Love's Surprise by Karen M. Ball

Author:Karen M. Ball
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781598569087
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
Published: 2011-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

Six

Kylie stepped back to study the room. One corner of Mackenzie’s spacious living room was now a warm and welcome custom-designed doggie domicile.

She’d taken a run to the pet store for some supplies, then went home to retrieve one of Zsuzsi’s older crates. The large container was constructed of heavy molded plastic, had side windows, a swinging gated door, and plenty of room for a dog of the husky’s size to stand and turn around. A sleeping cushion and food dish completed the accommodations.

Kylie pulled the crate nearer the fireplace, reaching over to move the still-undecorated Christmas tree as she did so. She glanced over her shoulder at Mac—that really suited him so much better than his oh-so-formal full name. He was seated on his couch, watching her every move, a bemused look in his eyes.

She fingered the tree’s needles. “You’d better get this beauty in a stand with some water or it will start to lose its needles. And there’s nothing sadder than a dried out, undecorated Christ­mas tree.”

“There’s not?” His gaze drifted to the tree, then back to her.

She shook her head, leaning the tree against the wall. See, Father? I told you he thinks I’m nuts. She’d seen that slightly confused look on his face before—every time he saw her, to be exact. It was full of perplexity, as though she were an oddity that he couldn’t quite analyze or categorize.

There was something sad—and strangely endearing—in that look. It reminded her of a little boy watching a parade from an enclosure, wanting desperately to join in the fun but not quite sure how to escape his confines. It made Kylie want to make her somber, dark-eyed neighbor smile or laugh.

Or put her arms around him and hug him close . . .

“Is something wrong?”

Oh, good grief. She was staring at the man. A man who was practically engaged, for heaven’s sake! What was wrong with her?

“Oh . . . ah . . . no. Not at all.” She turned back to the crate.

“You really think this dog will go in there without a fight?”

“Let’s give it a try.” She pulled a large dog biscuit from her pocket and held it out to the husky. When he trotted toward her, she gave the treat a toss into the crate. The dog hesitated just long enough to give the crate a sniff, then went inside and snapped up the biscuit. He circled once, twice, then settled down on the cushion, the biscuit between his paws.

Kylie turned to Mac. “I think he likes it.”

Grudging respect shone in his eyes. “I admit, I’m surprised. I thought sure he’d fight you.”

She moved back to sit on the couch again. “Dogs generally like crates. Remember, they’re den animals, and crates are like a den to them. Just be sure you use a happy voice whenever you put him in there, so he doesn’t connect the crate with being punished.”

“A . . . happy voice?”

She met his dubious gaze. “I’m not saying you should sound like a Munchkin, Mac.

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