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Sure enough, evil-eye paintings covered the wall, all sizes and artistic abilities.
“Danny’s classmates painted most of these. The rest of us did the larger ones.”
Everyone crowded inside. The large living room was divided into two sections: one, just for dogs, with couches and dog beds everywhere. The other side was a reception area open to visitors who were coming to meet the animals.
The kitchen had been transformed into a pet food preparation area. Open shelving filled with donated pet food covered the wall floor to ceiling.
“Ted donated the stainless-steel shelving,” Kelly said. “He’s here, by the way.”
Maggie looked around, and Ted waved to her, smiling.
The bedrooms had gates installed where the doors used to be. One was for cats in large pens, the master bedroom had rows of spacious pens for new animals, and the smallest bedroom was a nursery presently occupied by Johanna and her pups. It wasn’t until she saw Johanna that Maggie finally broke down.
Kelly opened the gate and led Maggie in. “You just need to love on her and you’ll feel better.”
“I know you two are responsible for this,” she said, turning to Annie and Kelly.
“Honey, it was everyone. Gus in particular did all the organization. Your aunt’s husband, Val Amotte, did all the interior work free of charge. Ted and your mother’s boyfriend took over at Justin’s clinic so he could be in New Orleans with you. My father and brother did all the trailer work, and all the men and even Amber built the deck and did the fence. Steve installed an extensive closed-circuit system with alarms so we can watch over it at night without having to hire someone to stay here.”
“It’s Christmas Day,” Maggie said, taking a tissue from Kelly to wipe her eyes. “I’d better go out and thank everyone so they can be on their way.”
“Are you tired?” Annie asked.
“Yeah, I’m pretty tired. But this is so amazing. I have to let it sink in.”
Rose came to the nursery to find Maggie. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“Mom, thank you so much. Thank Dr. Chastain, too. I’ll thank him myself, but I wanted you to know I appreciate it.”
“Aunt Elizabeth and Val are having a big Christmas party for everyone. What do you think?”
“Oh, Mom, no way. I’m exhausted.”
“I know, but I had to ask.”
“I’d better go thank everyone.”
She took Justin’s hand and got up off her knees, petting Johanna one more time. She needed to get out of there.
Making her way through the gauntlet, she hugged everyone, and then when she came to Gus, she broke down, and they held each other, sobbing for a full minute, the required time for a dear friend.
“I need to make a speech.”
“Go ahead, girly. I be here, making you laugh.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, snickering.
“The girl wanna make a speech,” Gus shouted. “Everyone shut up.”
“I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the amazing work you did to get our rescue off the ground. I guess we’ll be open for business tomorrow! I’m beat, so I’m going to say goodbye for now. Merry Christmas!”
She waved as they clapped for her, shouting, “Merry Christmas.” With Justin’s hand possessively on her back, he steered her away from the crowd, and they headed back through the woods, with Brulee leading the way.
“That was amazing. I don’t know how I’ll repay all those people.”
“You’ll repay them by keeping strays off the streets. Did you notice Steve wasn’t there?”
“No. I wonder why.”
