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The whisper network between Kinstead and Wayward Hollow is a lot more efficient than I thought. Henry called a town meeting yesterday to share the set-up of our combined Christmas market. Instead of two separate markets, our two towns will throw one giant one. Not only in our main square, but the surrounding streets will be blocked for more space, and so our Kinstead friends will have enough spots for all of their booths.

I’m excited. Not only because double the booths means double the fun, but because during the town meeting, every participating Wayward Hollow-er presented little ideas to support Brooke in her endeavor to rescue more animals. If we all work together, we might actually pull this off.

Dick sprints along the lakeshore. I have him on a long leash today, clipped around my hip. While I was recovering, I spent way too much time online and saw way too many videos of dogs falling into frozen ponds. Considering Dick's selective hearing, I'd rather not risk it happening to him.

The sky is hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds so dark that they make the middle of the day look like night. Snowflakes as big as my fingertips fall from the sky, and I can barely see the mountains on the other side of the lake.

Dick tries to catch snowflakes as we trot past Kylie's house and then a little further. Now, I'm not planning to walk my entire usual jogging route today. My lungs would kill me if I attempted it. But my boy needs exercise.

Things have been changing so quickly. My brain is struggling to keep up. My friends know I am bi, and they don't even give the slightest fuck. Hell, apparently the whole town knows, and they don't care.

My brain switches from ecstatic to the worst doubt I've ever had, still convinced it has to be too good to be true. There has to be another shoe about to drop. Because I don't get happy endings. If anything, I get the happy ending, with an additional ‘but.’ And this one little word worries me.

Dick has declared a snow pile his mortal enemy and keeps snapping at it. I wish I were as oblivious and relaxed as him sometimes. Taking things as they come, not overthinking them, and being ecstatic about food. Rinse and repeat. What a life.

I stare into the distance. The cold is creeping into my clothes. Time to go back.

"Let's go, little Dicky." I whistle until I have his attention. For a moment he only stares at me, trying to gauge how far he can take his resistance today.

But I'm learning from Brooke. I cross my arms in front of my chest and stare right back. She does it a lot more effectively, though, because Dick turns around and pulls me in the opposite direction.

"Okay." I sigh and rub my temples. He’s got me wrapped around his fluffy paw. "Only two more minutes."

The snow piles up to the middle of my shins, and walking is really fucking exhausting. So, I give up after only a few more steps, much to his dismay.

"I'm sorry." I walk to him and get to my knees, running my hands through his fur. "I promise once I'm fit again, we'll go for longer walks, okay?"

As if he understood me, he nudges my shoulder. And then again. Suddenly his paws are on my chest, and he pushes me backward until I fall.

"Dick," I scold him, but he quickly apologizes with his tongue on my forehead. "Nah, you're an adorable menace." I pull him into my arms and press a kiss to the top of his head. Then let him go. "Now, let's get the hell back home. In front of the heater and under a blanket. Does that sound okay, Your Majesty?"

He lets out a soft woof, and I'll take that as confirmation.

Dick and I are watching the Disney version of A Christmas Carol when my phone buzzes on the coffee table.

My heart beats into my throat when I see Brooke's name across my screen, right over the stupid selfie she took as a profile picture.

"Hey, Brooke. This better be good because Scrooge McDuck is about to learn all about Christmas cheer."

"Oh, well, it's very important," she declares, and I hear the smile in her voice. Dick hears her too and nudges closer, so I put my hand on his nose and gently push him away.

"Because Daisy really misses you." She clears her throat. "The poor thing is inconsolable."

"Is she now?" I chuckle and pull the blanket up to my chin. "Only Daisy?"

"Not only Daisy," Brooke admits softly. My breath hitches. "I kind of miss you too."

I gulp. I've never been missed before. At least, not that I can remember. And especially not after, like, two days. But we both got busy. Brooke with setting up the shelter's social media. And I, well, I had a Christmas market to prepare. And since now the town's eyes are on me, as last year's winner, the pressure was on.

"Tell Daisy I miss her too." Absent-mindedly, I run my fingers over Dick's head. "And you too."

"Do you want to come over? Hannah is doing Christmas shopping with her family, so I'm on shelter duty today and can't leave. But I could make dinner upstairs."

"It's a deal. But only if you finish watching A Christmas Carol with me."

"Deal. Bring dinner for Dick." She adds in a softer tone, "I really want you to stay the night."

I suck in a sharp breath.