Chapter 26
July 8
Lauren was relieved to have the busy Fourth of July weekend behind her. The place had been packed—not only the resort but
the entire town. She’d had about one free waking hour the entire weekend, and she’d spent it watching fireworks over the lake
with Jonah and his family. At the end of the night, Jonah walked her back to her cabin and kissed her slowly, deliciously.
She’d come to anticipate those lingering kisses.
The past four weeks together had been filled with fun and banter. They’d taken short trips on her days off. They’d gone to
Laconia for the annual motorcycle week, Weirs Beach for the kitschy atmosphere, and the darling town of Littleton to visit
Chutters—home of the world’s longest candy counter. She was still enjoying the bags of jelly beans and red licorice he’d bought
her.
His family had been accepting and also curious about their relationship. Both Tammy and Meg had tried to pry for information,
but Lauren insisted they weren’t serious.
Those amazing kisses notwithstanding.
When she wasn’t managing the property or kissing Jonah, she was making plans for the barn’s renovation. Because, yes, she and Jonah had talked Tom and Tammy into the project. She’d worked hard on her presentation, and the whole family was on board and excited about the additional revenue the venue would bring in. They wanted to start simple—only renting the place for events. Later they might add seating and catering and planning packages.
As eager as Lauren was to get started, it would take a while to clean out the interior and remove the vines and underbrush
that practically swallowed the barn. She and Jonah would do that themselves.
But right now Lauren had another job on her agenda. She walked the property with a trash bag, tidying the grounds around the
cabins. Most of the holiday guests had checked out yesterday. The afternoon heat made sweat bead on the back of her neck as
she worked. She fished an empty water bottle from a bush in front of Willow, then found a Snickers wrapper outside the laundry
facility. She was heading to the firepit—a premium trash area—when movement caught her eyes.
An unfamiliar scruffy yellow dog sniffed around the pine log seating.
She approached slowly. “Hey there, friend.”
The dog didn’t stop its sniffing until it found a piece of graham cracker and scarfed it down. That’s when Lauren noticed
the dog’s ribs undulating beneath its coat. “Oh, honey.”
The dog finished the cracker and began scavenging again. Burrs were caught in its matted fur. It had been quite some time
since this dog had been cared for. A closer inspection turned up the dog’s sex.
“Hey, buddy.” She held out a hand and the dog sniffed it, looking up at her with brown eyes that told a sad story.
“Let’s go to the lodge, huh? We have some food for you there.” They kept pet food on hand for guests to use in a pinch. She
patted her leg and the dog followed. “Come on, sweetheart. It might not be as good as the snack you just found, but I think
you’ll be pleased.”
He followed her all the way to the lodge, right on her heels, as if he’d been trained. Or maybe he was just that desperate
for his next meal. She opened the door and he followed her inside.
“Come on, Mr. Graham Cracker. Let’s get you something to eat.”
She scrounged up two big bowls and filled one with dog food and the other with water. The dog went for the food first, pushing through it with his nose, hardly coming up for air. “You poor thing. How long has it been since you’ve had a decent meal, huh? A while, I’ll bet.”
Meg exited the office, joining her by the supply closet. “Aw, who do we have here?”
“I found him by the firepit, scavenging for food.”
“Look how skinny he is. He must be lost.”
“He acts like he’s starving, poor fella.”
“He’s so cute.” Meg ruffled his fur, but the dog kept chewing. “His fur’s a mess of burrs.”
“He needs a bath and a good brushing for sure. I think I’ll take him to a local vet and see if he has one of those microchips.
Someone’s probably missing him.”
“He doesn’t have a collar or anything.”
“It might have fallen off.” She asked Meg for a vet recommendation and got the name of someone who attended their church.
“Would you mind keeping an eye out here while I run this guy over there?”
“’Course not. I hope you find his people.”
Almost an hour later, the grandfatherly Dr. Nolan glanced up from the scanner. “He doesn’t have a chip. He wasn’t wearing
a collar or tags?”
“Nothing. I found him just like this sniffing around our firepit.” He’d already given the dog a brief examination. “He has
to belong to someone.”
“I hate to say it, but it’s likely someone dumped him on the side of the road. That happens sometimes.”
She wanted to cover the dog’s ears. Instead she gave him some affection and he licked her hand.
“Well, he seems healthy enough, other than being emaciated and dehydrated. Time and good care will take care of that. I’d put him at about three years old. I suspect he’s a Jack Russell terrier mix underneath all that matted fur. Once he’s cleaned up and fed, he’ll make someone a good little pet.”
If only there was a someone. She so wished she could keep him and, when her time expired at Pinehaven, take him with her. “I don’t suppose
you know anyone looking to adopt a dog?”
His bushy eyebrows pulled together. “Sorry, no. Seems there are always more pets than people searching for one. You can’t
keep him yourself?”
“I live at the resort.” They’d already covered their connection with the Landrys. “And the Landrys turned down my suggestion
for a mascot weeks ago.” With all the regular chores that went with running a resort—plus the guests’ pets—Tom and Tammy didn’t
want the extra hassle of a dog.
“That’s too bad. We have a bulletin board out front for animals seeking adoption. It’s already quite full, but you never know.
There’s a shelter in town, but I’d make that a last resort.”
“Right.” Maybe Meg would take him or Jonah. No, Jonah’s apartment didn’t allow pets.
She attached the collar and leash Dr. Nolan had given her and checked out at the front desk, even though the kind doctor hadn’t
charged her for the visit. On the way out of the office, she frowned at the overflowing bulletin board filled with photos
of cute puppies and kitties. That wasn’t promising.
“Don’t you worry, Graham Cracker. We’ll find someone who wants you.” She walked the dog out to the harbor and around the patch
of grass while she searched for the local shelter on her phone. She searched for some kind of promise they didn’t terminate
animals. Nothing.
She closed the website and called Meg, filling her in on the situation. Then she jumped right to the question. “I don’t suppose
you’d like a cute little doggy to come home to at night?”
“Oh, I wish I could. He’s so sweet. But my roommate’s allergic to dogs and just about everything else under the sun. If I
so much as pet a dog without washing my hands, she goes into a sneezing fit.”
Lauren’s stomach sank. “That’s too bad. Can you think of anyone else who might be willing to take him in?”
“Gosh, not right offhand. I guess I could ask a couple friends. You never know.”
“Would you? Because the only other option is the local shelter and it’s not a no-kill kind of place.”
“I’d hate to see him go there. I’ll try a few friends right now and get back to you.”
“Thanks. I’ll check with Carson.”
She got Carson’s voice mail and left a message. “Hey, Carson, this is Lauren. I found this sweet little stray dog who apparently
doesn’t belong to anyone, and I was wondering if you might be willing to take him in or know anyone who might foster a dog
until I can find someone. Maybe Carina would be willing? I’m kinda desperate here. Call me back.”
She disconnected. Even if Carson couldn’t do it, maybe he knew someone who could. Or maybe one of Meg’s friends would come
through.
Forty-five minutes later, Lauren was officially out of luck. None of Meg’s friends had come through. Carson was gone too much
to have a pet, and his girlfriend was afraid of dogs after having been bitten as a child. He’d promised to ask around the
hospital but didn’t seem too optimistic.
Lauren could feel walls closing in around her—which made no sense at all since she was outside. She sat on the curb in front
of the harbor and the dog sat beside her, his nose resting on her thigh.
It was getting late. She couldn’t leave Meg filling in for her at the resort forever. But what was she supposed to do? She
couldn’t take this sweet little guy to the shelter. Sure, it was possible he’d find a home—but it was also possible they’d
exterminate him before week’s end.
She couldn’t even think about that possibility. She petted the dog’s head, her fingers catching in his matted fur. “It’s gonna be okay, fella.” But was it? She knew what it was like to be unwanted. Not to be chosen for adoption because you weren’t a cute little... puppy.
She peered into the dog’s sorrowful eyes until her own began to sting. “I know, honey. But you’re so sweet and special. Even
if I can’t keep you, you should know I really want to. I’d be your mommy if I could.” Her last words wobbled in her throat.
“Lauren?” a voice called.
“Jonah.” She stood as he approached. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just—Hey, who’s this?” His gaze swung back to hers, his smile slowly slipping as his eyes filled with concern. “What’s
wrong, honey?”
At the endearment, tears dripped down her cheeks. “I found him at the resort and he was starving, so I took him to the vet,
but he doesn’t belong to anyone, and no one will take him in—not Carson or any of Meg’s friends, and the local animal shelter
kills dogs!”
“Hey...” He tugged her into his chest and wrapped his strong arms around her. “It’s gonna be okay. We’ll figure something
out.”
She snuggled into his warmth, soaking up the comfort. His embrace felt so nice. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d
been comforted in someone’s arms. And she loved that he didn’t discount her feelings. But all the understanding in the world
didn’t solve her little friend’s problem.
She sniffled. “Do you know someone who might take him in? Maybe Javi and Allison?”
“They’ve got their hands pretty full right now. But I think I have another idea.”
She leaned far enough away to meet his gaze. “What? Tell me.”
He searched her eyes. “Would you like to keep him?”
“Of course I would, but your parents already turned down my mascot idea, remember?”
“Let me see what I can do, okay? Where’s your car?”
She gestured across the town square. “Over at the vet’s office.”
“Take the dog back home and I’ll track down Mom and Dad.”
“But what if they—?”
He gave her chin a soft pinch. “They’re not monsters. They’ll at least let you keep him until we can find a home for him.”
“Really? You think so?”
He swept her tears away. “Of course. If all else fails, I’ll hide him in my apartment for a few days. Now head on home and
I’ll give you a call in a bit.”
“Okay.” She gave him an extra tight squeeze. “Thank you, Jonah.” She started for her car, tugging the leash. “Come on, Graham
Cracker.”
“Graham Cracker?”
***
Jonah tracked down his parents at the town hall. He waited on the steps until the Chamber of Commerce meeting adjourned, then
pled his case before they could even reach their car. He didn’t even mention fostering the dog until it could be adopted.
Remembering Lauren’s tears and the way her voice had wobbled, he went straight for the big ask.
He used all the persuasive tactics he’d learned in speech class to convince them.
“The guests will love having a pet around, and he’ll be no extra work for us. And you know Lauren—he won’t distract her from
her work. Besides, she’ll be leaving at the end of the year and taking the dog with her, so it’s just a short-term situation.”
His mom had been the first to waver, and then his dad crumbled like a crooked Jenga tower.
Later Jonah arrived at the property, then traipsed across the grounds toward Lauren’s cabin. He couldn’t wait to tell her
the good news. To see her face light with joy, her eyes curve to half-moons.
He took the steps to her deck and knocked on her door. It was after dinnertime as it had been a few hours since they’d parted ways.
The door swept open and Lauren gazed at him, hope in her eyes. “Well?”
He beamed at her. “The dog can stay.”
“Oh, Jonah! For how long? I don’t know how long it might take to—”
“He’s yours for keeps if you want him.”
Her mouth gaped. “What? Really? I can keep him here? He’s mine?”
Jonah chuckled. “He’s all yours.”
She threw herself into his arms so hard he had to brace himself to keep from stumbling backward. “Thank you, thank you, thank
you!”
“It was nothing.”
“It was everything. I can’t believe I get to keep him! I have a dog. He’s mine .”
He held her tightly, his heart kicking up a few extra notches at her nearness. She felt so good against him, so right. She’d
quickly become a constant in his life. When he was at home he texted her often. He made mental notes to take her to this place
or that. When he wasn’t with her he craved her. It had been harder and harder to tear himself away when they said good night.
And when he woke up, she was his first thought. Those initial sparks had ignited a fire.
You’re getting in deep, Landry.
Who was he kidding? He was already over his head. Just making her happy was the best feeling in the world. Well, next to having
her pressed up against him like this.
He kissed the top of her head just as the mutt jumped up on his legs and barked. “I think someone wants our attention.”
Lauren grinned down at the dog. “That’s the first time he’s barked.”
Jonah petted the mutt. His coat was now soft and fluffy. “You gave him a bath.”
“And a good brushing—remind me to get myself a new hairbrush. I wanted him to make a good first impression on your parents. You’re sure they’re okay with this arrangement?”
“I promise. He turned out pretty cute under all the matted fur. What will you name him?”
“Graham,” she said quickly. Then she told him how she’d found him scarfing down a graham cracker left over from last night’s
s’mores.
He gazed down at the cute pup. “Well, Graham, welcome to the Pinehaven family.”