Before she could object further, he was around the hood and opening her door. She took his hand and let him help her down from the truck, walked with him to the porch.
He pulled her to a stop just outside her front door. "So, are you serious about holding my hand through a church service?"
"Of course."
"Then Charlotte and I will swing by and pick you up on Sunday." He brushed his lips against her temple, so softly, so quickly she didn't have time to object, then jogged back to the truck.
Lord have mercy. Sleep was not going to come easy tonight.
7
Heather’s phone rang just as she finished her morning class. She fished the cell from her back pocket. “Hey Janette,” she said, recognizing the caller ID. She volunteered at least once a month at the Bear Valley Animal shelter. “What’s up?”
“Oh, I’m glad I caught you. I need a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Someone just dropped off a litter of puppies. Four of them. They look like a mixed terrier breed. No sign of mama dog, but these babies look like they’re way too young to be weaned. I need a foster. Can you help?”
Heather did a mental run through of her supplies and available crates. They’d probably need to be bottle fed. Puppies were a lot of work and her plate was pretty full, but she knew that the shelter was overcrowded. There wouldn’t be room or resources to care for puppies that young.
She thought about Charlotte, how the little girl was so attached and attentive to her kitten. Animals had a way of healing. Maybe a litter of puppies could speed along that healing? She felt a slight twinge of guilt over strengthening her bond with Charlotte, but she just couldn’t imagine making this shelter run without the little girl.
Or her uncle.
“I’ll be there this afternoon, Janette.”
“Bless you!” Janette breathed. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Yeah, I’m such a pushover.”
“No. You’ve just got a big heart and you’re the best chance these puppies have.”
“I already said yes, Janette.”
The other woman laughed. “As I knew you would. See you in a bit.”
Heather hung up, then pulled up Lyle’s number from her contacts. The phone rang on his end five time and she had about decided he wasn’t going to answer.
“Hey, Firefly. Couldn’t wait until Sunday, huh?”
She heard cows bawling in the background. “Sounds like you’re busy,” she said instead of responding to his taunt.
“Just finishing up. Couple of the heifers objected to us separating them from their babies.”
“Well, I don’t blame them. But speaking of weaning, mind if I borrow your kiddo?”
“Define ‘borrow’.”
“The shelter just called. They’ve got four abandoned puppies in need of a foster. I thought Charlotte might like to run out there with me to pick them up. In fact, how would you feel about coming with us? I’d feel better if you could examine these pups before I expose them to my pack.”
Lyle paused, the noise of the barn fading into the background as the request settled between them. “You really think it’s a good idea to take Charlotte with us?”
“Absolutely,” Heather said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “She loves animals, and it could be a great way for her to bond with the puppies while also helping out. Plus, the shelter’s in a rough spot. I’m afraid if we don’t take them in, they might not survive.”
“Fair point. But I don’t want Charlotte to see anything traumatic. And I don’t want to toss her headlong into something that might upset her,” Lyle mused, weighing the options.
“I think she’ll love it, Lyle. She’s so good with Pudge. And giving her an opportunity to learn about rescue animals at a young age will be good for her. A distraction.”
