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“What?”
“Just come over here,” Cara insists.
Monroe stalks up through the yard a minute later. He must’ve still been working on Donna’s trailer a couple doors down. “What the hell?” he says, sitting beside the box and reading the paper.
“I thought you got him fixed!” Cara scolds.
“I was…planning on it.”
“Well, now you can plan on finding these a home.”
Despite their bickering, both have scooped up a puppy. They’re irresistible. Lila has one of the boys on her lap and it keeps licking her face. “Ew, no, not my mouth,” she giggles. She peeks up at Cara. “Can I have him?”
“Of course. He probably needs a friend though.”
“No way. One is enough.”
Cara drags her gaze over to me. “I wish I could. They’re cute but I’m not home enough.” Having a puppy in the house is like having a baby and I’m not prepared for that right now.
“One down seven to go,” Holly says, opening the bag they’ve left beside the door. “There’s puppy food in here.”
After a few minutes of playing with the pups, Cara and Monroe leave with them while Lila goes to get some food and pet supplies. Holly and I go back to unpacking but we’re interrupted when Cooper shows up a few minutes later.
“Row said there were puppies. Where are they?”
“They took them home,” I explain. “Lila kept one though.”
“Look, Maren, I’m not sure what you know about relationships, but rule number one is you tell your boyfriend when there are puppies.”
“That’s rule number one? Not don’t cheat or be good to each other?”
“Those go without saying. The puppy rule is number one.”
Holly grins at us while we go back and forth, then asks, “What’s number two?”
“Always get your significant other a snack if you’re at the store.”
“He’s not wrong.” Holly says. “When do you two leave for Vegas?”
Despite my insistence that he did not need to make up for me missing my Florida trip, Cooper asked me to go with him on a little mini vacation. We can’t be gone long, but he has to fly to Las Vegas and sign some papers finalizing the sale of one of his father’s properties there.
“We leave Friday night.” Cooper keeps looking over toward Lila’s place. “Go play with the puppy, Coop,” I giggle.
He flashes a grin at me. “Just for a minute before I get back to work.”
His departure is timed well because my phone rings the second he’s gone. “It’s the realtor.” Holly is the only one I’ve told about my attempt to buy Pop’s house back. She gives me a thumbs up and an encouraging nod while I take a deep breath and answer.
“Ms. Kline, hello, this is Mrs. Fall at Highland Realty, how are you today?”
“I’m good but I’ll be better if you tell me I’m going to be a homeowner.”
“I’m afraid the seller has accepted a cash offer from another client. I’m sorry. There are many comparable properties in the area, and I’d be happy to assist you in your search for a home.”
Disappointment washes over me. My eyes burn but I manage to blink back the tears. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll have to get back to you.”
“Of course. Have a lovely day.”
Holly takes one look at my face when I hang up and pats my arm. “Oh no, I’m sorry. Do they want more money?”
