Page 41 of Fa-La-La-La Faking It
Lady Bird let out a timely bark.
“This space would beperfectfor Comfort Paws,” Maple said as she cupped her hands over her eyes to peer inside. “Look, there are nice open areas where we could have training classes.”
Belle pressed her face to the glass next to Maple. “Those cubbies where the kids put their things would make great storage. We could organize all the dog vests, leashes, fanny packs and T-shirts that are probably taking up every square inch of room in your Sunday house, Maple.”
“Seriously. Ford just asked me the other day if I actually have space for him to move in after the wedding. I promised him we could make it work,” Maple laughed. “Then he opened a closet and stacks of Comfort Paws hoodies fell directly on top of his head.”
“Do we have any idea what the rent might be?” Adaline asked. Since the storefront wasn’t directly on the town square, it just might be affordable. Still, it was going to take a lot of hot cocoa to pay for a space like this.
“I don’t know. The sign just went up this morning.” Jenna tapped her foot. “We should probably check into it right away. Business space in Bluebonnet is so limited. Someone is going to snap this up fast.”
Belle turned toward Maple. “Have we gotten word on the grant yet?”
Maple shook her head. “Not yet, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”
“I almost forgot about that.” Adaline breathed a little easier.
Just after Thanksgiving, before the reappearance of Jace Martin and back before her grand fundraiser had been reduced to a single cocoa cart, Adaline had spotted a grant funded by the Texas Veterinary Association offering $25,000 per year for the next four years to a Texas-based charity focused on the human-animal bond. Applications had been due December 1, and Adaline had scrambled to write up a proposal and full description of the Comfort Paws mission, along with testimonials from the county hospital, the senior center, the local rehab facility and other places where their therapy dogs had been visiting for months. Comfort Paws had already had a major impact on the community, and they’d only just gotten started. With an adequate training facility, they could expand their reach beyond their small town and have therapy dog teams all over the Texas Hill Country.
That’s how Adaline hoped the people overseeing the grant process would see it, anyway. Since Maple was a veterinarian, she’d signed off on the paperwork alongside Adaline, using the pet clinic as the official Comfort Paws address.
“The last communication I got from the grant committee indicated they’d announce their decision by the end of the year,” Maple said.
“So we’ve still got a shot.” Belle clapped her hands. “This is so exciting!”
The clapping prompted the Cavaliers to start spinning in excited circles while Lady Bird did a little tap dance with her big gold paws. Everyone was celebrating, even though no one knew for certain whether or not they had reason to.
“I’ll reach out to the leasing company right away,” Adaline said.
She needed to go home first and thoroughly crunch the numbers on the cocoa stand. As tempting as it might be, she knew they couldn’t count on the grant, and she needed to have at least a ballpark figure of what they might be able to afford before she met with the property manager.
Maple’s nose crinkled “Are you sure? You’re already doing so much. I hate to add even more to your already full plate.”
Adaline’s plate was more than full. It was basically groaning beneath the weight of things she kept piling on top of it. But she was the Comfort Paws treasurer. This was her job. Plus, she couldn’t very well ask someone else to do it. Jenna had her Christmas dance recital to worry about and an army of dance moms breathing down her neck. Bluebonnet Elementary wasn’t on winter break yet, which meant Belle was still working at the library every day on top of lobbying the school board about making her proposed Comfort Paws reading education assistance dog program an official part of the curriculum. Not to mention that in a week and a half, Maple would be walking down the aisle.
That left Adaline.
“I’m completely sure. No problem at all.” She took in the wide front windows of the day care center and imagined whimsical paintings of dogs wearing therapy vests on the shiny glass. Maybe she could get the art club from Bluebonnet High to volunteer their time. A mural in the front entrance would also look great. The build-out was already bright, cheery and colorful since the space had been intended for children. That would transition perfectly for Comfort Paws. “This location is a dream. I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.”
She’d get it in writing this time, too. No more mistakes like she’d made with the town square reservation at the mayor’s office.
“It really would be the perfect spot. Comfort Paws is going to be bigger and better than I ever dreamed it would. I can’t believe we’ve come this far already, y’all.” Maple went misty-eyed and fluttered a hand in front of her face like she was trying not to cry.
Jenna held up a hand. “I think this calls for a high five.”
Lady Bird batted at the air with one of her paws, drawing a round of laughter out of the Comfort Paws girls. Peaches and Fuzzy both pounced at the golden retriever, eager to join in whatever game they thought she was playing. Even Ginger, the quietest of the group of therapy dogs, dropped into a play bow and wagged her tail.
The mood was infectious, and Adaline felt her worries melting away like the Texas snow. Christmas was almost here, and everything was going to be just fine.
It had to.
Mr. Martin, this is Maureen O’Connor with Briarwood Properties, following up on our offer for the purchase of Texas Tidings Christmas Tree Farm. The expiration date on the proposed contract is fast approaching. I’m here if you have any questions or need any further information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jace deleted the voice-mail message and shoved his phone deep into the pocket of his shearling coat as he approached the entrance to the senior center for his daily check-in on Uncle Gus. He had more important things to worry about right now than the pending offer on his farm.
Namely, the weather.
He paused outside the revolving door to study the sky. As a farmer, he followed the forecast religiously and tried to anticipate what it meant for his trees. But sometimes the sky told its own story, like whether a highly anticipated snow day was really in the realm of possibility or if it was just wishful holiday thinking. Today, the pink tinge to sweeping blue made his gut churn. All morning, the local news stations had been warning of an incoming ice storm, and from the looks of things, there was serious reason to be concerned.
