Puppy Wishes & Candy Kisses (Kringle Falls #1)

20. Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

S leep had been sparse.

Michael yawned Tuesday morning as he poured himself some coffee. He watched as Tank ate his breakfast, which Michael’s parents had dropped off with the soup the prior evening.

During the night, Tank had stayed under the covers for just a little bit. He preferred to lay on top of them while pressed up against Michael.

Thinking of how close they’d come to losing Tank had dredged up a lot of painful memories. During the night, Michael’s nightmares of losing his family came barreling back at him. It’d been a while since they’d tormented him.

This whole experience had reminded him of why he’d closed himself off—because the price of love was just too steep. When he lost someone he cared about, he lost a piece of himself.

He thought of Candi and Tank. It would be so easy to let them into his life—to love them—but he couldn’t allow himself to do that. He couldn’t take the risk of experiencing the devastating pain again.

Michael turned his attention to Tank. He wasn’t his usual energetic self, but after such a huge adventure for such a little guy, it was understandable. Other than that, you couldn’t tell anything had happened to him.

Candi entered the kitchen with a smile on her face. “Good morning.”

He mumbled, “Morning.”

She arched a brow as unspoken questions shone in her eyes. Then she knelt down next to Tank. She ran her hand down over his back. “And how are you today?”

As though the dog understood what she’d said, he turned his head to hers and licked her cheek. She hugged him, and the dog patiently let her.

When she straightened, she moved toward the coffeemaker. She poured herself a cup. “He’s looking good. Did you get any sleep last night?”

He couldn’t help but wonder if she was asking out of curiosity or if he looked that bad. “A little bit. Tank snores.”

“Poor Tank.” She fussed over him. “Tell him you don’t snore.” After another doggy kiss, she moved to the fridge to get some milk for her coffee. “He was just a tired pup. He worked hard to get back to you.”

Tank moved to sit next to him. Michael had the urge to bend over and pick him up, but he resisted the temptation. He couldn’t risk getting anymore attached to the dog or the beautiful woman standing on the other side of the kitchen island from him.

She added some sugar to her coffee and gave it a stir. “You’re going to keep him, aren’t you?”

The word yes rushed to the back of his throat. He bit it back. Not trusting his mouth, he merely shook his head.

Immediately, he saw the disappointment in Candi’s eyes. He couldn’t stand to have her look at him like he was the Grinch, who had stolen all of the toys from under the Christmas tree.

He wasn’t a bad guy. He’d just suffered through too much loss. He supposed some would say he was broken on the inside. He wouldn’t argue with that assessment.

As the awkward silence stretched out between them, he felt as though he needed to say something. “He’ll find another home—a good home. It’ll be better for him.”

Because he didn’t know if he had it in him any longer to be the loving, caring person that Candi and Tank deserved. They would be better off without him.

When he turned to walk away, she said, “That’s it. You’re not even going to try and make a home for Tank?”

“Trust me. It’s for the best.” It felt as though the weight of the world was pressing down on his shoulders.

And then Tank’s wet nose touched his hand. Michael looked down at the pup. His vision grew misty. He blinked repeatedly. Must be dust in the air. He never was that great of a house cleaner.

“You’re going to regret this. Tank loves you. You belong together.”

She was probably right. And yet the wall he’d built around his cracked heart to keep those jagged pieces together wouldn’t allow him to risk love again. Another loss and his heart would shatter into a million tiny pieces—too small to piece back together.

With his head hanging low, he continued toward the mudroom. When he slipped on his boots, Tank joined him.

As Michael petted him, he said, “It’s okay. You don’t have to go back today. Tomorrow will be soon enough.”

She’d heard him.

She’d heard the pain in his voice.

Candi had trailed Michael as far as the mudroom. She wanted to talk some sense into him. But when he went out the door, presumably to go to the workshop, she didn’t follow.

She knew deep in her heart that Michael and Tank belonged together. And she was starting to suspect that she and Michael belonged together too. But if he wouldn’t let a sweet dog into his life, he was never going to make space for her.

The acknowledgement hurt. It poked at her heart as tears stung the backs of her eyes. Why did he have to be so stubborn?

He wasn’t just hurting himself but those around him who cared for him. Foolish, foolish man.

She thought about going to the workshop to paint some more ornaments, but she was too angry with him to be in the same room with him. It was best that they kept their distance from each other for the moment.

She glanced out the window to find the sun peeking out from behind the many clouds. She wondered how Odie and Tater Tot were doing. She thought of going to see them, but that would mean borrowing Michael’s pickup.

Should she ask him? She worried her bottom lip. She paced back and forth in the living room as she debated what to do. At last, she decided the worst he could say was no.

So, she slipped on her boots and rushed over to the workshop. Michael was cutting more ornaments while Tank slept on a rug near the wood stove. Tank lifted his head and looked at her before going back to sleep.

She waited until Michael finished cutting the wood. “I wanted to go see the pups.”

Before she could ask her question, he said, “You can borrow the truck.” Then he frowned. “Do you know how to drive a manual transmission?”

She straightened her shoulders and nodded. “I learned to drive in a five-speed.” When his eyes widened in surprise, she said, “My mother taught me. She said it was a useful skill to have.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. He tossed them to her. “There should be plenty of gas in it.”

“Thanks.” She noticed he didn’t offer to go with her. “I’ll be back later.”

“Take your time.”

As she walked away, she wondered if that was his way of telling her he didn’t want her around. Was he pushing her out of his life too? The thought saddened her more than she’d expected. But she didn’t let any of that stop her from her mission.

It took her a moment to familiarize herself with where everything was on the dash. Then she put her feet on the brake and clutch before turning the key. The pickup immediately turned over. So far so good.

Now if she could just get the pickup out of the driveway without popping the clutch. Her stomach shivered with nerves. She didn’t want to embarrass herself after she told him she could drive it. She could do it. It was just that it had been a few years, maybe more than a few years, since she’d worked a clutch and stick shift.

Taking her time so as not to make a mistake, she checked her mirrors. She adjusted the one. With her foot still on the clutch, she put the truck in reverse. She let off the brake and then the clutch. When she released the clutch too quickly, the truck sputtered. She quickly pressed her foot down on the clutch once more. Slower this time.

That worked. She backed onto the two-lane country road. When she went to shift into first gear, she saw Michael out of the corner of her eye. He was standing just outside of the workshop. He must have come out to make sure she knew what she was doing with his little red pickup.

Once she shifted, she pressed on the gas pedal and set off down the road. She supposed driving a manual transmission was a lot like riding a bike. You never truly forget how to do it.

As she accelerated, she easily shifted into second and then to third without so much as grinding the gears. Her mother would be proud of her.

Seeing as though the roads had some snow and ice on them, she kept her speed reduced. She wasn’t taking any chances with Michael’s truck.

Since it was a short ride, she was in town in no time. She found a parking spot near the pet store. Luckily, she didn’t have to shimmy into a spot. She wasn’t sure she felt confident enough to parallel park. There were a couple of spots open, so all she had to do was drive straight into it.

Before she got out, she decided to call the garage that was working on the van. She hadn’t bothered them because there had been no pressing need to have it back...until now.

She felt a seismic shift between her and Michael. Whatever she’d let herself believe was happening between them was definitely over—if it had even really started.

She dialed the number on the business card for the garage. The phone rang and rang. She was starting to think that no one was going to answer it.

“Stan’s Garage. Stan speaking.”

“Hi, this is Candace Goodman. I was calling about my van.”

“Oh, yes. I was going to give you a call a little later.”

Her chest tightened. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Actually, I was going to let you know that your van should be ready to go by lunchtime tomorrow.”

She would be relieved to have the van back and not having to be reliant on Michael any longer. At the same time, she was sad because this meant there was no reason for her to stick around Kringle Falls any longer.

The man told her that he’d give her a call tomorrow when it was ready to be picked up.

She thanked him and then hesitated. She thought about calling Michael to let him know the news, but then she thought about how cold and distant he’d been since they’d found Tank. She’d tell him later. She dropped her phone into her purse and proceeded to get out of the pickup.

As she walked along the sidewalk, people smiled and greeted her. Most of them she’d never seen before, but that didn’t stop her from returning their greeting. Kringle Falls was a warm and wonderful small town. Maybe someday she’d return for a visit.

When she reached the store, a sheriff’s car swung over to the side of the road. The window lowered, and she heard someone call her name.

She moved toward the car and bent over to see Parker in uniform sitting behind the wheel. “Hi.”

“I thought I saw my brother’s pickup. Is he already inside?” He nodded toward the pet store.

“Actually, he’s at home. I’m here alone.” She held up the key ring. “He loaned me the pickup.”

Parker’s eyebrows rose as his eyes widened. “He doesn’t let anyone drive his baby.”

“Really?” She didn’t remember him saying anything about it. “Surely, he lets his family borrow it.”

Parker shook his head. “I’ve never driven it. Not even Evelyn drove it. The only person in our family that has had it out on the road is our father, but that was when the pickup still belonged to our grandfather.”

Interesting. Why would Michael trust her so much? Probably because he was desperate to get rid of her. It just affirmed her belief that tomorrow it was time to hit the road. She’d worn out her welcome in Kringle Falls.

“How’s Tank doing?” He didn’t seem in any rush to get going.

“Good. Michael is keeping an eye on him today, before he brings him back to be adopted by someone else.” It hurt her to say those words because she knew Tank would never be happy without Michael. She wasn’t so sure Michael would be happy without Tank either. But he was too stubborn to realize it.

“I’m glad you guys found him.”

“Actually, he found us. Somehow, he made it back to the house. I don’t know how.”

“Sounds like he’s bonded to you.”

“Not me. It’s your brother that he loves. Only Michael is just too stubborn to admit that he loves the dog too. I don’t know why he keeps putting up a wall.” And then realizing that she was venting to Michael’s brother, whom she didn’t know all that well, she pressed her lips together to keep from saying anything else about Michael. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Don’t be. Our family has been tiptoeing around him ever since”—he paused—“well, you know. Anyhow, maybe you’re exactly what he needs to draw him out of his shell and start living again.”

Just then his radio went off. The Wilkersons’ cows were in the road again.

“Sorry,” he said. “Duty calls. Call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

And then he was off. She liked Michael’s family. They were all so nice.

She just hoped they weren’t counting on her being able to draw Michael out of his shell. She’d failed miserably. And now it was time to get back to her life in Ohio—even if she still hadn’t found a new job, and the shelter where she volunteered had shut down. But she didn’t want to think about any of that now.

She headed toward Purr ’n Woof. It was time to go say goodbye to Odie and Tater Tot. As she opened the door, she knew this was going to be hard. Who knew she would come to love them so much in such a short amount of time?

There were a handful of people in the store. And some teenager was working the cash register. But Candi didn’t see Merry anywhere. Maybe she was in the office.

Candi made her way toward the back of the shop where the fenced-in area was for the dogs. But when she looked inside, she didn’t see either of the pups. Maybe Merry had them with her.

Candi walked to the office and found the door open. She peered inside. Merry had her back to her. Candi rapped her knuckles against the door.

When Merry turned, her face lit up with one of her warm smiles. “Candi, it’s good to see you. How is Tank doing?”

“Good. He’s sticking to Michael’s side.”

Merry nodded. “At last, they’ve bonded.”

“You would think so, but it seems to be one-sided.”

“How so?”

“Well, Michael is determined to bring Tank back here so he can be adopted. I just don’t understand it. I know he cares about Tank. He took him to bed with him last night. And by the looks of Michael today, I don’t think he got a wink of sleep.”

Merry nodded. “It isn’t easy for him to open up his heart again.”

“But it’s a puppy—a puppy that ran home to him. How can he just turn his back on him?”

“Candi, he hasn’t.”

“Hasn’t what?”

“Turned his back on Tank.” Merry sent her a reassuring smile. “If he was that determined, he would have dropped Tank off by now.”

Candi shrugged. “He said he wanted to watch him today and make sure he’s all right. He’s planning to bring him back tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is a long way away. A lot can happen between now and then.”

Candi wished she could be as assured as Merry, but she’d witnessed Michael putting up his walls. No one could scale those walls—not even with climbing gear.

“Speaking of tomorrow,” Candi said, “my vehicle will be ready to go then, so I’m going to be heading back to Ohio.”

“So soon?” Merry looked disappointed. “Couldn’t you stay longer? I was hoping to talk you into working here. I could really use a manager so I could free up some of my time.”

“It’s a very generous offer.” And she was so tempted to take the job. Merry was so nice, and Kringle Falls was a great small town. But in the end, it was Michael’s small town—too small for both of them. They’d run into each other at every turn. “And I really appreciate the offer. It sounds great, but I... I can’t accept. I’m sorry.”

“Think about it. I don’t need an answer today. If you change your mind, call me.”

Candi nodded, even though she knew she wouldn’t change her mind. “I just stopped by to thank you for your help with the pups. I really appreciate it. Speaking of the pups, are they around? I wanted to say goodbye to them.”

“Oh.” The smile slipped from Merry’s face. “I’m afraid they aren’t here. I placed them in foster homes, which I hope will become permanent homes.”

“That’s great.” Candi forced a smile to her lips because she was happy for the puppies, but she was sad for herself because she was going to miss them so much. “You did that really fast.”

“It wasn’t hard. I know everyone in town. You actually know the two people fostering the pups. Do you remember Belle and Holly from the coffeeshop?”

Candi nodded. It helped to know they were with people she’d met. “But what will happen to them if Belle or Holly don’t want to keep them?”

Merry sent her a knowing smile. “Trust me. I have a knack for these sorts of things. Those dogs are in their forever homes, just like Tank has found his. It might take them a moment to figure this out, but it will happen.” Merry turned back to her desk. She grabbed a business card and handed it to Candi. “Take this and feel free to give me a call any time.”

Candi accepted the card. “Thanks. I’ll do that.” She turned away and took two steps before pausing and turning back. “By the way, is there a craft store in town?”

“What sort of crafts?”

“Some thread and ribbon. You know, that sort of stuff.”

Merry gave her directions to the Kringle General Store. From what Merry said, it had a bit of everything. Hopefully, it’d have what she needed to make Michael a special gift before she left town.