Chapter Ten
So, that was the way it was going to be.
Felicity would like to say that she was surprised by Justin’s aloofness, but she wasn’t. She deserved it. She’d broken his heart. But the thing he didn’t know was that she’d broken her own heart at the same time.
Still, she’d been hoping with time and the fact that he’d moved on that old wounds would have healed. It didn’t appear to be the case for them. Her hope that they could once more be friends had been snuffed out.
She kept remembering him as the skinny kid with an infectious laugh. It didn’t matter her mood; he could always get her to smile with a dumb joke or a goofy look. She recalled how he used to go out of his way to make her smile.
Now, he was all grown up, and she had no idea if he still had that warm, deep laugh.
And she doubted she’d get a chance to hear it while she was home.
He’d looked at her like she was a ghost that he couldn’t wait to get away from.
Sure, things hadn’t ended well between them, but that had been so long ago.
The door swung open, and the cold air came rushing in. Felicity lifted her head from logging some books into the computer system. Merry Kringle, dressed in a long red belted coat, rushed inside. Felicity hadn’t seen the mayor’s wife in quite a while. The woman hadn’t aged a bit.
Although it wasn’t Merry that held her attention. It was the adorable puppy in her arms. The puppy was wrapped in a red and white fleece blanket. Felicity couldn’t be sure, but it looked like a golden dachshund. And the puppy appeared to have fallen asleep in Merry’s arms. Aww…
Felicity rushed out from behind the checkout counter and approached Merry. “It’s so good to see you.”
Merry smiled at her. “I heard you were in town. I’m so glad I got to see you. It seems like forever since we talked.”
Felicity nodded. “It has been a while.”
“I think the last time was…” Merry briefly frowned before looking flustered. “Oh, well, it’s, uh…it’s been a while.”
It was the first time Felicity had witnessed Merry tripping over her words. Perhaps that was because the last time they’d seen each other had been at her father’s funeral. Honestly, Felicity couldn’t remember much about that period. The whole episode was nothing but a horrible blur.
Merry visibly swallowed. “Anyway. How are you doing?”
“Good.” The answer automatically popped out. She was anything but good. But the answer was out there now, so she went with it.
She reached out and pet the puppy. Its ears were fluffy, and the fur was downy soft. The next thing Felicity knew, there was a little pink tongue licking her hand. What a cutie!
“She likes you,” Merry said.
“I’m sure she likes everyone.”
“Actually, she’s a bit timid. Hopefully, she’ll grow out of that stage.”
Felicity was drawn to the dog. There was something about her that reminded her of the golden retriever puppy she’d had as a little girl. Dolly was the sweetest dog. She would follow Felicity everywhere. She hadn’t thought of Dolly in a long time.
When an urge came over her, she asked, “Could I hold her?”
“Sure.”
Felicity lifted the puppy from the blanket. “What’s her name?”
“Sunny. I think it really fits her.”
“I agree.” Felicity held up the puppy so she could look into her golden-brown eyes. “You are so adorable.” She snuggled the puppy to her chest before turning her attention back to Merry. “You have the sweetest puppy.”
“Oh. She’s not mine. She actually doesn’t have a family at this point.” Merry’s brows rose. “Any chance you’re looking for a dog?”
Felicity laughed. The thought was tempting but not practical on so many levels, from no longer having a home to not having a long-term job. “Sorry. I can’t help you out.”
Merry nodded. “I understand.” She glanced around as though looking for someone. “I was really hoping Connie would be here.”
“She just stepped out. She should be back later. Can I help you?”
Merry’s gaze settled on her. She studied her for a moment, but Felicity couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “Could you do me a favor?”
Did anyone ever tell Merry no? She didn’t think so. There was just something about the lady that was a mix of kindness and authority. It was like everyone just wanted to do whatever it took to make her happy. Felicity was included in that group.
Felicity continued to pet the pup. “Sure. What do you need?”
“Well, I wanted to ask Connie if she could take care of Sunny while I go to the dentist.” Merry’s face scrunched up as though she weren’t fond of getting her teeth worked on. “I can’t miss this appointment. I have a tooth that hurts.”
“Oh, that’s not good. I could keep an eye on her for you.”
Merry’s eyes widened. “You’d do that?” When Felicity nodded, Merry asked, “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“It’s totally fine. We’ll see you later. Won’t we, Sunny?”
“Thank you so much.” Merry handed over the end of the pup’s leash and the blanket. Then Merry rushed back out the door.
Felicity placed the puppy on the countertop. “Looks like it’s just you and me. At least until the next customer comes through the door.”
Sunny stepped closer and licked the tip of Felicity’s nose. Aww… In less than five minutes, Sunny had already won her heart. The puppy was going to make some family the best pet.
A few minutes later, Connie entered the shop. She stopped in her tracks and did a doubletake. “And who is this?”
Felicity smiled as she held out Sunny for Connie to meet. “Meet Sunny. She’s absolutely the sweetest little girl.”
Connie pursed her lips. “What I should have asked is where did she come from?”
“Oh. Merry was here looking for you. She wanted you to watch Sunny while she went to the dentist.” When Felicity went to hand over the puppy, Connie stepped back. Felicity frowned. “You aren’t afraid of the puppy, are you?”
“Of course not. But I’ve known Merry all of my life, and I know how she tries to matchmake with dogs and cats.” Connie shook her head. “I’m fine on my own.”
Felicity’s gaze moved to Sunny and then back to Connie. “I don’t think that’s what this is. She said she’d be back in a little bit.”
Connie chuckled. “And you believed her?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I?”
Connie smiled and shook her head. “We’ll see…”
Felicity went back to work with Sunny by her side. Being on a leash, the puppy couldn’t get far. That was a good thing because the pup was very curious. At one point, Felicity was busy straightening a bookshelf and when she turned around, Sunny had a paperback in her mouth.
“Hey, give that to me.” Felicity frowned.
The puppy looked at her with the book firmly within her mouth. Sunny’s tail rapidly swished back and forth. When Felicity took a step toward the puppy, Sunny backed up as far as the leash would allow.
Felicity tried again. And again, the puppy stepped back. Felicity couldn’t help but smile at the ornery little pup.
She knelt down and held out her hand. “Give it to me.”
Sunny stared at her with a twinkle of spunkiness in her brown eyes. She wasn’t about to let Felicity have the book. It looked like Felicity had just bought a book. From what she could see, it looked to be of the juvenile variety.
“Is there a problem?” Connie stepped up behind Sunny.
The pup immediately ran to Felicity. Sunny dropped the book on the floor. Felicity noticed the little teeth marks in the glossy cover as well as the saliva. She inwardly sighed.
She glanced up at Connie and forced a smile to her lips. “She was just picking out a book she’d like to read.”
Connie arched a brow. “Hope this doesn’t become a habit.”
Felicity petted the pup. “Don’t worry. She’ll be good.” She turned the dog’s head until they were looking at each other. “You’ll be good. Right?”
Connie let out a laugh. “You always were a bit of a dreamer.”
Just then she heard the front door open. “Looks like we have a customer.” She scooped up Sunny and the ruined book. “Sorry about the book. I’ll pay for it.”
Connie sighed. “Seeing as how it was my friend that left you with her dog, well, I think we can let it slide.” Then she leaned over to Sunny.
“But no more chewing on books, young lady.” Sunny stretched out and licked Connie’s cheek.
A big smile came over Connie’s face. And then her phone rang. “I need to get this.”
Felicity carried the puppy toward the front of the shop. She wondered if Merry had returned for Sunny, but instead it was Jessica Whitman. Felicity and Sunny helped the woman find some starter recipe books to create jar gifts just perfect for the holidays.
Felicity enjoyed helping her pick out the perfect book.
And then the woman found a couple of books for her granddaughters.
Felicity wrapped the children’s books individually in brown paper with a white snowflake print.
It’d been a while since she’d had packages to wrap.
She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons.
When she placed the last piece of tape, she turned the final package over. She proceeded to tie each package with twine before tying a bow. It gave the presents an old-world feel. Jessica was thrilled that she didn’t have to wrap them, so it was a total win for both of them.
She’d just handed Jessica the shopping bag when Merry walked through the door. The two women exchanged pleasantries as they passed. Meanwhile, Felicity picked up Sunny and gave her a gentle hug.
“I’m going to miss you. You’re so sweet and have such a gentle soul.”
“What did you say, dear?”
Felicity raised her gaze to find Merry standing across the counter from her. “I was just telling Sunny that she is such a good puppy.”
“Except for the book she tried to eat.”
Felicity turned her head to see her boss standing there with a frown and an arched brow. The breath caught in the back of Felicity’s throat. She thought her boss was okay with the incident.