Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

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СКАЧАТЬ found a fascinating spot on the ground to study. ‘But please think about this before you make a final decision. I’m sorry if that’s blunt, but I have to put the animals first, even before people’s feelings.’

      Michael nodded. ‘Not a problem. I totally agree.’

      ‘OK then,’ Mark said. ‘Let’s go and say g’day.’

      Rooney’s tail was wagging so hard he was practically bending himself in half when we got there.

      ‘He heard your voice,’ Mark said, smiling as he unlocked the door.

      I snuck a glance at Michael laughing at the dog as he wiggled himself silly.

      ‘I’ll leave you to it.’

      ‘OK. Thanks Mark.’

      I headed into the kennel and Michael followed, closing the door behind him. Rooney bumped against my legs, his bum still wiggling like mad. And then he started licking my jeans, ramming his nose into my leg. I could hardly blame him. If Mark could smell it, then Rooney’s sensitive nose must be driving him mad.

      ‘He obviously thinks you smell delicious too,’ Michael laughed as I pushed the dog off me. Crouching down next to me, he called Rooney who bounced over, shoving his head against Michael’s thigh and making happy little groaning noises as Michael gave him a good scratch and rubbed his chin.

      ‘Want to take him out for a walk with me? I mean, if you’re feeling up to it and don’t mind hanging about a bit longer…’

      Michael looked up at me from where he was now sat on the floor with Rooney sprawled across one of his legs.

      ‘Sounds great. If only to get the feeling back in my right leg.’

      I giggled and pulled out a doggy treat from my pocket. With the uncanny ability that dogs have to sniff out a treat at a hundred paces, Rooney looked at Michael for a second and then, with a scrabble of toenails, scooted himself up to hurriedly pad over in my direction, whereupon he sat down a little sideways in front of me.

      ‘Lie down.’

      The dog did so.

      ‘Good boy!’ I ruffled his jowls and he bounced up, waiting for the next fun thing to happen.

      ‘He’s had training then?’ Michael asked, pushing himself up and half-heartedly brushing at his jeans.

      ‘Yes, he’s good on the lead and off. Seems to have all the basics down. Isn’t possessive about food or toys, and gets on well with other animals and children.’

      ‘So what’s the catch?’

      ‘Huh?’ I asked, looking up at him whilst clipping a lead to Rooney’s collar.

      ‘Why’s he in here?’

      ‘Oh.’ I explained about the size issue. ‘But he’s fully grown now so he won’t get any bigger. And there are plenty of people who will want him. Because you’re a sweetheart, aren’t you?’ I said, nuzzling my face close to the dog’s, which he reciprocated, speeding up his tail and giving Michael’s leg a good thwack in the process.

      I pulled my head up, just in time to catch him wince.

      ‘Oh no, I’m sorry. Is it still bruised from the accident?’

      ‘It’s all right,’ he brushed it off, watching me.

      ‘What?’

      ‘I’m thinking you should have Rooney.’

      I handed him the lead. ‘If I took every dog I’ve ever wanted out of here, I’d need a vastly bigger place than the broom cupboard I currently live in. Besides, I’m not home enough with my job and I can’t take a dog into people’s homes. Some would be fine, but some people don’t like dogs or are allergic or whatever. It just isn’t feasible unfortunately. Which is why I get my pooch fix like this.’

      We walked out of the block and I opened the gate that led into the fields next to the centre. Michael pulled his baseball cap down a little more.

      ‘You could do with a woolly hat to keep your ears warm. Let me see if there’s – ’

      Michael caught my arm. ‘My ears are just fine. Now just relax and walk with me and this damn dog you’ve dragged me down here to see.’

      ***

      ‘I can’t believe how anyone could give him up.’

      ‘I don’t think it was an easy decision. Mark said the kids practically had to be peeled off him when they left.’

      Michael shook his head. ‘Jesus. I don’t envy the parents living with that for a while. Janey had to throw away one of Lily’s dolls when its head broke off and you should have seen the drama! I can’t imagine taking away a living, breathing friend like this.’

      We had paused for a moment and were sat side by side on a fallen tree. The dog was lying in front of us, playing with the ball we’d brought along and which Michael had been throwing for him, wearing both of them out.

      The light was fading a little now and the air becoming damp and heavy. They’d predicted snow for this afternoon which hadn’t arrived but it was looking now like the forecast had just been a little off in its timing. But a part of me didn’t want to move from here. Even though my bum was getting cold and I was losing feeling in my fingertips. I wanted to stay, breathing in the clean air, feeling joy from watching the dog tap the ball away with his nose and then slap a paw on it to roll it back, and sensing the solid bulk of Michael sat next to me, his knee brushing against mine as he moved to lean and give the dog a pat.

      ‘We’d better head back if we’re going to beat that.’ Michael’s voice broke into my thoughts. I followed his gaze to the sky and nodded. He hadn’t said anything about taking the dog home. But I’d had a feeling about Rooney and that had only been confirmed by how Michael’s whole demeanour had changed the moment he’d crouched and called the dog in the kennel. The tenseness in his jaw, the way he held his shoulders- the moment he connected with that dog, it all dissipated. And I knew he felt it too.

      As we got back to the kennel block, Michael handed me the lead.

      ‘Can I meet you in the car? I missed a call and I need to call them back.’ He bent over Rooney and gave him a cuddle. ‘See ya buddy.’ And with that, he strode off back towards the entrance.

      I watched him go, stunned. The longer we had spent with the dog, the more sure I was that Michael felt that same way as me- that he too knew this was the right thing for him. The dog loved him, he loved the dog and could provide a wonderful home for him. What more did he want? I looked down. Rooney was watching the retreating figure. When Michael turned the corner and disappeared from sight, the dog looked up at me, and gave the smallest whine. At which point I, most unexpectedly, burst into tears.

      ‘I’m so sorry puppy,’ I said, as I finished towelling off his fur and fluffing up his bed and blankets. ‘But you know what? It’s his loss and you’re going to find a lovely home very, very soon.’ I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him to me. He snuggled his head into my shoulder and I felt the tears start again. He was a great dog and I knew this was the last time СКАЧАТЬ