Chapter Twenty-One
One text message.
One short two-word sentence. I’m okay.
It’s all Colin heard from Holly that day. Still, it was better than nothing, but he didn’t believe her. And he didn’t know if Roger and Billie Jean were still in town or not.
He had a hard time concentrating at work. At least it gave him something to do, instead of pacing a hole in the floor. He told himself that she was okay or she would have called him, but after her parting words, he wasn’t so sure anymore.
After he saw his last patient, he couldn’t take it any longer. He had to go see her with his own eyes. And he had the perfect excuse. So, he let the staff lock up as he slipped out the back door.
It was already dark out as he drove to Holly’s place. The short days were one of the things that he didn’t like about winter. But the Christmas lights in the shop windows and twinkle lights adorning the houses along the quiet street offset the dreariness of the early darkness.
He pulled up and noticed the soap company was still open. He checked the time. It wasn’t quite five o’clock yet.
He didn’t let the store still being open deter him.
He was a man on a mission. A customer exited just as he approached the door.
He waited until they passed, and then he stepped inside.
He inhaled the layered scents from vanilla and cinnamon to sandalwood and jasmine.
The many scents blended together and created a cozy ambience.
He looked around but didn’t spot Holly. There were a couple of other people in the shop, looking around at the many different types of soap. He made his way back to the checkout counter.
Just then Holly stepped out from the back room, carrying a cardboard box. When she saw him standing there, her eyes widened. “Colin, what are you doing here?”
“I thought we should talk.”
She shook her head. “Now isn’t a good time. I have customers.”
“This won’t take long.”
She placed the box on the counter. It was then that he saw the dark shadows under her eyes. It confirmed that he was doing was the right thing for her. He just hoped she agreed.
And then because he couldn’t resist, he asked, “How are you doing?”
She shrugged. “Okay. I guess. The attorney came back to town and took care of things. Roger and Billie Jean don’t have a case and left. Hopefully, they won’t be back.”
“That’s good.” He wanted to know how the attorney accomplished such a feat, but he’d promised to keep this conversation short. “I have it on good authority that Tater Tot is missing you something awful.”
She didn’t look at him. “I’m sure he just needs time to adjust to his new family.”
Colin shook his head. “He’s still with Merry.”
This time her gaze met his. “He is? But why?”
Colin chose to ignore the why question and instead told her the best part. “If you want him back, Merry will give him to you permanently.”
He wasn’t sure what reaction he was expecting, but when she smiled, his heart thumped. Her smile was bright, like the clouds had parted, and the sun had come out again.
And then her smile faltered. “Are you sure? I mean, she said she had the perfect family for him.”
“Yes, I’m sure. And the perfect family for him is you. He loves you. And I think you love him too.”
She nodded. “I…I do.”
“If you hurry, I think you can find Merry at the Gingerbread house contest.”
She glanced past him. “It looks like my last customers just left. I can lock up now.”
She did a few last-minute things before putting the Closed sign in the window. He hung around to keep her company. The truth was that he enjoyed being around her. He just wished she felt the same way.
As they moved to the door and she turned off the lights, she turned to him. “Are you coming with me?”
He wanted to, but he didn’t feel it was his place. He’d come here to do what he’d intended, and now it was time for him to leave.
“I’ve got some stuff to do at home. Tell Tater Tot I said hi.” And then he walked toward his pickup.
The visit didn’t end the way he wished it would have, but at least he knew that Holly and Tater Tot would be reunited. He told himself that was the important part.
She’d ruined things.
As Holly rushed over to the gingerbread house contest, she couldn’t help but regret the way she’d handled things with Colin. He’d smiled, and he’d been kind, but she felt a distance between them that hadn’t been there before. And it was all her fault.
When she arrived at the gingerbread house contest, she glanced around for Merry. She easily found her in the midst of a small crowd. Holly’s stomach shivered with nerves. What if it was too late? What if Tater Tot already went to his new home?
Shoving aside her worries, she approached the group. It took a few minutes until she made her way to Merry. “Hi. Looks like you have a big turnout.”
Merry smiled and nodded as she glanced around. “More than last year. It’s great to see so many people coming out to take part.” Merry’s gaze settled on her. “How about you? Can I sign you up?”
“Uh, I don’t think so.” It was time to get to the point of her visit. “I actually wanted to talk to you about Tater Tot. I made the biggest mistake by giving him up. I heard you might still have him. Is there any way I can get him back?”
Merry smiled. “I’m so glad to hear it because he’s missing you something awful. And my husband’s allergies are a mess.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry about your husband.”
“He’ll be fine. I gave him some allergy medicine. I’m just so glad that you and Tater Tot will be together.”
“But what about the other family?”
Merry waved away her concern. “Don’t worry about them. I’ll find them another dog to adopt. I firmly believe dogs should go to the homes where they are meant to be. And Tater Tot is meant to be with you.”
Holly breathed a sigh of relief. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”
“I can’t leave to get him until the contest is over.” Merry’s eyes widened as though as idea had just come to her. “I know, why don’t you have a seat and participate?”
Holly shook her head. “I’m not very artistic.”
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen those beautiful baskets you create at the soap company. You’re definitely artistic.”
Holly knew she wasn’t going to win this argument. So, she went and looked for a seat. When she spotted Belle, she headed in that direction, until she noticed that her friend wasn’t alone. Interesting. Very interesting.
She turned and went in the other direction.
At last, she found a seat in the back of the room.
She ended up not being alone because Melody James, who lived next-door to the soap company, sat on one side of her.
And some other friends sat at the table.
At first, she wasn’t sure what to say about the mess with Roger and Billie Jean, but to her relief no one brought up the subject.
Casual chit-chat about the holidays went around the table, and Holly remembered what she loved so much about this town—its warmth and compassion.
She worked on the gingerbread house and found herself enjoying it. She had Colin to thank for getting her there this evening. She missed him and wished he’d come with her. She regretted pushing him away. She wished she could take it back, but it was too late for that now.
Still, she had a lot to thank him for. She should get him a Christmas present. It was last minute, but surely she could find him a little something special. She’d go shopping the next day.
When time was up, she inspected her house. She’d selected a red, green, and white theme. There were peppermint candy shingles. Red and green gumdrops outlined the roof. Small red and green candies with white frosting outlined the windows, door, and corners of the house.
In the yard, she’d made a tree of white frosting and sprinkled it with coarse green sugar. There were candy cane fences and gumdrop bushes in the yard. It wasn’t perfect, but at least it was presentable.
When she won third place, she was shocked.
She was presented with a white ribbon and a gift certificate to The Peppermint Courtyard, which she found rather ironic.
She would give it to Colin because she couldn’t imagine herself going there without him.
And then Merry presented her with Tater Tot, who lathered her with kisses.
She didn’t know until that moment how much she loved and missed him. From this day forward, they would be together. There was only one person missing from their family—Colin.