Page 30 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

“He’s four and a half,” Mrs. Detton said. “He turns his head like that because he’s trying to understand your words. It makes him look younger when he does it, that’s all.”

“He’s trying to understand words?” Brad echoed.

“Oh yes,” she replied. “He’s very smart. I’m going to miss him like a child, but I think he would be happy with a bigger family and more to hold his interest.”

“He’s getting to be too much for you?” Brad asked, worrying about whether the dog caused trouble.

“Oh no,” she said, sounding scandalized. “He’s a perfect angel. But I’m moving in with my daughter in Hollywood, Florida. She lives in a condo, and they don’t allow pets.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Brad said, straightening up.

Moose moved with him, sitting directly on his foot and thrusting his snout up into Brad’s hand in a clear request to continue the patting.

“Would you look at that?” Mrs. Detton said, looking charmed.

Brad gazed down at the dog, chuckling.

Moose’s intelligent brown eyes were fixed on his as he patted him. After a moment, he moved closer to butt Brad in the thigh with his big head, and then leaned against him.

Brad felt a pang of pain in his heart as he took in the fact that the dog realized what was happening to him. It made no sense, but he knew to his bones that the dog was asking him to take him home.

“He’s obviously healthy, smart, well-behaved,” he listed out loud. “He’s neutered and has his shots?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Detton said. “He also eats special food, and no snacks except his special biscuits. I have a whole bag of his food and a box of biscuits in my car that I was going to leave with him.”

“I guess you would need to process my application,” he thought out loud. “And maybe someone else would get priority over us, since we don’t have another pet for him to play with.”

“But he wants you,” Mrs. Detton said worriedly. “And your lonely little girl needs him.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Helena said softly. “But, Lois, you haven’t signed over the papers to surrender him yet. Right now, he’s still yours and you can adopt him out to whoever you want.”

“Oh,” Mrs. Detton said, looking up at Brad. “I know it’s very quick. Maybe you want a little time to decide? I’m in town for two more days…”

“I don’t need any time,” Brad heard himself say. “If you would allow me to adopt him, I can take him home today, and make Josie the happiest girl in Trinity Falls.”

“Oh, my word,” Mrs. Detton said, tearing up again.

“And we’ll keep you updated about him, if you want,” he told her. “You can call anytime to check in, too.”

She nodded, crying silently as Helena went to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m all right, dear,” Mrs. Detton said after a moment. “These are happy tears, mostly.”

The rest seemed to zip by in a blur as Helena comforted her friend and then they all talked through Moose’s schedule, feeding, and veterinary care, and even exchanged information in case there were any follow up questions. Before Brad knew it, a leather leash was put in his hand, and he was heading out to the parking lot with the ladies to help get Moose’s food put in his own vehicle.

Moose huffed in the cold, snowy air and gave himself a little shake, but was otherwise docile and alert, a perfect gentleman on his leash. When everything was said and done, Mrs. Detton called Moose to her and bent to pat him and whisper in his big ears.

Brad pulled some bills from his wallet and moved to Helena, handing her the cash he had gotten out for an adoption and neutering fee. He’d brought along almost twice as much as was written on the sign inside since he hadn’t been sure of the cost, but now he was glad.

“What’s this?” Helena asked.

“I assume there’s a rehoming fee and an adoption fee that the shelter missed out on to give us this moment,” he told her. “I don’t want the animals in there to have anything less than they should just because my timing was so great and your heart is so big.”

“You’re a good boy, Brad Williams,” Helena said, taking his donation and patting him on the back. She looked a little bit like she wanted to cry herself.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Mrs. Detton advised Moose with a smile and a wink as she straightened up.

The big dog was still sitting, but he wagged his tail, as if he understood that she was joking.

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