Daniel Cooper stretched as Nub dropped him off at home. He had spent the last few hours helping Father Mac divide the collected canned food into gift baskets, then he and Nub delivered them to the islanders who might not have much food for their holiday table otherwise.
"See you tomorrow at mass Daniel." The younger man smiled as the minister exited the van.
"Yep. Christmas Day mass." Daniel smiled.
"Maybe it will snow a little." Nub answered thoughtfully.
"That would be nice. Have a good Christmas Eve, Nub."
"You too." He nodded and drove away humming a Christmas carol.
Daniel's stomach growled as he entered the house.
"How about a warm bowl of soup?" He chuckled closing the door.
He hung his coat up then placed a log in the free-standing wood fireplace to take the chill off his little house.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas....
Let your heart be light..."
He sang as he reached for a pan....then nearly jumped a foot as a yodel erupted behind him.
Daniel turned and his eyes grew wide.
"Where did you come from?" He asked slowly walking to the dog standing in the kitchen entrance.
He held out a hand, recalling a childhood lesson about letting a dog sniff your hand before touching it.
Daniel grinned as the dog's pink tongue came out and licked him. He petted its head gently then noticed the ribbon tied round its neck, puzzled, his eyes wandered around the room and came upon one of his own shirts scrunched into the corner along with a white tube sock.
"Look's like you plan on staying. Well...um...." He reached under its belly and felt around, "girl...I've never seen you on Hope before which makes me wonder if someone is missing you. We should call Kevin and find out ----."
The dog whined and looked at him with beautiful brown eyes and he petted its head again, this time noticing its pointed ears and a tail that curled upon it's back.
"Are you hungry?"
The dog lifted its paw at him.
"Okay...looks like my mysterious benefactor left no food so I'll have to see what I can find."
He started opening cupboards and came up with biscuits, the human consumption kind.
"I know these are made for people, but they're all I have. I wasn't expecting non-human company." Daniel said holding it out to the dog who sniffed at it then accepted it and went back to her 'nest'.
"We really should see if you belong to someone." He said sitting down beside the pooch and petting it absently.
"Merry Christmas Reverend Cooper."
"And to you as well Ruby."
"We'll see you at the inn for lunch?" Bonita asked.
"I'll be there."
"What'd Santa bring you Daniel?" Nub asked.
"Some clothes, paper to write my sermons, a few books..."
"Is that all?" Dylan asked sounding disappointed.
"Um...yeah." He had decided not to tell anyone about the dog until he talked to Kevin, who hadn't come to mass so he could attend services at Father Mac's.
"I can give you a ride home Dylan." Nub offered.
The boy nodded silently and followed him out.
"Bye Daniel, see you in a little bit." Molly hugged him as she and Brian left.
"I have to get going myself, a few patients to check on before lunch." Dr. Lily Watson said, squeezing his arm.
"Could you hold up a minute?" Daniel asked as more parishioners headed their way.
"I suppose so, why?"
"I have something to show you."
Dr. Watson nodded, full of curiosity.
Daniel said good-bye to the last of his congregation and led her to the house.
"How much do you know about dogs?"
"Dogs?"
He nodded and opened the door and she saw the little brown dog standing by the door.
"Oh....she....uh ---"
He nodded.
"She's adorable, where did you get her?"
"She was a gift from....someone."
Dr. Watson looked at him.
"I came home last night and there she was. Can you check her for me?"
She opened her mouth with the intention of telling him he needed to take her to a vet, but caught sight of the dog as she did so and nearly laughed out loud. She and Daniel wore nearly identical expressions. Lily couldn't say no to the plea in their eyes so she looked over the dog with Daniel watching over her shoulder.
"She seems healthy enough...her eyes are clear, coat is shiny, her nails are clipped and the ears look okay....someone took very good care of her. If there's anything wrong with her you'll need a vet to tell you. She may belong to someone Daniel."
"I know, I'm going to talk to Kevin about it." He sighed petting the dog's head.
Dr. Watson could see how taken he was with her and part of her hoped there was no owner...for Daniel's sake.
"I need to get going."
"Oh, of course, thanks for looking at her."
"No problem, I'll see you at lunch."
He nodded and walked her out.
"Well, girl, we need to see about getting you some proper food....and I know just who to call."
Daniel left an hour and a half later, grateful that 'Bob' was willing to share his food and keep quiet about Daniel's visitor until things were settled.
He nodded and smiled to everyone he passed on the way to the inn, the Christmas spirit was definitely in the air this afternoon. He entered the inn and immediately espied Alex, a smile coming unbidden to his lips as he started across the room.
"Merry Christmas buddy!" Kevin clapped him on the shoulder and pushed a glass of eggnog into his hand.
"Same to you!" Daniel chuckled.
"So what'd Santa bring the minister?"
"Well....I need to talk to you about one of my gifts."
"Oh?" Kevin asked growing serious.
Daniel told him about the dog and Kevin sighed as he looked at his friend and removed a faxed picture from his wallet.
"That's her." Daniel nodded, looking at it.
"They didn't realize she had gotten out of the cage until they were on their way back to Oregon. Sorry Daniel..."
"I'm sure they miss her....what's her name?"
"Cleopatra."
"Very regal..."
"You know, with today being Christmas and all, they'd have trouble getting up here...."
Daniel shook his head, appreciating the thought.
"No. This is their Christmas gift, call them Kevin."
The cop searched his face, then nodded and went to use the phone.
Daniel sighed deeply and turned around to see Dylan in front of him.
"Hey, did you open your gift?" He asked, having dropped their presents off yesterday.
"Yeah, thanks for the book." Dylan answered glumly.
"What's wrong?"
The boy looked down at the floor.
Daniel put a hand on his shoulder and propelled him into the kitchen and toward the back door.
"Ah! Daniel, my friend! Happy Christmas!"
"Happy Chanukkah Boris." Daniel replied and led Dylan outside where he took his jacket off and placed it around the boy's shoulders. "Talk to me Dylan." He requested, sitting on the step.
"I heard you and mom talking a few weeks ago...you said you always wanted a dog growing up but you moved so much you could never have one so when I found that dog in the woods I thought God meant for you to have it."
"You gave the dog to me? I appreciate the feelings behind her, but she belongs to someone else and they really miss her." He answered gently.
"Did you like her?" Dylan asked in earnest.
"Very much." Daniel smiled at him.
"I'm glad you did....even if you can't keep her."
Daniel hugged him.
"What are you two doing out here?" Alex asked opening the door.
"Just thanking Dylan for my gift."
"Speaking of...you have a few more in here to open, Reverend." She replied smiling.
They came back inside and she removed the six sizes too big jacket from her son's shoulders as he passed and ran into the dining room.
"Merry Christmas, Alex."
She turned to Daniel and they kissed.
"Who needs mistletoe?" He murmured when their lips parted.
Alex laughed and led him out the swinging door.
"Okay,you be good." Daniel whispered petting the dog's head as he put her on the porch outside the police station. "And don't run off anymore...someone else might not be able to return you next time." He added softly then opened the door and gave her a gentle push inside where she was met with shouts of glee and squeals of joy.
Daniel closed the door to his house and sighed sadly as he slipped his coat off and sat on the couch, his eyes drawn to the sock on the floor.
He smiled,remembering how he'd put her on the bed with him, afraid she'd get cold and be a little scared in a strange house. He had woken to find her underneath the covers, snuggled up behind his knees. He picked up the sock and shirt putting them with his other dirty laundry then returned to the living room. He spotted the videos Alex had given him and hoped one would take his mind off her.
He picked up the one on top and his mouth fell open. It was entitled, "Good-bye My Lady" and the cover showed a boy and a dog....that looked just like Cleopatra. He slipped the tape into the player and sat down to watch.
Alex knocked softly on the door.
Dylan had told her about the dog, then she ran into Kevin who told her about the Grants reclaiming the dog. He added that it was clear how much Daniel had loved the little dog and how much it must have hurt to give it up.
The door opened and she saw he'd been crying, it broke her heart and she hugged him.
"Dylan and Kevin told me, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm all right."
She brushed a tear from his cheek and he smiled, embarrassed.
"I was watching one of the videos you gave me....the dog in it looks like Cleopatra....it's about a boy who has to give his found dog up." Daniel shrugged.
"I'm not Cleopatra, but I could keep you company for a while." She offered.
"Thanks,that'd be nice." He smiled and shut the door, leaving the bittersweet feelings of this Christmas outside in the cold to enjoy the night with the woman he loved.