The Parent Trap(36)

“Look how cute he is, Mom. Isn’t he cute?” Casey gently tipped his head up so Sarah could see for herself.

“He’s very sweet.” He was, with his glossy black eyes and the little black button nose. She struggled to harden her heart and failed, dismally.

Casey picked him up, scrunching her nose and giggling as he tried to lick her face. “No thanks, Petey. No puppy kisses.”

“What kind of dog did you say he is?”

“A shih tzu-Maltese cross.”

“And he’s finished growing?” she asked. Not that it mattered.

“For sure. He’s two years old so he’s full grown, and he’s really well trained. He used to live in Gibsons but then the lady who owned him got sick and couldn’t keep him, so he had to be surrendered.” She hugged the dog closer. “Poor Petey. It wasn’t because she didn’t want you, it’s because she couldn’t keep you.” She talked to him as though he knew exactly what she was saying. “But we can. For now.”

“For now,” Sarah repeated. She appreciated her daughter’s boundless enthusiasm, but she needed to understand that this couldn’t be a permanent arrangement. “How long before the water main is repaired?”

“By the end of the week, probably. Maybe.”

And a week, in Casey’s mind, was long enough for her mother to become so attached to the animal, she couldn’t bear to part with him. Well, that wasn’t going to happen.

“You’d better bring him in,” she said. “We can’t leave him out here.”

“Did you hear that, Petey? You get to stay!” Casey set him down and picked up the crate and the bagful of canine accoutrements. The dog wagged his stub of a tail and dashed into the house ahead of her, tugging on the leash. “He won’t be any trouble, I promise. I’ll look after him. You won’t even know he’s here.”

Sarah doubted that, but she followed the pair inside and closed the door. “Where is Petey going to sleep?”

“He can stay in my room.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows at that.

“He’s crate-trained, Mom. It’s not like he’ll be sleeping in my bed.”

“I certainly hope not, but what about your critters?”

“They won’t be a problem. They’re all caged, and Petey’s used to being around other animals. Poor guy’s been at the shelter for two whole weeks.”

Poor Petey? He looked healthy, happy and perfectly adoptable. By someone else.

“Keeping him in your room is your call,” Sarah said, wishing he looked less adorable, that those bright eyes were a little less heart-melting.

“He’ll be fine, Mom. I’ll feed him, walk him, clean up after him—”

Sarah couldn’t stop her eyebrows from going up again.

“Not that he’ll make a mess. He’s totally not messy, I promise. I’ve been looking after him since he came to the shelter and he’s a really good dog.”

“I’m sure he is.” She hated making her daughter defend something she was so passionate about. “He’s lucky to have you looking after him.”

Casey set the crate and the bag on the floor and hugged her while Petey wound the leash around their ankles. “Thank you, Mom. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t, sweetie.”

Casey untangled them and unclipped his leash. “There you go, little guy. Check out your new home.”

Sarah let that one go. “We should have lunch, and then I need to get the store. Juliet’s been by herself all morning and she’ll need a break soon.”

“Okay. I’ll put Petey’s things away and open a can of soup.”

“Thanks. Give me a few minutes to finish getting ready for work and then I’ll join you.”

Casey toed the crate into the closet and hung the leash on a hook, then she picked up the bag of supplies. “Come on, Petey. Let’s check out the kitchen.” The dog scampered after her, ears flapping, tail wagging.

Casey had soup heating on the stove when Sarah came back downstairs a few minutes later. She kept up a steady stream of chatter to the dog sitting at her heels, gazing up at her, head to one side.

Sarah set out bowls and spoons and a box of crackers. It was usually right around this time every Saturday that they talked about what kind of pizzas to order for dinner, which movie they’d watch. “Did Kate say what time we should be there for dinner?”

Casey stirred the soup. “No set time. Her dad said to come over after you get home from work. He won’t put the pizzas in the oven till we get there.”

Sarah sat at the table and couldn’t help smiling as the little dog approached cautiously and nudged her leg with his nose. She stroked his head, then the soft, shaggy ears. Darn little dog. Do you have to be this adorable?