Chapter 14 #2
“Okay. Whether I buy the building, or gift the money you need for the repair or whatever—if the fire inspector says those stairs need rebuilding, then I won’t sleep until they are. Safety means everything to me, for you and your family. Don’t you get that? Everything.”
I nuzzle her nose with mine and go in for a sweet kiss. I’d take more, am dying for more, until we hear the car honking and Eli yelling, “Mom, ya coming?”
We chuckle and part. I follow her to the car, my hand on the small of her back, and open the driver’s door for her.
“You’re right. Safety is important,” she agrees with me and gets in.
Not less than two weeks later, we hug Marjorie goodbye at the Denver airport as she heads off to the Caribbean for the Thanksgiving holiday cruise of her dreams. I’d given her a very favorable deal, buying her building.
The best part? I’d convinced Stella that they should all move temporarily into my Boulder home so the construction crew can start working on the building after the Thanksgiving holiday. Which took some doing, but she finally agreed.
Most of the renovations are being done on the apartment upstairs.
The craft store will only get new flooring and lighting, and a fresh coat of paint.
And of course, a brand new, solidly built set of external stairs leading to the apartment, along with security cameras and everything I desire to make sure they are safe in and around the building.
Although to me, now that they’re in my home, she and Aiden will stay in it as long as they want. To possibly solidify that, I do something that probably pushes this from temporary to insane—I get a puppy!
One shelter visit results in the adoption of a brown-eyed, floppy-eared mutt with amber coloring climbing into my lap like he already belongs there.
I arrive home the night before Thanksgiving and stuff the pup into my jacket and zip it up. “Okay now, little doggie. Be cool. Act cute, not a problem. Don’t pee on the floor.” Fingers crossed this works.
“Hey everyone, I’m here,” I call out, kicking off my shoes by the door.
Aiden comes running in. “I’m helping Mom bake a pumpkin pie for us to eat tomorrow. Why is your coat moving like you have a monster in it?” He notices something squirming on me right away.
“Well, about that… I have something to show you two.” I walk into the kitchen, where Stella looks very cozy there. It’s the highlight of my day to see her in my space, one I hope might be ours someday.
She sees me and does a double take while putting cute fluted edges around the pie dough. “Why do you look like you’re dying to say something?”
I can’t hold the squirming puppy much longer. I unzip a little, and the mutt’s muzzle and face and ears pop out.
Aiden gasps, his eyes like enormous saucers, and hands on his mouth. Stella sucks in a breath too, holding her heart.
“Eli, you did not just bring home a puppy,” she says.
“Can I hold him?” Aiden shrieks.
“Of course, here, buddy.” I take the puppy out and put him into Aiden’s arms. It licks his face and they bond, instantly. “I’ve always wanted a dog.”
“Me, too. We need to name him. Got any ideas?”
It doesn’t take long. He shouts, “Zamboni? Boni for short.”
Stella and I share a glance and hold in our laughs. I cannot have a dog whose name sounds anything like boner.
“How about Zammie for short?” I suggest.
“Yeah, I like that even better. Can I keep him, Mom?”
“Well, it’s Eli’s pet… isn’t it?” She arches a brow, fear across her face that I’m giving it to Aiden. I’m sure she’s already calculating the amount of walking and feeding and poop-picking-up a puppy takes.
“If possible, I’d like to keep him here in Boulder.” I turn to Aiden. “As long as I can count on you to feed him and walk him when I’m away for practices and games? I’ll even pay you an allowance.”
“You can count on me. Mom says I’m very responsible for a guy my age.”
“Does she now?” I wink at her across the kitchen. “What does she say about a guy my age?”
He scratches his head. “I heard her tell Grandma once that you’re sex on a stick, whatever that means.”
“Aiden! Oh my God! You should not be eavesdropping on adult conversations,” Stella rants, although she gives Zam a few scratches behind the ear.
I bust out laughing, compounded by how dang cool it is to watch her softening up with Zammie. I take a minute to calm my pulse down.
“You know what? Your mom used to volunteer with the animal shelter in college. Don’t let her fool you. She loves dogs.” I wink at her.
“Then why hasn’t she let me have one yet?”
Whoops. I got myself right in the middle of a mother-son battleground. She rolls her eyes. I backtrack.
“They are a lot to care for. So why don’t you take care of Zammie the best you can for me, and prove to her you can handle it. Deal?” I hold my hand out and he shakes it. “Good. Just wait until we get Zammie on the ice. I’ll bet he'll have a great time playing with the Crashers.” I point out.
“You mean he’s a hockey dog? So cool. Coach Eli, can I take him into the yard to play?”
I peer out at the fenced-in yard, and a little snow, which by all accounts to me seems fairly secure with no areas a puppy might escape under. Might as well test it.
“Sure, it’s still pretty wet out there from the snow, so keep an eye on him.” I open the sliding door and let them out.
Stella saunters over and stands beside me. “A dog? Really? With your hockey schedule? Someone will have to be here two or three times a day to let it out into the yard to do its business. I’m not sure you’ve given proper consideration to how much time a puppy requires.”
I’d love to bring her into my arms and give her every reassurance, but Aiden can see us through the glass door.
We have done nothing yet that might alert him to our relationship status.
Not that we’ve named what this is, other than spending more time together.
Some nights when I’m in town, we sleep together in my bed; conveniently, the master bedroom is on the opposite side of the house from Aiden.
But I always set my alarm to wake up early in the morning to return to the couch so he doesn’t know a thing.
“Actually, I have thought about that and I have a suggestion. Let your mom have the apartment to herself when she returns. You and Aiden—and Zammie—stay here.”
“Like living together?” She searches my face like waiting for the punchline. The truth is, I’ve already been picturing it. I just didn’t expect to say it out loud yet.
“Sort of. I’ll be here when my schedule allows, in between games and practices.
I’d feel better if this place didn’t sit empty a lot.
And taking care of Zammie would be easier here with the yard.
” I cast a sly smile on her before she could overthink things, changing the subject.
“Can we talk about this whole sex on a stick comment? ”
She shakes her head, blushing, loading a comeback to that, when suddenly the door slides open, and Aiden skids across my floor.
Zammie follows, tail wagging hard enough to wiggle his butt.
They drag in a little snow on their feet.
The two romp around giggling. Stella stands there, hand over her mouth, looking at the mess.
I join in the fun, getting down on all fours, wrestling with the boy and dog. Then I grab Stella’s legs and pull her down to our level. She yelps, but we all enjoy the crazy moment, giggling together like we’re one big happy family.
I’ve never wanted something so badly it scares me, until right now.