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Quinn shot him a swift glance but said nothing.
Trey grinned, a lazy cocky smile before nodding toward the parking lot where Charity had just pulled in. “And look, here she is.”
*
Charity got out of the car and carefully closed the door, telling Noel she’d be right back. Noel whined softly and she tried to give him a reassuring smile.
He’d behaved beautifully on the drive from town, sitting in the passenger seat beside her, looking out the window as if this was an everyday occurrence, and maybe it was. Maybe his owner used to take him everywhere. Maybe he had a family that was missing him desperately right now. She’d have to call the local shelter and get Noel checked by a local vet to see if he had a chip that might identify him since he wore no collar. But until then, she wasn’t about to leave him where Greg could get to him.
Quinn had been talking to Trey Sheenan when Charity pulled up and broke away from Trey when she parked. He was walking her way now and she stood her ground, not sure how he’d react to her having a stray dog in her car, but not about to abandon Noel now that she had him.
Quinn spotted the retriever before Charity could even say anything. “I didn’t know you had a dog,” he said.
“I don’t,” she answered, zipping up her coat against the cold.
“Is it your parents’?”
“He’s been wandering around downtown Marietta for a few days and I was worried about him. I didn’t want anything to happen to him.”
“So he’s going to live in your car?”
She laughed, because she could see the teasing light in Quinn’s lovely blue eyes. “No. In the morning, I’m going to take him in to the vet and see if he has a microchip. Hopefully, I can find the owner, but until I do, I’ll take care of him.”
“He’s friendly?”
“He growled at Greg.”
“Good dog.”
Charity’s lips curved and her heart squeezed, making the air catch in her throat. Something about Quinn made her see possibilities.
She could see herself watching the evening news with him at the end of the day, going to church with him, and lacing up their skates at Miracle Lake on weekends. In January, when the days were long and dark, they could go to a movie and have dinner at the Chinese restaurant afterward. And on the nights when it rained and the wind howled, they’d be safe and warm together.
There was a whole life that could be lived with Quinn. She wanted that life, but was it an impossible dream?
“Want to meet Noel?” she asked.
Quinn choked on a muffled laugh. “Noel?”
“Don’t make the same mistake Greg did. It’s a great name.”
“I just thought the dog didn’t have any tags?”
“Noel doesn’t, but it’s almost Christmas and the name suits him.”
Quinn opened the door and crouched down, letting the dog decide if he wanted to go to Quinn.
Noel did.
Noel raced toward him, tongue hanging out, apparently thrilled by this new human. Quinn rubbed Noel’s neck, and then gave him a good scratch behind the ear. Noel’s tail thumped happily. Quinn crooned something that pleased Noel so much that the dog’s tongue swiped the side of Quinn’s face.
“I think Noel likes you,” Charity said, inordinately pleased by how quickly the two were bonding. “I told Greg he’s a good dog. There’s no way I’m going to let animal control take him.”
“What if you can’t find his owners?”
“I’ll keep him.”
His eyebrow shot up. “Just like that?”
“Well, not just like that. I’ll have to find a new place to live. Mom is allergic to dogs, but it’s time I had my own place, and this way I won’t be alone. I’ll have Noel.”
“Whoa. Slow down. Noel may have owners desperate to get him back.”
“I think that’s probably true, and I’m going to work on it tomorrow. It’s Saturday. I have the whole day off. But if he doesn’t have a home I want him. He was there for me earlier today, and I want to be there for him.”
Quinn’s expression changed. “What happened earlier?”
“Greg was getting a little handsy and Noel appeared out of nowhere and stepped between us and growled at Greg.” She glanced at the handsome dog that seemed to be listening intently, and she flashed Noel a grateful smile. “What a good boy he is.”
*
Quinn kept his voice calm even as he saw red. “What do you mean by handsy?” he asked. “What exactly did Greg do?”
“He was just grabbing at me and Noel didn’t like it.”
“Grabbing at you?”
“He likes to try to intimidate me, but I’m not intimidated. He forgets that I was raised on Chance Avenue. Growing up, it was the rough part of town.”
“How long has this been going on? And why?”
“He’s upset that he’s lost business because of me.”
“That’s his fault,” Quinn said tersely. “Not yours.”
“I know.”
“He’s not a victim and he has no business turning this onto you. I—” Quinn broke off, unwilling to finish the sentence. But that didn’t mean he was going to let this slide. He took a slow breath, trying to calm down. He glanced from Charity to the big dog. “So if you can’t take Noel home, where is he staying tonight?”
She gave him a hopeful look. “With you?”
He pictured his big, empty house.
She lifted her hands, pressing them together in a prayerful pose. “Please?”
Looking down into her beautiful face, he was a goner. This was his woman. He couldn’t resist her. He couldn’t disappoint her. Maybe he wasn’t on earth for ball. Maybe he was still here for her. “Noel can stay with me tonight,” he said.
She flung her arms around him. “Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He held her close for a moment before letting her go. “My pleasure.”
Cars had been pulling in while they talked and the Christmas tree lot was filling quickly with people.
“I better get back to work,” he said. “Are we still eating dinner later?”
Her mouth opened, and then closed. “Oh no, I totally forgot. Things were weird at work and then I was so worried about Noel—”
“It’s fine.”
“I’ll go get something.”
“Don’t. Please. Jenna has been keeping a tuna casserole in the oven warm for me. I’ll just have some of that later.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“I don’t care.” He pulled her back toward him and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m just glad you’re here.” He meant it, too. He liked having her near. Everything was better when she was close by. He let her go but she didn’t step away. He liked that, too.
“What if I go up to the house and see if Jenna and Sawyer mind if Noel hangs out with me while you work?” she said.
“Good idea,” he said. “And make sure you have some of that tuna casserole, too.”
*
Charity popped her head into the Gallaghers’ house. Jenna and Sawyer were on the couch, side by side, watching the evening news. Sawyer’s arm was around Jenna’s shoulder, and his injured leg was
up on the ottoman, his crutches nearby. Jenna’s head was on her husband’s shoulder and her hand rested on her round belly. They looked incredibly cozy and happy, just the way a young family should. This was what she wanted one day. A friend, a partner, unconditional love.
“Hate to intrude,” she said, stepping into the family room, “but wanted to check in on you guys. Everything okay?”
Sawyer gave her a thumbs-up sign.
“Doing well,” Jenna said, giving her belly a light rub. “Thankfully this one has settled back down.”
“Very good news,” Charity said.
Sawyer gestured to the kitchen. “Quinn’s dinner is in the oven. Is he coming in to eat, or are you taking him a plate?”
“I’ll take him a plate as soon as he has a break,” Charity answered. “But I do have a question for you. Not sure how you feel about dogs, but I have a golden retriever in my car and I’d love to let him out to stretch his legs. Would you have a problem with that?”
“When did you get a dog?” Jenna asked.
“He’s lost, I think. I’m going to take him to Dr. Sullivan’s in the morning to see if he’s been microchipped, and Quinn said he’d keep Noel for the night—”
“Noel?” Sawyer interrupted.
Charity made a face. “Why do guys not like that name? Never mind. Don’t answer. Let me go get him.”
Noel was delighted to be out of the car and walked next to Charity as they crossed the parking lot and headed for the house. Inside, he was a perfect gentleman. He sat when commanded and then put his paw in Sawyer’s hand when Sawyer said shake.
“He’s been well trained,” Sawyer said, impressed.
“And well loved,” Jenna added. “Look how sweet he is.”
Sawyer gave the dog a good pat, examining Noel’s coat, and then pressing against his side. “He’s pretty thin. You can feel each rib. I have a feeling he’s been on his own for some time.”
Charity nodded. “He’s been wandering around downtown for the past few days, but where did he come from? Whose dog is he?”
“I don’t know, but we need to feed him,” Jenna said. “We still have the rest of that huge meatloaf from lunch. Mix it with some of the leftover rice in there. I bet he’d love it.”
“Does the meatloaf have onions?”
“Not this recipe.”
