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“Is that a thing? Can animals die of a broken heart?"

She shrugs. "I'm pretty sure any species can die of a broken heart. Even humans."

"Well, let's hope the two of us will never find out." I lean down and pick up Daisy. Immediately, she burrows her little face into the crook of my elbow, forehead nudging against my biceps.

"I missed you too, little demon slayer." Tenderly, I run my fingers over her fur. "And I, for one, wouldn't be mad if you adopted all of them out to people I know. Because cuddling with the girls, especially Rose, is the stuff childhood dreams are made of."

"She's a giant teddy bear, right?" Brooke laughs. "I'd take all the ladies myself, but I'm kind of scared of opening that particular box of Pandora. I fear if I start, I will adopt all the animals that cross my way. Anyway," She gathers all the leashes. "Do you want to join us on our morning walk?"

"As much as I'd love to..." I lean over the reception counter and use my free hand to grab her chin. "I am commando under these sweatpants and not in the mood to freeze off my balls. Also, I have a few more preparations to make.” I give her a quick kiss, then set Daisy on her regular spot on the counter.

"What preparations?" Brooke shoots me a curious glance, but I only grin and take a few steps back.

"You will see soon enough, Brooke. No girlfriend privileges on Christmas market intel. Come on, Dick." Obviously, in this moment, he decides not to listen to me and instead climbs onto the couch for a nap. “Not the time for a nap. Come on.” He still doesn’t listen. I build myself up in front of the couch, trying to appear stern.

"I can carry you, but I know you hate being carried," I explain and scoot my arms under him. Knowing I'm serious, he gets up, but not without shooting me a glare.

"You know he’s got you wrapped around his little paw, right?"

I stop in my tracks and slowly turn to her. "Trust me, Brooke. He's not the only one."

Chapter 34

Kieran

"A centimeter to the right," I wave at the guys positioning the giant carousel I rented out for the Christmas market. Granted, it's only the foundation they’re trying to position right now, but it’s got to be perfect.

They will spend the rest of the day assembling the entire thing, while I will be watching from a window at Caleb's. Harry allowed me to park it right in the middle of the square, appointing it the highlight of the Christmas market, and I couldn't agree more.

I'm giddier than a child with unlimited funds at a fair.

I’d been toying with the thought of doing something grand. Something to reward myself for making it through the Christmas season and not letting sadness drag me down.

Plus, now I have adult money. Nobody said I have to act responsibly all the time. So I rented out an entire dang carousel, solely because I can. I dare anybody to try to stop me from spending three hours on one of these horses with crazy eyes while sipping on a mulled wine and having the time of my life. I’m living my childhood dream!

Well, I do have to collect donations for Brooke, so yay for a little responsibility. But aside from the boring money stuff, this weekend is going to be so much fun.

"That's perfect." I give the guys a thumbs-up. "Is there anything else you guys need from me right now?"

Jefferson, the foreman, comes over with a clipboard and points at two places for me to sign. In line with his other employees, he is wearing a bright yellow helmet and a neon green vest with reflective stripes. The only thing declaring him the boss is said clipboard in his hands. “Nope, we got all we need for now.”

"Perfect." I pat his shoulder. "Thank you so much. If you need anything, you have my phone number, but also..." I point at Caleb's café. "I will be right over there. Can highly recommend his pastries for lunch, guys. First round is on me." Look at me, uplifting the town’s economy. Dare I say… responsible?

"Damn, what kind of place is this?" Jefferson chuckles and stuffs the clipboard under his arm. "Wish more of my clients were like you."

"Trust me." I shake my head. "You don't.” Just wait until I document any scratch and bump, because I’m distrustful and won’t pay for damage a renter before me caused. Or the company when they disassemble it. “Anyway, I'll see you in a bit."

With a spring in my step, I walk off the main square, wait for Erik to drive past me with his fancy police car, and then skip across the street to Caleb's, where a bunch of faces are plastered against the windows facing the main square.

I'm in a great fucking mood. Not only because I got to see Brooke naked. Or because she gave me the best orgasm I've had in a while, and I got to eat her out, but because it's a beautiful day. The sun is shining, snow is on the ground—the fluffy kind of snow, not the crunchy, slippery kind. Christmas time is christmassing; it’s nice and cold. Brooke likes me, and the cutest dog in the world is waiting for me.

And I have a damn carousel at my disposal.

Truly, if you'd asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, this would have been so far from my mind. But I am not complaining. I know young Kieran would be proud and also really damn happy about the carousel.

"Ho, ho, ho!" I shout with a grin, Caleb's doorbell chiming above me as I enter.

"Are you serious?" Lauren appears in front of me, out of thin air, expression a mixture of pissed and amused. "A fucking carousel?"