Chapter 8 #2
“Good girl.” Heather packed up the remaining supplies and glanced toward the door just as Lyle stepped through, dressed simply but casually in jeans and a fitted plaid shirt that did wonders for showcasing his toned frame.
“Everybody ready to go have some fun at the shelter?” Lyle asked, keeping a sharp eye on Charlotte.
He, too, was worried about her reaction to giving up the puppies, wondered if she truly understood what the agenda was.
Although they weren’t prepared to let all of the puppies go this trip.
Sherry in particular wasn’t advancing as fast and could use a little more time under their care.
They would take applications if there was interest.
“We are going to have a blast!" Heather said. "I’ve told everyone we’re bringing puppies to meet some new families, and I want to fill this place with enthusiasm and joy if we can.”
“Joy!” Charlotte echoed cheerfully.
Heather and Lyle exchanged a look. Lyle shrugged. Maybe Charlotte did understand and this would be the beginning of her young career as a foster.
“Okay then. Let’s get those pups loaded up, and we can head out,” Lyle said, reaching for Pepper.
Charlotte leapt into action, gathering leashes and supplies, her excitement palpable as the three of them dashed for the truck. Lyle secured the crates while Charlotte corralled the adventurous Pepper.
“Good thing we bought those extra crates,” Heather said. “These pups are a real handful.”
Lyle’s blue eyes sparkled with mirth as he leaned against the truck. “I have faith in Charlotte’s wrangling abilities. She’ll be a dog whisperer in no time.”
“I think you might be right. And honestly, I’m just so glad to see how much joy this brings her.”
Lyle shoved his hands into his pockets, tilting his head in curiosity. “And what about you, Heather? Does this bring you joy?”
“Of course it does. I love training dogs. I love helping them find homes. But I'll warn you right now I'll probably cry. I always do.”
“Tough girl," he said and gave her ponytail a tug. "Let’s get going."
“Okay!” Charlotte called from the back.
They piled in and set off, the evening air warm against their skin as laughter inevitably filled the cab. It was a lightness that felt refreshing after the heavy darkness of loss that had marked their days for far too long.
When they arrived at the shelter and stepped inside, the scent of cleaning supplies mingled with anticipation.
Warm lights bathed the space, and animal noises crackled amongst the bustling volunteers and families preparing for the adoption event.
Heather felt her excitement grow as they spotted an area set up for visitors to meet the puppies, with decorations lining the space, along with colorful signs advertising each dog waiting for adoption.
Her greatest hope was that some of the older, larger dogs would get adopted. Not just the puppies. Cute as they were, puppies didn’t stay little forever. And the older they got, the harder it was to place them in loving homes.
Once they got set up, Charlotte overflowed with enthusiasm, racing to greet each new visitor, proudly announcing, “This is Buttercup! She’s the best snuggler!
And this is Coco,” she said, showing off the chocolate pup.
“Pepper is the black and white one and she’s very busy.
” She stressed the word ‘very’ and cocked her eyebrow as though imparting a juicy secret.
“This one’s Sherry.” She cradled the runt of the litter carefully in her arms. “She’s not ready to go home with anybody yet because she’s still got some worms, but you could fill out the application.
” She glanced up at Heather, seeking approval for her spiel.
Heather smiled and nodded. Although the part about the worms could have been left out. The puppy had gone through a final treatment, but they were keeping her for a bit longer as a precaution.
Charlotte kept Sherry tucked in her arms. That was the rule. If she wasn’t being held, she needed to be in her crate.
Lyle turned toward Heather, a grin spreading across his face. “You did good, this adoption event is perfect.”
“Thanks, but credit goes to Janette and her team. They put so much effort into creating this day.”
“Still, it takes courage to foster dogs like this, knowing how things can go.”
“Sometimes you have to take risks,” Heather replied, her voice steady. “And sometimes those risks lead to joy.”
Lyle studied her for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his expression. “Yeah,” he said slowly. “I believe they do.”
And just like that, the air thickened with something they weren’t addressing, something unspoken.
She could feel the world swirling around them: laughter and barks, rough-and-tumble volunteers jostling past, children weaving through the lines of crates.
All of it felt so alive and yet solitary, as though it was only just the two of them.
Because in the middle of that chaos, as she held Lyle’s gaze, she realized that there was a true connection between them. A connection that had begun years ago.
The question was, could it last? Or would the pull of his other life in Montana win out?
They worked together in harmony, passing the dogs to hopeful families, voices mingling over shared laughter and joy as they celebrated each animal that found a new home. Time slipped away.
And before she knew it, the event wound down.
Families began gathering their new furry friends, wrapping up the evening with exuberant stories and promises of new cuddles and adventures to come.
They’d placed eight dogs today. Only one of them was from their litter of terrier puppies.
Buttercup. The calmest of the group. There was interest in Pepper, but Charlotte had been quick to point out that the puppy was a little crazy and sometimes naughty.
Heather wondered if that had been her sly way of discouraging potential adoption candidates from considering the frisky puppy.
An older couple had expressed interest in Coco, but wanted to make sure their daughter was on board to bring a puppy into the home.
They’d filled out an application and would be in contact in a few days.
Heather glanced around for Charlotte, found her sitting in a row of chairs against the back wall.
Charlotte clung to Buttercup, her tiny fingers gently tracing the pup's ears and fur, obviously knowing her adoptive family would be showing up any minute to collect the baby dog.
“Can we keep her just a little longer?” she pleaded, her eyes wide and hopeful.
“Maybe she caught some worms from Sherry. We should probably make sure.”
Heather knelt down, her heart twisting in on itself. “Sweetheart, we can’t keep her. Buttercup needs a family of her own. You know that. And your Uncle has given her a thorough examination and she’s perfectly healthy.”
“But I love her! I want her to live with us!” Charlotte’s voice trembled, her disappointment palpable.
Lyle appeared next to Heather, squatting to meet Charlotte's gaze. “Hey, Char. Remember what we talked about? How we couldn’t keep all of the puppies forever? Buttercup is going to have a great life with people who love her just like we do.”
Charlotte’s face crumpled, and even Lyle’s comforting tone didn’t seem to soothe her right now. Heather braced for the tears.
“But I wanted to take care of her!” Charlotte’s little voice rose. “It’s not fair,” she added, as if the injustice of it all weighed so heavily on her small shoulders.
“Hey,” Lyle’s voice was low and soothing, “I know it feels unfair. Caring for animals can be hard. But we’re helping Buttercup find a family who can take care of her forever.”
He reached out as if to offer Charlotte comfort, but she ducked her head, holding tight to her puppy.
Heather felt a pang of sorrow at Charlotte’s reaction and pulled the little girl close, her heart aching to help ease the hurt they both felt right now. “Listen, what if we set up playdates with Buttercup’s new family? We could go visit her sometimes!”
Charlotte sniffled, wiping her eyes. “Will they really let us?”
“I bet they would love it. And we could bring them snacks,” Lyle said, trying to encourage.
Charlotte peeked up, her eyes still wet, but a hint of curiosity flickered there. “All kinds of snacks?”
“All kinds,” Heather assured her, brushing a stray curl away from her face. “And who knows? Maybe we can even do puppy playdates once their yard is set up.”
Slowly, Charlotte began to perk up again, her excitement still unresolved but a little less volatile. “Okay! But I want to pick the treats.”
“Deal.” Lyle smiled brightly. “It’s settled then.”
Charlotte slid off the chair, kissed Buttercup’s soft ears. “You be sweet,” she whispered and walked over to the young couple waiting to take the puppy home.
“She’s a really good dog,” Charlotte said, carefully handing her over to Misty Jeffers and her husband.
“We’ll take very good care of her and love her,” Misty said, unable to miss the fat tears still riding on Charlotte’s cheeks.
“Okay,” Charlotte whispered.
As they gathered up the other puppies and turned to leave, the moon rose high over Bear Valley, illuminating the way with soft silver light.
Heather and Lyle each held a pet carrier in one hand, and Charlotte’s hand in their other. The little girl was stoically quiet, but accepting. Tonight had been about family. And walking hand in hand with Lyle and Charlotte, Heather began to yearn, dreaming that this one could be hers.