Page 31 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“Unless you get a tiny dog. They aren’t much help warding off bad guys.”

“Have you met any chihuahuas?” I didn’t want that kind of dog. “I’m hoping to get a medium-sized dog. Well, a puppy that will grow into a medium-sized dog. I love the ones that you see on fox hunts. I don’t even know what they’re called. But I’m going to see if I can find a puppy to adopt. Because those little guys need homes.”

“That’s sweet.” She tapped on her phone.

I made an effort not to look at her screen. “Eli?”

“He hasn’t called this morning. Usually, he calls before he gets off so that I can have his breakfast bagged up and ready.”

“Is that your way of warning me that he might not be coming?”

“I wasn’t subtle enough?” She patted my hand before waving at the firemen walking in. “Morning, guys. What can I get ya?”

While she was busy getting the hungry firefighters their pastries, I headed to the door. Eli wasn’t going to stop by, and Tessa was busy.

As I pushed open the door, Joji walked up, a bright smile lighting up her face. “Delaney! How are you this morning?”

She was close to Cami and came into the doughnut shop often. Joji also frequented my store regularly.

“Pretty good. How’s the goat farm?”

“Exciting as always. Listen, are you busy tonight? Clint is getting together with Beau, Mad Dog, and Jeffrey. Poker, I think. Anyway, you should come over. I’ll be bored otherwise.” She nodded toward the counter. “Want to join me for a doughnut?”

I wasn’t opposed to having more coffee and eating another doughnut. “Sure.”

The invitation had me curious. I knew Joji a little, but not well. So being invited over was unexpected. Joji and Cami, however, were tight as thieves.

My gut said that fact had something to do with the invitation. Knowing Cami’s latest quest, I figured it had to do with Eli. But I couldn’t figure out the connection.

Eli seemed to know almost everyone in town, so maybe he was friends with Joji. Was she planning to have us both over?

That would be a quiet evening... if he even stayed.

“Sure to which part, hun?” The petite woman held open the door.

“Both.”

“Wonderful.” She glanced at the parking lot. “Grab that table by the window. My sweetie is going to stop by, and I want to keep an eye out.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

Laughter bubbled out of her. “You aren’t. He won’t stay long. When he runs into town on my café days, he stops in. I think it’s because he misses me.” She tousled her red curls. “He likes me. That’s why I married the man.”

She made it sound so simple. I could only hope I’d find that kind of love.

* * *

Givingmyself a lecture about not getting a puppy before the house was ready, I walked into the pet store. I could only stay a few minutes if I was going to arrive at Joji’s on time.

Strolling past the kittens, I headed straight for the dogs. As always, there were very few puppies.

“Are you interested in adopting a dog?” A young woman grinned from a nearby table.

“Very, but I’m waiting until I move out of my tiny place. I can’t have a pet there. But I really want a puppy.” I continued scanning the cages.

In the very last cage, the one next to the volunteer’s table, was the puppy of my dreams. I hurried as my resolve crumbled. How hard would it be to keep a puppy in the store?

Extremely difficult. But if I waited, someone would snatch up my puppy. “But for this little guy, I am going to change my whole plan. I’ll find a way to make it work. What paperwork do I have to sign?”

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