“Irish Setters are not tiny, sweetie.”
“Well, this one is.”
“Well... Let’s go visit Mrs. Fiorenza, then. Jen Chambers told her we were coming to take a look at her foster pups this morning.”
“I thought you needed to open the shop.”
“I do this afternoon. But you can handle our dog without me, right? Or you can bring it over to chill with me, but you’ll have to go to the pet shop first. If... If there’s the right dog.”
“You saidourdog.”
“You saidour family.”
It’s going to be a good day.
IT’S GOING TO BE Adisappointing day. In one aspect. I can feel it as we get to Mrs. Fiorenza’s house. Oh, it’s a nice house, a little bit unkempt, overgrown, and the yard looks like a squeaky toy factory blew up, but it’s not about the house. There’s something I can feel. Something about the way Jared’s eyes are lit up and glowing with excitement. He’s so sure that there’s going to be a certain dog here, and I’m sure that there’s not. I feel the unmistakable sense of something off, the impending feeling of sadness and disappointment centered around him—but I can’t stop it.
I can try. I text Liam as Jared drives us down Ridge View Way, where the houses are spaced out, and most look a bit neglected or downright rundown.
Chloe: Any updates?
Liam: Beauty queen is asleep. We’re going on a river cruise and dropping off Kep on the way to the city tomorrow. Believe me, he’ll be happier with you. Hell, he’s happier with me, and I’m a stranger. Ten to one
Patsy will never bother to pick him up again. Actually, make it a million to one. I know my meals.
Chloe: Thank you! I owe you.
Liam: Just let me get a front-row seat at your wedding, sweetie. I’ll be full from second-hand sexual tension for weeks.
I have to smile at that.
Chloe: Deal.
“Hey. I heard from Liam. Kep is coming home to you tomorrow.”
“That’s the best news ever!” Jared crows and springs out of the car the second it’s parked.
“Well... Do we even need to do this?” I ask when Jared opens my car door.
“Yep. Come on, two dogs, two cats, two kids... What about it?”
“I think you’re adorable, but Marmalade might like being the queen bee of the cats in our house. We’ll see. Also, I... I just don’t want you to be disappointed. Irish Setters are a fancy breed. I don’t think they’re very common. In fact,” I try to stall him, “I looked it up. They’re way down on the list of popular breeds, like almost eightieth on the list of popular purebreds.”
“So?”
“The dog you’re dreaming of might not be here.” I try to break this to him easy, but he’s not having it.
With glib nonchalance, he answers, “You said a lot of the dogs they had here were mixes and fancy purebreds that were puppy mill rescues. Why not an Irish Setter or an Irish Setter mix?”
“Because there’s probably not a lot of money in them if they’re not popular? I don’t know. I just don’t want you to get your heart broken if they don’t have one.”
“I believe.” He smiles. “I’m a man of science, but today, I’m a man of faith as well!”
I try to smile at that, but inside, I’m cracking. What happens to this happy, sweet teddy bear I’ve fallen in love with if that faith is tested and failed so early? Is there a chance he’d stop believing in us, too? My heart gives a stout, resolute no, but a tiny whisper of doubt lingers.
“You two are early birds! But that’s just as well. I have the vet tech coming to do some deworming and vaccines for a new litter. Come on in!” Mrs. Fiorenza waves from the screen door. She’s a plump lady with a mass of dark curls, a housedress out of the 1970s, and supportive nurse-type shoes with thick soles. She’s got a baying beagle in one arm while a dachshund with cloudy eyes and a crooked tail barks at her feet.
“Ignore Romeo. He can’t see what he’s barking at, he just knows he has to defend the house! Klaxon. Hush!” She kisses the beagle on his ear, and he immediately falls silent. “So, what are you folks looking for?”
