Page 9 of Here Comes Santa Paws

Nancy shook her head as a defiant glint sparked in her eyes. “You know as well as I do that there are families who come to Christmas Falls this time of year with the plan to adopt a family pet. We can’t let them down. This town will rally behind the shelter.”

I considered her words. The people in this town were special and pitched in when someone needed help, as they had when my parents and then Grandma died. We’d had a freezer full of casseroles and grass freshly mowed. “You’re right.”

Nancy’s unwavering confidence in me and the people of Christmas Falls bolstered me. The coffee and food didn’t hurt either. Plans were already forming in my mind. The former director I’d volunteered under, who hired me to take over when she retired, had called me innovative and scrappy, and I needed that now more than ever.

“We can hit the town Facebook group with a call for help, reach out to people already on our foster list, email our volunteer roster, and make flyers to pass out at the festival events this weekend. Oh! And leave at some local businesses. I’ll start scheduling the pop-ups,” I said.

I pushed the sandwich wrapper aside and rummaged in the piles of insurance policy documents for my notepad. I needed to make a list of my friends who might be able to temporarily take in an animal or two.

Nancy drained the last of her coffee. “Get me the event details when you have them, and my grandson can whip up flyers in a jiffy. I’ll email the foster and volunteer lists.”

I stopped scribbling to smile at her. “Seriously, thanks, Nancy. I owe you one.”

“No, you don’t. Getting these animals into their forever homes is all I care about.”

I finished the sandwich and wrapped up my trash. “I’d better check on Carol.”

“Is she doing okay?”

“So far, yeah. I’d hoped her kennel had been spared.” I sighed. “She seems okay in the corner of the break room I fenced off.” It was the only private space left other than my office. If shewasn’t so anxious around humans, I would’ve kept her in here with me.

Nancy’s expression wilted. “I wish I could take her.”

It was a shame the apartment Nancy moved into after her husband died didn’t allow pets because she’d spoil the hell out of them.

An idea formed as it spilled from my mouth. “I could take her home with me.”

Nancy’s eyes went wide. “She’d hate it at your place. Your animals are…enthusiastic.”

I snickered. “But she’ll hate the construction noise even more. I have a spare bedroom I can keep her in, and it will make it easy for me to keep working with her. My dogs are a handful, but they’ll be great for socializing her.”

I tossed my trash into the bin. “I need to call Gramps. Doubt I’ll be able to make us the dinner I promised tonight.”

She waved me off. “I’ll stop by. There’s a new recipe I’ve been needing a guinea pig for. I’ll let you know how he’s doing.”

Her bashful blush pushed the last of my headache away.

Chapter 5

Roman

I inhaledthe crisp scent of impending snow as I exited my back door to move my trash can to the street for tomorrow’s pickup. The forecast didn’t call for much, but the drop in temperature was noticeable through my jacket.

Once I’d dragged the trash to the curb, I turned to walk back and groaned. Of course I’d run into Elias two days in a row. Usually I managed weeks between seeing him since I had the privilege of garage parking. It was a great barrier against pointless small talk with annoyingly charming and attractive neighbors.

Elias glanced over and pulled a smile from his seemingly endless supply but said nothing. He returned his attention to the cargo area of his compact SUV. “Come on, Carol. You can’t stay out here all night. I’ve got your favorite treats inside.”

I vaguely made out a large dark lump. Was he seriously adoptinganotherdog?

“I’m going to lift you, okay? Don’t bite me. I know you probably won’t, but I don’t want you to start a biting thing. The goal is to make youmoreadoptable, not less.”

I started toward my place but paused when Elias grunted and stopped trying to move her. He ran a hand through his hairand blew out a breath. After a moment, he rolled his shoulders and tried again. The dog had to be at least sixty pounds, which probably felt much heavier if she wasn’t interested in moving. He tried tugging on a leash, but that didn’t budge her either. Elias tugged again, then slipped and fell on his ass.

“You’re killing me, Carol. It’s cold, it’s wet, and I didn’t sleep last night. I just want to get you in a safe space before I bring someone in to repair the shelter.”

Repair the shelter? What happened?

Nope. Not my problem or business.I didn’t need to get involved. As soon as I started caring, it only made things messy when I moved. I’d learned that lesson a long time ago.

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