Page 40 of Open Season

“I’ll give you a few months to adjust,” Todd said. “But I’m not giving up; food like this needs to be shared.”

“And paid for,” Aunt Jo said, pursing her mouth.

“That, too.” He looked around, then said to Daisy, “I hope you changed the locks on the doors.”

“That was the first thing I did. Actually, Buck Latham did it for me. I have two keys, Mother has an extra key, and the landlady has a key. I wasn’t about to leave the old locks on the doors.”

“And she’s getting a dog,” said Aunt Jo. “As a matter of fact, I have a friend whose dog had a litter several weeks ago. I’ll check with her and see if she still has any of the puppies.”

A puppy! Daisy felt a little spurt of delight. Somehow she’d only thought of finding a grown dog, but she’d love to have a puppy and raise it from baby-hood.

“A puppy,” Todd said, frowning a little. “Wouldn’t a grown dog be better?”

“I want a puppy,” Daisy said, already imagining the feel of the warm, wriggling little body in her arms. Okay, so it was probably transference from wanting a baby of her own, but for now a puppy would do just fine.

Todd lingered as the others were leaving, pausing on her front porch. “Are you going dancing tomorrow night?”

She thought of everything that needed to be done in the house; then she thought of the long hours she’d already put in this week. Last week at the Buffalo Club had been fun, at least until the fight started.

“I think I will. I really liked the dancing.”

“Then be careful, and have fun.”

“Thanks. I will.” She smiled and waved at him as he drove away, thanking her lucky stars she’d found such a good friend as Todd Lawrence.

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