A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway Read Free Book Online Page B

“Nah, people want a feel-good story. Like, Kat, my research showed you found homes for about two hundred animals over the last twelve months.”
    A sinking feeling formed in Kat’s stomach. Jack listened avidly. “Yes. I screen every adopter myself.”
    Anthony tilted his head. “That’s great. Two hundred animals?”
    â€œYes.” She was proud of this accomplishment. “It’s our best year yet and we still have our upcoming December adopt-a-thon. The holidays are such a great time for pet adoptions.”
    She saw Jack’s frown. “What? You don’t like those either?”
    â€œI’m not a big fan of the over-commercialized Christmas industry, no. And I worry about people who give pets at Christmas. Do you know how many pet-store pets end up in shelters?”
    Anthony’s head pivoted back and forth.
    â€œWell, I am much more successful. And surely you love Christmas. It’s the best time of the year. The caroling. The parties. The visiting with old friends.”
    He didn’t speak for a minute. “I don’t hate it.”
    â€œGuys, we need to get back on track. I have a deadline.”
    Kat couldn’t understand how anyone could have so little Christmas spirit. “Did you have a bad childhood experience? My cousin’s husband’s parents were divorced, so he got passed around from family to family, so until he had his own kids he wasn’t a fan.”
    â€œMy mom and stepdad have been married almost twenty years. Christmas Day we eat brunch at twelve thirty like we always do, although now we do a Rob Your Neighbor game. As for my dad, he’s living in Tampa and has been for years. So, really it’s nothing like what you mentioned.”
    â€œThis has nothing to do with Jingle,” Anthony interjected hopefully.
    â€œSorry,” Kat replied, glad her waiting room was currently empty. “I just want to know the answer.”
    â€œIt’s complicated,” Jack replied. “And really—”
    â€œTry me,” she suggested.
    â€œPlease,” Anthony begged. “I’m on deadline.”
    â€œThat man needs his story,” Jack replied, evading Kat’s need to know.
    She shoved her hands into her pockets, obviously irritated. “Fine.”
    Jack watched as Kat began the interview, glad he’d been given a reprieve from explaining feelings that—to any lover of Christmas—made him seem freakish. He had good reasons, but like a chocolate-lover not understanding how anyone could choose vanilla, his choices were beyond a Christmas lover’s comprehension.
    â€œSo could you tell us how rescuing Jingle might impact your legal troubles?” Anthony suddenly asked. “Do you think you’ll lose the fight?”
    As Kat sputtered, Jack winced. Since yesterday, he’d researched her legal issues thoroughly. Since no abuse had been cited in the original complaint, he hadn’t been called in—the city saw this as first and foremost a zoning issue. The letter addressed directly to him had changed things.
    â€œYou’re running a rescue shelter without the necessary occupancy permits,” Anthony continued. “Can you comment on this?”
    Kat fought to remain calm. “The clinic where Jingle is being treated has all the required licensure and permits. Jingle is getting the best care and at no cost to the city, as I am underwriting all expenses as part of my partnership with the Animal Cruelty Task Force. I consider it an honor to be Jingle’s vet.”
    â€œBut what about the neighbors who’ve complained? And some say they’ve seen your shelter and you have dogs covered in their own feces.”
    Anthony had clearly been reading the comments following the news article. Family members of the neighbors who’d filed the complaints had written most of the vitriol.
    â€œThose claims are groundless and have no basis in fact,” Kat