“Thank you, ma’am.”
“I like his manners,” Anna said as he jogged away.
“Yes. That’s nice, isn’t it.” She watched him far too long, because somehow she hadn’t even noticed that the band had completely passed by and that crazy falcon mascot was right in front of her flapping its wings and wiggling its hind feathers again.Squawk!
She let out a sigh as Lilene stooped down next to her. “I thought that was you. Hey.”
“Hi. This is an awesome parade.”
“I know. Are you enjoying it, Anna?”
“I am.”
Lilene commentated the parade, filling in the backstory as a group of horseback riders carrying flags from a ranch nearby passed them, and four-wheelers full of dogs dressed up likeSanta’s elves zoomed by. “Those are all rescue dogs up for adoption. Aren’t they cute?”
“They are.”
Everyone around her was smiling. Holiday spirit overflowed as they enjoyed the annual festivities. Guilt rushed over her about all the changes coming to this town for these people. People with families.
Sleigh bells rang, but not like the ones the band had used earlier. This jinglejangle was powerful and strong. The varying tones and pleasing tempo made her smile.
Everyone clapped and cheered enthusiastically. She and Anna stood to get a better view.
Two huge black horses clip-clopped, their huge feet lifting high with each step, and four more followed behind them, two by two. The nostrils on their black velvety noses flared, vapor puffing in white clouds as they trotted forward.
Lilene stood and cheered. “We’re so lucky to have these horses right here in our town.”
Six horses in all, just like she’d seen that first day in town, but rather than a simple wagon they pulled a shiny one big enough to carry a Christmas tree and Santa in the back with room to spare. This wagon had fancy gold accents and pretty lights. Santa ho-ho-ho’d as he waved and tossed favors.
All eyes except hers were on Santa. She was focused on the man sitting in the front of the wagon in the black shirt, red vest, and cowboy hat. Mike. Next to him, someone wearing a taupe Western hat held the reins. Between their feet, a black Labrador retriever had its paws on the rail, enjoying the ride.
FRASER HILLS PERCHERON HITCHsparkled in shimmering gold letters down the side of the high-gloss black wagon withred-and-gold wagon wheels.SPONSORED BYhad been painted in script above the Porter’s logo on the front corner.I didn’t notice a sponsorship. I’ll have to look into that.
Lilene pointed to the very back horse in the hitch, closest to them. “That horse is almost twenty-five years old. He’s won blue ribbons and trophies galore. He’s well known in the horse world for his good genetics. He’s even been in magazines. He’s the closest thing this town has to a local hero.” She put her fingers in her mouth and whistled.
Mike offered a lazy smile that parted his lips.
Her heart tumbled, betraying the resistance she’d been trying to hold.
The hitch suddenly stopped. He turned and said something to the person driving the team; then he stood and stepped to the edge of the cart and extended his hand toward Vanessa.
The dog leapt from the wagon and danced alongside one of the handlers standing next to the horses.
Mike hooked his finger in her direction.
She raised her hand to her heart. “Me? There?” Her brows pulled together as she turned to Anna for support. “I can’t get up there.”
He nodded, encouraging her. At that moment big fluffy snowflakes began to fall around her.
Floats began to bottleneck behind the wagon.
Anna pushed her toward Lilene, who hurried her to the street. “Go!”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
The rest of the crowd seemed to fall away as Vanessa raised her foot to the step with her hand in his.
“Is there room?”
