“You had a phone call,” Jane said Tuesday morning when Alice got back from a brisk but chilly walk with Vera. “Mark said to call him back.”
“I'm surprised he's calling so early. This was the only time Vera could spare to walk, but I certainly wasn't expecting to hear from him.” Alice rubbed her hands together to warm them and gratefully accepted a cup of tea from her sister.
“You won't know why until you call him back,” Jane said in a practical voice that made Alice smile.
“I'll call from the library,” she said, carrying the welcome hot beverage with her.
Mark's voice always gave her a lift, and today was no exception.
“What I really need to know is whether you still have dogs to place,” he said after they exchanged pleasantries.
“Unfortunately, six dogs still need a home for Christmas. And to make it worse, four of them are big males, not what most people want as house pets.”
“Well, I can help you out. I know two families who live in rural areas. They especially want security dogs that will watch over the children as they play outside. Naturally they have to be good-natured pets. If you have any that might work out for them, I can drive there today and take them back.”
“That would be wonderful!” Alice said.
“I only have today off, but it would give me a chance to see you before Christmas.”
“We can have our own little mini-Christmas,” Alice said enthusiastically. “And you can go to the shelter with me to see if any of the dogs would suit your families.”
“I can leave in minutes,” he said. “I should reach the inn around lunch time.”
“I'll alert Jane,” she said with a light laugh, knowing full well Mark didn't expect a home-cooked meal from her.
After she hung up, Alice hurried to find her sister.
“Mark is coming for lunch,” she announced. “He wants to take two dogs back with him.”
Jane's enthusiasm took the form of meal planning.
“I was going to open a can of soup, but if Mark will be here, I can make homemade broccoli cheese soup. I know he likes it, and I have some fresh rye bread for grilled sandwiches. Fortunately, there are plenty of cookies in the freezer. I'll make up a plate to send home with him.”
“He's coming to pick out dogs,” Alice said with a laugh.
“Just an excuse to see you,” her sister said with an impish grin.
The rest of the morning went slowly as Alice kept a wary eye on the weather. The hilly Pennsylvania highways could be treacherous in a snowstorm, but sunny skies were predicted for the rest of the day in spite of the low temperatures.
One thing she had to do was wrap Mark's Christmas gifts. Besides the book, she'd purchased a beautiful blue cashmere pullover that would look wonderful with his charcoal hair and beard. She still marveled they'd reconnected after so many years. When she was in college, she couldn't bring herself to marry a man who didn't profess the Christian faith, but Mark had since embraced it. Their relationship was far more substantial than it had been when she was an undergraduate.
He arrived without incident a little earlier than she'd expected, but she'd changed into her best navy slacks and a practically new soft pink sweater.
“Good to see you,” he said, hugging her before shrugging out of the navy peacoat that was his favorite winter garb.
“I'm really excited to take you to the shelter,” she said, “but first Jane has a nice lunch for you.”
Mark praised Jane's cooking and inquired about Louise.
“She's at a pupil's house,” Alice said, explaining the concert she was holding at the inn. “She'll be playing herself, as well as featuring her best students.”
“I'm sorry I can't be here for it,” Mark said. “But someone has to stay at the zoo, and I let most of my assistants have the holiday off. One has a new fiancée, and others have young children.”
“And you're a very kind boss,” Alice said, standing when the meal was over. “Shall we go to the shelter now?”
“Yes, I'm curious about these animals you're trying to place in homes.”
Another, different attendant, was on duty at the shelter, but Alice's project was well-known to everyone who worked there. The young man was delighted to meet the head vet from the Philadelphia Zoo and showed them both every courtesy.
“It's great to see some empty cages, thanks to you,” he said to Alice. “I'll bring leashes if you want to get better acquainted with any of the dogs.”
“Let's see what you have here,” Mark said, putting the somewhat nervous attendant at ease. “I have people interested in two large good-natured dogs.”
“Oh, you'll want to meet Champ, our boxer,” Anthony said. “I'd take him home myself, but my apartment isn't much bigger than his cage.”
“How does he happen to be here?” Mark asked.
“He was a runaway. A farmer put him in his barn and called us. I'm afraid he'd been abused, but it didn't make him aggressive. In fact, he's a pussycat when it comes to interacting with people and other dogs. It's just unfortunate he looks fiercer than he is, so he hasn't been adopted yet.”
Mark stooped when Champ came out of his pen and tolerated an enthusiastic face licking.
“I think Champ will be leaving with me,” he said, directing a warm smile at Alice.
“We have only five dogs left, thanks to Miss Howard,” Anthony said. “Here's our Shetland sheepdog.”
Alice knelt and let her favorite pooch lick her fingers.
“He's pretty hyper,” Mark correctly observed. “Shelties are working dogs. He should live on a farm where he can run off some of that energy.”
Although she was disappointed because Mark wasn't taking her favorite, Alice certainly understood his reluctance to place him with young children. He was a handful in the best of times and did belong on a farm.
Using his experience as a vet, Mark carefully observed the rest of the dogs and settled on a big tan male who could only be described as a mutt. What the canine lacked in looks, he more than made up for in friendliness, which was the main criterion for putting him in a family with children.
Mark had his own disinfected carriers borrowed from the zoo and leashes he'd bought for the purpose, but he gladly accepted the shelter's information packages and free samples for the host families.
“If either doesn't work out, I'll take him to a shelter closer to home,” he assured the shelter worker. “But I'm optimistic.”
After the shelter visit, Alice knew Mark had to leave. It was a long drive, and he couldn't be away from the zoo any longer than necessary. She gave him his gifts, which he wanted to open on Christmas, and a bagged dinner of thick ham and cheese sandwiches, carrot sticks, and cookies prepared by Jane.
“So you won't have to stop for supper,” Jane explained before leaving the two of them alone to say good-bye.
Mark took a small package out of his coat pocket and handed it to Alice.
“Merry Christmas, Alice. This goes under the Christmas tree,” he said, hugging her good-bye.
“Just seeing you is gift enough. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have two lovely dogs going back with you.”
“I'm hopeful both will be permanently adopted,” he said. “They're going to good families.”
“I never doubted it.”
Much as Alice hated to see him drive away after such a short visit, her heart was singing with happiness for the two dogs in his van. Now she only had four dogs and two cats to place, and she had the rest of the week to do it.
She threw herself into chores around the inn, eager to help Jane after taking most of the day off. Louise didn't want a single speck of dust to distract from her upcoming concert. The parlor was large, and she'd arranged to borrow chairs from Grace Chapel to accommodate the number of people she'd invited.
“Jane said Mark took two dogs back to Philadelphia,” Louise said, coming upon Alice as she was standing on a ladder to dust a chandelier in the foyer.
Before answe
ring, Alice climbed down. “Yes, but there are still six animals to place. We have such a big house..”
“Yes, but we also have guests through tomorrow evening and an important concert scheduled for Thursday. A good review from my friend could mean scholarships for some of my pupils. And I don't need to tell you I'm nervous about playing myself. This is the first time I've done something quite like this.”
“I feel uncomfortable urging other people to take an animal when I'm not doing my part. I really can't see how a temporary adoption would affect your concert.” The more Alice thought about it, the more upset she became.
“I just don't want to deal with a new animal this week,” Louise said insistently.
“This is my home too.” Alice couldn't believe she'd said these words, but it was true. She shouldn't need Louise's permission to bring a guest to the inn, especially if the guest was a lovable pet.
“Please, let's not talk about this now!” Louise said. “I need to practice.”
Alice noticed Jane standing a short way from them. Her younger sister looked shocked. Alice and Louise rarely disagreed, and when they did, they talked things over rationally. As far as Alice could see, Louise was being more selfish than reasonable, taking over the whole inn for her concert. It wasn't as if an animal would be barking along with the music.
“She's nervous about the concert,” Jane said when Louise went into the parlor to practice and shut the door after her.
“And I'm upset to leave some poor, unwanted animals in the shelter. It's not as if I want to bring all six that are left here.”
“I just made tea. Would you like some?” Jane asked.
This time Jane's tea couldn't help. Alice excused herself and went to the library, a room where she felt especially close to her beloved father. Surrounded by the books he adored, she felt more peaceful, but still disappointed in her older sister.
The Victorian house that was now Grace Chapel Inn had been her home far longer than it had been Louise's. She was the one who'd lived with their father until his death, and, in fact, she'd never lived anyplace else that seemed like home. She didn't want to be juvenile, but it hurt that her sister was so set against bringing a poor, abandoned animal home for the holidays.
Turning to the Lord as she always did in times of stress, Alice silently prayed for a resolution to her problem, one that wouldn't fracture her relationship with Louise. She was sure God loved animals and would smile on her efforts, but her mood still remained bleak.
“The week went so fast,” Alice said as she helped Jane put fancy appetizers on pretty plates. “Here it is, Thursday already. My days off have flown by.”
“I'm glad Louise's concert is tonight,” Jane said matter-of-factly. “She's been a bundle of nerves.”
“I'm afraid I haven't been as sympathetic as I should have been,” Alice said. “I've been so worried about my shelter animals, but the ANGELS have come through with flying colors. We're down to two, a big old tabby and the sheltie.”
It would be so easy to bring both of them to the inn, but Alice didn't want to push Louise again. Things had been tense enough the past few days, and she didn't want to make them any worse.
“Isn't Louise's friend from the National Piano Guild a lovely lady?” Jane said as she put the plates in the fridge. “I can see why Louise wanted the concert to be perfect for her.
“Which I'm sure it will be,” Alice commented.
She was glad they'd gotten acquainted with Jeanetta Sagers. Because the weather was uncertain, she'd been their guest the previous evening, and wouldn't go to her relatives' house in Potterston until Friday morning. Although Alice hadn't known what to expect, she was delighted to meet Jeanetta. She was a lovely, gracious person, perhaps the same age as Louise, but with an unlined face and soft white hair she wore in a bun.
As happy as she was to lend a hand to get ready for the concert, Alice couldn't help but feel downhearted. She'd fallen in love with the rambunctious sheltie, and now he would be the onlydog in the shelter for Christmas. He wouldn't even have the fun of barking at other canines or romping in the exercise run with them. She felt lonely just thinking about him, not to mention the big sluggish cat that hadn't won the approval of anyone.
When it came time for the concert, Alice helped out by greeting the performers, their parents, and other invited guests at the door. It wasn't a huge crowd, but every borrowed chair in the parlor was taken when they were all there.
After taking a seat by the guest of honor, Alice settled back to enjoy the musical program that began with student pieces. Louise had chosen wisely, and her pupils performed to her credit, playing traditional Christmas songs by noted composers. But it was Louise's own performance, the climax of the evening, that brought tears to Alice's eyes. Louise was nothing short of magnificent, and all the guests rose to give her a standing ovation at the end.
“It was lovely, all of it,” Jeanetta said. “I feel so privileged to be here.” She hurried up to the piano to congratulate Louise, and Alice's heart swelled with pride at her sister's accomplishment. And suddenly, Alice realized that Louise had been right. She could see why her sister had been worried about having an animal around. A new pet was unpredictable, and it would have been a terrible shame if something had gone wrong and ruined the concert. As horrible as she felt about the sheltie, she knew she'd made the right decision.
The next morning, after their guest left, Alice finally had time alone with Louise.
“I'm sorry I made an issue about bringing pets here,” she said. “I shouldn't have bothered you when you were working so hard on the concert.”
“I'm the one who should apologize for being cross. It was so gratifying to play for my friends, I realized you deserve the same sense of accomplishment. Your project at the shelter is just as important to you as a successful concert was to me.” She gave Alice a big hug, an unusually demonstrative gesture from her reserved sister. “Later this morning you and I are going to the shelter. It's not too late for me to help you reach your goal.”
Surprised by Louise's offer, Alice didn't know what to say.
“We'll have a guest for Christmas after all,” her sister said in a firm, no nonsense voice.
“There's only one dog left, the Shetland sheepdog,” Alice said. “He's young and so frisky no one wanted to take a chance on him. But there is a pudgy older cat who wouldn't be much trouble as long as we keep it separate from Wendell.”
“We'll decide when we get to the shelter,” Louise said.
The shelter was unusually quiet when they got there. A bored-looking young man was in charge, but he brightened when Louise told him they were there to select an animal for Christmas.
“We've never had so few to choose from, thanks to you, Miss Howard,” he said nodding at Alice.
It did seem a bit eerie to walk through the almost deserted dog area, but the sheltie greeted them with a chorus of barks, jumping up on the wire fencing that confined him.
“Isn't he beautiful?” Alice said, letting him lick her fingers.
“Put him in a carrier, please,” Louise said to the shelter worker. “Now I believe you have a cat too.”
Dumbfounded by her sister's change of heart, Alice was overcome by happiness. Not only was her project a complete success, she could bond with the sheltie until he wore out his welcome at the inn—which she was afraid would be fairly soon. He wasn't a house pet, but at least she'd have more time to find a suitable home for him. And he wouldn't be alone for Christmas.
Alice was about to leave, but Louise was already walking toward the lone cat who remained at the facility.
“It can't hurt to take a look at it,” Louise said, following the attendant to the area with the cat cages.
“Now how could anyone desert you?” Louise asked, peering into the one occupied cage. “We'd better take this one home too.”
As surprised as she was, Alice was elated too. No pet would linger at the shelter this Christmas.
The young man was quick
to find a carrier for the cat, and he willingly took it to the car when Louise lifted it and found it too heavy to easily move.
Jane was astonished to see them return with a dog and a cat, but she quickly set about making a bed for the sheltie in the mudroom.
“We really can't give him the run of the inn, can we?” she asked.
Alice had to agree, but she could lavish attention on him regardless of where he was.
“We should give him a name,” she suggested.
“Something biblical,” Jane suggested.
Louise laughed as loud as Alice. “I'm afraid the scamp is more holy terror than holy. Let's call him Job, because he suffered the longest at the shelter. And I suspect he'll make us suffer a bit too before he gets a permanent home.”
“You don't mind if he stays until then?” Alice asked in surprise.
“If there's one thing Christmas has taught us, it's to welcome strangers into our midst,” Louise said thoughtfully. “I think Job and I will become good friends.”
The Christmas Eve service seemed especially beautiful that year. Alice sat with her sisters in their favorite pew, and the familiar conclusion brought tears to her eyes. Two candles were lit at the altar, and the light was passed down every row in the otherwise dark church. The congregation softly sang “Silent Night” while people held their little candles with paper holders to catch the drips.
“It was a lovely service,” Jane said as they walked the short distance to the inn in gently falling snow.
“All that was missing was Father's sermon,” Alice said, “but as long as he's in our hearts, he'll be here with us.”
Jane had prepared a traditional buffet to enjoy after the service, and back at the inn they helped themselves to shrimp, cheese squares, fancy crackers, and an assortment of Christmas cookies. Afterward they gathered around the tree in the parlor to softly sing their favorite carols.
Much to Alice's surprise, Louise held the lazy old cat on her lap, stroking its head and murmuring to it between carols. Wendell lay at her feet, apparently happy with his new catnip toy and not inclined to resent the newcomer. Even more surprising, Job bounded up to her, released from the mudroom by her older sister, who smiled serenely from her favorite rocker.
Tales from Grace Chapel Inn Page 16