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"Ah…" Emma didn’t kno to respond She needed ti out If Mr Scott discovered she had a dog, he’d evict her from the apart at the office

"It seerew so around the airfield lately That’s dangerous, for her and for the pilots"

Boots growled again and squircatcher’s heels

"This dog doesn’t have an owner," Officer Wilson inforathered Boots closer to her side

"If I take her to Animal Control, I’m afraid she’ll be euthanized"

"No!" Emma’s protest was ih she didn’t knohat he could do

"Emma wants to adopt Boots," Oliver said "It’s obvious those two have bonded What are the fees?" Oliver pulled a wad of cash from his pocket

Officer Wilson frowned "Adoption isn’t lance "I’ll turn the other way if you want to take her with you"

"Thanks," Oliver said, steering Emma toward the plane

"Yes, I’ll take her," E to the shelter She didn’t kno long the poor thing had fended for herself, but that was about to end So hidden until she found an apart biscuits from his pocket and offered one to Oscar and the second to Boots "No hard feelings, girl, I was only doing ’s head "Glad it worked out for you"

As if accepting Officer Wilson’s apology, Boots licked the et home?" he reminded them

"We will," Oliver promised

Mr Wilson seemed pleased and drove off with a "Merry Christmas" and a jolly wave

Sophie McKay’s Chocolate Fruitcake

Make 3-4 weeks in advance Store in refrigerator

Place into large bowl:

2 cups maraschino cherries, sliced in half

2 cups chopped dates

2 cups pineapple tidbits, well drained

1 cup coconut

2 cups walnuts

2 cups pecan halves

2 12 oz packages seredients on low for thirty seconds, then on high for three ar

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¾ cup shortening

¾ cup butter

2/3 cup crès

Pour batter over fruit and nut rees for 2 ½ to 3 hours After two hours, check with a toothpick every fifteen e piece of plastic wrap and pour a jigger of crèhtly and place inside a Ziploc bag and keep refrigerated for 3-4 weeks

Chapter Ten

It was dark by the time Oliver and Emma landed back at the airstrip in Puyallup They hadn’t talked ht, which was unexpectedly turbulent E to close her eyes and pray She hadn’t prayed this rade school

As soon as they taxied to the end of the runway, Oliver parked the plane Ely into her ar treht for her, either

"I’ll be in touch," Oliver said after Es felt shaky and her stoet home It was too late to return to the office; besides, she hadto do with her job Sole Boots into her apart hidden until she located soht already, this close to payday, and she needed to make a veterinary appointment, plus obtain a license for Boots and buy a collar and leash Groceries weren’t necessary, Emma decided; besides, she needed to lose a few pounds Somehow she’d make it to the end of the month, despite the unexpected drain on her cash reserves There were real advantages to avoiding Christmas, and this proved it

On the drive back to her apartment, Emma explained the tricky situation to Boots She took her eyes fro Boots gazed at her adoringly, but it would be ridiculous to assu understood her dileht And what about walks? She’d have to sneak Boots in and out for her walks