Page 33 of A Baby for the Firefighter

And I was just finishing my coffee when Conner walked into the kitchen. “Where’s Dad?” he asked. “I need him to sign something for school.”

I glanced at the clock. “He should be back any minute. What do you need signed?”

He shrugged. “We’re going on a trip to some museum.” It didn’t sound like he was looking forward to that. Then again, the boy wasn’t looking forward to much these days. I wasn’t sure if having a four-legged playmate could change that, but anything was worth a try.

“Sounds like fun,” I said. And then I heard a car drive up to the house. Shane, probably. My lips quirked up. Time to see how well this puppy would be received. “Guess your Dad is back. You can show him that thing you need signed.”

“I’ll go get it.” Conner left the room as the front door opened.

I hoisted Mary up on my arm and went to greet my cousin.

“Doggy!” she squealed as soon as she saw the yellow bundle in Shane’s hands.

I grinned. “That’s right. That’s a doggy.”

Shane was smiling as well, while the puppy regarded Mary curiously. “You like the doggy?” Shane asked his daughter.

“Doggy!” she said again, happily, reaching one hand out. I stepped a little closer to Shane so she could pet the newest member of the family.

“Where’s Conner?” Shane asked.

“Should be here any minute. He just went to his room to get something.”

“Alright then. Conner!” Shane yelled. “I got something for you!”

“Coming! I need you to…” Conner stopped short as he stepped into the hallway. “Is that a puppy?” Wide-eyed, he stared at the dog, and the dog stared right back. I got the feeling it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Even though it was maybe a bit of a rough start, because the puppy barked and Conner took a step back.

Shane laughed. “He wants to play.”

Conner tilted his head, looking at his dad. “Are we keeping him?”

“Unless you want me to take him back?”

“No!” Conner said quickly. “Wait, we’re really having a dog now?” Slowly, he stepped up to the puppy in his father’s arm, the permission slip he’d wanted signed all but forgotten.

“You can pet him,” Shane said. “Your little sister already did.”

“Really?” Conner reached a hand out and stroked it carefully over the puppy’s golden fur. The puppy seemed to appreciate it too, first sniffing his hand and then licking.

“You have to give him a name,” Shane said.

“I have to name him?”

“Yeah, he’s your dog, after all.”

“He’s mine?” The little boy was clearly overwhelmed with all this news, standing almost frozen before his father as if he didn’t know how to express excitement anymore.

“Yes, he’s yours. If you want him. Do you want him?”

Conner tentatively reached both his hands out to the puppy. “I want him,” he whispered almost reverently. “Can I have him?”

“You’ll have to walk him,” Shane said. “And clean up his messes.”

“I will!” It was the most enthusiastic I’d ever heard Conner. “I’ll take care of him.”

“Good. Just don’t call him George, though.” Shane smiled and set the dog down on the floor.

Instantly, Mary began to struggle in my arms. “Down, down!”