Feliz Naughty Dog - Roxanne St. Claire Page 0,43
gaze landing on Finnie, who sat on the sofa in the massive family room, with Gala on her lap and Pyggie at her feet. Agnes joined her, petting both dogs after she set her drink on the coffee table.
“I saw ye chattin’ with Katie,” Finnie said.
“She said I look glum. It’s just the Botox won’t let me smile.”
Finnie snorted a laugh. “You don’t need that poison, lass.” She leaned closer to whisper over the family commotion, “Are ye thinkin’ about him?”
“Actually, no,” Agnes said. “I was thinking about this incredible Kilcannon and Mahoney and Santorini family that you and I preside over.”
“Shall we start planning our next match, then? I mean, if it’s not going to be you?”
Agnes chuckled. “It was never going to be me.”
“Are ye sure you’re not too disappointed about Aldo?”
“I’m sure, Finnie.” She reached for her ouzo and waited for Finnie to get her shot of Jameson’s. “To the very best friend I’ve ever had. Merry Christmas, Finola.”
“Merry Christmas, Agnes.”
Just as their glasses clinked, a cheer went up from a group gathered around the television. Agnes and Finnie got a little closer to see through the crowd that formed a big semicircle in front of the large flat screen.
“Here we go!” Molly, Pru’s mother, shifted her young Danny from one hip to the other, her eyes bright. “It’s on now!”
A hush fell over the room as the local news anchor introduced the story with the words on the screen saying Mall Madness Leads to Kindness! That earned another big cheer from the family.
“While many people love to brag about being finished with their Christmas shopping in November,” the reporter said, “the crowds at Vestal Village Mall today proved that’s not the case for everyone. And what a treat those folks had today, courtesy of two local teenagers and one rambunctious greyhound who saved a lost puppy and brought smiles to dozens of faces.”
Another cheer, and Agnes leaned a little to the right to see past two of her tall grandsons to where Lucas and Pru stood, sharing a quick glance. Maybe not so quick. That was definitely extended eye contact.
“Oh, Finnie, look,” she whispered, putting an arm around her friend’s narrow shoulders to ease her closer so she could see. “Look at their hands.”
Their knuckles touched, then Lucas slyly curled his fingers around Pru’s hand, secretly holding it as the story continued, the camera zooming in on one of Finnie’s Christmas notes stuck to Tor’s nose, to the delight of a little boy.
“Look at your work on TV, Finn.”
“Look at your work holding hands, Agnes.” She dropped her snowy white head on Agnes’s shoulder. “The Dogmothers strike again.”
Yet another cheer interrupted them as the reporter showered Bitter Bark High School students with praise for their efforts and told the audience that the winner of the RACK IT UP contest would be announced later tonight. Also, the local TV station would be covering the Winter Formal that the winning school would be enjoying in January.
“That winning school won’t be us,” Pru told them all after the story was finished, and the cheering quieted. “The final tally is in already.” She waved her phone and shrugged. “Holly Hills beat us by forty points, but we came in second. Sadly, no dance for second place.”
“But Bitter Bark came out smelling like a rose,” Molly said as the group began to break up into smaller conversations.
“Speaking of roses.” Agnes reached to the table next to her, where she’d placed her origami flower from a man whose last name meant flower. “I do have this little gift to appreciate.”
Finnie took it from her and twirled it. “’Tis very telling, this rose.”
“Telling of what?”
“It says something about a man with the patience and skill to do something like this. And so fast and secretly.” She winked. “Bet he’s good with his hands.”
“Finola!” Agnes waved her hand with a laugh at the very second Finnie used the paper rose to underscore her meaning. In a flash, Agnes’s long nail caught one of the petals and accidentally unfolded it. “Oh!”
“I’m so sorry!” Finnie exclaimed as the flower fanned open and lost its shape. “Agnes, how clumsy of me!”
“No, no, it was my fault.”
“See?” Finnie looked at her. “You’re a changed woman, Agnes.”
“Hush!” she said on a laugh as she fingered the ruined origami. “I’ll lose all my power in this family if they’re not scared of…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at the paper. “Finnie. I can read what he wrote now.”
Finnie