Chapter 11

ELEVEN

ANDY

“A re you kidding me right now?” I squatted down to pet Cookie and Holly. “They’re so tiny.”

“Right?” Willow sat down on the floor and crossed her legs in front of her. “Holly is eight weeks old, and Cookie is ten.”

“What breed is Cookie? Or do they know?” I picked her up and held her against my chest. She started to lick every inch of my face. “Oh, hello. Yes, I see you.”

“They have no clue, but the paperwork said Jack Russell mix.” She swooped down, grabbed Holly, and held her high in the air with both hands. “It would be fun if they stayed about the same size.” Holly wiggled, trying to free herself. “I have a feeling I’ll end up with a medium to large breed, though.”

“And the funny part is Holly would still be in control.”

“So true.” She laughed. We left Sammy in my car for a few minutes. I wanted to meet Holly and Cookie first. “Do you think Sammy would be okay with them?”

“Normally, he is great around other animals. If you’re comfortable, we can see how he reacts.” I set Cookie on the floor and hopped up. “We’ll know quickly because Sammy always tells you when he’s unhappy.”

“Let’s try.” She stayed on the floor next to Cookie and Holly.

I ran outside to grab him. He was great off a leash, but I kept it on for the introduction. “Here we are.” Sammy stepped through the doorway, and the two tiny animals stopped. “What do you think, Buddy?” Sammy stood rooted to the spot by the door. “Do you want to meet them?”

Holly was the brave one of the bunch and sauntered over to find out who the new creature was in her house.

“Cats. They crack me up.” Willow ran her hand down Cookie’s back. “Do you want to go meet Sammy?”

Holly rubbed her body against Sammy’s legs. I knew my dog wouldn’t hurt anyone, but my heart almost jumped through my chest when Sammy lunged forward and let out a half-bark. Then he dropped his front legs down and nudged at Holly. “Holy shit, they’re playing.”

Cookie ran over to join in the excitement.

Still, Sammy continued to hop around and let out a soft bark.

“Well, I would call that a success.” Willow hopped up from the floor. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Do you, by any chance, have coffee?” I scratched behind Sammy’s ears and stood to follow Willow into the kitchen.

“Um, this house never runs out of coffee.”

“Ever?” I sat down on a barstool at the kitchen island.

“Ever.” She grabbed the can of coffee from the cabinet. There was a yelp. I stood to get a better view of what had happened. Sammy was on the floor, and Holly and Cookie were on top of him. “Should we save him?”

“Nah, he’s fine.” I sat back down. “I wanted to apologize.”

“For what.” She set two mugs on the counter.

“Making things awkward earlier.”

“It’s okay. I get it.” She filled the coffee maker and pressed the button to start the process.

“Get what?” Those two words confused me.

She sat down beside me. “We don’t know each other. The kiss maybe shouldn’t have happened.”

“Yes, it should’ve.” It was the first time I had felt something so wonderful in a long time.

“Oh, okay.” She looked confused.

“I got into my head. Freaked myself out.” I let out a heavy sigh. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt those feelings you stirred up today.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

“Yeah.” I turned to face her and grabbed her hand. “I guess I’m trying to say I’m a work in progress.”

“Aren’t we all?” She winked and hopped up to grab our coffee.

I felt a nudge against my leg. It was Sammy. “Hey, buddy. You okay?”

“Look.” Willow set my mug down and pointed into the living room. Cookie and Holly were snuggled together on the floor, fast asleep.

“Wow.” I grabbed my mug. Shouldn’t the babies wear out the adult first? Sammy looks like he’s ready for round two. A loud ringing startled the babies and made Sammy start barking. “Is that my phone?”

“It might be mine.” Willow ran into the living room to retrieve her phone. “It’s mine.” She tapped her finger on the screen. “Molly, hey.”

I couldn’t hear the conversation. All I could see was Willow laughing.

She hung up the phone and walked back into the kitchen. “Do you own a Christmas-themed ugly sweater?”

“No, why?”

“You’re going to need one.” She set her phone on the granite countertop and sat down beside me.

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“Molly and Anika are throwing an ugly Christmas sweater party.” She sipped her coffee and wrapped her hands around the warm mug.

I rested my arm on the counter. “Do you have an ugly Christmas sweater?”

“Me, no.” She laughed. “I don’t even have Christmas decorations.”

“You can have mine.” I winked and took a sip of my coffee.

“Wait, you don’t put up your Christmas decorations?” Her eyes went wide.

“Why does that shock you?”

“Everyone in this town gives off a Christmas vibe.” She shrugged. “I have this vision that every house in Crystal Shores has a shit ton of decorations covering every inch of their property, inside and out.”

“I mean, yeah, a lot do decorate, but many people don’t.” A conversation between Anika and Molly at the bar popped into my mind for some reason. They had been discussing throwing a party. I couldn’t remember if the words ugly Christmas sweater were part of the discussion, though.

“This is my year of change. Maybe I need to get a little crazy and buy a tree.” She looked over at the sleeping babies and burst out laughing. “Or not.”

“What? You worried about the babies destroying it?”

“Um, yeah.”

“Sammy used to love it when we put a tree up. He would curl up under the tree and sleep there for hours.” Memories of my ex clouded my mind.

“I have an idea.” She placed her hand on my forearm. “I’ll put up a tree. Sammy can come over and sleep under my tree, and maybe…”

“He’ll teach the babies about sleeping under it peacefully instead of destroying it.” I leaned forward and almost kissed Willow. We were a breath apart, and I froze. It took me a few seconds before I finally sat back on the barstool.

There was something about her; she made me feel so comfortable and happy.