Safe In His Heart (McCormick's Creek Series Book 3) by Jen Peters

Author:Jen Peters [Peters, Jen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, McCormick's Creek Series, McCormick’s Creek Oregon
ISBN: 9781949876017
Publisher: Blue Lily Books
Published: 2019-05-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Late the next morning, Robin clipped leashes on Jello and Rascal, the muddy mophead Cliff had brought after Jinx. She had just enough time to walk them before her shift at the restaurant. They weren’t so rambunctious that she couldn’t handle the two of them together, and Rascal’s short legs would let Jello and his waddle keep pace.

She wanted to soak up the September sunshine while she could—October would be beautiful but cooler. She led the dogs down the sunny side of the street, past a playground, and up toward the creek.

Cliff had been a good sport the night before—she couldn’t think of anyone else who would have accepted her hula hoop challenge. And oh, could he dance! He could even make a klutz like her seem smooth. The feel of his arms guiding her, the scent of him—a mixture of soap and aftershave and just a hint of horse—she could have danced all night.

A solid jerk on her arm brought her back to reality, where Rascal was pulling to cross the street to a cat. She shushed him, made him sit, and gave him a treat, all while placid Jello looked on. Jello really was a sweetheart, so despite his diet, she tore a treat in half to reward him for good behavior.

“Look, Mommy!” a small voice shouted. “Dogs!”

A mother with a stroller and a preschooler approached. “May we pet him?” the mother asked, looking at Rascal.

“Sure,” Robin said, making Rascal sit again.

The young girl knelt in front of him and brushed back his shaggy eyebrows. The mother parked the stroller and joined her.

“He’s soft,” the girl said.

“He had a bath a couple days ago,” Robin answered. “His name is Rascal, and this is Jello.”

Jello had inched over to the stroller, and the toddler inside reached out to pet him. The dog stood sideways and leaned, and the child giggled and patted him.

“Jello is a funny name,” the older girl said, deserting Rascal in favor of the golden retriever.

“Well, when he found us, he was even fatter than he is now, and when he walked, he jiggled like Jell-o.”

“He found you?” the mother said, still petting Rascal.

Robin nodded. “Dogs get dumped a lot around here. I find them or they find me, and after they get settled in, I try to find new homes for them.”

“Mommy! Last night you said we could get a dog!”

The mother pursed her lips. “I’m not sure I meant this instant, sweetheart.”

“But I love Jello!”

“Jello is nice, Olivia, but I was thinking a dog more like this one. Smaller.”

Robin spoke up. “Rascal was only brought to me a few days ago. I think he’s nice, but I really don’t know him yet. And Golden Retrievers like Jello are great family dogs—they’ll put up with just about anything, from dressing up to getting their fur tugged.”

The mother stood. “We’ll think about it, sweetie.” She turned to Robin. “Do you have any other dogs? And how can I contact you?”

They traded phone numbers, and the little family headed on to the park.

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