Page 24 of Puppy Love & Snowflake Kisses
“What do you mean no?” His voice rumbled with agitation. “You have some criminal lurking around your place. You have to take precautions. I can’t be at your place twenty-four seven.”
“You’re right. You need to leave as soon as we get back, and you can take your cameras with you.” She knew she was being obstinate, but at the moment everything felt as though it were spinning out of her control.
“Belle, you’re being unreasonable. We have no idea what this person is capable of.”
She needed to reclaim a modicum of control over her life, which had been invaded first by some criminal and then by this well-meaning but intrusive sheriff. She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. But she realized this person could be dangerous, and with the cameras, Parker wouldn’t need to sleep on her couch. “Fine. Install your cameras.”
“Okay.” He didn’t have any little digs for her.
She parallel parked a little way down the road from the pet shop. “How long will you be?”
He arched a brow and smiled. “Why? Are you planning to leave me behind?”
Just that little bit of smile and his teasing tone broke the tension that was coursing through her body. In turn, she smiled when she said, “Don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind.”
“I shouldn’t be more than a half hour. How about you?”
“I don’t know. I want to talk to some people about Odie. I want everyone in this town to know that he’s missing. I need everyone keeping an eye out for him. I need all the help I can get.”
“Even mine?” His tone this time was totally serious.
She sighed. “Even your help.”
“Then I best get to it.” He opened the Jeep door and got out.
As she made her way along the sidewalk, a light snow began to fall. Just what they needed, more snow to add to the several inches of snow they already had on the ground. Still, she couldn’t deny that it gave Kringle Falls Christmas vibes. Between all of the white stuff and the various shops along Main Street painted in shades of red, green, and white, this place was rocking the holidays. She supposed that was why they were known as a Christmas town.
She glanced up and spotted the white wooden sign hanging in front of the pet store. Painted in black letters it read:Purr ’n Woof Supplies. This was her destination.
She pushed open the glass door and heard the familiar sound of jingle bells. There was a silver jingle bell tree hanging on the door.
She glanced around the front of the store. There was no one at the checkout counter. There had to be someone there. “Hello?”
Belle walked past the displays of pet toys and snacks. In the middle of the shop were aisles of pet food, squeaky toys, and any other item you might need for your furbaby. There was no one there either.
In the back was a fenced-off training area. She’d always thought after the holidays that she would bring Odie, and they could take a class together. The thought brought a pain to her heart as tears burned the backs of her eyes. She blinked repeatedly as she struggled to get her emotions under control.
She swallowed hard and hoped her voice didn’t betray her roller-coaster emotions. “Hello?”
“Good morning.” Merry Kringle stepped out of the office and approached her with a warm smile on her face.
Merry was an older woman with short curly snow-white hair. She had blue eyes that twinkled when she laughed. She wore gold wire-rimmed glasses. Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips were upturned with one of her warm smiles.
When Belle was young, she was certain Merry was, in fact, Mrs. Claus. Who could blame a child for having those thoughts? The woman could easily play the part without any effort. And of course, there was the fact that her husband, Kris Kringle, looked just like Santa with his white beard and round belly.
And today, like most other days, Merry was wearing a red dress and white apron. It only perpetuated the idea that she was Santa’s wife. Sometimes, Belle wondered if there was something Merry wasn’t sharing with them—was she really Mrs. Claus? The ridiculous thought had a smile tugging at her lips.
Merry glanced around, as though she had lost something or someone. And then her attention centered on Belle. “Where’s Odie?”
“You haven’t heard?”
Merry’s brows drew together as the smile faded from her face. “We were out of town last night. Did something happen?”
“I tried to call you last night, but it went to voicemail.”
“Sorry. I didn’t have my charger cord with me. What’s going on?”
Belle rehashed what had happened over the past twenty-four hours. “And that’s why I’m here. I needed to know if you’ve seen any strangers buying dog food or anything that would make you suspicious.” Realizing that she was grasping at straws, she said, “I’m desperate. I don’t know what to do to get him back.”
