And puppy makes 3
It had been one month since Elizabeth told Nathan that she wasn't in love with him. It still hurt when he thinks back to that conversation. When he had told Allie that Mrs. Thornton is no longer interested in him, she was surprisingly mature. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek telling him that she always had him.
Nathan was coming back from a briefing about the Northern territories and how they are now secure. That gave Nathan a sigh of relief. No more good Mounties will have to risk their lives. Nathan was trekking along with Newton when he saw a sign at a farm; puppies for sale. Nathan stopped Newton and looked at the sign.
Allie had always wanted a puppy but since they moved around too much, it wouldn't have been feasible. Nathan recalled the dog that he and Colleen had when they were kids. LuLu was her name. She was Nathan's best friend and companion. She was just a mutt but Nathan didn't care. He recalls that when he was 12 years old that Colleen took him by the Lake that he and LuLu used to swim in and she told him that LuLu had passed away. He cried and his sister just held him. They buried LuLu underneath the tree where she and Nathan had laid on those hot summer days. It took time for the hurt to leave him. Time. That's what he needed.
Nathan dismounted, took off his hat and saw an older gentleman
"Hello sir. Do you have any puppies left for sale?"
The older gentleman turned around and said; "Yes we do sir. We have one left."
"Great! My little girl had always wanted a puppy and I thought now would be the perfect time" Nathan said
The older gentleman went into the barn and brought out the most adorable looking puppy. It was a hound puppy with big floppy ears and brown eyes.
"This here is our last puppy and it's a male."
Nathan smiled took the puppy and raised it up like a baby. "Well aren't sure just the cutest little ankle biter"
"I'll take him, how much?"
The older gentleman looked at Nathan and then looked at the puppy.
"This was the last littler that my wife and I are ever going to do. So there is no charge"
"Are you sure? I have the money" Nathan said quizzically
"Yes, I'm sure. Plus I can't take money from a Mountie. My son in law is a Mountie and I know how much you all have been doing in the Northern Territory"
Nathan smiled at the man and said; "Thank you sir. This little guy will be cared for and loved"
"I have no doubt" And at that, the two shook hands. Nathan mounted on his horse. He had the reigns in one hand and the puppy in a blanket in another and headed home.
Nathan had never heard that noise come out of Allie before when he showed her the puppy. It was a high shriek. She immediately took the puppy in her arms and started cuddling and kissing it. Nathan smiled at Allie. This is the happiest he has seen her in a while.
Nathan begins telling Allie about LuLu. And all the adventures that Nathan and Colleen had with LuLu.
"So what should we call him' Nathan asked
Allie took a moment, looked at the dog and smiled
"We should call him Louie"
Nathan smiled, "Louie. I think that is a perfect name for him."
Nathan started to pet the dog and thought that this puppy will heal this family, in time.