Bayou Christmas (Cypress Cove #2) - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,63

bothered by any traffic.”

“We’ll have to have a good sign on the gate,” she said. “In giant letters, Private Property. Turn right for Cove Rescue.”

The arrived at the trailer and she opened the door. Four dogs were in the living room, lying on the couches put there especially for them. The TV was turned to the Animal Planet Channel.

“That’s hysterical,” Justin said.

Maggie opened the gate and walked over to the couch to sit next to the dogs. “You want to watch TV for a while? I feel bad that they’re here alone.”

“Oh no, Maggie. Next thing I know, you’ll be moving into the trailer.”

“Ha! Hopefully, it will be empty most of the time. If you don’t want to watch TV, go say hi to Johanna.”

“Good idea.”

He disappeared into the back of the trailer and came back in a minute.

“Johanna isn’t back there. Her pups either. Maybe Kelly took her home.”

“Oh crap,” Maggie said, digging her phone out. “I hate stuff like this.”

She sent Kelly a text. I hate to bother you AGAIN on Christmas, but Johanna and the pups are gone.

In seconds she got an answer. I should have told you. Annie and Steve took them home. They’ve moved into my old house, which I forgot to tell you, and me and Danny are living with Ted. We have a lot of catching up to do. Anyway, they felt terrible about not taking care of her in the first place, so they took her to the house. She’ll have a nice yard to run in, and when the pups are old enough, we’ll find homes for them. Are you good with that?

“Listen to this,” she said to Justin, reading the text.

“Good! He should have taken them. Poor dog back there all alone. Tell her yes, you’re good with it unless you’re not.”

“I’m good with it,” Maggie said, pleased.

She sent the text, I’m good with it. Thank you.

Then Kelly texted her back. What are you doing there?

I needed to take a walk after lunch, and this was the perfect destination. I’m just sitting with the boys, Maggie answered.

I’ll come back later and feed them and toilet them.

Maggie wrote back, No need. I’ll do it now. I’ll come back and toilet them tonight, too.

They spent half an hour with the dogs inside and then walked them, each taking two. Every hour she was awake, Maggie felt her strength returning.

“You seem to be feeling a little better,” Justin said.

“I am. I’ll probably sleep like the dead tonight.”

After the walk, they fed the dogs and would return after dinner to toilet them. Maggie could see how having the nighttime responsibility would be good for her. It would force her to leave the cottage, and she’d get exercise and fresh air.

“I’m going to like this routine.”

Walking the trail to the cottage hand in hand, everything felt right to Maggie.

“That’s great. I kind of like it, too. I’ll help.”

“Aw, I’m glad, Justin. Thank you. This is turning out to be the perfect day, too. I was afraid I’d lie around and eat all day, or that my mother would bug us, or that I’d be depressed.”

“I talked to my father, and they’re having a lazy day after pigging out at your aunt’s house. It’s all good.”

Brulee was waiting at the gate of the porch, wagging her tail.

“I’ll take her now,” Maggie said. “I want to walk in back a little and see if the horses are there.”

She went inside and got Brulee’s leash. The trail into the woods was covered with wet leaves. After being gone for two weeks, she felt like she’d missed out on a lot, and that bothered her. Why would a short time have such a big impact? Her dog got fat, winter was in full swing, the holidays were almost over.

“I wonder if I can make up for it this week.”

“Being gone?”

“Yes. I have from now until New Year’s Day. I can’t tolerate any Christmas stuff after January second.”

“What about Epiphany? It’s a big deal here.”

“It is? In what way?”

“Well, January sixth is the twelfth day of Christmas. It’s the day the three kings finally got to Bethlehem to see Jesus. We have king cake on that day. And it’s Joan of Arc’s birthday, and that’s a big deal here. She was born in Orleans, France. Get it? They have a medieval festival with a parade and vendors, all the stuff you’d expect.

“And we have decoration take-down parties. I’m eyeing that tree on the dock, and we might need some help