Read A Lilac Creek Christmas ( a Lilac Creek Dog Story) for Free Online

reunion.  Let’s let them enjoy it.”  Wendy nodded and left the room to hang up her coat, while Julia made some coffee to enjoy with what was left of the Christmas baking.
    Eventually the girls headed off to play with their new Christmas toys, and Henry decided to take a nap.  Sam and Geoff got him settled and then turned on the TV to watch some sports.  Julia seized the opportunity to talk to Wendy alone.  “There’s something I want to discuss with you,” she said to Wendy in a hushed tone.  “I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others until I had talked to you.”
    Wendy looked at her with both question and concern on her face.  “Don’t look so worried,” Julia hurried to reassure her.  “It’s a good thing…..I think.”
    “I’m curious now,” Wendy said, some of the worry leaving her eyes.  “What’s this all about?”
    Julia took a deep breath and began.  “Sam and I have been talking, and we would like to know how you would feel about Henry staying on with us instead of moving somew here else.  He’s comfortable here, his care isn’t anything that we can’t handle and we have plenty of room.  He would be with Jasper, and he’s already like a grandfather to the girls, especially Brinn.  What do you think?”  Wendy sat there speechless.  “I know it’s a lot to decide on the spot, but I wanted you to have enough time to think about it some before you had to make your final decision.  It’s something we’ve given a lot of thought to, and we’d really like to do it.  We love Henry and we’d like to see him spend his last years in a place he knows with people he loves and who love him.” 
    Wendy smiled. “You know you’re rambling, right?” she laughed. “It sounds like you really have given this a lot of thought.  I can’t think of any better place for Dad to live than here.  He loves this old farm.  And since he won’t even consider moving out to live with us, I think this is a perfect solution.  I know he’ll be so happy. But are you absolutely sure?”
    Julia took Wendy’s hands in her own.  “We couldn’t be more sure. He will be an awesome addition to our family.”  Tears welled up in Wendy’s eyes and she could barel y speak.  “Thank you so much,” she said squeezing Julia’s hands.
    The next day Wendy told everyone about the plan and the news was met with howls of approval from the girls and lots of hugs and handshakes among the grownups.  Jasper and the black dog barked loudly in response to all the noise, and Henry just grinned.  He found it most difficult to speak when his emotions ran high, but  the tears in his eyes said it all. 
    When the day finally came for Wendy and her family to leave, the parting was a much happier one that they had ever expected.  Wendy was so pleased that Henry was staying on at the farm. And although she always wondered when they parted ways, if this might be their last time together, her heart was grateful that he would be among “family” for the rest of his days.

Chapter Nine
    In the t hree weeks that had passed since Christmas, no one had come forward to claim the small black dog that had attached itself so instantly to Henry.  In a way, Julia was almost glad because the bond they had formed was extremely close.  She had barely left Henry’s side since they brought her home. But surely she was somebody’s pet.  None of the veterinary offices identified her as a patient, past or present, and the shelter had had no calls about a lost pet.  They had put ads in all of the local papers, as well as the closest city paper, just in case the dog had run away.  But all of their efforts had failed.  It seemed that this small black dog was a mystery indeed.  The local shelter had called asking if they wanted them to take the dog and place her in foster care, to which Brinn had immediately stated, “No way!”
    And so it was, that the black dog became theirs to keep.  Now Brinn was insistent