by Carol Cox
Daniel’s face tightened. “Well, just after I made you that promise, I got fired.”
Crystal’s eyes grew round. “That was weeks ago! Why didn’t you tell me? What have you been doing all this time?”
“Doin’ odd jobs, lookin’ for work, and talkin’ to the preacher.” Daniel rubbed one hand across the back of his neck.
“But, anyway, about your birthday. Here I told you I was goin’ to do somethin’ really fine, and then I didn’t have the money to follow through on it.
“I’d seen you lookin’ at that white purse at the Mercantile a couple of times. You know the one I mean?”
Crystal nodded. “The one with all the little pockets and places to sort things.” Her face lit up. “You noticed?”
“Yeah, I did. I went back on your birthday to get it. I wanted to do so much more for you, but I figured I could buy you at least one thing I knew you really liked. But when I checked the price, it came down to a choice between buyin’ the purse or groceries for the week.”
Kate’s heart ached as she pictured Daniel having to choose between feeding his family or buying his wife a simple birthday gift.
“I knew I’d have to come clean about bein’ fired eventually,” Daniel went on, “but I just couldn’t bear the thought of ruinin’ your birthday with news like that. I wanted to get you somethin’ so bad, it hurt. But I didn’t know what I was gonna do.”
Daniel scrubbed his cheek with his hand. “I bought the groceries, but it was too early to come straight home, so I decided to drive around town a bit. I was passing Copper Mill Park, and I spotted a bag that looked just like the one in the Mercantile.”
It took an effort for Kate to hold back a laugh. Only a man without an ounce of fashion sense could mistake one of Sam’s stock purses for a designer doggie tote! Both bags were white, but the similarity ended there.
“I stopped the Blazer and looked around. It was just sittin’ there like someone had gone off and left it. The more I looked at it, the more I knew you had to have it.”
No one broke the silence when Daniel paused and stared down at his hands.
“I looked around and saw these two old ladies. I figured the bag must have belonged to one of them. I waited there for a bit to see if they were gonna come back for it. Then they walked over to a bench and sat down, and I saw my chance.”
“Oh no,” Crystal whispered.
Daniel hung his head. “Yeah, I kept the trees between me and those ladies and sneaked up close to the bag. Then I grabbed it and took off.”
“You stole my birthday present?”
Daniel nodded miserably. “It was wrong. It was stupid. I can see that now. But by the time I let myself think about it, it was too late to do anythin’. I was gonna sneak it in the house and gift wrap it when I got home, but then you came out on the porch and caught me before I could get inside.”
“I remember.” A soft light shone in Crystal’s eyes. “There was that beautiful bag, and when I looked inside and saw that precious puppy staring up at me, I felt like a little girl at Christmas. It was the most wonderful surprise.”
“Yeah,” Daniel said. “I was about as surprised as you were when I first saw that dog.”
“Wait a minute,” Paul interrupted. “You mean you didn’t know there was a dog in the bag? Surely you must have realized something was in there when you picked it up.”
“I knew there was something, but I didn’t bother looking inside.” Daniel managed a half smile. “That dog can’t weigh more than a few pounds. Knowin’ how much ladies can cram inside their purses, I didn’t think much about it. I just figured I’d empty it out before I wrapped it when I got home. But on the way home, the bag started to wiggle, and this little guy started whimperin’. I knew then that I had gotten more than I bargained for, but it was too late to go back.”
Crystal sent a longing look across the room, where Kisses was nestled in Kate’s arms. “I fell in love with Rambo the moment I laid eyes on him. He’s so tiny and cute. It’s like having another baby to hold.”
“That’s why I couldn’t tell you about the gift or the job, hon. I just couldn’t stand the thought of wipin’ that joy off your face.”
Daniel propped his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. “But it looks like I’ve gone and done it now.”
Tires crunched on the driveway. Daniel’s head jerked up, and he looked at Paul. “Is he here?”
Paul glanced out the window and nodded. “Shall I let him in?”
“Might as well get it over with.” Daniel looked at his wife. “Sweetheart, I meant it when I said I got things straight between me and God today. If I’m gonna do this right, I’ve gotta do it all the way.”
A quick tap sounded at the door. At Daniel’s nod, Paul opened it, and Skip Spencer stepped into the room.
Crystal gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
Daniel stood and gathered her into his arms. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m the one who oughta be scared, not you.”
Crystal’s chin quivered as she looked up at him. “Why?”
Daniel pressed her head tight against his chest. “I can’t expect you and the kids to get by on your own if they put me in jail for this.”
His voice thickened. “I just want you to know that if you feel like you have to pack up and go back home to your mom and dad, I’ll understand.”
Crystal flung her arms around his neck. “Don’t you know me better than that by now? I love you, Daniel Blaine Newcomb, and I’ll stand by you, whatever happens.”
Daniel’s face twisted with emotion. “But you gotta eat somehow.”
She lifted her chin in a show of bravery that tugged at Kate’s heart. “I was a checker at the grocery store before the kids were born, remember? If I have to, I can do it again. I’m sure I can find someone to watch them.”
Skip stepped across to the couple, and he and Daniel began speaking in low tones.
Kate drew away and moved over beside Paul. “How did Skip know about this?” she whispered.
Paul reached out and ran his forefinger between Kisses’ ears. The tip of the little Chihuahua’s tail quivered.
Paul lowered his voice to match hers. “That was Daniel’s doing. He’s been wrestling with a load of guilt for a long time, and he finally realized that the only way to get rid of it was to own up to what he’d done and face the consequences.
“He asked if I’d follow him out here for moral support, but he didn’t give me the specifics of what he’d stolen until we got to the house. Before we came in, he borrowed my cell phone to call Skip and asked him to meet us here.
“He knows it’s going to cost him, but he said he wants to be able to stand up and know he faced it like a real man.”
Paul looked at the young man with respect in his eyes. “I’d say he’s serious about this commitment he made to follow God. It took a lot of courage to do what he did.”
“It did indeed.” Kate looked across the living room to where Skip and Daniel were still deep in conversation with Crystal staying next to Daniel’s side. Both men’s faces wore solemn expressions. She felt her stomach tighten and wondered how this was going to end.
She tucked one hand under Paul’s arm and leaned against his shoulder, careful not to squeeze Kisses between them. “It was quite a surprise to have Daniel come in the door like that and then see you standing behind him.”
Paul chuckled. “How do you think I felt when I saw your car sitting in the driveway? I thought I was finally going to solve a mystery ahead of you, and you’d already beaten me to it!”
Kate shook her head. “It was the oddest thing. I came into Millie’s office while you and Daniel were talking. Did you know anybody was there?”
“No, I never heard you.” Paul grinned. “I’ll have to be more careful what I say if you’re able to sneak up on me like that.”
Kate pulled her hand free and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “I’d lost the Newcombs’ address and stopped by to get it f
rom you. When I realized you were talking to Daniel, I decided to wait. But then I overheard Daniel talking about making some kind of confession, and I knew it was time to go. But I’d heard enough to suspect what I might find once I got here.”
Paul looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. “That sounds like divine intervention to me.”
“I think we’re about ready to wrap this up.” Skip spoke loud enough for all of them to hear. “I’m going to need that tote.”
Crystal went into the bedroom Kisses had occupied and returned with the white designer tote in her hands. She pulled out a worn wallet, a tube of lip gloss, and a comb, then held it out to Skip. “Here it is. I’ve taken good care of it. It isn’t scratched or anything.”
Skip took the tote and nodded his thanks.
Crystal clung to Daniel’s arm and gazed at Kisses, who was still nestled in Kate’s arms. “I guess that means I have to give Rambo back too, doesn’t it?”
Daniel wrapped his arm around her waist. “Don’t worry, hon. When all of this is behind us, we’ll go out and buy another dog. I’ve been thinkin’ about a coonhound.”
Kate stepped forward. “I know his owner, Renee Lambert, will appreciate the care you’ve given her dog. It’s easy to tell he’s been treated well. You probably don’t know this, but she entered him in a dog show this coming Saturday here in Copper Mill. He’ll probably still be able to compete because of your loving care.”
Crystal sniffed. “I guess everything works out in the end. I’ve really loved having him here, and it’s been a joy to care for him.”
“It doesn’t look like the change has put him off his feed,” Kate said.
“Nah,” Daniel said. “He isn’t picky. I just bought the cheap stuff up at SuperMart. He liked it fine.”
Kate tilted her head to look at Kisses, the finicky soul who wouldn’t touch anything but the food that Renee prepared from scratch three times a day.
“Do you want me to get the bag of food?” Crystal asked. “There’s still plenty left. I could send it home with him.”
Kate swallowed, thinking of Renee’s probable reaction. “That’s okay. Save it for when you get your coonhound.”
Crystal sniffled again and nodded. She turned to Skip. “What’s going to happen to my husband? You aren’t going to have to take him out of here in handcuffs, are you?”
“No, I don’t see any reason for that. We’re not talking about a violent crime here. He turned himself in, and he’s being cooperative. I’ll just need to take him to Pine Ridge to see the justice of the peace and find out where we go from there.”
Daniel’s face grew taut. “Do you think it’s going to mean jail time?”
Skip considered the question. “It isn’t for me to say, but I doubt it. Seeing as how you’ve taken the initiative on this, I’m thinking he’ll probably lean toward giving you community service.”
Skip stepped toward the door and gestured to Daniel. “We’d better get going.”
Crystal wrapped her arms around Daniel’s waist and hugged him tight. “Just remember, the kids and I will be here for you, no matter what.”
“Wait a minute, Skip. When will Renee get Kisses and her tote back?” Kate asked.
“Well, the tote is evidence,” Skip said. “I’ll have to keep it for a while, at least until after I see what the judge says.
“As far as Kisses is concerned...” He looked at the bug-eyed little dog. “Why don’t you follow us to my office? I’ll need to take a picture of him. Then you can take him home to Miz Lambert.”
“THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I ever witnessed a doggy mug shot being taken.” Paul chuckled as he opened the driver’s-side door of the Honda for Kate. They had decided to leave Paul’s truck at the Town Hall and pick it up on their way home after dropping Kisses off at Renee’s.
He helped Kate into the car, then he trotted around to the passenger side and climbed in, pulling Kisses onto his lap. “This time you’re sharing the seat, buddy.”
“Yes, Kisses, but as soon as things are back to normal, you’ll be riding in your place of honor again in your favorite pink Olds,” Kate promised.
Her spirits soared as she started the car. She could hardly wait to see Renee’s face when Kisses made his triumphal return.
“Look at this.” Paul pointed at Kisses, who stood on his back legs in Paul’s lap. His front paws rested on the window ledge, and his tiny nose was pressed against the glass.
Kate felt tears sting her eyes. “It’s like he knows he’s going home.”
“Hang on, fella,” Paul told Kisses as they headed down Euclid. “It won’t be long now.”
“What do you think?” he asked as Kate made a right turn onto Main. “Is he going to miss being at the Newcombs’?”
Kate shot a startled glance his way. “After being cosseted and treated like a king at Renee’s? Are you kidding?”
“I don’t know,” Paul teased. “Think about his male ego. For more than three weeks, he’s been treated like a real dog. And with a manly name like Rambo, no less. It’s going to make for quite a transition, going back to being Little Umpkins.”
“You may have a point,” Kate laughed. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
She made a left on Smith, then a right on Ashland and pulled up in front of Renee’s house on the corner.
“I feel like there should be a brass band playing,” she said when she got out of the car.
“A ticker-tape parade at the very least,” Paul agreed.
Kisses squirmed so much that he nearly wriggled out of Paul’s grasp.
“Hang on there, buddy,” Paul said. “Just a couple more minutes.”
Kate grinned. “So much for him turning up his nose at the idea of being cosseted.”
She pressed the doorbell and heard it chime inside the house. Paul stood beside her, with Kisses in full view.
The door opened almost immediately, and Renee breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she saw them. “Oh, Kate, I’m glad you’re here. I want you to help me proofread a letter I’m writing to the editor of Teacup magazine. I’m urging all owners of small breeds to—”
Kisses yipped. Renee stopped short with her mouth wide open, seeming to register the wriggling dog in Paul’s arms for the first time.
She put her hand on the door frame to steady herself. “Oh my stars. Is it really him this time?”
Kisses whimpered, then yipped again.
“My little baby! Come to Mommy!” Renee reached out, and Kisses leaped straight into her waiting arms.
Thank You, Lord, Kate prayed as tears welled up in her eyes.
“I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE IT,” Renee said for the umpteenth time.
Paul and Kate sat on overstuffed chairs in the living room. Renee and her mother occupied the couch. Kisses lay curled up in Renee’s lap as if he’d never been gone.
Renee ran her hand down his sleek tan coat and shook her head. “I can’t get over it. I had such horrible thoughts running through my mind all the time he was gone. I expected him to be half starved, but he doesn’t look like he’s been mistreated at all.”
She stroked his side with her clipped fingernail. “I do believe he’s put on a bit of weight. Can you believe that?”
Paul smirked, and Kate raised one eyebrow in warning.
“In fact,” Renee added, “he looks so good I think I may be able to put him in the show on Saturday after all. I’m sure all his doggie friends will be overjoyed to see him.”
Kate smiled. “I’m sure they will.”
Renee turned to Paul. “And you say the man who took my tote didn’t even realize Kisses was inside?”
“Not at first. He didn’t discover Kisses until he was on his way home with the tote. He isn’t a bad person at heart,” Paul added. “He just felt like life had backed him into a corner. It was more an act of desperation than anything. He took the tote as a gift for his wife’s birthday.”
“Well, at least they took good care of my Little Umpkins.”
/> “They certainly did,” Kate assured her. “Both the couple and their children adored him.”
Renee’s eyes misted over. “A sensitive dog like Kisses needs to know he’s treasured and loved. It’s a necessity—not superfluous pampering—no matter what some people might say.”
She sniffled, and Kate knew that the sting of Lucy Mae’s comments at the beauty parlor hadn’t gone away entirely, even though the two women had reconciled.
Renee held the Chihuahua up and placed a kiss on the top of his little domed head. “You’re home safe and sound now, and that’s all that matters. And Mommy is going to make sure you’re never left alone again.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tell me again what it is you’re supposed to be doin’ on Saturday?” LuAnne asked as she leaned against the Hanlons’ kitchen counter on Thursday evening.
Livvy stood beside LuAnne with an equally bemused expression on her face. “I’d like to know too, since I’m supposed to be helping you. It would be a big plus if I had some clue about what it is I volunteered for.”
“An offer that is much appreciated, believe me.” Kate laughed and greased another cookie sheet. “All I know is what I’ve been told—greet people, see that they have everything they need, and take care of small problems that come up.”
She shrugged off the niggling doubts that the mention of “small problems” always brought on. “Whatever happens, Paul keeps reminding me that by Saturday night, it’ll all be over.”
Livvy grinned. “Making people welcome ought to be second nature to you after so many years of greeting people on Sunday mornings.”
“So what are the cookies for?” LuAnne asked.
Kate followed LuAnne’s gaze to the counter, which was piled high with an array of cookies: chocolate-chip, oatmeal-raisin, lemon snowballs, and snickerdoodles.
Kate had even made sugar cookies in the shape of little hound dogs. She hoped the owners of other breeds wouldn’t take that as an indication of favoritism. It was the only dog-shaped cookie cutter she owned.
She grinned. “Maybe it’s all those years of church potlucks, but hospitality is always connected in my mind with food. I thought I’d set up a table with trays of cookies and jugs of iced tea. Maybe a coffee urn, if I can find a place in the park to plug one in.”