by Deb Kastner
“This publicity campaign isn’t just about Christmas,” she commented, as if reading his thoughts.
He situated Zig and Zag, and then Miranda sat the twins back-to-back just behind the little dogs. She lifted her camera and took as many good shots as she could in the short amount of time she had before the twins started crawling away and the dogs got distracted.
“What do you mean, it’s not just about Christmas?” he asked when she had a moment to hear what he said.
“I’m picturing this as an all-year-round solution. Photographing one or both of the twins with each individual dog. You don’t have a website, do you?”
“I’m not much of a computer guy,” he admitted, feeling once again like a simple cowboy living in a world far too small for a woman like Miranda. “Forever Family has a social media page, but there aren’t many pictures on it and I don’t update it very often.”
“Well, there you go. We take cute pictures of the dogs and the kids and get them up where people can see them. If we update the website and social media page every time you get a new dog, I think you’ll see a real uptick in your rescue efforts.”
“And you’ll be the one taking the pictures?” He held his breath as he waited for her answer.
She laughed. “Unless you want someone else to do it.”
Simon didn’t want anyone else. And he was beginning to imagine how this might work out after all. Miranda could take pictures of the dogs and help him with the rescue. He could care for the twins when she had photo shoots to do.
Was the inconceivable possible?
Because there had been all kinds of possibilities in their kiss.
“I’d like to get a couple of shots of the twins with Chummy,” she said. “I know he’s your dog and he isn’t going to be up for adoption, but I would love for the world to see how much you care about even the wounded animals.”
She’d just given him a solid opening to say what was on his mind.
Speaking of caring...
Miranda, I care for you.
I want you and the twins to be part of my life.
But the words wouldn’t come. They got all tangled up in his head and never made it to his lips.
He sighed and whistled for Chummy.
* * *
The photos of the twins with Zig and Zag had turned out even better than Miranda had expected, and it was a simple matter for them to make and distribute the posters.
She spoke to a lot of people as they canvassed. Simon, not so much. As usual, he turned introspective when there were others around. But that was okay. She talked enough for the both of them.
She supposed that was another way she could help him with his rescue efforts—spreading the word with, well, words. Maybe the Lord had given her the gift of gab for a reason after all.
As a surprise for Simon, she’d blown up the photo of the twins with Chummy into an extralarge poster and had added the Forever Family logo in big letters. She thought they could use it for all of the adoption events and then in between events he could hang it on his office wall.
There was another thing, also, that she’d noticed when she’d been going through her snapshots, although she hadn’t shared the information with Simon yet—and wasn’t certain she should.
She didn’t really have any definitive ideas on what her discovery could mean, anyway, and she didn’t want to come to the wrong conclusion.
But as she’d sorted through the photos she’d taken of the church youth group, she’d noticed something peculiar carved into the trunk of the elm tree the youth had wanted their pictures taken under.
Triple H.
But that was hardly conceivable, was it, that the youths from the church would be responsible for all the mischief that had recently gone down in Wildhorn?
These youths were the best of kids, the teenagers who were always first in line to help whenever it was needed. Were they the young artists who were pranking the neighborhood?
One thing was certain. She wasn’t about to share her random, wild theories with Simon, anything that he might latch on to and act upon.
She wasn’t even sure she was right. Anyone could have carved that tag into the tree. It didn’t have to be the kids in the youth group. The teenagers probably chose the location under the elm tree because it was the prettiest place in the park.
With that, she let it go.
On the day of the adoption event, Miranda bundled up the twins and headed for Maggie’s Pet Store, which was located right next door to Duke’s Hardware. All of the shops along the main street were hosting sidewalk sales in conjunction with Simon’s event, so there would be plenty of foot traffic and browsing.
Everyone from age zero to one hundred would want to look at the cute doggies—and hopefully some of the onlookers would fall in love with one of the pups and want to take them home to be part of their families.
Miranda had agreed to meet Simon at the pet shop because she already had her hands full with the twins, and he had volunteers coming out to his ranch to help transport the dogs to and from the event.
By the time she got there, Simon had the dogs secured in a dog yard where people could interact with them.
Already in cahoots with Miranda, Maggie Jennings, the pet shop owner, had pasted the oversize poster of Chummy and the twins in the window as a special surprise to Simon—the icing on the cake for what she hoped would be his most successful event ever.
As soon as Simon saw Miranda wheeling the twins toward him, he broke into a big grin. That happened more and more often these days, and Miranda’s heart warmed as she grew nearer.
“You continue to surprise me,” he said as she approached. “That poster that you made up—”
He swallowed hard and didn’t finish his sentence. He didn’t have to.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”
“And I’m glad you brought Hudson and Harper with you.” He crouched in front of the twins and kissed each of their foreheads. “Of course, you always do, don’t you?”
“To be honest, I almost took up my mom’s offer to watch them for me today because I’m not sure I’ll be much use to you with two wiggly babies to take care of.”
“Are you kidding? They are the stars of the show. If the puppies don’t draw people in, the babies definitely will.”
“You can count on that. Now what else can I do to help?”
“Talk to people? You know that’s not my forte.”
She laughed. “Ah, yes. But it is mine, isn’t it? See how well we complement each other?”
He grinned and tapped the clipboard he was holding. “Send folks my way when the twins have sold them on a puppy. And don’t forget to remind them that we deliver Christmas morning. We’re as dependable as Santa Claus himself.”
“This is so exciting, to think that so many of these precious dogs will go to families who will love them.”
She couldn’t believe how invested she’d become in Simon’s work. She wanted him to succeed, not only for his own sake, but also for the canines he cared so much about. She wanted all the dogs to go to happy homes.
He reached a hand into the dog yard and was immediately surrounded by wet noses and furry ears.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he agreed. “Finding a forever family.”
Chapter Fourteen
The adoption event was by far the most successful Simon had ever held, which he entirely attributed to Miranda and the twins. Among the three of them, they had made all the difference in the world.
It was as easy for Miranda to engage people in meaningful conversation as it was difficult for him. And Harper and Hudson just had to giggle and flap their arms and look cute to get people to cross the street to see what was happening. They’d had a crowded sidewalk all day.
; Altogether, they’d received paperwork from fifteen families, and in the week since, Simon had done his due diligence on each of the families and visited every home to give suggestions and make sure they were dog ready.
He couldn’t believe it was Christmas Eve already. Where had the week gone? Time seemed to be rushing by at the speed of light when he wanted to slow down and savor every moment.
Maybe because, for the first time in his life, he felt happy.
Truly happy.
And he was going to attend the Christmas Eve service tonight to thank God for all His blessings. The end of this year marked a complete change in Simon’s heart, in more ways than one.
He had a new yet sound and deep-rooted relationship with the Lord, one that he believed gave him hope and a future.
And that future, he prayed, included Miranda and the twins.
He hadn’t breathed a word of his faith to anyone yet, because he wanted Miranda to be the first to know how much God was a part of his life now, just as she and the twins were. He knew she’d be thrilled with the news. As with all things, Simon was a private person, and up until today his faith had been between him and God, and the occasional conversation with Mason. He’d given himself time to let it grow and flourish.
Tonight that would all change. He planned to give Miranda the surprise of her life when he waltzed into the sanctuary of the church as if he belonged there—which he did. It was nerve-racking to think about, but faith didn’t happen in a vacuum. Mason and Charlotte would also be over the moon with the news. He knew they’d been praying for him for many years, and he would be happy to report that their prayers had been answered.
But even Christmas Eve wouldn’t be as exciting as Christmas morning would be. Adrenaline pumped through him as he went over his plans in his head. He’d driven to another town earlier this week to purchase an engagement ring, knowing if he’d gone into the local jewelry store, the news would be all over town by the end of the day.
He’d kept the secret—and the ring—close to his heart, both literally and figuratively, in all the days following. Right in his shirt pocket. He might not be as creative as Miranda, but after much thought, he believed he’d put together a proposal she would never forget.
His affection for her had grown over the month and a half they’d been together. He’d only had to get out of his own way and be willing to put a label on it.
He was in love with Miranda.
He hoped and prayed she returned the sentiment. He would know for sure tomorrow morning. It would either be the best Christmas present ever or the worst holiday of his life. One or the other, and there was only one way to find out.
It was early in the day yet, but he kept checking his phone and glancing out the front window, anxious for Miranda to arrive at the ranch with the twins. They were coming over to help give all of the dogs a bath, and then the fortunate adoptees would be corralled out in the kennels until it was time to make Christmas morning deliveries.
He laughed when he thought of the twins helping with the baths. He remembered how wet his jeans had gotten with Harper in the tub. She might even be more enthusiastic as a “helper.” He’d stocked up on extra towels, knowing his entire bathroom—and probably everyone in it—was bound to get soaked.
His heart warmed until he thought it might burst. How could a man possibly be as happy as he was right now?
After tomorrow he would have a real forever family to care for and love, for as long as he lived. He would no longer be alone. And he planned to count his blessings every second of every day from now until forever.
Miranda honked as she pulled up in front of his place. He missed the high, piercing sound of her convertible, but he didn’t think she ever thought about it at all. She’d adapted everything in her life to make room for the twins.
He counted to ten and then burst through the door and strode out to meet them. He didn’t want to seem too eager, but he expected his expression was a dead giveaway.
Could he blame his joy on the holiday and the success of his adoption event, or would Miranda see right through him?
“I thought we’d better start with the adoptees,” Simon said as he unhooked Hudson from his car seat. “If we don’t get to the other dogs, it’s no big deal. We can always wash them later. But I want the ones going to their forever families to look their very best.”
“This is exciting,” Miranda said enthusiastically as she took the helm of the bathtub, the sprayer in her hand. “I’m so happy for every one of these dogs.”
“It’s a good day for everyone,” Simon agreed, handing her the first pup on the list. Miranda used the sprayer to wet the dogs and, with the twins’ “helping” by splashing water all over the bathroom, soaped them up and hosed them down. Simon stood behind them with towels at the ready.
As he’d suspected, the water didn’t exactly stay in the tub. Some of the dogs, like the labs, loved the water and didn’t object at all to being bathed. Others, like the Chihuahua, not so much. Taco looked like a miserable drowned rat when Miranda and the twins got through with him. But he was going to a wonderful forever home with a senior couple who had instantly fallen in love with him at the adoption event.
After the fifteen dogs were washed and kenneled, Simon brought Zig and Zag in for a bath.
Miranda’s face fell. “They’ve been adopted?”
Simon nodded.
“Oh. I guess I was so busy I didn’t see them at the adoption event.”
“They weren’t there. This is a private adoption. The family has a couple of kids who I think will really love the Westies.”
She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sure they will. The twins certainly like them. They’ll be missed.”
“Mmm.”
He turned away from her. He just couldn’t look her in the eyes right now. Her expression nearly broke his heart.
When Zig and Zag were bathed and were zipping through the house chasing each other in their usual method of blow-drying their fur, Simon pulled on his jean jacket. “I’m going to go feed the dogs and spend a few minutes with the ones leaving tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?”
“Very much. Just help me get the twins bundled up.”
It took a few minutes to get the babies into their coats. Miranda was quicker than Simon and somehow managed to get Hudson’s arms where they needed to go. Harper apparently didn’t feel like wearing her jacket, because every time he got close to putting her arm in the appropriate sleeve, she’d pull away.
“Be a good girl for Uncle Simon and put your army through your sleevey,” Miranda said, taking Harper into her arms. “You’re just creating trouble so you’ll get more attention, aren’t you, little miss?”
Simon met Miranda’s gaze and smiled.
“Remember that first day, when I told you I had concerns about you becoming Hudson and Harper’s guardian?” he asked.
“It’s hard to forget. You were pretty forthright with me.”
“Rude, you mean.”
“Your words, not mine.” She laughed.
“I was also wrong. Very wrong. You are a wonderful mother to the twins. It’s been a blessing for me to watch you bond with them, and they with you. Mary’s and John’s deaths were a terrible tragedy, but they made the right choice in giving Hudson and Harper into your care. There’s no doubt in my mind that you three were meant to be together.”
Four, perhaps?
Her eyes brightened. “Do you really think so? I still have moments when I wonder if I’m doing enough for them.”
“You love them with your whole heart, and they love you right back again. The rest of it is just icing on the cake.”
“Thank you.”
She ran a hand down his arm and every nerve ending came alive as she squeezed his hand. When their eyes met, it was
all he could do not to steal a kiss, despite the twins perched between them.
He didn’t want to give himself away, but she was just too beautiful to resist. He leaned in, intending to brush his lips across her cheek, but her gaze widened and she moved away before he could make contact.
His pulse jolted in surprise.
Did she not want him to kiss her?
If that was the case, this was going to be the worst weekend of his life.
“It’s going to be dark soon,” she said, fussing with Hudson’s jacket. “We’d best get out and see your doggies.”
He took Harper back into his arms and followed Miranda out the door, his mind rehashing every moment since the time they’d kissed right in the middle of Tumbleweed Avenue. He hadn’t attempted to kiss her again until now, but she hadn’t given him any reason to think she wouldn’t welcome his affection.
What if he was all wrong about this?
What if she didn’t return his regard?
He continued behind her toward the kennels, his head lowered in thought and his gaze on the ground.
He’d been alone most of his life, but until now, he’d never been lonely. Not until now. Miranda and the twins had filled his heart in a way he never could have imagined.
“Simon?”
Miranda came to a dead stop and Simon’s boots skidded in the dirt to keep from running into her.
The sound of her voice—
Surprise.
A note of panic.
He looked up, his gaze following the direction of hers.
“Did I misunderstand you? Are the dogs in the barn and not the kennels?”
His heart fell into his gut, which was turning like a combine.
Oh, Lord, please. Anything but this.
The kennels were empty, and the gate to his property was swinging in the wind.
His dogs had vanished.
* * *
“You put the dogs into the kennels, right?” She was trying to keep the alarm she was feeling out of her tone but she knew she was failing miserably. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest and her breath was coming in short bursts.