Page 72 of Peaks and Promises

“Sounds good, man. I’ll lead him over there.” Gavin clicked his tongue a few times and the reindeer walked with him.

I watched with my mouth hanging open as Gavin led the reindeer away. “Where did he get a reindeer?”

“Cook Family Farm, where they have Christmas Village,” Zachary said. “I hate to admit it, but he’s a prank genius. Anyway, you can take this stuff down to city hall. Theo and Garrett will meet you there.”

Once my SUV was stuffed with Christmas decorations, I drove the short distance to city hall. Theo pulled up behind me, and Garrett was waiting for us. We got to work unloading.

“Is there a plan for where this stuff goes, or are we winging it?” I asked.

“I don’t think it matters,” Theo said. “As long as it looks good.”

“Mom says you’re getting married. Congratulations.”

He smiled. “Thanks. Pen’s the best. I’m excited for you to meet her. How’s your girl doing? Getting settled?”

“She’s good. But you get that she’s not actually my girl, right?”

“Oh, sure,” he said, although I couldn’t tell if he meant that or if he was being sarcastic. “When do you move into the house?”

“Probably another week.”

“That’s—” His eyes widened and he crouched. “Get down.”

A car approached, driving slowly. Not just any car. It was one of the sheriff’s deputies.

I crouched next to Theo, wondering where Garrett was. Probably hiding.

To my surprise, Garrett stepped out into the street and gestured for the car to keep going. “Nothing to see here, Spangler. I’ve got it under control.”

The deputy gave him a casual salute and kept driving.

I stood. “I’m glad we got Garrett.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Theo handed me a tangled ball of lights. “Can you untangle these?”

We kept working well into the night, but even under cover of darkness, I could see the prank taking shape. Lights zigzagged back and forth across the streets. Wreaths and garland decorated storefronts, and candy canes, snowmen, and Santas lined the sidewalks.

As ridiculous as it all was, there was something about being out there—being included—that hit me deep in my chest. It wasn’t just about a prank. It was about trust. About drawing me back into their world.

Luke and Josiah brought us more lights and stayed to help hang them as we worked our way down the street. Eventually, Zachary showed up to check our progress, and the six of us shot the shit for a while.

Finally, it looked like we were finished. When Tilikum woke up in the morning, they were going to find their town fully decked out for Christmas.

My brothers and I exchanged high fives and fist bumps, and we congratulated Zachary on a well-executed prank.

“Prank’s not over,” Zachary said with a smirk. “Lumberjack Park. Nine a.m. Be there.”

Everyone dispersed to their vehicles without asking questions, although Garrett said he’d be on duty. Zachary took a few backward steps toward his truck and winked at me before turning to get in.

Suspicious.

What else did he have planned? We’d pulled off one of the biggest pranks in Tilikum history. What else was there to do?

Apparently, I was going to find out.

Despite being out half the night, I was up early. I thought about going into town just to see the first moments of surprise. But Summer wasn’t awake yet, and I was reluctant to leave before seeing her.

I was just being polite. It made sense to let her know what I was doing.