Chapter 15 Gracie
The parking lot of the Canine Canyon Animal Refuge glistened under a light snow. Gracie tugged her coat tighter and glanced around as she walked toward the main building next to her mother and Aunt Cindy.
The muffled sound of excited barking carried through the frosty air as they nodded to other parents. No sign of Sam, of course, and no sign of Marshall, either.
Nerves over seeing either man pinged in Gracie’s chest, making her uncomfortable and tense about the whole day.
The fact that her son had put his heart and soul into winning the contest and her grandfather had hauled out an antique popcorn maker to help the cause didn’t give Gracie any more peace about this afternoon.
“I have a bad feeling about all this,” she muttered, expressing her fears to the chilly air.
“Bad feeling? I don’t know what that is,” her mother quipped.
“Because your middle name should be High Hopes and Optimism, Mom.”
Gracie expected a typical trilled laugh and a flick of her wrist, the usual MJ McBride response. But her mother barely smiled or seemed to be her cheery self today, giving Gracie another thing to add to her worry list.
“Have you heard from Sam?” Mom asked.
“Not a word.” She forced a smile and spoke the inevitable words, “I’m pretty sure he’s not coming.”
Her mother reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “His loss. Today is about Benny.”
Gracie nodded, gulping past the lump in her throat. Not that she expected or even wanted Sam to come. But Benny’s disappointment would be her disappointment, and she’d do anything to keep that kid from hurting.
“There’s my girl,” Cindy called out, slowing her step when they noticed Nicole hustling closer from another section of the parking lot. With a wool hat pulled low over her eyes, she lifted a hand and gave a lackluster smile.
They all knew she’d spend the morning with Elise in Eagle Mountain, so none of them expected her to have flushed cheeks and damp lashes.
“How did it go?” Cindy asked, concern in her voice echoing Gracie’s thoughts.
“She got in.” As they reacted, Nicole held up a hand. “Cameron is furious and I think we’re done.”
“Nicole!” Gracie slid closer, putting an arm around her. “Are you sure? What happened?”
She just gave Gracie a sad look. “Later. Tonight. This is about Benny.” Looking around, Nicole asked, “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s coming with Red,” Gracie said. “And bringing a surprise. Don’t ask. It’s a Red and Benny special.”
Nicole gave a low groan and a dry laugh. “That usually means trouble.”
“Tell me about it,” Gracie muttered.
As they joined a few other parents and family members on the way inside, Nicole leaned closer to Gracie. “Is Cream Puff Guy here?” she whispered.
“Not yet.”
“Did you bring cream puffs and your nerve?”
“No to both.”
“Gracie! Why not?” Nicole demanded.
“I don’t know. All week long, he either dropped off or picked up Olivia at different times or had an important call or…avoided me. I really don’t think he’s interested.”
“Only one way to find out.” Nicole elbowed her. “And it means one giant step out of your comfort zone. You can do it, Gracie.”
“Don’t you hate men right now?” Gracie asked, laughing.
But Nicole didn’t even smile. “No, not at all,” she said. “Cameron’s not wrong and maybe I was, but he handled it poorly. And I had high hopes for Cream Puff Guy.”
“So did I,” Gracie admitted. “But first, I have to get through this event and I’m…”
“I know—tense, nervous, and certain something’s going to go wrong.”
“Why do you know me so well, Nic?”
“’Cause we’re cousins. And what could go wrong? It’s Benny’s brain, Sir Isaac Newton’s laws, and Red’s…what is he bringing again?”
Gracie’s eyes shuttered. “Trouble.”
They dropped the subject when they stepped into the rec room, where folding chairs were arranged in rows facing a platform stage draped with lights and garlands. Above a giant trophy that had to be bigger than some of the kids and dogs, a hand-painted sign that stretched across the back wall read:
Canine Canyon Welcomes You! Paws & Pals Talent Show!
Paper snowflakes and dog bones dangled from the ceiling, and tables along the sides were covered with hot cocoa, cookies, and raffle prizes donated by local businesses. Gracie had provided a basket of human and dog treats, which, she was happy to see, had a lot of raffle tickets.
The happy hum of voices mixed with barks from the training room, creating a chaotic but heart-warming soundtrack.
Just as they found seats and saved a few extras, Gracie’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She knew who it was before she looked.
A single text glared up at her, so predictable she almost laughed. Almost.
Sam Sutton: Can’t make it today. Coco and I are gonna try to work things out.
The words blurred as tears filled her eyes, but not for her. Never for her. Only for Benny.
She blinked them away, then whispered to the others, “He’s not coming. Big surprise.”
Nicole’s mouth tightened in sympathy, MJ’s in anger. Cindy muttered something sharp under her breath.
Gracie forced a wobbly smile. “I just hope Benny wins so he’s not doubly disappointed.”
Before MJ could respond, the door to the training room opened and the camp counselors paraded in with a pack of kids and at least twenty dogs on leashes. The room erupted in cheers and applause as the children scattered to greet their families.
Gracie spotted Benny instantly—his glasses askew, his eyes bright as he half-ran, half-dragged Sir Isaac Newton toward her. His face was pure, uncontained joy.
“Mom! Where’s Red? Did he make it yet? Does he have the You Know What? I’m last, so I know it’s going to be like the grand finale!”
“On his way, Benny.” She leaned over, getting closer to her son. “Listen, sweetheart…” She took a deep breath. “I have to tell you something.”
Benny froze, then straightened like a little soldier. “Dad’s not coming, is he?”
Gracie’s chest ached. “No, honey. I’m so sorry. He—”
Benny flicked his hand with a noisy, “Pffft. I figured he’d flake out. Doesn’t matter.” His eyes lit up. “Because Red’s coming with Starling Superior Snacks and we worked it out so it’s part of Newton’s laws! This is gonna be epic! I gotta practice one more time. Come on, Sir Isaac Newton!”
Gracie watched him take off, biting her lip.
“Well,” her mother said, “looks like nothing can keep a good man down, huh?”
A fresh set of tears welled, this time for a different reason. “You know, that kid is the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I honestly could learn a lot from him.” She leaned into her mother. “He’s just like you and I love that.”
“Aww.” She gave Gracie a squeeze. “Trust me, he didn’t get those brains from me.”
“I have no idea where those brains came from, but he got your heart, and honestly? Does anything else matter?”
“To Benny?” Nicole leaned over and chimed in. “Winning this contest.”
“He will,” MJ said, but then she made a face. “But, honey, did he say…Starling Superior Snacks? That thing is older than Red, held together with spit and toothpaste, and I can’t believe it even works.”
Gracie winced. “Well, it’s too late now.”
Some music swelled through the speakers and the crowd of about sixty or so settled down.
Once more, Gracie took a quick scan of the room and, this time, she caught the dark gaze of Marshall Hampton in the back row. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, hoping the light was low enough that he wouldn’t notice.
He just looked right at her, a beat too long. Was she imagining a message in his eyes?
“Is that him?” Nicole whispered under her breath as she surreptitiously stole a peek. “Oh, my gosh. It’s that Marshall! You never said his last name.”
Gracie turned back to the front. “You know him?”
“Marshall Hampton? I’ve heard of him, of course. One of my customers at the ski shed couldn’t stop talking about him moving to Park City.”
“Who is he?”
“Former NFL. I think he played for…I don’t know. I don’t follow football, but he was a big deal and he’s retired and living here now.” She wiggled her brows. “Quite a catch, Gracie, since he used to make them.”
Taking a breath, Gracie looked again and, meeting his gaze, she lifted up a hand and fluttered her fingers. At first, he didn’t smile and her heart dropped, but the corners of his lips lifted slightly in a cool, distant smile.
“I think I’ve fumbled,” she joked.
“I don’t know,” her cousin replied. “He looks torn to me. Maybe he thinks you know he was a football star…”
“I had no idea.” Gracie slid her a look. “But, to keep the sports analogies going, he’s out of my league.”
“Not at all, but—”
“Oh, here’s Jack,” Cindy said.
He came striding through a set of double side doors that led to the back parking lot. He slid a door stopper under one of them to keep it slightly ajar, then strode to the chair they’d saved for him, greeting Aunt Cindy with a kiss and a big smile to all the others.
“So sweet of you to come, Uncle Jack.”
“I’d never miss Benny’s big day. Plus”—he thumbed in the general direction of the doors—“Red needed more help than I imagined. Did you know that thing runs on propane?”
Gracie laughed nervously. “Benny’s convinced Red’s arrival will seal his win.”
“Or blow the joint up,” Jack said wryly.
Before they could say anything else, Miss Renee took the stage to a round of applause.
“Good afternoon, friends, family, and dog lovers!” She beamed at the crowd. “Thank you all for trusting us with your kids and furbabies this week at Canine Canyon.”
As she talked, Gracie blew out a breath, barely listening to the pitch to rescue a pet as she thought about Sam and Marshall and…Red.
And everything in her grew tense.
Renee launched the show with their first contestant, a teacup Yorkie named Petunia who could bark “Happy Birthday” for a treat.
Petunia was cute, but her owner, seven-year-old Annie, stole the crowd’s hearts.
She had a high-pitched whisper of a voice, wild blond curls, and patiently plied Petunia with way too many treats to get her to perform.