Chapter Eleven
HOLLY
I ’m asking Jacob questions about his inn and trying to stay focused for the blog, but my attention is on Rex.
They looked to be in a serious discussion when I walked up, but once they broke into laughter, I figured it was safe to say good morning.
I’ll admit I was a little sad when I woke up to find Rex and Tag already gone this morning, but after our encounter last night, I can’t blame him. I’m not sure what came over me once we met up with Cassie, but I didn’t like the way she was flirting with him. I don’t have any right to claim him, but once I saw he got sad thinking about his late wife, I felt protective of him. As if he needed someone to be there for him. I don’t know why I thought it would be me. It can’t be me. I won’t be here long enough.
What surprised me even more was finding a thoughtful basket on the cottage porch this morning. Even though Rex is pulling away from me, he’s still thoughtful enough to leave a thermos of his Christmas tea, a breakfast sandwich wrapped in foil, and keys to a car parked right outside my door. This strange man with an even stranger dog is making me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling while confusing me more than anyone ever has.
Now, as I stand here asking Jacob about the history of the inn and its significance in the town, especially around the festival, I can’t help but notice that Rex is just as withdrawn. He’s got something on his mind, but I don’t know if I have the right to pry.
“It’s really the reason the whole Christmas season in Candy Cane Creek started,” Jacob says, grabbing my attention.
“Why do you say that?” I hold my phone up higher, making sure I record what Jacob is saying.
“Well, my great-grandparents established the Inn when the town was still just a trading village. They built it from the ground up and opened it as a place for travellers to stay while they came to trade or travelled further up north.”
“How interesting,” I add, loving how there’s so much history in the Inn alone. “And the Christmas events?”
“Well, that started because my great-Grandma was so in love with Christmas. Once the Inn opened and they settled into their new town and business, they wanted to celebrate with the town. Really make it a community. So, they started the Christmas Eve dance. At first, it was held in the dining room in the Inn, but it quickly became so popular that they had to move it to the barn, where it is now.”
“That’s impressive. And the other events?”
I sneak a glance at Rex to find he’s watching us just as quietly and intently as Tag, who is sitting at his feet. Both have their heads cocked a little to the same side, looking more alike than a man and dog should.
“Shortly after the dance became popular, they decided to add the tree lighting a few years later, and the other traditions grew as the years went on. It seemed as if every generation added their own.”
I open my mouth to ask another question when a large crash comes from the corner of the tent. Red and green balls are flying, and a child-sized inflatable pool shakes from side to side. “What…?” I start, but immediately stop when Rex rushes from my side.
“Lucy!” he bellows, rushing to the pool, which is quickly deflating and emptying of balls.
The golden Labradoodle perks her head up with a mouthful of plastic, a growl escaping her otherwise cute face.
“Lucy, drop it,” Rex says forcefully, taking a cautious step forward.
The dog doesn’t back down. Instead, she bends down, her tail in the air, and narrows her eyes at him.
“Come on now, Lucy. You know this is no way to act. You’ve ruined the pool.” Rex places his hands up in front of him, taking another small step forward. He speaks to Lucy as if she were a child, not an animal. I find it both odd and endearing at the same time.
“I thought you trained her,” Jacob jokes, not even bothering to stifle a laugh.
“Not the time, Jacob,” Rex says out of the corner of his mouth, not looking away from the standoff he’s in with the little golden troublemaker.
“I’d say she’d make a fine service dog. You know, for anyone needing protecting from kiddie pools and multi-coloured balls,” his friend continues.
“Are you going to help him or just rile him up?” I whisper, not taking my eyes off the scene in front of me.
“Oh, I’d say he’s got it under control,” Jacob laughs.
“Lucy, drop it,” Rex says again, getting closer to the corner.
Lucy shakes her head from side to side, letting out another growl as she backs up a step. Colourful balls litter the grass and the other dogs only look at her with a passing interest, as if they are used to her antics. Even Tag has lost interest, turning his back and plopping down to watch the people passing by. Most of those who stroll past look on or stop to watch Candy Cane Creek’s version of man versus beast.
“Ah ha!” Rex says, grabbing the pool and giving it a hard tug.
I can only watch in horror, lifting my hand to cover my open mouth as Lucy lets go, causing Rex to lose balance and fall backwards. The pool lifts over him, hovering upside down for a moment while raining the rest of the balls down on him before covering him like a blanket.
Lucy jumps on what I can only assume is his stomach, causing an ‘ oof ’ to come from under the plastic before Lucy lunges and grabs a corner, pulling back to reveal Rex’s stunned face.
“Rex! Are you okay?” I rush to his side, trying to shoo Lucy off Rex’s chest, but she only looks down at him in triumph.
“Yeah,” he answers slowly, slowly moving his head from side to side.
Jacob chuckles as he grabs Lucy by the collar and guides her off Rex before extending his hand and helping his friend up.
“Now you help?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“I don’t need help with my dogs,” Rex says, brushing grass off his jeans.
“Clearly,” Jacob says.
Rex glances behind me, and his face darkens. Following his gaze, I see a lot of the townspeople staring in our direction. Most with sympathy, some openly gossiping while staring.
“There’s nothing to see here!” I say loudly, gaining everyone’s attention. “Rex was…training Lucy to do a new trick, and she got a little overexcited. That’s all. You know Labradoodles and how dramatic they are.”
I actually know nothing about dog breeds and pray I’m at least relatively close to the mark about Lucy’s breed. The nods of the people in front of me tell me I guessed right.
“Lying now, are we?” Jacob whispers as he steps up beside me with a chuckle.
“I didn’t see you jumping in to help him. He’s raising money to train these dogs or at least get them adopted. I’m just trying to help with damage control. He’s your friend. You could have done more than just stand there and laugh.”
Jacob lets out a deep breath. “You’re right.”
At least he had the decency to look abashed about it. I didn’t get the impression he was trying to be mean to Rex, but he certainly wasn’t jumping up to help him, either.
“What do you need, Rex?” Jacob asks, looking around the tent.
“I think I’m just going to pack up and go home. There’s no point in staying here. Or coming back tomorrow, for that matter.”
“Don’t say that,” I say, closing the distance between Rex and I, placing my hand on his arm. “This is just a little setback. Who knows, maybe someone found it endearing and will come back to ask more questions or make a donation?” I know it’s a stretch as I say it, but the look of disbelief on Rex’s face only confirms it.
“No, I think it’s best just to get everyone home.” He takes a step away to grab a garbage bag and start loading the scattered plastic balls in.
I slump my shoulders, missing the feel of the soft fabric of his plaid shirt under my hand. I’m overcome with sadness at how today played out for him. I’d really hoped that even though the town was familiar with him and his shelter, that new attention would be brought to him and his dogs. As much as I know he will be sad at being separated from Lucy, Ginger, or Fluffy, that he would be able to find them good homes with families to love them.
He doesn’t look at either of us as he cleans up the mess. Instead, he picks up the balls one-by-one, putting them in the black bag while still lovingly avoiding a bouncing Lucy as she circles around him.
“Come on, Berry. Let’s get to work,” Jacob says, shoving a black garbage bag into my hands.
“Berry?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Holly is a berry.”
“Do you give all strangers a nickname?”
“You aren’t a stranger anymore, Berry. You’re a Candy Cane Creeker now,” he says with a smile.
“I’m not staying, you know. I’m leaving as soon as my car is fixed.”
Jacob looks between Rex and me. “Sure, you are,” he chuckles to himself before joining Rex and helping him shove the now torn pool into a garbage bag.
I’m left standing and watching them, wondering why I no longer feel the excitement of leaving town and heading back to the city. I hate to admit it, but the town is growing on me. Looking at the moody man in front of me, with plaid shirts, dorky Christmas sweaters, and quirky dogs, I think it’s maybe more than just the town I’m starting to care for.