Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(62)
Jonny completed the forms, gave the organization a hefty donation, then took Raven’s only possession in life—her plaid bed—to his SUV. After putting it in the back, he crouched down by the dog.
“We’re together now,” he told her, rubbing her ears. “I’m your forever family.” He paused, wondering what else to tell her. “I’m in the movie business, so you’re going to come with me on location. I hope you like it. The studio hires me an assistant when I’m filming. I’ll make sure that whoever it is likes dogs. Oh, and we’re going to Italy in a few weeks.”
He wasn’t sure how he was going to get Raven there. He didn’t like the idea of putting her in a cargo hold on a commercial flight. But, then, he was Jonny Blaze. He’d never been much for demands, but maybe it was time to ask for a private jet to get him there. Then Raven could ride with him.
He chuckled as he imagined what Annelise would say when he asked her to arrange it with the studio. Knowing how much she loved animals, he would guess she would be in favor of getting Raven first-class treatment.
“Come on,” he said as he rose. “Let’s go to the store and get you what you’re going to need.”
Raven stepped close and, for one brief second, leaned against him. He petted her head before leading her to his SUV and helping her inside.
FOURTEEN
MADELINE WALKED INTO the pet store and looked around. Jonny had texted her that he was keeping Raven and doing some shopping. She’d said she could take her lunch and had agreed to meet him there.
She found him in the dog food aisle, studying labels.
“Hey,” he said when he saw her. He smiled and gave her a kiss, before handing her a can of dog food. “The lady at the adoption event said this was the closest to what Raven has been eating. That they get all their food donated by one of the big dog food companies. She said if I want to change what she’s eating, that I need to do it slowly. Because, otherwise, her stomach will get upset.”
“Makes sense.”
He put a case of the food into a cart. There was already a large bag of dry food, along with several bowls.
“What do you know about a raw diet?” he asked.
“For dogs?”
“Yeah. I’ve heard it’s really healthy. I wonder if I have to make it myself.”
“Won’t that be difficult when you’re traveling?”
“I could hire a chef.”
“For your dog?”
He frowned. “Too much?”
“Kind of.”
He was adorable, she thought. Just as insane with Raven as he was with his sister. This wasn’t a man who couldn’t care, she thought wistfully. He showed his feelings, when he had them. Given the choice between showing and saying, she had to admit she would come down on the side of action. Rather than try to read anything into how he was with her, she turned her attention to the dog food.
“Why don’t you keep Raven on her regular food for the next few weeks? She’s going to have enough stress in her life, getting used to being in a new home and learning to trust that she’s not going to be moved again. That will give you time to research the best diet for her.”
“Good idea.” He patted Raven. “Okay, we have food. She has a bed, but she’s going to need a couple of others. For the family room and the media room. Maybe a new collar and leash. What do you think about a jacket? It’s cold. And toys. We need lots of toys.”
They walked through the store. Jonny picked out a couple of collars for Raven, along with a few leashes. He got a book on basic dog training.
“I want her to learn to go off-leash,” he said. “There’s a lot of land at the ranch. She could go running as much as she wanted.”
Madeline watched him try several dog jackets on the lab. Raven stood patiently as Jonny checked out styles and colors. He settled on a warm plaid cape-jacket made out of a quilted fabric covered in a waterproof coating. He was unbelievably sweet, she thought. Gentle and patient when Raven was hesitant.
They got a couple of soft beds, including one with an orthopedic insert for aging bones. Next up was the toy aisle.
Raven was unimpressed with the toys that squeaked and she didn’t show much interest in the balls, but when Jonny offered her a rope tied like a bone, her brown eyes brightened. She leaned forward and took it tentatively. As she held it in her mouth, her tail began to wag.
Jonny grinned and threw two more into the cart, along with a few balls and a couple of toys he could toss. They got rawhide bones, treats and then headed for the checkout counter. Along the way, they passed a display of doggie Christmas attire. He picked up a pair of antlers and fit them over Raven’s head.
She looked at him, then sighed, as if saying, Really? Is that necessary? But left them in place.
Madeline felt her heart melt a little more with every passing minute. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a business card.
“Cameron McKenzie is a really good vet in town. You have an appointment for this afternoon.”
Jonny took the card. “It’s Saturday. Aren’t they already booked?”
“Probably. I called and begged. I figured you’d want to get Raven checked out right away. Cameron is a friend. I’ve known his wife, Rina, forever.”
“Thank you.”
They moved forward in line. Jonny put the items on the counter while Madeline held on to Raven’s leash. The dog continued to hold her rope bone and wear her antlers. When everything was paid for, they walked out to his SUV.