Puppy Love for Christmas

Chapter One

Chapter One

A smile spread across Christopher’s face at the memory as he looked out onto San Francisco Bay. Sixteen years had passed since that exciting night of daring and rescue. The hands in his pockets closed into fists. He had achieved so much if his name outside the building he stood in was any indicator. But with his success came many sacrifices. Chief among them not coming home more than he should.

His jacket had since been discarded and his sleeves rolled up. He had come in at seven. It was only nine. There was still so much to do. He pushed his glasses up his nose. Contacts were never his thing. Plus, he liked the UV protection his special lenses provided.

The door to his office opened then closed. He didn’t bother turning around. The morning routine was as constant as the trains rolling in and out of stations all across the country. The soft clink of a porcelain coffee mug being placed on his desk signaled his day was officially about to begin even if he had already accomplished two hours’ worth of work.

“Have you picked a charity yet?” his assistant asked.

In his mind’s eye, Christopher imagined his tall, lanky assistant with a penchant for tweed jackets and allowed himself a sigh. “Andrew, not this again.”

“The board is getting restless. They want you to give them an answer before the end of the year.”

“It’s already the second week of December.”

“Did you even look at the list I sent you? There are so many out there in need of help.”

The exasperation in Andrew’s tone was obvious. Christopher encouraged all his employees to be honest, not to hold anything back. On more than one occasion, his assistant had been snippy with him—sometimes even borderline disrespectful, some might say. Not that Christopher could blame the guy.

“All those charities are well and good, but I don’t want to just give money,” Christopher said, his gaze no longer focused on the way the sun glinted off the Golden Gate Bridge. “I want our help to mean something, not only for the company, but for the world. I want to be able to make a difference.”

“To the board it’s all about the tax cuts come April. Just pick one for now. It will buy you more time to find the charity of your choice.”

“We’re a tech company, Andrew. I want the cause to match what we do. Money is only as important as the paper it’s printed on. I’m looking for something more substantial.”

“Why are you making my job harder than it already is?”

A chuckle loosened a few of the knots in Christopher’s tight shoulders. “I know I’m not the easiest, most cooperative boss. I appreciate all that you do for me.”

“Tell that to the Christmas bonus I’m getting this year.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

After a huff, which Christopher knew included the dropping of shoulders as Andrew often did when defeated, his assistant said, “Do you want to go over your schedule for today?”

It was time to get back to work. Christopher turned around and pulled his hands out of his pockets. He returned the image of the freckle-faced girl willing to save the world one puppy at a time in the special place he kept it in his mind. With a gesture toward Andrew to begin, he approached his desk of metal and glass and pulled back the ergonomic rolling chair he had specifically ordered for himself and everyone who worked for his company. A healthy spine helped keep productively levels up.

He gave Andrew his full attention as he sat. Most of the day was filled with meetings. Nothing out of the usual for him. Then his assistant paused.

“What it is?” Christopher asked, glancing at his computer screen. There were several notifications. A few of them were emails from his mother. He made a mental note to answer them the next time he allowed himself a break.

“Do you want me to find you a date for the Christmas gala this year?”

An eyebrow he hadn’t been planning on lifting, arched of its own accord. “I wasn’t aware I needed company to a party that happens every year.”

Andrew held the tablet he used for everything in one hand while the other closed around his hip. “Here is an email you sent me last year, and I quote, ‘Andrew, never again will I attend this without an escort of some kind. I am sick and tired of answering questions that have to do with why I do not have a girlfriend, or a wife, for that matter. Do not allow me to convince you otherwise or you are fired.’ End quote.”

The backs of Christopher’s ears grew several degrees hotter. “Do I have to—”

“Sir, I love my job, no matter how hard you make it. I have several candidates for you to choose from. I have also taken the liberty of informing them that they are merely there to provide company for the evening, nothing more.”

“I’m a thirty-two-year-old man, Andrew. I can find my own date.”

This time, it was Andrew who raised an eyebrow. “The fact that you had to emphasize your age tells me you do not know the least bit about finding a date.”

“I was with Christine for over a year, might I remind you.”

“Not much of an achievement when she’s already engaged to a stockbroker.”

He was right. Christopher shouldn’t have mentioned Christine. They had parted ways amicably. She wanted more romance in their relationship. He, unfortunately for her, was more in love with his work.

“When was the last time you even went on a date, let alone a vacation?” Andrew asked, further emphasizing the situation he had put himself in. “The holidays are coming up.”

“The holidays come up every year.” He had no intention of leaving San Francisco. Inevitably, something work-related came up.

“May I speak candidly?”

“More than you already have?”

His assistant shifted his weight from one foot to the other and waited. Christopher locked eyes with him. There was a moment of silence before he figured out that Andrew wouldn’t speak until he had been given permission to. So, Christopher nodded for him to proceed.

“We all get it,” Andrew began. “You are the first one in and often the last one out. Everyone knows you built this company from the ground up in only a few years. You’ve been on the Forbes list for two years running and that’s not going to change for many more years to come. The company is solid. About to offer up an IPO next year. What more can you ask for?”

Christopher opened his mouth to speak, but Andrew wasn’t done.

“Everyone who works for you respects you. They admire your talent and drive. The last thing the company needs is for you to keel over because you can’t be bothered to unplug and relax.”

“Are you done?” he asked, waiting a beat. When Andrew had nothing else to add, he said, “I appreciate your concern. I’m fit. I make sure I get enough sleep. I know what I’m doing. I love what I do. Nothing can change that.”

“But there’s more to living than just your work. There’s got to be a place you can go to, even for just a couple of days.”

The picturesque town of Trevor popped into his mind. He loved where he grew up. Everyone in town must be busy preparing for the Christmas festival by now.

As if the thought of Trevor tugged on some cosmic string that connected him to his roots, his phone rang. He had left it face down on his desk when he walked in. He flipped it face up. The word MOM flashed on the screen. For a second, he was tempted to send the call to voicemail, but nostalgia and a touch of homesickness he hadn’t felt since his first year at MIT made him slide his thumb across the screen.

A soft smile tugged on the corners of his lips as he brought the receiver to his ear. “Hi, Mom.”

“Chris,” she said, using his nickname.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, picking up on the shakiness in her voice.

“It’s your father.”

***

The bell at the top of the door announced Sabrina’s entrance into her most favorite place in all the world. ‘Tis the season, so the Trevor Animal Sanctuary reception area and front desk had been bedecked with the best Christmas had to offer. A wreath made from an assortment of red chew toys hung at the door. Bows of gold in accordance with this year’s color scheme were spread around every available corner. A mini Christmas tree stood at the corner with pictures of all the dogs available for adoption hanging from every branch along with bunches of tinsel. And the desk—a candy cane wonderland that Sabrina stayed late after closing to create.

She spotted a familiar rottweiler with a stubby tail waiting patiently by his forever dad’s side. A huge grin stretched over her face as she said, “Well, hello, Rosco. What brings you here?” She bent down and gave the big bear of a dog a scratch behind the ear.

“Hey, Sabrina,” Peter Macalister said.

Sabrina looked up at the tone of Rosco’s dad and confirmed the disappointment on his face. “Something the matter?”

His shoulders fell. “I’d hate to do this . . .”

“Oh, Peter, what happened?” She glanced over his shoulder at Sharleen, resident nurse of the Animal Sanctuary. The look of dismay on her face said everything Sabrina needed to know about what was about to happen.

“He destroyed the couch,” Peter said, not a hint of indignation in his tone.

“Oh, Rosco.” Sabrina frowned at the dog and he had the good sense to look guilty. To Peter she said, “He just gets nervous when left alone for too long. He’s actually a great dog.”

“I hate to do this during the holidays but we can’t keep him.” Peter handed over the thick leash that Rosco didn’t even need. He was a great walk dog and stayed when asked. It was just the abandonment issues which led to destructive tendencies that kept him from staying long in a good home.

With a heavy heart, Sabrina took the leash. She and Peter shared a sad smile. There was nothing else that needed to be said. Just as the bell at the door announced Sabrina, it signaled Peter’s departure. Rosco turned his head but didn’t struggle to follow. It was as if he already knew what was going to happen the second he stepped back into the shelter.

“I’m sorry, buddy.” Sabrina dropped to her knees and gave Rosco a hug. “I promise that I will find you the right home.”

“That’s the second return in as many weeks,” Sharleen said.

“You know as well as I do that special needs dogs are the hardest to find homes for.” She pushed to her feet.

“Then tell me again why we decided to shift our focus to special needs?”

Sabrina smiled until her cheeks hurt. “Because no one else will help them if we don’t.”

“You and that bleeding heart of yours.” Sharleen rounded the desk and took the leash from Sabrina. “You know what happens if we don’t get everyone adopted out before the end of the year, right?”

Sabrina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We’ll find everyone homes. We just need to step up our game. Get the word out there more.”

“I think you’re forgetting that we have a lack of volunteers seeing as it’s a few days till Christmas. Everyone’s busy with the festival.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

“Then there are all the events this year. The Polar Run, the auction, the Adopt-a-Thon.”

Hands on her hips, Sabrina struck a power pose. “Are you determined to put a damper on my spirit?”

“Just seeing how far I can push.” Sharleen winked.

“Well, it’s Christmas. Miracles happen.”

“You and your overflowing optimism.” The nurse rolled her eyes. “I’ll take care of Rosco’s intake and reintroduction. Why don’t you check on that Precious?”

“Will do.” Sabrina gave Sharleen a curt salute before she proceeded to the ICU to check on the beagle that was brought in for an infection. Two rows of five cages stood on top of each other. At the moment, only the beagle and a newly spayed poodle occupied the place.

The sanctuary also doubled as the veterinary clinic in town. Sabrina took over the practice when Marcy, the previous vet, retired. She still dropped by from time to time to check on things, but for the most part all the major responsibilities lay on Sabrina’s shoulders.

“Hey, Precious,” Sabrina greeted the beagle then she checked the IV attached to her front paw. “How are you doing, darling?”

The beagle was still laying on her stomach, weak. But the tail thump she gave Sabrina in return for her greeting was definitely good sign. Sabrina pushed another syringe of antibiotics into the IV.

“Let’s give it a couple more hours then we’ll try to get some food into you, how does that sound?”

Another tail thump.

“Good girl.”

Now if only everything else about the shelter ran as smoothly as the beagle’s recovery. Sabrina had a lot to do and so little time to do it in. She caught herself thinking if only she had more help.