Page 127 of Wag More Bark Less

“Maybe we could come to you for Christmas,” Mom said, pondering.

“What?”

“You said there’s plenty of vacation rentals in that little town, right?”

“I’m not driving twenty hours with a newborn,” Violet said, dropping into the empty chair and joining the conversation. “But you two knock yourselves out.”

“What are you guys talking about? I’m not⁠—”

Ellie froze mid-run, dozens of leaves kicking up into the air and mixing with the bubbles. She was on full alert, her ears perked and tail stiff. Suddenly, she began barking incessantly. She raced around the yard, sniffing at the ground.

“Ellie, what are you doing?”

Sock dangling from her mouth, she sprinted toward the gate.

She had the latch open before I was even fully out of my chair. I chased after her, nearly tripping on my blanket.

“Ellie, come back here!”

But when I reached the gate, I understood.

Luke Mason caught Ellie in his arms and hugged her tightly. Which was a challenge considering how fiercely she was wiggling with excitement.

Luke.

He was here.

How was he here?

“So, don’t hate me,” Violet said, coming up behind me. “But I told him to bring the trailer.”

“Trailer?”

“You’ll see. Go give that man a proper greeting. He just drove twenty hours nonstop.” She gave me a not-so-gentle nudge.

Luke’s gaze caught mine, and he tried to set Ellie down. But my overjoyed pup was having none of it.

“Am I chopped liver or what?” Alyssa said to Ellie, coming up beside Luke. To me, she added, “Before you get mad at me for not texting, there’s a very confused old man named Fred we need to talk about. But first, I need to pee.”

Violet waved her over, and the two disappeared into the house, leaving me alone with Luke and Ellie.

Finally, my pup settled enough that Luke was able to put her down and come to me. Damn, he looked good in those jeans and flannel jacket. I missed stealing it. I didn’t understand why he was here, but I was eager to find out.

“Hey,” he said, his smile shyer than usual.

I folded my arms, partially because I was still sore at him for going silent on me for so many weeks. But mostly it was to keep from throwing myself at him before I heard him out.

“Aren’t you out of your jurisdiction, Chief?”

“I have good reason.” He pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket and offered it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Take a look.”

I unfolded the paper, confused at first. But as I read, I understood exactly what it was—a job offer for the Veteran Service Officer position in Bluebell Springs and the surrounding areas. It was signed by both the Legion president and the mayor.

“The mayor didn’t have your number.” Luke kneaded his hand into the back of his neck. “Well, no one did, actually.”