Page 63 of A Heartfelt Christmas Promise
“Oh, my word,” Anna’s voice echoed from the bathroom next door. “Did you see this tub?”
Vanessa went to see what all the fuss was about, but whenshe walked into the bathroom she had to agree. “Oh, my goodness. This is gorgeous. I’ve always loved those freestanding tubs.”
Anna lifted the top of a glass apothecary jar, scooped up rose petals, and sprinkled them back into the jar. “Seriously? These smell so good. Do you think we can put these in the tub?”
“Sometimes you just have to ask for forgiveness later. This is definitely one of those situations.”
“Did you ever in a million years expect this?” Anna stood there shaking her head.
“No. Definitely not. I also wouldn’t expect him to open up this part of his home to strangers.”
“Not complete strangers,” Anna reminded her. “I mean he said you two have been talking in the diner all week.” She ran a finger across the dresser. “It’s spick-and-span. Do you think they rent it out?”
“I don’t know. I was under the impression the corporate apartment was the only place to stay for miles.”
“Well, thank goodness he was sitting behind you,” Anna said. “Why don’t you take my car and go get some of your stuff so you can stay here tonight. I’ll get unpacked and soak in that amazing tub.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Here’s the key to the car.” She dug it out of her front pocket. “And this place.”
“Seems like a nice start to our holiday.”
“All we need is a Christmas tree.”
Vanessa drove back over to the warehouse, noting the turns on the back of a gas receipt, since she had no idea what the address was. At least the crazy week was ending on a higher note.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Vanessa pulled into the parking area at the warehouse.
I’m really not going to miss staying here.
In front of the door, there was a cardboard box with big letters on the side that readTHIS SIDE UP. As she got closer, she noticed the bright red envelope tucked into the top flap.
The box was heavy. Instead of taking it upstairs she took it over to the car and set it on the floorboard. It was probably leftovers from Lilene. That woman ran on thoughtfulness and kindness.
She let herself into the warehouse using the jiggly twist-lift approach Lilene had shown her, then ran up the stairs and grabbed pajamas and a change of clothes. Halfway to the door, she stopped and repacked all the rations Lilene had stocked for her to take over to the carriage house, too. They’d have plenty to snack on for a while until they had time to go to the grocery store.
She took two of the bags downstairs and put them in the passenger seat, then left the door open while she went back in to get the rest.
As she got closer to the car, she heard something behind her. She looked but couldn’t see anything in the dark. Before she took a step, there it was again. A bark?
She walked over to the car.
A fluffy burst of gold scared the bags right out of her arms. She leapt back, letting out a yelp of her own.
“What are you doing in there?” It was a puppy. A little guy dancing around in the leather seat like he belonged. He opened his mouth in a wide yawn that sounded almost like a hello.
“You are the cutest thing.” She collected everything that had fallen and put the bags in the car.
In response to the rustling bags, the puppy stepped back and barked, then pounced forward.
“Aren’t you the little guardian dog? Where is your momma?”
He cocked his head to the side, then hopped down out of the car wagging his tail so hard his hiney lifted from the ground.
She reached down and picked him up.
