Page 69 of Hate You Later
Hudson checked me out too. He didn’t even bother to hide it. The way his eyes crawled all over me. Not normally the sort of thing I’d welcome. But I liked it. I enjoyed the obvious effect I was having on him. He’d clearly wanted me as much as I wanted him. And we’d both known how impossible that was.
At noon, Angie drops by with great news. All three of the strays from Saturday are being picked up today. She purchases a collar and charm for each of them, using her own money for the gift. For once, I don’t feel guilty ringing up her sale.
“Such nice families, Georgia. And I swear, it’s all because of those costumes of yours.” The corners of her blue-gray eyes crinkle up when she smiles. She pats my hand.
“Don’t forget about Xander’s transformations and Kenna’s photos,” I say. “They deserve credit too.”
“Of course, but it’s you we all rally around, sweetheart.” Angie smiles and reaches over the gate to pat Cookie.
“I’m so excited about this masquerade, Georgia. I’ve always wanted to go to a costume party. You’ll let me know exactly how I can help out?”
“You’ve always been the shelter’s den mother, Angie,” I say. “I can’t think of anyone else to better represent the shelter at the event.”
“Oh, den mother!” Angie claps. “That’s it! That’s my costume. Thank you, Georgia!”
“Any time.” I smile.
“I think I’ll bring my photo albums so I can show people pictures of the animals when I tell them about the adoption success stories,” Angie muses.
“I think that sounds like a great idea.” I finish wrapping up the charms and walk with her to the door. “I don’t know what we’d do without you, Angie,” I say.
And then I just go for it. I give her a hug. It’s awkward at first. She startles, like she’s just been tackled. But then she relaxes, wrapping her arms around and hugging me back—hard. We both look at the portrait of my mom, missing her. Angie pats my back in a slow rhythm.
“Excuse me? Mind if I come in? I’m with Farm & Holm …” We’re interrupted by a middle-aged man in coveralls peeking in through the door. He’s holding a large toolbox in one hand and a package in the other. “I hear you have some issues with the lights?”
Angie holds the door open for him. He gestures at the box. “Looks like this delivery is for you folks too.”
“Leave it on the counter,” I say. Angie gives me a little thumbs-up sign and a wave before slipping out the door.
I turn back to the repairman. Could this be Hudson making good on his promises?
“We sure do have a problem with the lights. Let me show you what’s going on.”
* * *
Kenna drops by to keep me company as I finish up for the day. She sweeps while I sew the fasteners on three more pet suits. With Halloween so close, the costumes are flying off the rack. Today was another good day. My favorite part was when a group of high school students stopped by to shoot selfies in front of the mural wall.
Kenna pauses by Cookie’s bed. “So, Cookie, what’s new with your cat friend?” she asks the dog, but she’s actually looking at me. “I saw that your buddy Oliver liked your last post.”
“I saw that too.” I smile, remembering. And then I realize that I haven’t posted anything for four days! “I feel so bad that I’m falling behind.”
“Wow! That last post totally blew up!” Kenna says. She holds out her phone to show me.
That’s when I see it. There are over three hundred likes on my last photo of Cookie! Holy shit.
What happened?
Quickly, I scroll through the likes, and then I notice Cookie’s been tagged by Farm & Holm Pet Supplies! They’ve included Cookie in a Sunday Funday “Cute Dogs to Follow” post.
I hand back the phone, showing the post to Kenna.
“Looks like someone threw you abone,” she says, elbowing me like she’s a vaudeville comedian. “Get it?”
“Very funny,” I say, wrinkling my nose. I’m not sure how to feel about this. Is it possible Hudson Holm has figured out that Cookie is my dog? But how?
“You’ve picked up over two hundred new followers too,” she says, still looking at the phone. She swaps the broom for a sheepskin duster and gets to work dusting off the displays on the counter.
“I’m not sure what’s more exciting—the followers or the fact that I no longer have to pee in the dark,” I say. “The lights finally got fixed!”
