Page 56 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

She rubbed his jowls, trying not to wince at the amount of fluid he leaked from his mouth, and wondered what would happen. Hopefully, a slew of calls and contacts would help her out and find Bear suitable space. “Aww, buddy, who wouldn’t want you? You’re a good boy.”

He seemed to agree by slamming his head up and down on her knee. Devon laughed.

“We’ll take any help we can get. If we can’t find a place very soon, we’re going to be in trouble. I’ve got a few emails out to other shelters so maybe that will work.”

Bear bounded away to grab a giant stuffed snake, dragging him over with pride and shoving it in her hand. She tugged at it, expecting fierce resistance, but he was so gentle pulling it back between his massive teeth, Devon realized he was a gentle giant. “I’ll work on it right away.”

She spent some time playing and petting him, dreading when she had to leave. Finally, she dusted the hair off herclothes and stood up. “Okay, Bear, it was nice meeting you. You’re a good boy.”

She patted his head and inched back toward the door.

Bear sensed retreat and skirted around her, blocking the exit. Vishya laughed. “He does this whenever someone tries to leave. It’s heartbreaking. He just wants company.”

They tried to gently push him aside to open the door but Bear wouldn’t budge.

Vishya firmed his voice. “Bear, no. Sit.”

Bear blinked. Then whimpered.

Devon sighed. “You have to deal with this every time?”

“Yep. No one can give him the time he really needs for a new intake.”

And then it happened. Knowing it was a terrible idea and she’d probably regret it, she uttered the damning words.

“I’ll take him.”

Vishya gasped. “Are you kidding me? You’ve never fostered a dog for us.”

She winced. “I know.” Devon didn’t want to explain why. It sounded selfish and shallow and she wasn’t ready for Vishya to know the truth. “But I’ll do it until we find Bear a home. The holidays are a bad time for finding placement so this can buy us some time.”

Bear stopped whimpering as if he understood her.

Within record time, Vishya set her up with food, a few toys, collar, leash, and made her sign some forms. She got in her Honda Civic with Bear taking up the entire back seat, drooling over her shoulder.

And just like that, Devon inherited a dog.

Chapter Four

Jameson stared in pure horror at the creature happily trotting in step next to his fill-in waitress. “What in hell’s name is that?”

She barely acknowledged him as she whizzed by. The day was unseasonably warm, and he’d opened up the patio for brunch with the heaters full blast while the weak sun filtered through the drifting clouds. Reservations were full and he was excited to launch the tweaked brunch menu after convincing the chef to try something new. Seems the menu hadn’t been updated in a long time. In Jameson’s view, it wasn’t a good way to run a restaurant. But instead of explaining it to Mac, he’d just show him the proof when his cousin returned.

If he could stay sane until then.

He raised his voice since he was being ignored. “Ms. Pratt—what do you think you’re doing?”

Those gorgeous eyes regarded him like he was an irritation rather than her boss for the morning. “This is Bear. I inherited him until I can find a foster home so I’m tying him up here so he can watch the action and not be alone.”

He almost choked. “Why didn’t you keep him at home where he belongs? He’s a monster. He’ll scare away my customers.”

She snorted. “He’s a big baby and loves people. Just not other animals. I can’t leave him alone because my place is tiny and he cries every time I walk into another room.”

“He can’t stay here. Go take him somewhere else.”

She straightened up and regarded him with iciness. “He’s traumatized and needs some help to heal. He was abandoned on the highway and some serious shit happened in his past. I’m asking you to find a shred of holiday spirit, okay? The customerswill love him. Everyone loves dogs.” She paused, narrowing her gaze. “Almost everyone.”

A muttered curse escaped his lips. He studied the drooling, shedding Cujo in front of him, happily sitting on a blanket and giving Devon googly eyes. Of course, the beast was already in love with her. His insides squirmed at the image of the canine alone on the road and exposed to both the elements and other people’s cruelty. He didn’t hate dogs at all. They were just…a lot of responsibility.

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