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Grace’s hand rested on Beau’s head "Cliff and I have a question for you about the kids’ Christ a detailed list of toys they want Grandma and Grandpa Claus to buy the better than spoiling her grandchildren While they were baking cookies yesterday, Katie and Drake hadher which toys they were interested in for Christ?" There, it was out Cliff didn’t believe she’d do it, but she had and it wasn’t nearly as difficult as she’d expected Beau would love the children and they’d love hi the, Mo of letting theive up Beau?"

"Of course I never intended to keep him You knew that" Grace had certainly made her intentions clear to any and all who’d listen

"Well, yes, but, Mo He follows you everywhere He’s obviously decided you’re his owner"

"He’ll adjust," Grace said, refusing to let her resolve waver

"I suppose he will, but I’ ridiculous" Grace didn’t want to argue but found it annoying in the extreive up Beau when the ti Each and every one of them "Now, do you want him or not? Because if you don’t, then…then Cliff and I will take him back to Beth Morehouse"

"In that case, sure, we’ll take Beau"

The lump in Grace’s throat thickened "Good We’ll deliver hi that he wanted to say so the mouthpiece

"Why wait until Christ him over this afternoon We’re headed that way later, and it would be convenient to drop him off"

"No need to rush, is there?" Grace ift"

"Mom?"

Grace returned the phone to her ear "Yes?"

"I heard what Cliff just said It’d be great if you brought him today He’ll distract the kids from all the Christmas madness and keep theht… Why not? We’ll stop by this afternoon with Beau and all his paraphernalia" She was astonished by how ed to accumulate for one small puppy

"Wonderful Come anytime"

"Okay See you later" Grace clicked off the phone and handed it back to Cliff "I hope you’re happy," she lashed out

He srin off your face You think I won’t be able to give up Beau? Well, you’re in for a surprise, Cliff Harding Let’s go right thisis out of my life, the better" She carefully set Beau on the floor, then hurried fro his chew toys and stuffed ani

Cliff didn’t help, which infuriated her This was his brilliant idea, so the least he could do was gather up Beau’s food

"You ready?" she snapped when she’d finished She had his toys and his bed, plus the new bag of dry puppy food she’d picked up the day before "Oh, I don’t want to forget his vaccination records," she said, retrieving them at the lastcase She’d taken him to the library with her a number of times now The moment he saw the carrier, he knew itwith Grace no

Grace zipped up the carrier, and Beau lay down, resting his chin on his paws, perfectly content and trusting

"We’re taking you to a new home," she told him "A home with children who’ll run and play with you Remember Katie and Drake? They already love you and you can play with theo" Cliff said, coat on and car keys in hand

Grace stood there, i?"

"Yes" She forced herself to take one step and then another Each step required effort and determination The carrier was still on the floor She’d have to reach down and pick it up…

"Are you co down, looking at Beau, with his dark eyes focused directly on her, she tried to reassure him and herself that this was for the best "Katie and Drake are going to love you so , Beau stared up at her

"Grace" Cliff’s voice was gentle "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

She started to assure him it was and then realized she couldn’t "No," she whispered "This isn’t what I want at all" Just saying the words seemed to free her "I do love Beau"

"I know You couldn’t help yourself any more than I could" Cliff ca her "Does that mean we can keep him?"

"He isn’t Buttercup"

"No, he’s not He’s Beau Our Beau"

"Our Beau," she agreed She knelt down, opening the zipper to his carrier

Beau leaped right into her arms

Thirty-Five

"I don’t know about this," Lori told Linc as she set a tray of decorated sugar cookies on the coffee table She rubbed her hands nervously together

Linc had his own reservations, but was unwilling to say so "It’ll be fine," he said confidently "Don’t worry"

Lori looked unconvinced "If this is a disaster, then…"

"I’ll accept full responsibility"

"No, you won’t," she said, co with this idea of yours So if everything goes down in fla doith you"