Summer Love ~ L.P.
Chapter 16
On Christmas morning, I woke up to a note on Liam’s side of the bed.
Went to get your surprise. Be back soon!
I got up and went downstairs to look in my stocking. Among the stocking stuffers was a pair of tube socks, obviously from Grandma. “Thanks, Grandma,” I muttered to myself as I looked through the other contents.
~~~~~
Liam’s POV
The dog had passed her behavioral assessment, so I was able to pick her up today. I’ve decided to name her Lacey.
As soon as she saw me waiting for her, Lacey wagged her tail and ran up to lick my face. She only had three legs, but she was running like she had all four. “Hi, Lacey! Did you miss me?” I asked her.
Lacey barked as if to say yes.
“She’s a very sweet girl,” the vet tech said. “We’ve already microchipped her, and all you need to do is get her supplies!”
“Thank you so much, love.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Payne.”
~~~~~
Jessalyn’s POV
I had just opened a set of three matching onesies for the babies when Liam came back with Mom. He was walking a mini-Labradoodle on a leash.
I gasped. “Liam, you got me a dog?!” I said.
“Yes, I did,” Liam said. “Her name is Lacey, and I found her on the highway.”
“How come she only has three legs?”
“They had to amputate her front left one because it was broken beyond repair.”
“Aww…Lacey, come!”
Lacey came up to me right away and jumped up on me.
Liam laughed. “She knows her name already.”
“We got her supplies, too,” Mom said. “We got her a doggie bed, food and water bowls, toys, a collar, a leash, and of course her tags. Why don’t you take her for a walk, Jess?”
“I’d love to!” I said. I put her new collar on, attached her leash, and walked out the door with her. Liam followed us.
For the whole walk, Liam coached me on commands I should give Lacey, like “sit” whenever we come to a cross street and “heel” whenever we start up again after stopping. He also showed me how to pick up her poop and control her when she goes crazy.
By the end of the walk, we both determined that Lacey needs a pinch collar, since she almost ran away from me twice.
“How was your first walk?” Grandma asked when we got back.
“It was…alright,” I said. “She tried to run away from me twice, so I think she needs a pinch collar.”
“And obedience classes would help, too,” Liam added.
“I agree.”
~~~~~
The next day, Liam had to go home, because his flight was that afternoon. I offered to drive him to the airport.
“Bye, stud muffin!” Grandma said flirtatiously. This made Liam uncomfortable.
“GRANDMA!” I scolded.
“What? Doesn’t he always get that reaction?”
“You’re four times his age! Now, stop flirting with him; you’re making him uncomfortable.”
I dragged Liam out to the car before Grandma could say another word.
“Thanks, love,” Liam said when we were on the road.
“You’re welcome. Sorry about Grandma.”
“That’s quite alright.”