Page 148 of Vincent
Vince actually groaned. “Kyle. I think we’ll wait until tomorrow to do that, in the comfort of our own home, if that’s okay. We’re beat. We can just load up my truck.”
Lace had seen the pile of gifts, and it was impressive.
“Okay,” Kyle agreed. “All but one. You need this one, right now.”
He gestured toward the door with a sweeping hand.
Lace nearly groaned.Please, no practical jokes today.
But Kyle wouldn’t be stopped.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Vince, Lace, and Inez. I’d like to introduce you to…Celeste.”
Celeste?
The door opened with a flourish, and Kyle’s wife Rowan walked through, carrying,,,
…a dog with a huge red bow around her neck.
“What?” Vince looked gobsmacked, and Lace knew her face mimicked his.
Not so, Inez.
“A dog, Uncle Kyle? You got us a dog?” she screeched ecstatically, running over to hug the pup who was all wiggles.
Wow.
Lace and Vince had talked about adopting a dog. Hadplannedon it. But life had gotten in the way every time they got close, so they were always “just another month” away from pulling the trigger.
Kyle beamed. “You’ve been prevaricating about it for so long, it was pathetic. And you weren’t getting off your a—, uh,keisterto do anything about it,” he cleaned up. “So we all made an executive decision. When this little rescue arrived at the local shelter where Gram volunteers, we decided she was the one.”
Vince had previously speculated to his family about what kind of mutt he wanted, so everyone was aware he preferred a mixed breed, part cur, part lab, and…
Here she was.
Tears appeared in Vince’s eyes, and he quickly dashed them away to hug his brother.
“Thanks, Kyle,” he allowed gruffly, right before Lace saw the cheeky side of him struggling to get out. “Thereisjust one thing, though,” he complained, backing up.
“What’s that?” Kyle asked, rightfully wary.
“A long time ago, I declared to Lace thatIwas going to be the one naming our dog,” he posited with a deliberate pout.
“Oh,” Kyle responded, blinking. “Is that all. Well, I guess you can re-name her, then.”
“So, what will it be?” Rowan asked, bringing the dun-colored pup over for scratches and kisses.
Vince took the dog into his arms and looked like he’d never let go.
“I’ll guess I’ll call this dog…Celeste,” Vince stated with aplomb.
Everyone in the room laughed…
It was perfect.
And this wastrulya happily ever after.
