Page 84 of Cowboy’s Christmas Baker

“He adores her,” Mal said, nodding.

Her dad and Katie had decorated the tree and set out the bird feeders during two of Mal and Harrison’s dates this week. It made Mal happy to see him have a kid in his life to do all the grandfatherly things she knew he longed for.

Don’t get ahead of yourself, she warned herself inwardly.

A little dog began barking, and for a second, it really sounded like it was coming from the house, though of course her dad didn’t have a dog.

But when the door swung open, a fluffy white shape flew out, leaping up on Katie before flying down the steps and flashing around in circles on the snowy front lawn.

“Hey there,” Mal’s dad called out. “Meet Peppermint.”

“Peppermint,” Katie laughed, turning to watch the funny little dog flying around the yard.

“Don’t worry,” Mal’s dad said. “She’ll tire herself out in about ten more seconds.”

“Wow, Dad,” Mal said as she came up the walkway. “Did you get a dog?”

“Went down to the shelter yesterday morning,” he said, nodding. “Helena was sure glad to see me. I figured I’d see if there was a Shepherd mix, like the one we had when you and Dean were kids. But this little lady had just come in, and we hit it off like peanut butter and jelly.”

Just then, Peppermint came up again, her little white body flowing effortlessly up the steps like a waterfall moving backwards.

“Hey, girl,” Mal’s dad said, leaning down and letting Peppermint launch herself into his arms. “Let’s say Merry Christmas to everyone.”

“Merry Christmas,” Katie replied happily.

“Merry Christmas, Dad,” Mal said, and Harrison came up the steps echoing her.

Peppermint looked among them, her pink tongue sticking out as she panted through what really looked like a happy smile.

“Well, come on in,” Mal’s dad said happily. “Your brother will be over this afternoon. He has a lot going on today.”

“Really?” Mal asked. She’d been wondering what was up with her big brother this week, and hadn’t had a chance to call. He normally kept himself so busy with work it felt like he was a million miles away.

As she stepped inside, Mal was hit first with the scent of fresh pine from the Christmas tree. It was gorgeously decorated, but now there was a baby gate around it. On the outside of the gate were an assortment of dog toys as well as a rope, a big stick, and a small bicycle tire.

“She needs plenty to keep her busy,” Dad said gruffly, putting the dog down.

But she just trotted along with the family to the kitchen to see what was happening.

“She’s a nice one,” Harrison said. “What made you decide to get her, sir?”

“Oh, your Katie inspired me,” Dad said with a smile.

“I did?” Katie asked.

“Hearing about Benjamin Franklin made me want a pet of my own,” he said.

“Benjamin Franklin?” Mal echoed, feeling a little confused.

“I gave my cat friend a name,” Katie explained. “Benjamin Franklin was a really important person. We learned about him in school. He was very curious, just like my Benjamin Franklin.”

Mal tried not to smile at the idea of a barn cat named Benjamin Franklin who lived under the porch. For such a little kid, Katie sure had a big heart.

“He finally came inside during the storm,” Harrison said. “We opened up a can of sardines and then I went upstairs.”

“He came right in,” Katie added excitedly. “And when Dad came back down, he hid in the Christmas tree.”

“We took down the delicate ornaments so it would be safe for him in there,” Harrison explained.