Waiting for Willa (Big Sky, #3)(22)

“We go pick him up later today,” I confirm. Suddenly, my nine-year-old has launched into my arms, holding on tightly. He doesn’t even care that all of his friends are watching.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he says, squirming while hugging me fiercely. “This is the best birthday ever.”

“You’re welcome.” I kiss his cheek. “I love you, Bubba.”

“I love you too, Mom. Guys! I get a puppy! What should I name him?”

The boys start throwing out names like Rocky and George, and I start to clear the mess off the table.

“You guys have one more hour to finish your forts,” I inform them, and they scramble back to the garage to put on their gear and get back out to play.

“Well, that went perfectly,” Jean says when I get on the phone with her. “He’s so excited.”

“I am, too, honestly,” I reply. “I always had a dog growing up. It’ll be good for him.”

“Thanks for letting us join you,” Dan says and blows me a kiss. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“And send us photos later of our boy with the puppy,” Jean adds.

“I definitely will,” I promise.

***

“Where is the puppy?” Alex asks from the backseat of the Range Rover, bouncing in his seat.

“It’s not too far away.”

Max is driving, and I’m in the passenger seat as if we’re just a normal family going to pick up their new puppy.

It’s an odd sensation, and one that I like a little too much.

“We’ll be there in about six minutes,” Max says.

“What kind of a puppy is it?” Alex asks, making me laugh.

“Hang in there for six minutes, and you’ll see for yourself,” I reply.

“I can’t stand it,” Alex says. “I’m just too excited.”

“I know. But we need to talk. Remember what I said before.”

“Mom, I totally understand. I have to be responsible and take care of him and love him always.”

“Why am I potty training in the winter?” I ask Max, suddenly horrified. “And why didn’t I think of this before?”

“Because your son’s birthday is in the winter,” he says with a shrug. “It won’t be so bad.”

“You won’t be the one outside with it at five in the morning with a wind chill of negative forty.”

I sigh and drag my hand down my face.

“I’ll do it, Mom.”

No, you won’t. Because I won’t allow it.

Max pulls into a driveway, and when we reach the house, he cuts the engine.

“You wait here,” I insist. “I just want to make sure they’re ready for us.”

I hop out and knock on the door. I can hear barking inside, some from adult dogs, and some from the babies, and it makes me grin.

“Willa,” Sandy Gustafson, my former eighth-grade history teacher says as she opens her door. “I have the little guy ready for you.”

“Do you mind if Alex comes in to meet him?” I ask.

Sandy smiles. “Not at all.”

I wave for both of the guys to join me. Alex runs up the steps as if he’s escaping the zombie apocalypse, coming to an abrupt halt at my side.

“Alex, this is Mrs. Gustafson.”

“Hi,” he says shyly.

“Hello there,” Sandy says, holding her hand out for his. “Would you like to come and see the cutest puppies ever?”

“Yes, please.”

I smile up at Max as we follow Sandy and Alex inside to the back of the house, where she has an entire family room gated off for the dogs. She has five pups now, and the mama in the room with them.

“Oh, wow!” Alex breathes. “Which one is mine?”

“The one with the blue bow tied on his collar,” Sandy says, pointing to the little fella who’s playing with his sibling, biting on her ear.

Being Basset Hounds, their ears are long and droopy, their legs short. They are also incredibly adorable.

“Oh, I love him,” Alex whispers. “Can I go in?”

“You bet.” Sandy opens the gate, and Alex carefully walks inside, approaches his pup, and sits on his butt, laughing when puppies immediately crawl all over him, snuggling and playing.

“Mom!” Alex laughs again and kisses the cheek of a puppy. “They like me.”

“Best birthday ever,” Max says with a grin. He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “You did good, Mom.”

“Yeah.” I wipe a tear of joy from my cheek. “Who cares about early morning potty training in the snow?”





Chapter Seven


Willa


“I’LL TAKE HIM OUT,” Max offers. We’ve had the puppy for almost a full week, and it’s more work than I ever anticipated.

I feel like I have a newborn and a toddler.

“Thanks.” I smile in gratitude and return to browning the meat on the stove. Alex is at Pierce’s house for the night, having a sleepover. Which means, I have the puppy and Max for the night.

I’m nervous as a virgin on her first date. The chemistry between Max and me is as strong as it ever was. Maybe even stronger.

And with no kid at home tonight, there will be nudity.