Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

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СКАЧАТЬ had a behaviour test and come through with flying colours. He’s just a big, soppy dope really but he loves to play. Having said that, he’s equally happy to just snooze or lounge on you, so he’s pretty adaptable. He’s really good on the lead and off it, and comes back when he’s called.’

      ‘Why on earth is he here?’

      ‘Got too big, apparently. They didn’t realise that a Labrador Rottweiler cross might get bigger than a miniature poodle.’

      I gave a head shake.

      ‘At least they’ve trained him well.’

      ‘I think it’s really just his nature. He’s a pleaser.’

      ‘Has anyone shown an interest in him yet?’

      ‘I’ve not put him on the website yet because he sounded exactly what you were after. But I don’t want to keep him in kennels too long if I can get him out to a good home.’

      ‘Of course not. Can we take him out?’

      ‘Sure.’ Mark opened the kennel and the dog loped towards us, nuzzling his head into my hand where the treat hid.

      ‘Ooh, smart boy,’ I said, holding my hand flat so that he could take it, which he did with the gentlest of movements.

      ‘So he’s good with kids too?’

      ‘His owners said that he was, and the two little kids that came with him were clinging to him like they never wanted to let him go. He didn’t react to it at all and all the tests we’ve done would indicate he pretty much gets on with anything and anybody. Does the potential new owner have kids then?’

      ‘No, but I’d guess he might in the future, I don’t know. But he does have nieces and nephews he’s very close to, so it’s vital that the dog is kiddie-friendly.’

      ‘This one is everything friendly.’

      From the way the dog had curled up and put his head on my lap as we sat on the floor talking, he certainly seemed that way.

      I left Mark and took Rooney on a long walk, meeting plenty of dogs, people and livestock, and he behaved beautifully throughout. My excitement was mounting at the prospect of finding him a forever home.

      ‘How was he?’ Mark asked as he saw us plodding back in through the gate, the mud halfway up my wellies as the wind blew Rooney’s ear inside out. I bent over and folded it back.

      ‘Brilliant. I love him. I want him!’ I laughed, honestly wishing that I really could take the dog home.

      ‘He’s a great mutt.’

      ‘He is.’

      ‘Do you think your friend will like him?’

      ‘Client more than a friend. But I hope so. Although he is adamant he doesn’t want another dog.’

      Mark looked at me.

      ‘What?’

      ‘You know people have to get a dog when it’s right for them. If it’s not the right time, it’ll only end up bad for everyone involved. He’s too good a dog to be messed about.’

      ‘I know.’

      Mark didn’t seem convinced.

      ‘I promise. He’s not a man to do anything lightly so if he really doesn’t want a dog, believe me, I’m the last person who’d be able to persuade him. I just want to, I don’t know, remind him of what he’s missing and how much happier he was when he had a pooch keeping him company.’

      ‘OK. I’m not questioning your motives, you know that.’

      ‘Of course I do. You want what’s best for the animals. I do too. I promise.’

      Mark flicked the bobble on my bobble hat. ‘I know. So when can you get your guy down here?’

      ‘Tomorrow? Can you hold him until then?’

      ‘Sure. Let me know if anything changes.’

      ‘Will do. Thanks again Mark. I really appreciate it.’

      ‘No problem.’ He frowned up at a sky that was becoming increasingly leaden. ‘I grew up with Bondi Beach and endless days of sunshine. What the hell am I doing?’

      ‘Loving every bit of it.’ I winked.

      ‘You’re smarter than you look, you know that?’

      ‘You’re not as funny as you think, you know that?’

      He grinned and I did the same.

      ‘OK. Better go and wash this boy off and get him looking super-duper for his visitor tomorrow.’

      ‘Have fun. Give me a shout when you’re ready to go and I’ll whizz you to the station.’

      ‘Oh, you don’t need to do that.’

      ‘You saw that, right?’

      He turned me by the shoulders to face back out the way I’d come. The gentle, occasional flakes of snow that had tickled my eyelashes whilst out walking were now on the verge of a full blown blizzard.

      ‘Oh.’

      ‘Yeah, “oh”. Give me a shout. But make it quick. Even the Landy has her limits.’

      ‘Will do. Thanks Mark. Come on Rooney. Let’s get you spruced up.’

       Chapter Eleven

      Admittedly, Michael and I hadn’t exactly hit it off the first time we met, but I had thought we’d got past that, especially as he’d been the one encouraging me to stay to have dinner with his family at the beginning of the week. Don’t get me wrong, I was under no illusions that I was anything like his “type”, and frankly, as his type nowadays seemed to be of the one-night stand variety, I had no wish to be. But I had thought we’d at least got to a point where, if I turned up outside an appointment time, I might be received with a teensy bit more enthusiasm than the blank look I was now getting.

      ‘Hi,’ I said, when it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything.

      Michael gave a start. ‘Please don’t tell me I forgot an appointment? Did we have something arranged for today? I could have sworn I’d put everything we had planned so far in my diary.’ He pulled his phone out from his jeans pocket and began pulling up his calendar.

      ‘No,’ I said, reaching out to touch his arm and still the frantic searching. ‘You didn’t forget anything.’

      Relief flooded his face. ‘Thank goodness for that! I’m pretty sure even having Janey for a sister won’t be enough to save me after another late show.’

      ‘Let’s not СКАЧАТЬ