Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)

They got back to the shelter. After Aidan took off the dog’s coat, Charlie dropped to the ground and rolled on his back, as if scratching an itch. The pure joy of the moment—all four paws waving in the air, his stocky little body writhing in pleasure—pretty much sealed the deal.

Carol said they could take as much time as they wanted with Charlie. Aidan led him back into the faux living room. Charlie ran around and sniffed the toys, then drank some water. When Aidan and Shelby returned to the sofa, Charlie jumped up next to them before settling on the back of the sofa. He gazed at Aidan as if he knew what was being decided.

“Well, hell,” Aidan muttered. He stroked the side of Charlie’s face. The dog licked his hand, then put his head on his paws and closed his eyes.

He was a good little guy, he thought. Friendly, eager and easygoing.

“I suppose a trial run wouldn’t hurt.”

Shelby smiled. “Silly man. There is no trial. If you take him home there’s no way you’re bringing him back.”

Aidan looked at the little dog and had a bad feeling she was right.

*

AIDAN’S FIRST STOP after taking Shelby home was the pet store at the edge of town. He had a starter kit of food, along with a ball and a new collar and leash from the shelter, but that wasn’t nearly enough. He knew pets needed things like beds and bowls, not to mention more than the couple of cans of food along with a two-pound bag of kibble he’d been sent home with.

“You’re going to have to help out,” he told the dog as he opened the passenger side door and reached for Charlie’s leash, which he’d left on the floor of the truck. He snapped it into place, then lifted the dog to the ground. “I don’t know what you like. Guidance would be appreciated.”

Charlie stared at him, his brown eyes thoughtful, as if he was processing the request. Aidan waited, but there was no other response. Not that he’d been expecting words or a note, but still, something would have been good.

“Okay then,” he said. “You ready?”

He pointed toward the store. Charlie started walking in that direction, his little tail straight up and wagging slightly.

Aidan got a big cart, then worried it would frighten the dog, but Charlie took it in stride. He sniffed the floor and looked around eagerly, as if happy to explore this new world.

Aidan started with the easy stuff. Food and bowls. He bought several cans of what the shelter had been using, along with a bag of kibble. He figured he would do some research online to find out the best kind for a dog like Charlie and transition him gradually. He picked out four different kinds of treats, including one that was supposed to keep Charlie’s teeth clean and his gums healthy. He got a half-dozen bowls, then headed for the toy aisle.

Charlie showed interest in squeaky toys and a good tuggy rope. Aidan picked out a couple of nubby bones that were supposed to give the dog something to chew on. Next up, beds.

Charlie tested out every one Aidan put down on the floor. It was hard to tell which one he liked best. Aidan settled on a plush, high-sided brown bed with orthopedic foam under the cushion.

Last they cruised by the collar aisle. Charlie stood patiently while Aidan tested a couple of different collars, along with a harness. He bought one of each and the matching leashes. Last, and the item he was dreading the most—a coat.

There were several styles, along with sweaters and, dear God, dog booties.

“We’re not doing that,” he told Charlie.

The dog wagged his tail.

Aidan thought about how Charlie had walked through all that icy snow and never complained. How his little paws had been frozen and he’d been shivering. Then he looked back at the booties.

Everything inside of him protested. Bad enough to have a small, white fluffy dog, but one in booties?

“It’s happening,” Aidan told Charlie. “You’re my witness. I’m turning into a woman.”

Bowing to the inevitable, he reached for the booties and tossed them into the cart.





CHAPTER EIGHT

THE FIRST MEETING of the mayor-requested singles group took place on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day at the outdoor skating rink at Pyrite Park. Shelby was to meet Aidan there fifteen minutes before the event.

They’d put the word out on the town’s electronic community board and Bailey, the mayor’s assistant, had sent an email blast to everyone who’d signed up to receive them. Even so, Shelby had no idea what to expect. They could have two participants or two hundred.

When she got to the skating rink, she found Aidan already there, sitting on a bench by the ice-skate rental shack. Charlie sat next to him, fashionably dressed in a black-and-white plaid jacket and—she squinted just to make sure she was really seeing what she thought she was seeing—black dog booties.

“Don’t,” Aidan said as he got to his feet. “Don’t say it. I know what you’re thinking and it’s not my fault.”

“He’s very fashion forward this morning.”

“Sure, make fun of the guy trying to be a good puppy parent. He gets cold. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable.” He reached down and petted the little dog. “He’s a good boy with a lot of personality.”

“You could get matching jackets.”