Page 56 of Threads of Kindness
“I love it,” Anita said. “But I don’t know where I’d find something like that.”
“You’d have it custom-made,” Gordon replied. “Art galleries do this sort of thing all the time. I have sources. And it’s not terribly expensive.”
Judy blew out a breath. “I can’t believe how interesting this building has turned out to be. Who would’ve thought?”
Sunday stood and pointed to three crates set apart from the others. “Do those still contain full bottles?”
Anita nodded. “Gordon said he’d stay and help me finish emptying them.”
“I’ll lend a hand too,” Sunday said, stepping over and removing four bottles. “Where do I dump these?”
Anita pointed toward the break room.
“Many hands make light work, as my grandmother used to say,” Judy added, joining them.
Within half an hour, the remaining whiskey had been poured down the drain. They washed the bottles and returned them to their crates to dry.
Gordon and Anita said goodbye to Sunday and Judy. He packed the papers back into his satchel, and he and Anita linked arms as they walked to his car.
“I’m tired,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder. “But my thoughts are racing. I don’t know how I’ll ever get to sleep.”
“Sleep is overrated,” he murmured, bending to kiss her.
CHAPTER 28
“They’re here!” Sean cried, racing Sally, Daisy, and Snowball to the front door. Dodger’s excited barking soon joined the familiar voices of the three dogs.
David and Dodger stepped into the chaos inside the front door. David commanded Dodger to be quiet and dropped to one knee to greet and calm the other dogs. Sally, Frank’s older border collie mix, backed out of the thrashing tangle of tails, keeping her dignity intact. Snowball rose onto her hind legs and placed her front paws on Dodger’s shoulders. He turned toward her, and they bumped noses in greeting. Daisy, Sean’s Australian shepherd–cattle dog mix, stood taller than Dodger and waited patiently for his attention.
“Mom said we should take the dogs into the backyard,” Sean said. “To let them run.”
“Good idea,” David replied. “It feels almost like spring today, but the weather forecast is calling for record-breaking low temperatures starting tomorrow night. It’ll be too cold for them to do anything but go out for a quick bathroom break.”
Sean led the way down the hall and through the kitchen to the back door. The four dogs burst outside, racing aroundthe perimeter of the yard like thoroughbreds erupting from the starting gate.
“Look at them go,” Sean said.
“I know,” David replied. “Snowball has the shortest legs, but she’s in the lead. That little dog has wheels.”
“Does Dodger like working at the Guide Dog Center?” Sean asked.
“He’s not allowed to come with me,” David said. “My landlord has a small dog, so Dodger has company during the day and someone to play with. But I think he really loves afternoons like this, when he gets to run with a pack.”
They watched as Sally stopped to sniff something under a bush. The other three dogs noticed she’d fallen behind and joined her.
“Are your mom and Frank home?” David asked.
“They’re in the garage doing something,” Sean replied. “Mom said they’ll come inside to say hello when they’re done. Did you see our new car?”
“You mean that huge SUV in the driveway?” David chuckled. “I could hardly miss it.”
“We got it yesterday,” Sean said. “I didn’t even know we were looking for a new car. Mom told Frank they both need cars that hold seven passengers. Frank’s Mercedes SUV didn’t have a third row, so that’s why they got this one.”
“It sure looks fancy,” David said.
“Did you get a new car?” Sean asked. “The one you pulled up in isn’t yours.”
“No, mine is still in the shop,” David said. “It needs a lot more work than we thought. That’s my mom’s car.”
