Grace’s hand rested on Beau’s head. “Cliff and I have a question for you about the kids’ Christmas gift.”
“They’re each making a detailed list of toys they want Grandma and Grandpa Claus to buy them.”
“I’m sure they are.” Grace liked nothing better than spoiling her grandchildren. While they were baking cookies yesterday, Katie and Drake had made a point of telling her which toys they were interested in for Christmas.
“What would you think if Cliff and I got them a dog?” There, it was out. Cliff didn’t believe she’d do it, but she had and it wasn’t nearly as difficult as she’d expected. Beau would love the children and they’d love him just as much. Watching them play with him on Saturday had told her that.
“A dog, Mom, or a puppy?”
“A puppy,” she clarified. “I was thinking of letting them have Beau.”
“Beau?” Maryellen sounded shocked. “You’d give up Beau?”
“Of course. I never intended to keep him. You knew that.” Grace had certainly made her intentions clear to any and all who’d listen.
“Well, yes, but, Mom, he’s your dog. He follows you everywhere. He’s obviously decided you’re his owner.”
“He’ll adjust,” Grace said, refusing to let her resolve waver.
“I suppose he will, but I’m not so sure about you.”
“You’re being ridiculous.” Grace didn’t want to argue but found it annoying in the extreme that everyone insisted she wouldn’t be able to give up Beau when the time came. They were wrong. Each and every one of them. “Now, do you want him or not? Because if you don’t, then…then Cliff and I will take him back to Beth Morehouse.”
“In that case, sure, we’ll take Beau.”
The lump in Grace’s throat thickened. “Good. We’ll deliver him on Christmas Eve.”
Cliff raised his hand, indicating that he wanted to say something.
“Hold on a minute,” Grace said, covering the mouthpiece.
“Why wait until Christmas Eve?” he asked. “Tell Maryellen we’ll bring him over this afternoon. We’re headed that way later, and it would be convenient to drop him off.”
“No need to rush, is there?” Grace muttered. “He’s a Christmas gift.”
“Mom?”
Grace returned the phone to her ear. “Yes?”
“I heard what Cliff just said. It’d be great if you brought him today. He’ll distract the kids from all the Christmas madness and keep them occupied.”
“Today,” Grace repeated slowly. “All right… Why not? We’ll stop by this afternoon with Beau and all his paraphernalia.” She was astonished by how much stuff they’d managed to accumulate for one small puppy.
“Wonderful. Come anytime.”
“Okay. See you later.” Grace clicked off the phone and handed it back to Cliff. “I hope you’re happy,” she lashed out.
He smiled, ignoring her waspish tone.
“Wipe that grin off your face. You think I won’t be able to give up Beau? Well, you’re in for a surprise, Cliff Harding. Let’s go right this minute. The sooner this dog is out of my life, the better.” She carefully set Beau on the floor, then hurried from room to room, shoving his chew toys and stuffed animals into a big plastic bag.
Cliff didn’t help, which infuriated her. This was his brilliant idea, so the least he could do was gather up Beau’s food.
“You ready?” she snapped when she’d finished. She had his toys and his bed, plus the new bag of dry puppy food she’d picked up the day before. “Oh, I don’t want to forget his vaccination records,” she said, retrieving them at the last minute.
Beau climbed obediently into his carrying case. She’d taken him to the library with her a number of times now. The moment he saw the carrier, he knew it meant a trip, and he loved being with Grace no matter where she was going.
Grace zipped up the carrier, and Beau lay down, resting his chin on his paws, perfectly content and trusting.
“We’re taking you to a new home,” she told him. “A home with children who’ll run and play with you. Remember Katie and Drake? They already love you and you can play with them and…and—”
“Okay, let’s go.” Cliff said, coat on and car keys in hand.
Grace stood there, immobilized.
He waited at the door. “You coming?”
“Yes.” She forced herself to take one step and then another. Each step required effort and determination. The carrier was still on the floor. She’d have to reach down and pick it up… .
“Are you coming or not?” Cliff asked.
“I said I was.” Bending down, looking at Beau, with his dark eyes focused directly on her, she tried to reassure him and herself that this was for the best. “Katie and Drake are going to love you so much.”
Unblinking, Beau stared up at her.
“Grace.” Cliff’s voice was gentle. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
She started to assure him it was and then realized she couldn’t. “No,” she whispered. “This isn’t what I want at all.” Just saying the words seemed to free her. “I do love Beau.”
“I know. You couldn’t help yourself any more than I could.” Cliff came over and put his arms around her, hugging her. “Does that mean we can keep him?”
“He isn’t Buttercup.”
“No, he’s not. He’s Beau. Our Beau.”
“Our Beau,” she agreed. She knelt down, opening the zipper to his carrier.