A Heartfelt Christmas Promise

by Nancy Naigle

  Anna looked, then grabbed the phone. “Oh my gosh, I bet he still has puppy breath.”

  “He does. It reminded me of your dog, Sam.”

  “I loved that dog so much.”

  “I never really understood how people thought of pets as family. I guess because I’d never had one of my own, but I totally get it now. That pup stole my heart last night. If I didn’t live in a condo, I’d have kept him for myself.”

  “I wouldn’t let that stop you,” Anna said. “They bring so much to your life.”

  “That’s true,” said Buck.

  “And look at this.” Vanessa brought up the picture of Big Ben and Scooter together. “It’s like they were having a discussion. He’s the cutest thing.”

  “I’m so surprised to hear you gush over that puppy.” Anna started laughing and pulled closer to Buck. “She used to go crazy if my dog, Sam, licked her. You’d have thought we were forcing poison on her.” She could barely catch her breath as she laughed at the memory. “She’d have a complete hissy fit.”

  Vanessa laughed. “I know. She’s not exaggerating. I did lose it. That was so stupid, Anna. You must’ve thought I was a nutcase. Last night, that little guy was licking my face like I was covered in peanut butter. That little tongue of his even went right up my nose, but I didn’t mind one bit. I was a little sad when Lilene knew exactly where the puppy had come from when I brought him into the office with me.”

  “You took him to work?”

  “I couldn’t leave that sweet little face at home all day alone. He’s so precious.”

  Buck put his arm around Anna and gave her a squeeze. “Thanks for a lovely day, fine lady. You two have a joyful night together decorating that tree. If you need help with the angel on top, Anna knows how to reach me.”

  He gave them a wink as he walked out the door.

  Anna and Vanessa stood there in silence watching him all the way back to the main house.

  “He likes you,” Vanessa said.

  “Do not get my hopes up.”

  “I’m not. I’m serious. Did you see the way he listens to you? The way he smiles when he’s looking your way?”

  “Vanessa, we had the best day. I mean, truly the best day of my life. It was perfect from beginning to end.”

  She took Anna’s hands into her own. “I’m so glad.”

  “He gave me this ornament for the tree too.” She walked to the side of the tree facing the front door, right at eye height, for her anyway, and cupped the single ornament in her hand. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  The thick wooden ornament had been sanded to a furniture-quality finish. In the shape of the carriage on the Porter’s logo, FRASER HILLS, NC was etched across the wagon in what looked like gold leaf.

  “That is beautiful. I didn’t see anything like this over in the store.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know where he got it, but I like it. It’s the thought that counts.”

  Anna and Vanessa sat on the floor among all the boxes of ornaments trying to decide which ones to use on the tree. Finally, they’d decided to use the pretty pearl garland, a collection of Lenox ornaments, and red balls and bows.

  Anna hung ornaments while Vanessa tied bows made from a spool of velvety ribbon. Mom had taught her to make bows when she was little. They were forever making them for weddings, church, even school. She was a little out of practice, and it took her a couple of goes to get it. Finally, she lifted one in the air. “What do you think?”

  Anna nodded. “As beautiful as the ones your mom made.”

  Vanessa held the perfect bow. She wished she could spend just one more Christmas with her mother. She blinked back a tear that threatened to fall, concentrating on the ornaments.

  They decorated for over an hour before they were finally satisfied.

  “It looks so pretty.”

  “I love it.” Vanessa stepped back, taking it all in. “I haven’t put up a tree the last few years.”

  “Then you were missing out. Doesn’t it make you feel … I don’t even know how to describe it. Young? Hopeful? In awe, I guess.”

  “It does.”

  Anna cocked her head. “Is that your phone ringing?”

  Vanessa rummaged through the piles of paper and box stuffing for her phone. “It sounds like it. Where is it?” She finally put her hand on the phone. “It’s a local number. Hello?”

  “Hey, Vanessa. I’m sorry to bother you. It’s Misty.”

  Vanessa flashed a look of concern in Anna’s direction. “Misty. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, well I’m not hurt or anything, it’s just I went to lock up the barn and Scooter is missing again. I was kind of hoping he’d showed up back at the apartment.”

  “Oh, gosh. I’m not there. How about you stay where you are and keep looking around, and I’ll zip by the apartment and then swing over with the puppy, or to help you look. Sound good?”

  “I can drive over there,” she said.

  “No. Really I don’t mind. Anna just tossed me her car keys. I’m headed out the door now.” Vanessa tucked her phone in her purse and grabbed her coat. “Misty is home by herself, and the puppy is missing. Do you want to ride along?”

  “No. You run on. I’m going to do a few tweaks here and then jump in the tub for a nice long soak. Take your time.”

  “I hope he’s okay.” She ran out and drove straight over to the warehouse. Unfortunately, there was no puppy waiting for her there. She checked around the building, and called for him, but the night was quiet.

  She’d hoped the puppy would be at the warehouse waiting on her, as if somehow he’d chosen her to be his forever home. And just as quickly, she knew it was a crazy idea. She was never even home to take care of a puppy. It wouldn’t be fair to saddle Anna with one, even if she did agree to move to Chicago, which seemed iffy given how much she’d complained about the Chicago winters. But the priority was finding that pup.

  She drove over to check on Misty, who came out the front door as soon as Vanessa pulled up.

  She stepped out of the car, holding her arms open. “I’m sorry. He wasn’t there.”

  Misty’s shoulders slumped. “I hope he didn’t get himself eaten by a coyote or an owl or something. Dad was just talking about that.”

  “No! Don’t even say that. Oh, my goodness. That would be awful. Now, let’s think some positive thoughts.”

  Misty sniffled, nodding her head. “Yeah. Let’s find him.”

  “Okay, so where could he have gone. Have you checked inside the house? Maybe he’s curled up somewhere sleeping while we’re panicking trying to find him.”

  “I don’t think he would’ve gotten inside. Dad’s pretty funny about that, but we can look.”

  They scoured the house. At one point, Vanessa had screamed success, but it had turned out to be a light golden brown beanie in the laundry basket.

  Misty deflated. “Dad said I should kennel him. I wish I had now.”

  “Let’s go back out to the barn,” Vanessa said. “You said yourself he thinks he’s a horse. Let’s double-check all the stalls.”

  “Okay, maybe he’s bunking with one of the other horses since Big Ben and Jake are gone. They seem to be his favorites. He absolutely loves being around the horses.”

  “Well, that’s okay. Maybe that’s who he’s supposed to be. Like a natural horse-herding dog or something.”

  Misty laughed. “Maybe.” She whistled and called for Scooter.

  Vanessa walked down the alleyway of the stable in the opposite direction peeking into each stall, but there was no sign of Scooter.

  I should have stowed him away at the apartment. At least then he’d be okay.

  “I think he’s gone.” Misty leaned against one of the stalls. “I can’t believe I let that happen.”

  “Misty, it’s not your fault. You know that.”

  “I was supposed to take care of him. I’ve been nursing him back to health all this time.”

  “And he’s doing great. It’s not your fault
he has a wild streak.”

  “No telling where he could’ve gotten off to.”

  “The good news is most everyone knows you’re the only people raising Lab puppies. It took two seconds for me to find the owner, someone else will too.”

  “I guess.”

  Seeing her so defeated left a heavy ache in Vanessa’s stomach. “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”

  Misty trudged toward the house. She wasn’t in much of a hurry, but that actually kind of worked in Vanessa’s favor, because she really had no idea what to suggest.

  When they walked inside, the telephone was ringing.

  “I bet someone found him,” Vanessa said.

  “Make yourself at home.” Misty ran for the phone, her boots sliding across the shiny wooden floors, to answer it. “Hello?” She dropped the phone to her chin. “It’s my dad.”

  She slipped off her boots and walked into the other room while explaining to him what was going on.

  Vanessa took her shoes off and left them at the door, then grabbed some paper towels to clean up the mud they’d tracked in.

  When Misty came back, she was carrying hot chocolate. “Here. Sorry I brought you out in the cold to search for Scooter.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m glad you called. I’m happy to help. I grew kind of attached to him during our slumber party. He’s so cute. Probably too smart for his own good, but cute.”

  They sat in big leather chairs in the living room. This room looked as if it didn’t get a lot of use—that, or these two were phenomenal housekeepers. The furniture was big and sturdy. The end tables were rustic and heavy. Across one whole wall there were trophies and ribbons behind glass built-ins.

  “Wow. That is a lot of ribbons.”

  “Not just ours. The horses won most of those before I was even born.”

  “It’s a very nice legacy to be a part of.”

  “Yeah. My family is the best.”

  “Do you have some markers and paper or cardboard?”

  “Sure.” She got up and opened the middle drawer of a desk in the study. “What are you going to do?”

  “Let’s make a couple posters to hang up, and a flyer. In the morning we’ll zip by the office and make copies of the flyer, and hand them out all over town before we get our day started.”

  “You’re going to help me do that?”

  “Yes. Yes, I am.” Her eyes shot wide. “And, I’ve got this.” She scrolled through her phone and showed Misty a picture she’d taken last night. “It’ll be perfect. I’ll print some four-by-sixes of this to put on the posters.”

  “You really think he’s okay?”

  She didn’t want to give her false hope. She considered the situation a moment. “You know, I really do. It’s Christmas. He’s probably snuggled up somewhere, or in someone else’s house doing a sleepover to see what kind of treats he can get out of them.” She quickly wrote out “LOST” across the top of the page. “And we’ll get him a collar tomorrow too. My treat.”

  They made the flyer template and Misty seemed much more relaxed about the situation. “Would you like to come stay with me tonight? My cousin Anna is there too, but I don’t mind if you’d rather not be alone.”

  “The apartment is tight quarters even for one.”

  “Oh, we’re not staying there. I was just using it last night to do some late-night work. There’s room. Come stay.”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine, but I can pick you up in the morning so we can make the copies at the office. Is that okay?”

  “That would be great.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “It’s a long story, but when my cousin got to town, we were trying to straighten out her Airbnb reservation, with something nearby.”

  “There’s not a lot of places to stay around here.”

  “Exactly. But there’s this older gentleman I kept bumping into over at the Blue Bicycle Bistro. He overheard us and offered us his guesthouse.”

  “You’re staying at the carriage house? Off Porter House Road?”

  “Yes. Back there around the curve. Do you know Buck?”

  “I do.” She kind of smiled, but with a lift of her brow. “He’s the best. Does my dad know you’re staying over there?”

  Vanessa shrugged. “I guess not. No, probably not. I’m sure he wouldn’t have any problem with you staying with us for the night. I’d be happy to call him.”

  “No. Don’t do that.” She smiled brightly. “No need to do that. I’m just fine here. I’ll be there in the morning to pick you up. Does seven work?”

  “That’ll be great.” Vanessa started to walk away, but Misty called after her.

  “Buck’s awesome. Just as awesome as my dad.”

  Vanessa’s heart tugged. Yes. They did have some good men in this town. “He was so kind to let us use that place. It’s amazing. He even helped Anna cut down a live Christmas tree. We had just finished decorating it when you called.”

  “That sounds just like him.”

  “I’m going to run over to the warehouse one more time and make sure Scooter’s not there before I head back.” She waved goodbye as she got in her car. “I know we’re going to find him.”

  “I’m feeling better about things too,” said Misty.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  The next morning Anna and Vanessa were sitting in front of the fire, enjoying the beautiful Christmas tree and sipping hot chocolate, when Misty walked by the windows toward the front door.

  Vanessa jumped up from her chair to get the door. “Come on inside.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that I’m early.” She unwrapped the red scarf from her neck.

  “I thought for sure I’d hear your truck come up.”

  “I parked over by the side entrance of the main house. I figured I should at least stop in and say hello to Buck if I was going to be here.”

  “You’re such a sweet young lady.” Vanessa motioned toward her cousin. “You remember Anna. Can I get you some hot chocolate, or are you ready to go?”

  “How about hot chocolate to go?”

  “I’m way ahead of you,” said Anna. “I saw a thermos in the kitchen. Give me two minutes I’ll have y’all all set up.” She looked like an elf in her bright red-and-green pajamas, walking through the Christmassy room.

  “Let me know if I can be of help.” Vanessa turned her attention back to Misty. “Where should we start?”

  “I thought we’d make the copies at the office and then start out near the warehouse and work our way back.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “I brought some bright poster board and packing tape,” Misty said. “I figured we could tape the flyers to the poster board. We can hang a couple along the school bus route. Then I’ll hand the flyers out along Main Street and let everyone know. Word of mouth is faster than anything around here.”

  “Easy enough.”

  “I just hope it works.”

  Anna came in with an old-school vintage plaid thermos. The tall one with the cup attached to the top. “Here you go, girls. Good luck.”

  “Thank you.” Vanessa put on her coat and Anna tossed a knitted scarf her way.

  Vanessa caught the toffee-brown scarf in midair. “Where’d this come from?”

  “Just a little something I worked on while watching television the other night.”

  “I love the leather button accents,” Vanessa said.

  Anna beamed. “I knew you would.”

  “You made this?” Misty reached over and ran her hands across the stitching. “This is beautiful. It’s so soft, and not too frilly-looking.”

  “That’s a simple checkerboard pattern. I’ll make you one. I brought yarn with me. I can’t stand to not have anything to do with my hands. I have red, black, a pretty cocoa color, and—”

  “Red! Really? You’ll make me one too?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll work on it today.” She leaned in sweetly. “It’ll give me an excuse to take a lazy day in front of the fire.�
��

  “Merry Christmas to me.”

  “I’ll make you a deal,” Anna said. “When you find that puppy, I’ll make him a bright red sweater so he can’t hide so easy!”

  “That’s seriously a good idea.”

  Vanessa agreed. “We’re off! Love you, Anna.”

  “Love you too. Good luck.” Anna stood waving from the front porch.

  Vanessa followed Misty around the corner to her truck. Misty hopped right in, while Vanessa fumbled with the running board to get a good solid step, then grabbed the handle and pulled herself up and buckled in.

  After a quick stop at the office, Misty was on her way to get the word out.

  “Are you sure you don’t need my help putting up the posters or anything?”

  “I’m sure,” Misty said. “Thanks for helping me, though. I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome. Keep me posted.”

  Misty rushed out the door and Vanessa stood there holding her hand to her heart. “Here’s hoping you find that little guy.”

  * * *

  At the end of the day, Misty knocked on Vanessa’s door. “I’m headed out. No calls on the puppy.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I wanted to thank you for your help. I mean, that has nothing to do with work. I really shouldn’t have burdened you with it. It wasn’t very professional of me.”

  “You didn’t burden me. I was glad to help. I love that little guy too. He and I bonded during his visit.”

  “I can give you a ride back to the carriage house if you’re ready to leave. Just thought I’d offer.”

  She glanced across her desk. She still had some things she wanted to work on, but most of it could be done from the house, and the fireplace did sound inviting. “That would be great. I’ll ride with you to check for Scooter again if you want to take me the long way home.”

  “Sounds good. We’ll stop at my house first, then the warehouse and over to Buck’s.”

  “Before we go, I need Lilene to schedule something for me. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Vanessa gathered her things, then stopped at Lilene’s desk, where she sat singing along with a Christmas song on the radio as she checked time cards. “Lilene, I need you to schedule a meeting for tomorrow night.”