Loving Her (Mitchell Family #9)(12)
Author: Jennifer Foor

We climbed off and walked up the porch steps, both wondering what could possibly be happening inside.

The kids ran up to the front door, so we followed, worried. We stood there, waiting for someone to answer as the boys knocked in unison.

After a few minutes, Van appeared and opened the door slowly. She was in tears and I feared the health of one of the kids. I grabbed her arm, pushing my own children out of the way and pulling her into my arms. “What’s wrong?”

She kept hugging me. “It’s Sam. She died in Noah’s bed last night. He woke up and found her. Oh God, it’s so awful. I just can’t believe it.”

My heart immediately broke for Noah, Colt and their whole family. That dog had been around before they’d become a family. She was Noah’s best buddy. “I’m so sorry.”

I scanned the room, seeing that nobody was in the living room or kitchen. “Are they buryin’ her?”

Van cried more, finally moving away from me and hugging Ty. He held her tightly, rubbing her back for support. “Where’s Colt?”

“They’re upstairs in Noah’s room. He won’t let Colt take her out of there. The girls don’t understand what’s going on, and Colt’s a mess himself. He loved her so much, you know? We knew this day was coming, because she was getting up there in age, but I didn’t know she’d die in Noah’s bed like that. I guess she wanted to be with the person she loved the most, when she took her last breaths.”

I looked at Ty, who genuinely looked as upset as I felt. We both knew she was just a dog, but she’d been so much more to this family. Bella tapped on my arm. “Mom, is it okay to go upstairs?”

“Why don’t you wait down here until daddy goes up and checks on everyone?”

I didn’t know if Colt would be okay with us barging in on this horrible morning they were having.

Ty reluctantly headed up the stairs. I could tell he was a little torn up, knowing how much a man could love his pet. When Colt was at his worst, he got Sam. She’d been his faithful companion for so many years. She watched the house fill with love and children and protected them with her life, whenever she’d gotten the chance. They needed to say goodbye to their loyal companion today, and it wasn’t going to be easy for any of them.

Van led me into the kitchen. My kids followed, and thankfully remained quiet. “I guess we’re going to have a dog funeral, so it’s easier for the kids to say goodbye. Colt told Noah that he could pick the spot where they lay her to rest.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Nothing. They haven’t left the room, neither of them. They just keep petting her, waiting for her to respond to their touch. Colt knows she’s gone, but I swear I’ve never seen him this emotional over an animal. We all loved her so much.”

“I know.”

She poured a cup of coffee and handed it to me, before making one for herself and grabbing the cream and sugar. We sat across from one another while the kids sat and waited on the couch. I almost wanted to laugh at how behaved they were acting in a tragic situation after having a terrible morning at the guesthouse. “This is all part of life. I guess the kids need to learn that everything dies at some point. We can’t live forever, and they need to learn how to cope when this sort of thing happens. I just feel so bad, like my heart aches for the dog and my children. Then there’s Colt. He was on his way to make rounds this morning and peeked in the room. Usually Sam gets up and rides with him. He said he called her a couple of times and she never budged. Then he walked in and felt her.” Van sobbed before she could continue. “She was already stiff.” I handed her a napkin and let her blow her nose. “Colt came into the bedroom in shock. He sat down on the edge of the bed and covered his face. I knew something was terribly wrong. When I started to get up and check on the kids, he called me back into the room.”

“I would have thought it was the kids too.”

“All he could say was her name. I stood over him, wrapping my arms around him and trying to be supportive, even when I could feel his heart breaking as we embraced. It’s just so hard, saying goodbye to someone that’s been in your life every single day for so long.”

My throat started to burn as I fought back my own tears for this animal. She’d saved my daughter a few times, from snakes, bad weather, and stupid decisions.

Ty came downstairs alone. He leaned over and told our kids to go outside and play before heading into the kitchen. “I’m going to help Colt bury him once Noah finds a spot. He wants to know if Iz will go with him, so she’s outside waiting. This day sucks.”

Van faked a smile. “I’m glad you guys are here. I know it sucks, but Colt needs the distractions. He’s not good with expressing his feelings, but between Noah crying and his own emotions, I know it’s going to be difficult.”

“What if we had a funeral? I can occupy the kids with the preparations. We can invite mine and Colt’s moms and John. I think it would be good for Noah to know that we are all there for him and all of you.”

Van played with her coffee cup, but continued to cry. “That would be really nice.”

Two teary eyed girls came down and clung to Van’s arms. Their sniffles filled the room and even Ty looked sad over it. He leaned down and faced them. “Aunt Miranda wants to have a celebration of Sam’s life. Do you think you can help her make it happen?”

They both nodded.

He rubbed Christian’s arm. “I know you loved Sam. We all did. She was pretty great, wasn’t she?”

They nodded, but Christian finally spoke. “She was real good. I wish she didn’t die.”

Addy hid her face in her mother’s arm. I could hear her sniffling and knew that neither of them fully understood what death was.

“Sam is in Heaven now.”

“I want her to come home.” Addy pouted.

“When you go to Heaven you can’t come back here. I know it sucks, but she’s happy and she’s a puppy again.”

“Is her fur still soft? Will someone pet her at night?” Christian wanted to know such simple answers. I wished that I could take away that emptiness she was feeling.

“I think she’s probably gettin’ pet by all kinds of angels, don’t you, Uncle Ty?”

“Oh yeah. They’re probably giving her whole steaks to eat, out of golden dishes.”

Van sighed as we kept comforting the girls. They were going to be the easy ones to get through this trying time. Noah, who was older, understood the real meaning of death. He knew she wasn’t coming back, and whether he believed that dogs went to Heaven was irrelevant. He was still burying his best friend. It wasn’t going to hurt any less. “Would you like to make Sam something for the funeral?”