Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
His mind was racing.
All day Justin had been thinking about reworking the storyline of his current manuscript. He felt as though the gates to his imagination had been yanked wide open. The ideas were gushing out.
While at work, he’d made story notes on his phone. He’d been anxious to go home and type out everything he’d come up with. It was amazing how much brainstorming he was able to accomplish while he’d been tuning up the old plow truck.
With the work day finally over, all he had to do was pick up Sunny, and then he could head home to write. Speaking of Sunny, he would have thought Merry would have found the pup a home by now, but each time he spoke to her all she said was that she was working on it.
He parked and headed inside Jingle Bell Books.
Today, there were a number of customers browsing through the shelves.
Other people were in line at the checkout.
Felicity’s gaze lifted and briefly met his.
The smile that came over her face caused his heart to beat faster.
Much too soon, she turned her attention back to the customer in front of her.
He swallowed hard. Maybe he could just grab Sunny and be on his way.
He’d already stopped at the pet store and picked up some more dog treats as well as a chew bone.
He had no idea what he was buying. He just had to hope Sunny would like what he’d picked out.
Right now, they were doing a lot of trial and error.
He made his way past the line of customers and looked behind the counter. There was no puppy. How could that be? This was where Felicity kept the puppy when they got busy. And then he had a thought. What if Merry found a family for Sunny?
Instead of the relief he thought he’d feel, he felt a pang in his chest. He dismissed the feeling. It was for the best. Sunny deserved a family that would love her.
In between customers, Felicity glanced over at him. “Sunny is back in Connie’s office.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
As he made his way to the back of the shop, he told himself he wasn’t relieved. It was just that he didn’t want the treats and bone to go to waste. He knew that excuse was weak, but he was going with it.
When he reached Connie’s office, the door was closed. He rapped his knuckle on it. Immediately, he heard Sunny’s barks, and he smiled.
The door swung open. Behind big black rimmed glasses, Connie’s eyes briefly widened. “Oh. Hello, Justin. Is it that late already?”
He nodded. The puppy ran past Connie and jumped up on his leg. He bent down and with one arm, he scooped her up. He held the puppy to his chest. Sunny amused herself by licking the stumble along his jawline.
“Have you heard if Merry has found a home for her?” He felt guilty for asking that particular question while he was being lathered with puppy kisses, but he wasn’t keeping Sunny. It wouldn’t work.
“I actually haven’t spoken to her today. She’s probably getting ready for the Christmas party tomorrow. You’re going, aren’t you?”
He gave a quick shake of his head. “I don’t think so.”
There were many things he’d rather do than go to that party, where the busybodies knew he was single.
They would make a point of trying to pair him with their single nieces and granddaughters.
They seemed to think a person couldn’t be happy until they had someone special in their life.
He was planning to prove them wrong…just as soon as he got his writing career off the ground. Speaking of which…
With Sunny settled in his arms, he said, “I should be going.”
“And I should get out front. I told Felicity to leave a little early today. She’s been so sweet to work here on her vacation, but I feel guilty. I told her I’d take over the checkout.”
He wasn’t sure why Connie was telling him this, unless she was about to come up with some excuse for him to spend more time with Felicity…because that wasn’t going to happen. Even if the idea of spending time with Felicity was tempting, it was the very last thing he should do.
As they walked to the front of the shop, Connie said, “It’s great the way you’ve been taking care of Sunny. She’s really taken to you.”
He glanced down at the puppy, who was stretched out in his arms. They were finding their rhythm. “We aren’t doing too bad. She should make someone a good dog.”
“Looks to me like she’s already found her someone.” Connie walked away before he could disagree.
He shrugged off her words. He had an agreement with Merry. She would find Sunny the perfect home…with someone else.
Felicity checked out the last person and then walked over to him. She immediately pet Sunny. “Someone looks happy to see you.”
He chose to ignore her observation. He was not going to get attached to the dog. It was best to change the subject. “So, what are you going to do with your time off?”
“I don’t know.” She grabbed her coat and bag. Together, they walked out the door. “I wasn’t planning to have time off today.”
“So, what you’re saying is that you have no plans, and you’re just going back to your mother’s and sit around?”
She shrugged. “Pretty much.”
They were both headed to the same place, so there was no reason not to give her a ride. It was the neighborly thing to do. “You might as well ride home with us.”
“Thanks.” She sent him one of her sunny smiles that warmed him from the inside out.
“Surely there’s something fun you could be doing with the rest of your day.” There was a part of him that wanted Felicity to find a reason to stay in Kringle Falls. That certainly wasn’t going to happen with her holed up in her mother’s apartment.
After they were seated in the pickup, she said, “Well, there is one thing…but never mind.”
“No. I want to hear what it is.”
She sighed. “I wanted to do something for my mother.”
“Such as?”
“I wanted to put up a Christmas tree for her.”
He nodded, liking the idea. “You should do it.”
“I would, but all of the decorations are in storage.”
“Oh. I see the problem.” The thought of spending more time with Felicity was tempting. “Why don’t we drop Sunny off at my place? I’m sure she could use some kibble and a nap, and then I’ll give you a ride back out there.”
Felicity hesitated. “Are you sure? I mean you’ve already done so much for me.”
His thoughts briefly turned to his manuscript. The words floating around in his imagination were waiting for him to type them out. They could wait a little longer.
“I don’t mind at all.” Strangely enough, it was the truth.
Once back at the apartment building, Felicity accompanied them to his place. Sunny walked between them back to his apartment. He unlocked and opened the door a crack. He stuck his head inside and gave the place a quick glance to make sure it was presentable. It was.
He stepped aside and swung the door wide open. “Come on in.” He kept walking into the galley kitchen. “I just need to get Sunny her dinner.”
Felicity closed the front door. “No problem. What should I do with Sunny?”
“If you don’t mind, you can take her collar off. I don’t make her wear it around the apartment. It bothers her. She’s always scratching at it.”
“I can’t blame her,” Felicity said. “It doesn’t look the least bit comfortable.”
As he washed up Sunny’s bowls, he glanced over his shoulder and found Felicity looking around.
“Nice place you have,” she said. “But there’s something missing.”
As he dried a bowl, he turned to face her. “What’s that?”
“You don’t have a Christmas tree.”
He shrugged. “I don’t need one. It’s just me.”
“But it’s the holidays. This place needs some holiday cheer.”
“All you have to do is walk outside and look around. This whole town is decked out for Christmas.”
“Are you sure we can’t get you a tree too?” She sent him a pleading look.
It was so hard to say no to her when she looked at him that way. Still, he mustered up an “I don’t think so.”
Felicity picked up one of Sunny’s little balls from the floor, and they began to play. Sunny hadn’t fully figured out the concept of fetch. Instead of giving the ball back, she liked to keep it and chew on it.
He couldn’t help but smile as Felicity tried to cajole Sunny to give the ball back. It was then that he realized his apartment no longer felt as though something was missing. It wasn’t a thing that he had been missing. It was a who. Between Felicity and Sunny, the place was warm and full of life.
He wondered what it would take to get Felicity to stay in Kringle Falls. Was big city life all that she’d wanted it to be? Did she ever miss her hometown…miss him?
No. He had to stop this line of thought.
He carried the slow-feeder bowl and water bowl into the living room, where he’d set up a mat for Sunny to eat and drink. After he placed the bowls, Sunny ran over with her tail swishing back and forth. She never met a filled food bowl that she didn’t like.
He turned his attention back to Felicity. Only he didn’t spot her right away. And then he saw her backside sticking up next to the couch.
He stepped closer to find her on her hands and knees. “What are you doing?”
“Her ball rolled under the couch.” She wiggled around and groaned. “I almost have it.”
“Get up. Let me try.”
She didn’t move. He pressed his hands to his waist as he waited for her to give up. But to his surprise, she sat back with the yellow ball in one hand and a white sheet of paper in her other hand.
“I found this,” she said.
Oh no. Heat immediately pulsed up his neck and set his face aflame. He must not have picked up all of the pages after Sunny pulled them off the desk the night before. Maybe she wouldn’t notice what was on the page.
“Chapter one?” Her gaze moved to meet his. He could see the confusion in her green eyes. “What is this?”
“It’s nothing.” When he lunged to grab the paper out of her hands, she jerked her hand away.
“It’s definitely something.” She arched a brow, as though prompting him to explain.
“Can’t you just let it go?”
She smiled at him with a twinkle in her eyes. “I don’t think so.”
He groaned. He knew it was hopeless to think she would set aside the paper. He knew her too well. She would keep prodding until her curiosity was satisfied.
“Fine. I’ll tell you on the way.” He held out his hand for the page.
With a smile, she handed it over.
After he crated Sunny, he turned to Felicity. “Let’s go.”
“Oh, this is gonna be good.” She sent him a big grin.
This time he inwardly groaned. This was what he got for trying to be nice. Felicity was the last person in the world he wanted to know his secret. After all, she was a professional editor. And he was what? An amateur writer?
Once he told her about his manuscript, she’d want to read it. Even if he turned her down, she’d keep pestering him just like she used to do when they were growing up. And just like when they were kids, he’d give in.
She’d read his manuscript and confirm his biggest worry. He was a hack. He had no talent. His words were drivel. Ugh!