Chapter 10 #2
The clinic’s waiting room was small and clean, with holiday garland twined around the reception desk and a few stockings hanging at the front desk.
The vet tech took one look at the bundle in his arms and gasped. “Oh, poor baby,” she murmured, taking the pup gently from him. “We’ll get him cleaned up and checked out right away.”
“He was dumped on the side of highway,” Joe explained, signing the intake form.
“Aiden called and told us you would be stopping by,” she said, not taking her eyes from the dog.
“I just want to make sure he’s all right. He’s scared and maybe a little underweight,” he added.
Then the vet stepped out and saw him and the dog and rushed over. “My son called me and told me you were on your way in.” She smiled up at him as she took the puppy from her staff member.
“Your… Aiden is your son?” He chuckled seeing a little resemblance now.
“Small towns.” She smiled. “I’m Amelia Brogan and you must be Pride’s newest resident, Joe…”
“Dalton,” he supplied.
The woman had sharp eyes and a soft voice.
“We’ll keep him overnight and get him cleaned and warmed up.
We’ll update him on shots and make sure he’s healthy.
I’ll probably take him home to watch him overnight,” she said.
“Aiden tells me you plan on keeping…”—she glanced at the puppy’s privates and smiled—“him. Do you want us to call you with updates?”
“Yes, please,” Joe said without hesitation. He gave the technician his contact information.
“Do you have a name picked out for him yet?” she asked.
“Not...” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling oddly shy then suddenly blurted out, “Olaf.”
The technician chuckled. “We’ll keep Olaf safe. You may be able to pick him up tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.”
As he drove away from the vet’s office, he felt the strangest pull in his chest, like leaving a piece of himself behind. The little guy had already worked his way into his heart.
He decided to keep the dog to himself for the time being. Ally had enough on her plate. He didn’t want to show up with a stray animal and add to her worries. Besides, he’d have to ask her brother and his wife if having a dog in their house was okay.
By the time he reached the lighthouse, the sky was streaked with the last blush of sunset, and the ocean was a deep slate gray beyond the cliffs. Warm yellow light spilled from the house windows, and Joe just sat there for a moment, watching the place.
He’d texted Ally from the vet’s and told her that he was back in town and would be there soon.
When he didn’t go into the house fast enough, she walked over to the window and waved at him.
Right.
He remembered that she would have known the instant he’d driven into the driveway, thanks to the new security camera that had been installed.
When he stepped inside, the homey scent of garlic and rosemary and the wonderful smell of roasted meat hit him. It smelled delicious, especially since he’d skipped lunch. Charlotte’s laughter echoed in the house, followed by Ally’s softer laugh.
They must have heard him because Charlotte came running out of the kitchen.
“Joe!” Charlotte rushed over to him, her ponytail bouncing as she wrapped her arms around his leg. “You made it just in time for dinner!”
“I’m glad I didn’t miss it.” He crouched down, giving her a grin. “It smells amazing in here.”
She puffed up proudly. “I helped.” She took his hand in hers and tugged him toward the back of the house. He followed her into the kitchen and stopped.
Ally was standing at the oven, pulling a tray of perfectly toasted rolls out. She was wearing tight black pants and a long red sweater that made her skin glow warm in the light. Her hair was down, laying freely over her shoulders, and there was a faint flush on her cheeks from the oven’s heat.
For a second, he forgot to breathe.
“Welcome back,” she said, smiling, though her voice held a hint of question. “You’re just in time.”
He realized that Charlotte’s sweater matched her mother’s, except for the glittery Christmas tree stitched across the front. The two of them looked like they’d stepped out of one of those family holiday ads, the ones meant to make lonely people remember what home felt like.
Only, this wasn’t staged. It was real.
Suddenly, he wished he’d changed into one of his nicer flannel shirts and jeans.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Ally said, turning back to the counter. “We made roasted chicken and vegetables. And someone insisted on extra crescent rolls.”
“That someone being me,” Charlotte piped up proudly as she danced around the kitchen and then climbed into her chair. “Mama said I can set the table.” She stood up on the chair.
He smiled and moved to help set the table before she dumped the silverware on the floor. “You’ll get no complaints from me. I’m starving.”
Dinner was easy. So easy it felt right. There was laughter over spilled gravy and stories about Charlotte’s time at the bookstore, where she got to hang with her new best friends, Ivy and Sienna.
He hadn’t felt this kind of peace, this kind of belonging, in years.
He grew up in a loving family, but after joining the military, he’d been on his own. He’d dreamed of having a family of his own one day, but in that dream, it had always been Lisa across the table from him. That dream had died with her. Now, it was back.
After dinner, while Ally and Charlotte worked together to load the dishwasher, he leaned against the counter, sipping a cup of coffee. He had wanted to help, but Ally had insisted she and Charlotte work together instead.
The sound of Christmas music drifted softly from the living room, and he caught himself just watching them.
Charlotte was talking about Santa and Ally was laughing. He glanced out the darkened windows and saw the snow building.
“It’s getting really bad out there.” He pulled out his phone and checked the weather app. “It looks like we’re due for more snow in the coming days. I’ve heard it doesn’t usually snow this much around here.”
“It’s perfect.” Ally sighed as she glanced out the window too. “It’s supposed to snow for Christmas, too.”
“More snowmen,” Charlotte cheered.
When Ally turned and caught him staring, her smile faltered just a touch, not from discomfort, but something more complicated. Something that mirrored exactly what he felt.
When the dishes were done, Charlotte rushed off to the living room to play.
Ally avoided looking at him by drying her hands on a towel. “Charlotte’s excited you’re going to be here for the holidays. She’s already planning to make cookies tomorrow.”
“I like making cookies,” he said softly, stepping closer to her.
She laughed softly, as if she was nervous. He should have told her why he’d left.
“She just likes putting the sprinkles on and licking the icing spoon,” she said, still avoiding his gaze.
“Ally,” he said softly and waited. It was quiet for a moment until she looked him in the eye.
“I spooked you,” she finally said softly.
“No,” he replied quickly. “I… needed to have a conversation with Lisa.” Her eyebrows rose. He held up a hand. “Yes, she’s really gone. It’s just, I visited her gravesite and… filled her in on…” He motioned between them.
Her eyes softened. “You must have loved her very much.”
“I still do,” he admitted, “but I’m starting to have feelings for someone else, and I owed her the respect of telling her so.” He stepped closer. “I’m hoping you feel something too.”
She nodded and lifted her hands to his shoulders while he took her hips.
“Good.” He smiled. “Because I really want to kiss you again.”
She nodded and then glanced toward the door. They could both hear Charlotte in the other room, laughing at something on the television.
Using that moment, he brushed his lips across hers and felt her melt against him.
“I haven’t…” she started against his lips, “been with anyone…”
“Since Ted?” he asked, and she nodded.
“I haven’t since Lisa,” he admitted. “So, then, this means something.”
She nodded again. “I… won’t jeopardize my daughter,” she said, meeting his eyes.
“I won’t either,” he promised. “If things go sour, I know how to walk away.” He rested his forehead against hers. “If that’s what you want.”
She sighed. “Right now, all I want is to put my daughter to bed so you can take me to yours.”
He felt his body vibrate. “First, I promised to play a game with your daughter. She says she’s going to show me how to play something called…” He frowned. “Shush…”
“Sushi Go.” She chuckled. “Okay, but later I’m going to sneak down to your bed.” She kissed him again and then stepped past him and walked into the other room.