Page 5 of The Holiday Puppy
Of course he was.
A man this handsome, who had his warm personality, wouldn’t be out on his own for a minute before some gal tried to snatch him up. “So how does your family like being here?”
His expression grew pensive, and a long silence lengthened between them. She wished she hadn’t asked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
He lifted a shoulder. “My wife passed away two years ago from breast cancer, then our only child married and moved away. I guess there’s not a lot to go home to.”
“I’m so sorry about your loss,” she said quietly.
She knew only too well how devastating a loss could be. He was clearly a kind and caring person and appeared well-dressed in his crisp slacks and a well-cut polo shirt. But was he just a drifter now—a sad and lonely soul?
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do about your little friend?”
She blinked at his change of topic. “Locate a vet and find out if he’s chipped. And if he isn’t, then I guess I don’t know. Maybe I’ll put up some signs in the area and post notices on Facebook Marketplace. I’ve got three weeks before I leave for home.”
“The Hawaiian Humane Society is just a couple miles from here if you want to turn him in. They have a good reputation, or so I’ve heard.”
It might be the best place for finding him a home, but then Sniper clambered onto her lap and curled up as if he’d always belonged to her. His complete trust touched her heart.
“I—I guess I’d rather hang onto him for now and try to find out if he has an owner.” She fought back a yawn. “This little guy probably saved my life.”
“You must be exhausted. Want some ice cream for the road?”
After dropping their trash in a waste barrel, they went over to the sparkling clean food truck offering rolled ice cream to order. They watched the attendant expertly slather ice cream mix across a freezing cold slab, spread it into a thin sheet, roll it up, then cut it into sections.
Dropping the rolls into a paper cup, he handed it to Lucy, and then created a second flavor for Nick.
Before they started walking down the sidewalk again, she scanned the street. The shadows. Watching for anything out of place. Had she truly managed to escape—or was someone lurking like a specter of death just out of sight?
She shuddered, grateful for Nick’s presence.
Several blocks to the west she stopped at a gated, six-story building and lifted Sniper into her arms.
“Well, this is it. Not fancy on the outside, but there are lovely Airbnb rentals here, plus long-term apartments. When I arrived I saw several people with dogs, so Sniper will...oh, no.” Her heart fell. “I wasn’t even thinking about dog food.”
The thought of going out into the night again sent unease crawling up her spine. “I’ll hunt for a pet supply store on my phone and call an Uber. No worries.”
Nick reached for his cell and tapped in a search. “There are quite a few pet supply stores within three miles of here. It looks like Petco is still open.”
“Thanks for checking. I’ll just call for that Uber, and—”
“No, this evening was far more stress than you even realize right now. Why don’t you get settled? I’ll go grab some things and be right back. I’ll call when I arrive and hand it to you at this gate.”
“You don’t need to bother. I—”
“I can take care of it.” His eyes twinkled. “After all, you did buy me supper.”
“Do you know what kind of dog food to buy?”
He took a quick look inside Sniper’s mouth. “I’d guess he’s around seven months old or so. No problem.”
The puppy stirred in her arms and reached up to lick her chin as they exchanged cell numbers.
She looked up at Nick with a grateful smile. “Thanks again for being so kind to a total stranger today. I really appreciate the escort home.”
She used her key card, punched in the code to open the perimeter gate, and then used her keycard alone to activate the elevator inside the lobby.
Once she got into her room, she sank against the door in relief, grateful for the building’s multiple security measures and the video surveillance cameras both outside the building and in the lobby downstairs.