Chapter 27

The week before Christmas week was extremely busy. The doodles had increasingly come to work with them to attend different Dear Santa events since Thanksgiving. Staff at the post office became used to seeing them coming and going with their plaid Christmas jackets or Christmas elf & reindeer costumes. Between the Christmas tree, the fire in the corner, and the doodles hanging out in between events, the DLO became a popular break spot of the Denver branch. While Rita and Shane were used to talking while they were working, Norman and Oliver were happy to retreat to the lab when things got too busy in the main DLO office.

After Hazel left following her commiseration with the women about breaking up with her latest boyfriend, Oliver peeked his head out. "Is she gone?"

"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" Shane asked Oliver patting his cheek.

Knowing she usually respected his professional boundaries at work. "That bad?" He asked.

"The guy was juggling three different women. Evidently the fourth was too much for him to keep juggling before he dropped a ball, er woman. Not sure." Rita said sorting mail.

Oliver mused, "I've noticed there's an increasing number of people that have found the location of the DLO to be not quite as remote as it used to be. Considering we've not changed locations since we well originally changed locations." He sat down at his desk reclaiming his space.

"I've noticed the same thing," Shane said sitting down at her desk to start researching hobby shops in Topeka. "We've taken on the role Eleanor in passports provided. I'd like to think it's solely our delightful personalities, but I think it's a combination of the new coffee machine and how often the dogs are hanging out in here now. They've turned into therapy dogs in the corner by the fire. Have a cup of coffee, a turn unloading on the couch, a cuddle with a doodle and maybe life isn't so bad. I researched getting them certified."

Oliver pushed the intercom button, "Norman the coast is clear."

"Roger that." Norman appeared shortly after.

Returning to his desk Oliver asked, "Certified?"

Shane answered, "As a support animal. With the work we've done at Safe Haven and now that they seem to be engaged as regular volunteers by the USPS, I researched what would be involved. They've been through enough training; they're well behaved most of the time. All we'd have to do is schedule an appointment with a center to get them cleared at a dog testing site." Oliver looked at Shane in astonishment. She never stopped amazing him.

Rita chimed in, "Nathan's mom sent me an email and mentioned how much they helped him adjust to the shelter the first day they were there. They've moved in with her aunt and are doing much better by the way."

"That's great they were able to make it there by Christmas." Oliver said.

They all went back to work taking advantage of the lull in visitors.

On the ride home, Oliver asked Shane, "What prompted you to look into the certification process?"

"A combination of things. Seeing how they interact with people. They've never met a stranger. I noticed how much easier it was for people to talk when they're around. Other than the one before Thanksgiving, storms haven't bothered me as much since we've had them. They seem to know where people are at emotionally and adjust their behavior. We're starting to get involved in more areas with the Foundation that they could help. I kept meaning to talk to you about it, but we've been so busy."

"I think it's a great idea. Let's get through the holidays and we can sort it out in the new year."

They took the dogs out for a walk together. Since Thanksgiving Shane had taken a break from helping with CBI cases. They enjoyed watching the doodles playing in the snow. Oliver cherished having the time with Shane after how busy they'd been.

"We haven't had time to talk with the holiday rush at the DLO. Where's your mom spending Christmas?" Oliver asked.

"With Alex. She's been struggling since the divorce."

"Has she been going to meetings?"

"Supposedly. I hope and prayed she's sticking with them." Oliver took her hand.

"Are you sure about having everyone over for Christmas. It's a lot to take on with work."

"I'm looking forward to having everyone over." Shane smiled. "Our first married Christmas."

Arriving back at the house, Shane's phone dinged. With the temperature dropping, she waited until they got inside to read the text. "Rita texted they've got a possible foster care but not foster care situation they're trying to sort out. I'm not sure what that means. They're coming in tomorrow but may need to take off at some point. She said they'd explain tomorrow."

"It was already going to be a long day tomorrow." Oliver said brushing a hand down her cheek.

When they got to work, Rita filled them in while they were sorting mail. "Randilynn Amidon called us last night. There's a fellow soldier she knows when both him and his wife were deployed, their 14-year-old daughter, Cassie, went to stay with her grandmother. The grandmother fell and broke her hip, she's going to be in the hospital for a while getting the hip replaced and then will be moved to a rehab hospital. They're having difficulty getting in touch with her parents. The grandmother called Randilynn when she went in the hospital. Randilynn didn't want Cassie winding up with just anybody in a foster care situation and moved Cassie in with them. Randilynn's dad isn't doing well. Long term getting both girls to different schools and him to his appointments isn't going to be feasible. They've managed to juggle things this week catching rides with friends. The girls will be on Christmas Break next week. Knowing we'd signed up to be foster parents, Randilynn called us to see if there was any way we could help. Our house is closer to Cassie's school."

"Is she wanting Cassie to move in with you and Norman?" Shane asked.

"It's one of the options we discussed. Oliver, we were hoping to leave early to meet Cassie & her grandmother at the hospital after school to sort out the situation. We can come back after dinner to finish helping out tonight."

"That's fine." Oliver responded.

"Oliver, Randilynn said both girls are having a hard time right now. Could we get them volunteer intern positions and they could help with the Dear Santa project?" Norman asked. "It would get them out of the house and give them something to do to get their mind off things over the holidays."

"Norman that's an excellent idea. Why don't you talk to the head of the project before contacting Randilynn." Norman left to find the project coordinator.

"If anybody can understand what the girl is going through its Phoebe." Shane commented. "If they can help with the project, maybe she can get to know you a little in the event she ends up living with you."

They went back to work and Norman returned shortly. "He said they can use all the help they can get."

Oliver & Rita were working through redirecting damaged Christmas cards while Norman and Shane worked on ripped packages. Norman picked up one and almost dropped it again. "Don't get too close to that one. It reeks of alcohol. Why do so many people send rum soaked fruit cakes through the mail this time of year? They weigh a ton."

"Thanks for the heads up. I've never liked fruit cakes." Shane commented. "At least the edible kind. I've always found the people entertaining." Norman & Oliver chuckled while Rita smiled at Shane.

Norman and Rita left later in the afternoon when school was out to meet everyone at the hospital. Shane and Oliver kept working before stopping for a quick dinner. Sitting down to eat Oliver commented, "It's not often we're here alone together anymore Mrs. O'Toole."

"It is rather quiet." You could hear the evening shift coming in through the wall of one side of the office but otherwise it was cozy with just the crackling fire in the corner. They discussed what projects they had left to work on for the evening. When they finished eating, Shane took the opportunity to push the envelope a little. Oliver was still sitting on a stool by the counter. Moving to pick up his dinnerware, she stopped instead running a hand through his hair before cupping the back of his neck and leaning over to briefly kiss him.

He indulged her for a moment before pulling back, "Mrs. O'Toole I believe we're still at work."

"Mr. O'Toole, I believe we're on a dinner break. I thought I'd have a taste of something sweet for dessert." She answered sassily grinning at him before turning to pick up his things.

He laughed before moving an arm around her waist to stop her from moving away. "Wait a moment, I'd like more than a taste," he said surprising her. Moving his other hand through her hair to the back of her neck, he kissed her gently teasingly brushing his lips against hers before increasing the pressure. Taking much more than a moment he deepened the kiss hands in her hair. Mind going blank, she dropped his things on the counter moving her hands to his shoulders to steady herself. He took the opportunity to slowly move her between him and the counter offering her more support as she relaxed leaning into him. Remembering where they were, Oliver slowly gentled the kiss and tucked her head against his shoulder. He rubbed his hand down her back before leaving his hand in support at the small of her back.

Nestled warmly against him, "It may be a moment before I can put a coherent thought together. Do we have to keep working?"

Oliver smiled faintly, "I'm afraid so." They both took pleasure in feeling each other's warmth as the temperature had dropped in the room the later it had become. "Why don't I turn up the heat in here."

Shane raised her head grinning at him, "I thought you already had."

He laughed tousling her hair, "Very funny." Shane finished picking up their things from dinner before going back to work.

When Norman and Rita returned shortly after, they gave them an update. "We met Cassie and her grandmother with Randilynn. All the other extended family they have lives on the east or west coast which would mean she'd have to change schools for half a semester on top of everything else. If she stayed here, she'd at least have her friends, her grandmother, and her school as a support system. Everyone thought it would be easier for her if she stayed with us during the week when school is in session so we can take her to school and stay at the Amidon's on the weekends. Just until her grandmother's back home."

Shane noticed Rita kept looking at her oddly trying to hide a smile.

Norman mentioned, "Randilynn thought the girls helping with the Dear Santa Project was a great idea. We told her we could pick them up on the way to work and she could swing by after her dad's dialysis to take them home."

As they started to go back to work Rita waited until Norman stepped into his lab and leaned over whispering, "Shane you may want to fix your hair before leaving the office. It looks like you got caught in some wind while we were gone. Also, Oliver still has some of your lipstick on his face." Shane turned red when she glanced at Oliver and saw he did have remnants of her favorite shade of lipstick.

"Thanks Rita," Shane knew he would have been mortified if anyone noticed as they left. Grabbing a Kleenex on the way to his desk, "Oliver you have a little bit of dinner left." She leaned over and tenderly wiped off the lipstick.

They all continued to work on as many letters and packages as they could. Right before they left Shane asked Rita if she wanted to go shopping that Saturday for the annual Christmas Party. "I didn't want to wear what I did last year, and I still need to get a few Christmas gifts."

"That would be great. It really is hard to Christmas shop for Norman when we're together all the time." Rita commented.

"It's a nice problem to have." Shane said grinning.

"Yes, it is." Rita answered.