Christmas On Nutcracker Court by Judy Duarte Read Free Book Online

“It was nice meeting you, but I’ve got to get out of here. Have a good day.”
    â€œYou, too.” Maggie smiled, those intensive eyes lighting up as she zeroed in on Grant.
    Max had every reason to excuse himself at that point, too, but before he could move, a familiar bark sounded and grew louder.
    Then, from out of nowhere, Hemingway came bounding across the street, his tongue dangling out of his mouth and flopping from side to side.
    Max chuffed. How had he gotten out of the yard? Had the Westbrook boy been right? Had the dog found a way out on his own?
    It didn’t seem likely.
    Assuming the dog had come looking for him, Max turned to face him. But Hemingway headed straight for Grant, as if noticing a friend and wanting to play.
    â€œWhat a beautiful animal,” Maggie said.
    There wasn’t anything beautiful about Hemingway. He was about as ugly as they came. But before Max could open his mouth to object, the dog jumped up, planting both front paws on Grant’s new shirt and tie, smearing mud and dirt across the front of him.
    A couple of swear words blasted out of Grant’s mouth as he pushed the dog away.
    â€œOh, no,” Maggie said. “Look what he did to your shirt.”
    Max grabbed Hemingway by the collar and held him back. “I’m so sorry about that.”
    Grant, clearly shell-shocked with surprise, merely glared at Max.
    â€œIf you’ll let me have your shirt,” Maggie said, “I can try to get the stain out for you.”
    The fabric might come clean, but Grant was going to have to change clothes completely, which meant he’d arrive at his appointment with very little time to spare.
    To be honest, Max would have been angry, too.
    Grant lifted his finger and shook it at Max. “That darn dog is becoming a public nuisance. He’s been barking incessantly and using my lawn as a litter box whenever he gets out of your yard. And now this.”
    â€œLike I said, Grant. I’m really sorry. I’ll buy you a new shirt and tie.”
    Grant rolled his eyes, then grumbled as he returned to his house.
    Before Max could follow suit, Maggie bent over and gave Hemingway a scratch behind the ears.
    What was she doing?
    â€œDon’t reward him for what he just did,” Max said.
    Maggie extended the scratch for a moment longer, then straightened. “He didn’t mean any harm.”
    Max hated it when people humanized animals like that. “He’s a dog. And he’s out of control.”
    â€œHe’s like a child who just needs a little love. In fact, I think we’re all like that.”
    Max had neither the patience nor the desire to continue this discussion with a stranger.
    â€œCome on,” he said, as he tugged at Hemingway’s collar and led him home. “What am I going to do with you?”
    When he glanced down at the delinquent animal, Hemingway looked up at him like a shaggy-haired kid.
    But this four-legged kid didn’t need love.
    He needed obedience school—and someone with the time to take him.
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    While pinning up Ruth-Ann Draper’s wet hair in rollers and listening to another weekly rendition of her granddaughter’s divorce-related woes, Carly’s cell phone vibrated in the front pocket of her smock.
    â€œI’m so sorry, Ruth-Ann. I really need to get this.” Feeling a little relieved to have an interruption and hoping to schedule another client, she answered without even checking the display to see who was calling. “This is Carly.”
    â€œMrs. Westbrook, it’s Margo Evans at Parkside Elementary. I’m afraid we have Joshua in the office this morning. And he appears to have been involved in a fight.”
    â€œHe appears . . . ?” Couldn’t he talk? A blast of adrenaline shot through Carly’s veins as she tried to read between the lines.
    â€œHe has a split lip, a scrape on his chin, and a torn shirt,” Mrs. Evans said,