Looking around as if there could be anyone inside the closed café, she opened the back door and let him inside. She scooped his wriggling body into her arms, laughing when helicked her chin.
“Hold still, you animal. Let me wipe the snow off your feet.” She grabbed a rag and cleaned the ice off his paws. With Oscar in one hand, she set down an enormous cardboard box she hadn’t gotten around to recycling and placed him inside. He was adorable with his white snout and black ears. “You stay there,” she commanded.
His whine cut straight to her heart. “Just a minute while I get you some food.” She threw him a few slices of leftover bacon and spread a thick towel in the box while he ate. Fresh water was next. She sat on the floor beside the box, stroking him as he eagerly lapped up the moisture.
“Good boy.” He nuzzled her fingers and lay down. “You nap. I’ll cook and figure out what to do with you.” If an inspector didn’t show up, she’d be fine.
After changing her apron and washing her hands, she sterilized anything she or the pup might have touched and then got back to her muffins. By the time they were ready for the oven, she had finished a mug of coffee, and Oscar was sound asleep in his box.
Almost as soon as they came out of the oven, someone pounded on her front door. Oscar perked up.
“Stay, and by all that’s edible, keep quiet or I’ll have to put you outside.”
She hurried to the front though it was still twenty minutes until she opened. Franny stood outside the front door grinning. Drinda flipped the lock and pushed the door open. Every now and then, Franny liked to pop by before she opened so they could spend some quiet time together.
“Hey, what’s up? You’re early,” she greeted her friend.
“I need coffee,” Franny’s voice rang with desperation. “For me and your Oma. We’re headed into the city to shop for our Egypt vacation. We need suitable clothing. Something cool that keeps us covered. We need road sustenance. Got any day-old cookies?”
“Come in.”
Oscar whined. Franny’s eyes went wide.
“Did you bring that dog in here?” she whispered.
“Sh. Don’t tell anyone. It’s just until I figure out what to do with him. He’s in a box.”She crossed her fingers behind her back in silent prayer that Franny would understand.
“Good for you!” She grinned. “Can I see him?”
“Why not?” She shrugged. She was already busted. Caught red-handed. She led her friend into the kitchen. Oscar leaped excitedly and tipped his box over. Water spilled everywhere. Drinda raced to clean it up while Oscar slobbered all over Franny.
Franny’s laugh was beautiful. “He’s adorable,” she giggled. “Such a cutie. Who’s a cute boy?” She sat down next to the box and pulled Oscar into her arms. “I miss having a fur baby.”
“Oh, you should get one. Maybe take Oscar home with you?” Drinda offered hope soared in her heart.
“I can’t. I’m gone too much. I’ll be away for almost half of this year. Egypt first. Then the Mediterranean. Bali. Home for a bit then an Alaskan cruise, and two weeks in Florida. I’m much too busy for a pet.” She sounded as disappointed as she was excited.
“Wow. So busy. How will you rest?”
“Girlie, I’ll rest when I’m dead. Life is for the living. That’s my best advice for a happy life. That andfind yourself a good man.” She paused. “Like my grandson.”
“I happen to know that you have at least four grandsons.”
“Any of which would be good for you, but Ford would make you an exceptional husband.” She stroked Oscar’s back though his eyes were closed.
“No, but thanks for the offer.”Would she never quit with the setupattempts? “I have to figure out what to do with Oscar.”
“I suppose you can’t keep him here.” She set the puppy back in the box and shifted to her knees before rising. “Oh, these old bones,” she grumbled lightly.
“I think you get along well. Come out front and I’ll get those drinks for you.”
“And a couple cookies, please. Maybe some muffins or biscuits. Do you have a basement in this old place?”
“There is, but it’s my stock room. And trust me when I tell you that the inspectors went over it with a fine-toothed comb. I can’t hide him down there. Besides, that’s nolife for a puppy.”
Franny’s parting words were, “I know you’ll figure this out. You’ve got a good heart, just like my Ford. Thanks for the snacks.” She lifted the heavy bag of muffins and cookies in salute.
Drinda tried not to think about her neighbor while she was mixing the muffins, after once again sterilizing her kitchen. Their near kiss was firmly stuck in her mind and her heart. She wanted it, but she wasn’t going to take it. They had different goals and he had too much power over her life.
