Puppy Love for Christmas

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Sabrina wept. She had no idea why. The Adopt-a-Thon was a huge success. Not only had they adopted out all the animals, they even had promises of return from those who didn’t get a chance to adopt and want to see the animals left at the shelter. Her heart was full. Mission accomplished. Yet, as she lay in bed, torrents of tears streamed down her face.

The outpouring of emotion was so unexpected. She was tired, for sure. After the Adopt-a-Thon, she stayed around and helped bring the empty cages and pens back to the Animal Sanctuary. Chris didn’t leave either. He lent a hand returning the dog and cat food and accessories that didn’t sell back to the shelter as well. Then, with a promise of seeing him at the Snow Ball later that night, Sabrina excused herself and walked back to the hotel.

She had a couple of hours before she needed to get ready for the ball. It was the last main event of the Christmas by the Sea celebration before New Year’s Eve and where the silent auction would happen to benefit the Animal Sanctuary. One last push and the season was all over and she could finally put in that offer for Shady Acers. Yet the second she got back to her room, she broke down in tears. Her poor pillow had a puddle of snot by the time her mother returned home and found her a mess.

“What happened?” her mother asked, rushing to the bed and gathering Sabrina into her arms.

Sabrina melted into the embrace. The sadness she thought had dissipated from all the senseless crying reared up and came back with renewed vigor. Hormones, maybe? But her period wasn’t due for another three weeks. What was going on?

Her mother rubbed circles down her back. She held Sabrina until wave after wave of sobs finally calmed into small hicks and sniffs. Only when Sabrina’s breathing returned to normal did her mother speak again.

“You have to talk to me, baby,” her mother urged, using her pet name for Sabrina growing up. Because she will always be her mother’s baby. It was so corny. But hearing it in that moment was exactly what she needed.

“All the animals were adopted today,” she said in a quiet voice.

“So, these are happy tears?” Her mother looked confused.

She shook her head and sniffed again. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”

“But you’re happy that the animals were adopted, right? You’re always telling me that you should never get attached to any of them.”

It was those words that made Sabrina realize why she had been crying. She had made it her mission to find Triumph a home. In fact, she would have checked on the three-legged cutie after she was sure they didn’t need her at the counter. Then Mr. Parsons walked up, a happy Triumph and a dejected Chris in tow. The puppy wagged his tail the second he saw Sabrina.

The second her brain figured out what was about to happen, she could barely maintain the smile on her face. She said she would handle the adoption outtake. Mr. Parsons filled out the form, paid the adoption fee, bought a bag of dog food, a new bowl, and a soft bed. He did everything a new rescue parent was supposed to do. He even bought a new collar with matching leash. Not only was he providing a home, he was making sure that Triumph would be comfortable in that new home. Sabrina was happy. She really was. Finally, someone wanted Triumph.

“It should have been me,” she said, followed by a fresh sob after telling her mother what had happened. “I watched Triumph walk out of that tent with Mr. Parsons and it was all I could do not to run after him and take him back.”

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry.” Her mother ran a hand down the back of her head, smoothing down her curls only to have them spring out again. “You got attached.”

“I got attached.” A new wave of tears rolled down her face. Fat, hot ones. “You see, nobody wanted him because he only had three legs. But he didn’t know that. He stayed happy. He stayed sociable. He was the best dog. The best dog . . .”

“You know we can’t take in a dog.” Her mother spoke the truth that Sabrina knew all along, but did that stop her from wanting Triumph for herself? Of course not.

The longing to give the dog a home was crazy since she was entering a new, busy stage of her life in a few months. Her mother certainly didn’t have the time to take care of an entire hotel and a dog at the same time. It wouldn’t be far to her mother or to Triumph who deserves a loving home.

“Mr. Parsons is a great man,” her mother said, continuing with her streak of articulating the things Sabrina already knew. “He had been so lonely since his wife died. Having a companion around will be good for him.”

“You’re right.” Sabrina nodded, swiping the backs of her hands over her face in an attempt to regain her composure. All it did was smudge her already smudged mascara. “I know you’re right. He is exactly who Triumph needs. He will be loved in Mr. Parsons’ home. He might even take Triumph to the sweet shop.”

“And you’ll be able to see him there any time you want,” her mother reassured as if she had any control over Mr. Parsons’ decision making.

“You’re right,” she repeated, still futilely wiping at tears that just would not stop.

Knowing exactly what Sabrina needed, her mother gathered her back into a secure and warm embrace. “You cry all you want. I’m right here.”

And cry Sabrina did. All she wanted.

***

After what seemed like hours and an endless sea of tears, Sabrina finally got a handle on herself. She took a long, hot shower. She wrapped her hair in a towel and shrugged on one of the hotel’s plush robes. Then she pulled out the dress bag containing what she would wear for the Snow Ball.

She hooked the hanger on one of the handles of her dresser and unzipped the bag. She peeled away the black panels to reveal the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was a blush color with a full skirt and a beaded bodice. The sweetheart neckline would show some skin, but nothing she would be uncomfortable with. There were silk gloves and kitten-heeled shoes to match.

The dress was a gift from Mrs. Wakefield. She brought it back from Paris for Sabrina to wear specifically at the Snow Ball. Sabrina wanted to refuse the extravagant purchase, but the sparkle in Agatha Wakefield’s eyes prevented the words from leaving her mouth. Instead she accepted the dress and thanked Chris’s mom for her generosity.

The Wakefields weren’t the most present parents in their son’s life, but when they were home they gave their attention to Chris and everyone in town a 110%. No wonder Chris never harbored any ill feelings toward them for being gone so much. He was lonely for them sometimes, sure, but he never resented them for it because they never failed to show him and those around him their love and appreciation.

Sabrina stepped away from the dress to get ready. She sat in front of her tiny vanity at the corner of her room and stared at herself in the mirror for the longest second. Her eyes were puffy. The tip of her nose was still a tinge red. Her meager makeup skills would have to work double duty to make her close to presentable for the ball.

There was a knock at the door an hour later. Sabrina was on her way out, pulling on her last glove when she opened the door. Chris stood on the other side in a tux, looking like a dark prince that stepped out of a story book. Add a scar and he was pretty much Harry Potter in the Goblet of Fire—only older. Her heart jumped into her throat.

“Wow,” Chris breathed out, eyes wide, mouth open. “You look . . .”

She dropped her gaze, feeling self-conscious. The mass of pins holding her curls in place felt awkward against her head. And she was sure she was wearing the wrong shade of lipstick. Maybe she should have gone for the matte finish instead of the satin. Both were long lasting so she didn’t have to worry about retouching for the rest of the night.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Well, more like blurted out. “I thought we were supposed to meet at the ballroom.”

“Scientists say that the big bang, the creation of the universe as we know it, would have been the most beautiful sight. Too bad no one was there to bear witness to it.”

“What are you babbling on about?”

He reached out and took her gloved hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips. He placed a quick kiss there before he said, “I think their wrong. If beauty needed to be defined, you’d fit the description like the most perfect quadratic equation.”

Sabrina was both flattered and baffled. “I’m not sure I completely understand what you’re saying.”

“I know you said that you’re not taking anyone to the Snow Ball,” he said, speaking fast. “And I’m definitely willing to honor that, but can I at least escort you to the ballroom? People are already starting to arrive. I just want to be there to help in any way that I can. The auction is a huge deal. I made a promise to you when I saw you again that I’m at your service. That still applies tonight.”

Before Sabrina could say anything, he stepped to the side to allow her room to exit the suite. After she closed the door behind her, he offered his arm. She looked at the elbow akimbo, waiting for her hand to slip into the crook it provided.

“Just go with it,” he whispered as if they weren’t the only ones in that hallway.

The second Chris grinned she knew there was no point in refusing. With a dramatic sigh and an eyeroll that would make her mother proud, she took his offered arm. Chris squared his shoulders. She couldn’t ignore the slight reddening of his ears. It made her heart pitter patter in her chest.

Walking to the elevator, arm in arm, reminded her of the time many years ago when they were too little to attend the Snow Ball. It lasted long past their bedtime, after all. Still she insisted that she and Chris have their own ball. So, they pushed aside the coffee table in the Wakefield Suite, poured some apple juice into crystal champagne glasses, and created a platter using string cheese and sliced salami they found in the fridge. They put on some music and danced the night away. She in her sleeping gown that reached her ankles and he in his Spiderman PJs.

It was a magical night that Sabrina would forever remember. And so was this night, she told her self as the elevator zoomed to the second floor. The doors parted with a jaunty ding and they were immediately greeted by the murmurs of a gathered crowd, Christmas music performed by a sixteen-piece orchestra, and servers in formal wear balancing silver trays on their white-gloved hands.

Sabrina stepped into the Wakefield Grand Ballroom as if for the first time. Green garlands with red Christmas decorations and gold ribbon wrapped around the columns. Fresh wreaths hung from the walls. Potted poinsettias with the reddest leaves stood as table centerpieces. But the main attraction would have to be the twenty-foot Christmas tree spanning one corner of the room. Below it overflowed with presents for the kids of the hotel guests who decide to stay on through to Christmas day. Tomorrow there would be a big unwrapping celebration after breakfast. Sabrina smiled. She cherished those moments. Many of them involved Chris too. Like that night, he was always by her side, shaking gifts and trying to figure out what were in the boxes.

“You’re finally here,” Sharleen declared.

“You look gorgeous,” Sabrina said as the nurse approached. She was used to seeing her in scrubs. The fuchsia gown was both bright and refreshing.

“Why thank you.” Sharleen preened.

Chris took Sharleen’s hand, and like what he had done with Sabrina earlier, placed a quick kiss on her knuckles. “I agree with Sabrina and would like to add that you’re positively radiant. If the tree didn’t have an angel at the top already you should be up there.”

“Oh stop.” Sharleen batted her eyelashes. “When did you become such a charmer.”

“It’s the tux,” Sabrina teased. “Makes him think he’s James Bond.”

“I like my drinks shaken not stirred.” Chris winked and they all shared a laugh.

“The auction is about to start,” Sharleen said soon after.

“Do you need any help?” Chris looked from Sabrina to the nurse.

“We’ve got this.” Sabrina rubbed his arm with affection. “Why don’t you say hi to your mom and dad and we’ll meet back here after the auction?”

Chris nodded. He turned and went in search of his parents. Sabrina watched him leave. A part of her wanted to follow, stay by his side all night. The other part knew she had other responsibilities that needed her attention. Her job wasn’t done yet. The auction may be silent, but all the items still needed checking and they had to make sure that each station had an appropriate number of pens.

***

Needing some air, Sabrina made her way to one of the balconies that looked out into the Atlantic. Last she’d checked, the auction was just about done and it was looking like the shelter would have enough funding to maintain operations and start construction on the expansion at Shady Acers. It was truly a Christmas miracle. Places like the Animal Sanctuary did important work and it fed Sabrina’s soul to know that she helped keep the doors open.

The air was brisk, letting her skin know in no uncertain terms that if she stood outside longer than necessary that she would freeze. Snow was definitely coming. Maybe they might even have a white Christmas and Mayor Stanley wouldn’t think the festival was completely snowless.

She rubbed her arms to get some heat going. She breathed in, relishing the endless darkness in front of her. So quiet. So peaceful. The sound of the ocean hitting the beach, hypnotic. As soon as a shiver rocked her body, a heavy warmth draped over her shoulders, quickly enveloping her in much needed body heat. The clean scent of Irish Spring made her smile.

“You still haven’t changed your soap of choice,” she said, leaning into the lapel of the tux jacket and inhaling deeply.

“Old habits die hard,” said Chris as he stood by her side, hands in his pants pockets. He was close enough that the sleeve of his left arm touched the sleeve of the jacket she pulled closed around her to keep the heat in. “I never feel clean enough when I don’t use Irish Spring. It’s weird.”

“I like it,” she said.

“I like you.”

She looked up. “You already told me that.”

“It bears repeating. You were amazing in there.” He leveled his gaze on her, studying her like one of his equations. “What I’m not sure about is how you feel.”

She knew how she felt about him. The question was to tell him right that moment or to torture him a little more? She leaned more towards torture.

“You like numbers, right?” she asked.

He lifted a brow but answered the question anyway. “Numbers are what make the world go ‘round. Why?”

“Then I’ve got three numbers for you.”

“I’m intrigued.”

“One. Four. Three,” she said, mischief in her tone.

The dark wings of his eyebrows came together. “What do the numbers mean?”

If there was a time she ever wanted to kiss him, it was in that moment, but she held back. In the distance she heard the mayor announcing that the auction was over and the tally was in. She needed to get back inside.

“You’re the genius,” she said before turning and walking back into the ballroom. “Figure it out.”