Page 143 of Buy Back My Love

Van laughed as he stepped inside. “Hey, Ms. Maisie. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Dog River.”

I covered my face. “Mama.”

Van looked at me. “Dog River?”

“Don’t encourage her.”

Mama came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. The first thing she did was look at Van, then at the giant bag he was holding.

“You hungry?”

“Mama, he been here twelve seconds.”

“I’m asking the man if he hungry.”

Van smiled. “I’m good right now, but I appreciate it.”

“Mhm.”

I pointed at her. “See? There go that noise again.”

Mama ignored me completely.

I turned back toward Van and looked at the bag. “So what is it?”

“Damn. Can I take my coat off?”

“No.”

He laughed. “Impatient.”

“You walked in here holding my gift. What you expect?”

Van finally held the bag out to me. “Here.”

I reached for the bag, but the second it moved in my hands, I froze.

My eyes shot straight to Van. “What the hell is in here?”

He was already smiling. “Open it.”

The bag moved again, followed by a soft little scratching sound against the tissue paper.

“Oh my God.”

I pulled the tissue back, and when a tiny cream-colored puppy poked her head out, I screamed so loud Mama jumped. And it wasn’t no cute little scream either. I mean a full scream.

“Oh my God!”

The puppy blinked up at me with these little dark eyes and fluffy ears hanging around her face.

“Van!”

I reached into the bag and scooped her against my chest. She was so little I felt like I could hold most of her in one hand.

“Oh my God, look at her!”