to be patient with her lengthy to-do list prancing through her brain, she waited her turn to grab honey, peanut butter, whole wheat flour, and rolled oats. Next, she hit the baby food aisle and then guided the recalcitrant cart over to pick up several cartons of eggs. Norah ticked off each item on her list, aware of time slipping away. She needed to get home and start baking.
After snagging a few items for herself, Norah headed for checkout. Ugh! Long lines at each register. Apparently, everyone in Christmas Beach had grocery shopping on their agenda for the day. She spotted her favorite cashier, Jean, manning the shortest lane and steered her cart over. Several minutes later, it was her turn to pay.
At the register sat a large, colorful donation canister with “Support Christmas Beach Animal Shelter” printed on it in block letters, accompanied by a picture of a smiling dog and cat. Aww! The reminder of Matt gave her a warm, squishy feeling.
“Hey, Norah!” Jean smiled and began scanning. “Quite the haul today.”
“Yes, I’m making a big batch of dog treats for The Pet Vet’s adoption event, and I’m trying to get them all baked by tomorrow.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you were a baker.”
“Oh, yes, I often give baked goods to my clients.”
Jean scanned three bags of flour. “The Pet Vet, huh? That’s nice of you to help out.” She paused in her work. “Wally and I were just talking about how quiet the house is now. Our dog passed a few months back.”
Despite her awareness of the line backing up behind her, Norah’s heart melted for the poor woman. “I’m so sorry, Jean. Losing a pet is hard.”
Jean nodded and bit her bottom lip as her eyes misted, her hands no longer moving items over the scanner. “It sure is. Rocco was with us for fifteen years. I had him before I married Wally. I still catch myself looking for him. We’ve been talking about getting another dog to mend the hole in our hearts, but we don’t want to rush things. Rocco was special.”
The customer behind Norah cleared his throat.
“Aww, that’s such a tough decision.” Norah clicked her tongue in sympathy.
“Wally’s on the road so much. It would be good company for me to have a dog,” Jean mused. Her husband was a long-haul trucker.
“True.” Norah used her arm to scoot her groceries up on the conveyor belt, hoping Jean would take the hint and go back to scanning.
Sighing, Jean picked up a mega jar of peanut butter. “Rocco loved peanut butter.”
“Have you considered dropping by the shelter and just taking a look?” Norah asked.
“I would, but Wally is on the road so much it’s tough getting our schedules to align.”
“Right now, The Pet Vet has a great offer going. Besides free dog biscuits…” Norah waved at the ingredients spread out on the conveyor belt. “The dogs will all be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and come with a year’s supply of pet food.”
“Wow, that’s so generous.”
The customer behind Norah cleared his throat, louder this time. At the exact moment, Norah’s cell phone dinged a text. Surreptitiously, she took a peek. It was from a client, hoping to move up her appointment time.
“You know.” Norah picked up an egg carton and handed it to Jean, who dragged it over the scanner. “I’ve been helping out at the shelter and there’s this adorable dog there named Cotton. He’s a real sweetheart. You and Wally should come to the adoption event. I think you’d be a good fit.”
Thankfully, Jean got the hint and started picking up the pace, running the items through quicker. “I would go tonight if I had someone to go with. Wally won’t be back until Christmas Eve, and that’s after the adoption event, right?”
“Are you serious about adopting?” Norah asked.
“You know, I am.” Jean bobbed her head. “I’m ready.”
Norah’s phone dinged again, a different client this time. She made a split-second decision. “I’ll go with you after you get off work this afternoon, and you can meet Cotton.”
“Really?” Jean lit up like the preverbal Christmas tree.
“Hey, lady,” said the impatient customer behind Norah to Jean. “If you pick up the pace, I’ll go with you.”
“Oh, sorry.” Jean’s face flushed, and she put a palm to her forehead in a mea culpa gesture and then quickly finished scanning Norah’s groceries. “Yes, yes, Norah, thank you. I’ll take you up on that offer. I get off work at six. Meet you at the shelter at six fifteen?”
“It’s a date,” Norah said and slid her debit card through the reader as the total appeared.
Jean clapped her hands. “I’m so happy!”
“Hallelujah!” said the disgruntled customer behind Norah. “Maybe we’ll all get out of here before Christmas.”
Norah turned to the man behind her. “Sir, I apologize for taking so long with my purchases.” She took a twenty-dollar bill from her purse and passed it to him. “Consider this a reward for your kind patience.”
Stunned, he blinked at her, looked chagrinned, mumbled something she couldn’t make out, and stuffed the twenty into the donation canister at the register.
With a smile, Norah helped Jean finish bagging her groceries, stowed them in the cart, and set off for the parking lot, humming, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”
Matt locked up the clinic, pocketed the keys, and started toward his pickup. Just then, Norah’s SUV pulled into the parking lot. His spirits soared, and a helpless smile overtook his face. He hadn’t texted her today, wanting to give her space, and he hadn’t really expected to hear from her so soon. She was busy.
What a pleasant surprise.
But before he could start toward her, a Volkswagen sedan drove in and parked beside Norah’s Escalade.
Norah got out and waved to him, but instead of coming his way, she turned to the woman who stepped from the Volkswagen. He recognized the woman as a friendly cashier from Toussaint’s. Norah was also carrying a large white cardboard box wrapped with a festive red ribbon and a bow.
Matt trotted down the back stairs to the parking lot to join them. “Hi,” he said, feeling oddly breathless as his eyes met Norah’s. “What’s shaking?”
“Jean’s here about Cotton.” Norah extended a hand toward Jean.
“I lost my dog Rocco a couple of months ago,” Jean explained. “It’s been lonely without him.”
“Well, come on in,” Matt said.
“Weren’t you just headed home?” Norah asked.
“I’ve always got time for finding dogs good homes.” He waved for them to follow him into the shelter.
Inside, a wild chorus of barking greeted them.
“Oh my goodness.” Jean laughed. “They’re all so excited.”
“Would you like to meet Cotton?” Norah asked. “Or would you like to look around and see which dog catches your eye?”
“Do you mind if I just look?” Jean peered down the row of kennels.
“Not at all. Take your time,” Norah invited.
Jean started down the aisle, hands clasped behind her back as she inspected the dogs. Norah sidled over to Matt and extended the box. “This is for you.”
He arched an eyebrow, his gaze gobbling her up. She looked adorable in a Christmas-themed tunic sweater decorated with reindeer, dark green leggings, and black ankle boots. “What is it?”
“The dog biscuits I promised,” she said.
“Ah, thanks.” He took the box and set it on a nearby table. “These will make a great addition to our adoption package.”
“That’s the first batch. I’ll make more tomorrow.”
He held her gaze. “That’s really generous of you, Norah. Your efforts will help make our adoption event a big success.”
Her smile turned shy. Matt wasn’t sure what to expect from her after last night.
“This dog is adorable!” Jean called out, drawing their attention to her.
“That’s Cotton,” Matt said.
Jean turned to look at them, eyes wide and put a palm to her mouth. “Goodness. I picked the one Norah thought would match me. Imagine that.”
Matt shifted his gaze back to Norah, his heart feeling too big for his chest, and murmured, “Imagine that.”
“Oh, she’s got a bald spot.”
Matt went to crouch beside Jean who was cooing to Cotton. “Yes, she has allergies, but her care for that will be free of charge if you decide to adopt her. The bald spot is already so much better. It’ll heal right up with the medication protocol.”
“How can you afford to do that?” Jean asked.
“I have sponsors,” he said. “The important thing is to find homes for the animals.”
Jean curled her fingers around the cage bars, and Cotton came over to sniff her.
“Can I hold her?” Jean asked.
“Absolutely.” Matt opened the cage and scooped up the little dog.
Cotton immediately snuggled against Jean as if she’d always belonged in her lap. Matt glanced up to see Norah watching them, a tender smile on her face. Their eyes met. She’d pegged Jean as the perfect owner for Cotton.
“What do you think?” he asked Jean.
Jean gently scratched Cotton’s head. “She’s sweet. Really sweet, but I hate to decide without Wally.”
“Can you FaceTime with your husband?” Norah asked.
“I can check and see if he’s not currently driving.” Jean got out her phone, still holding Cotton, and sent a text to her husband.
Jean’s phone dinged. “Oh! He’s at a diner. He can FaceTime. Hang on.”
A few minutes later, Wally’s face appeared on the screen. Jean spoke excitedly, showing off Cotton, who wagged her tail at Wally’s kind voice.
Matt stood and went to join Norah standing off to one side while Jean and Wally interacted with the little dog.
With Cotton tucked in the crook of one arm, the phone in the other, Jean stood up, breaking the stillness. “I think she’s the one, but Wally…” She thrust her phone at Matt.
“Hey, Wally,” Matt said. “You thinking about bringing Cotton home?”
“I’m on the fence,” Wally said. “Cotton looks like a gem of a dog, but it’s really Jean’s call. She’s the one who’ll be taking care of her.”
Jean peered down at Cotton, her fingers curling and uncurling. “I don’t know, Wally. Even though I want her, it’s hard to think about another dog after losing Rocco. All that emotional pain.”
Matt watched Norah. Her eyes clouded. Thinking of all the dogs she’d lost over the years? There had been a lot of animals in her life, and she was such a caring person. Each one had hit her hard, but none harder than Goldie. That had been such an awful time, and he was glad he’d been able to be there for her.
“Cotton’s a great dog,” Matt said, “but it’s important to make sure you’re ready. Pet adoption isn’t something you should rush into.”
Jean nodded, tears shining in her eyes, and drifted down to the floor to rest Cotton in her lap once more. “I’ve missed having a dog around, but I’m scared. Cotton’s not a puppy. What if I only have her for a few months? I’m not sure I can go through that kind of heartache again.”
Norah shifted beside Matt, her expression unreadable. He could feel the weight of her own experiences reflected in Jean’s fears—how many times had Norah gone through this very decision, wondering if it was worth risking her heart again?
Wally’s voice came through the phone, calm but thoughtful. “Jean, sweetheart, I know it’s tough. But what’s tougher is living with the hole that’s left when you stop taking chances. Love’s a gamble, always has been. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, but love is worth the risk.”
Jean let out a small, trembling laugh, her fingers stroking Cotton’s soft fur. “You make it sound so simple, Wally.”
“It’s never simple,” Wally replied, his tone warm and sure. “But look at her. She’s already made herself at home in your arms. Maybe that’s a sign it’s time to open our hearts again.”
Jean blinked back tears, moved by her husband’s words. She looked down at Cotton, who settled into her lap as though she’d found the place she belonged. “Wally, you really think we should do this?”
“Jean,” Wally said, “if Cotton gives us even half the love Rocco did, it’s worth every second.”
Jean let out a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. She glanced at Matt, then back at Norah, and finally down at Cotton. “Alright, let’s take her home.”
Matt smiled, relieved for everyone. “I’ll get you set up, Jean. You won’t regret it. Let’s start the paperwork and then I’ll collect the supplies and medication you’ll need.”
“Don’t forget the doggie biscuits.” Norah untied the ribbon from the box she’d brought.
Once they finalized the adoption and Jean was on her way, cradling Cotton as though she’d been hers all along, Matt let out a long breath.
“That was more emotional for me than I realized it would be,” Norah murmured.
“Wally gave some pretty good advice,” Matt said, his voice low, hoping to break through whatever wall had come up between them.
Norah nodded but didn’t meet his eyes. “Yeah. He did.”
He and the woman he’d loved since he was fourteen stood there in the shelter filled with dogs needing homes, the sound of Jean’s car fading into the night. The weight of everything that had happened between them—the years, the memories, the mistakes—seemed to press in all at once.
Matt stepped closer to her. “You okay?”
Norah didn’t answer right away. She stood still, her gaze fixed on the space where Jean had been. “I thought I was fine. I thought… I was over this.”
“Over what?”
Norah’s breath hitched, and she turned to face him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “With all of it. With missing her. With Goldie.”
Goldie had been a constant in Norah’s life and part of the bond the two of them had shared as teenagers. He had seen her break when she lost the golden retriever, but he hadn’t realized how much of that loss still lingered.
“You’ll never be fully finished with grief.” Matt moved nearer, unsure if it was the right thing to say. “She was a part of you.”
Norah’s face crumpled, and tears slipped over her lashes. “I just miss her so much and being here, helping Jean… it all just came back.”
Matt reached for her without thinking and pulled her into his arms. She collapsed against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He held her, his hand moving in slow circles on her back, offering comfort.
He wasn’t sure how long they stood like that, holding each other, but it felt like time had stopped. Just the two of them, surrounded by memories and regrets, by things left unsaid and feelings too raw to ignore.
And then, before he could think it through… before he could stop himself, Matt tilted his head down and kissed her.