Page 67 of Designs on You

The dog gave her a happy wiggle.

“Okay, let’s take a quick walk to get some of that excited energy out.”

She put on Grizelda’s harness and they did a stroll over a couple of blocks, Grizelda happily sniffing every blade of grass. When they got home she took several gulps out of her water bowl. Natalie put her in the car and buckled her to the seat belt, and they were on their way.

When she got to the vet’s office, she was surprised to see Hazel in there.

They hugged and sat next to each other in the waiting area.

“What’s wrong with Gordon?”

Hazel looked down at the pug, who was comfortably sleeping on Hazel’s lap. “He’s got a bit of a cough. Given his age, I didn’t want to take any chances so I want the doc to check him over.”

“I hope he’s all right.”

“Me, too.” Hazel reached over to run her hands over Grizelda’s fur. “Is Griz okay?”

“She’s fine. It’s our first visit. I know she’s spayed and has all her shots, but I just wanted to establish our relationship with the vet and make sure she’s all healthy.”

“Aww. You’re a good mom, Natalie.”

Her sister always knew how to make her feel good. “Thanks. Though if you asked Sean he’d tell you I’m the worst mother ever.”

“Sean’s a prick. What did he do now?”

“Eugene invited me to go to New York for a few days next week. It’s Sean’s weekend so no problem there, but I asked him if he’d keep the kids for a couple of extra days. He told me that I’m failing in my parental responsibilities in order to go off and have—and I quote—‘an affair.’ ”

Hazel blinked. “What? He does realize you two are divorced, doesn’t he?”

“Sometimes I wonder. Anyway, then he concluded by saying he’s very busy and has all his days and evenings booked. And that next time I need to give him advance notice.”

“I…don’t even know what to say to that.” Hazel shook her head. “I’m sorry you have to deal with him.”

“Thanks. Me, too.”

Hazel was called in for Gordon, so Natalie hugged her sister, and not too long after that the vet tech called her name.

“Okay, sweet girl,” she said, scooping Grizelda up. “Your turn.”

Of course, Grizelda was perfect, and Dr.Smith was amazing and took his time looking her over completely. They scheduled her next appointment, and she was on her way.

She stopped at the coffee shop for an iced mocha latte, and got a pup cup for Grizelda, who was so excited she nearly burst through the window of the drive-through. But she got oohed and ahhed on by the staff, and Natalie made a mental note to do this more often with the pup. The kids would get a kick out of it as well.

After they got home, Grizelda curled up on her bed and went right to sleep.

“That was a lot of excitement for you today, wasn’t it, girl?” Natalie took her coffee and went to sit at the kitchen table,scrolling through her phone to read her emails, making sure nothing critical had come up.

The doorbell rang and Grizelda jumped up and barked, then ran to the door.

Natalie followed, checking the security through her phone to see it was her mom. Grizelda stood at the door, barking away. Some people might find that annoying, but a good guard dog sounded mean, and Grizelda definitely had that covered. Not that she’d bite anyone. She was a marshmallowy fluff ball. No one on the other side of that door knew that, though.

“Sit, Grizelda,” she said.

The dog sat, but still at full attention, her focus fully on the door as Natalie opened it.

“Mom. What a surprise. Come on in.”

“I know I should have called first,” her mother said as she came in and bent to pat Grizelda on the head before moving down the hall.

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