Page 27 of Love's Harvest
“Hello,” said Gage.“Meet Luke.He’s five years old and is as easygoing as a dog can be.His owner, a single woman, was heartbroken to have to leave him behind looking for a new home, but she’s unexpectedly moving to New York City and couldn’t take the dog with her.I assured her I’d find a good home for him.”
Sarah knelt on the floor and called softly to Luke to come.He, not she, would decide if he was right for them.
Gage let go of the leash and Luke ambled over to her, sniffed her hand, and then moved closer.Tearing up, Sarah said softly, “I have two little girls just waiting for someone like you.Me, too.”
He seemed to know what she was saying, swiped her cheek with his tongue, and then lay down in front of her, staring up at her with warm brown eyes.
Sarah threw her arms around his neck, and he inched closer, wagging his tail.
“He’s beautiful,” said Sarah, smiling up at Gage before rising.
Luke sat at her feet, looking up at her with a hopeful expression as he wagged his tail.
“Do you want to come home with me?”Sarah said.
Luke barked.
“Well, that’s settled then,” said Gage, pleased.“He’s chipped, neutered, housebroken, and had all his shots.I’ve checked him over carefully, and he is in perfect health and ready to go.”
“I’ll go ahead and sign papers and pay.But I need you to keep him here until later today.Is that possible?I want to get everything ready at home for him.Did his owner leave any of his favorite things here?”
Gage chuckled.“Oh, yes.He has a special blanket he sleeps on and a few favorite toys.But it wouldn’t hurt to get some things of your own to help make the transition.You told me you have a fenced yard and will make sure he gets proper exercise.”
“Oh, yes,” she said.
“One more thing, which is why I think he’s perfect for you.He was used to going to the owner’s office with her.He might want to go to work with you.Is that something you’d consider doing with him?”
“Yes,” Sarah exclaimed.“That would be fun.He’d have plenty of space there, and I’m sure the customers would like him.”
“That’s what I figured,” said Gage, giving her a satisfied grin.“He’s a beautifully trained dog, and with his personality, he should make the transition easily.”
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After signing papers and paying the fee, Sarah patted Luke on the head.“Don’t worry, boy, I’ll be back to take you home.I know two little girls who are going to be thrilled.”
Luke whined and wagged his tail, and though Sarah wished she could take him with her, she had to make sure she and the girls were ready for him.
Her second stop was the charity store, where she dropped off the bags of items that she’d decided to get rid of.She reminded herself that it was another way to start fresh.
Then Sarah headed out to do some shopping.She had some money saved up for a weekend escape she’d promised herself, but decided this was a better way to spend it.
Later, she put the last of her shopping bags into the back of the car and headed home to put it all in place.When she’d made the move to town, she’d sentimentally clung to furnishings and decorative items from her marriage.Now, they, too, would be given to charity.It was, as she repeated to herself, time for something new.
Smiling at the idea, Sarah stopped at the animal shelter and picked up Luke who happily jumped into her car.She wanted him to have time to get used to the house before the girls came home.
As she drove, she couldn’t help laughing.Luke sat up in the seat looking ahead as if he was her backseat driver.
“Ah, Luke.You’re going to be exactly what our little family needs,” she said, pulling into her driveway.
Sarah opened the back door of the car and let him out, giving him a few moments on the leash to sniff around the small front yard before leading him inside the house and then outside to the back yard.
She left the sliding glass door in the kitchen open so Luke could come and go as he wished.Then she went to the car to get her purchases.
After several trips, she was ready to begin work inside.
The first thing she did was to wash the quilt covering her bed so it could be given away, along with the two decorative matching pillows.She put the bedside lamp into a box, to be replaced with the new contemporary lamp that better matched the pale-rose linen duvet and flowery shams.
She’d splurged and bought new bath towels to match the color-scheme of the bedding, The old towels were in excellent shape and could be used in the girls’ bathroom.
