Benny made a face. “Yeah. I don’t think I want to remember that. I need a better name.”
“How about Pixel?” The question came from out in the hall, where a man stood holding a platter.
“Thank you, Matt,” MJ said, rushing to take it from him. “I appreciate the help.”
Matt Walker, the older guest staying in Cabin Five since Thanksgiving, had been in and out of the kitchen with MJ all morning.
As always, he wore a quietly expensive sweater Nicole suspected didn’t come from the Main Street tourist shops. He and MJ had been laughing a lot lately and, today, he’d lingered all morning.
Well, hewasalone on Christmas, which was sad and…curious. Why was he here at a ski lodge in the mountains by himself for a month now? And showing no signs of leaving?
Before she could give it much thought, the naming suggestions heated up, stealing her attention.
“Chip?” Jack tried when Benny rejected Matt’s suggestion of Pixel because it sounded too much like a movie studio.
“Cache or Cookie?” Cindy suggested, the two of them obviously having a grand time making up names.
“How about a famous scientist or computer nerd?” MJ asked. “Like Einstein.”
“Or Woz,” Nicole offered. “As in Steve Wozniak.”
“Whoever that is,” Red grumbled.
“Einstein’s good,” Benny admitted. “But a little obvious.” He buried his face in the puppy’s fur, the dog licking his chin. “What’s your name, little fellow?”
“You think some more and we’ll do another round of presents,” MJ suggested, already half turned toward the kitchen. “I’ve got a quiche that needs to come out of the oven that I promised to the folks in Cabin Three. I know they usually come to us and eat in the dining room, but everyone wants to respect our family time, so I’m taking some things out to them.”
“You’re the best.” Cindy blew a kiss to her sister. “And if you need help?—”
“I’m helping her,” Matt said. “Y’all just relax and enjoy your Christmas.”
MJ turned and gave him the warmest smile, her crystal blue eyes looking especially bright this morning and her auburn hair styled as neat as Nicole could remember seeing it. She even had a little makeup on.
Was that Christmas morning…or Matt Walker?
“This one’s from you, Nicole!” Benny shouted, sliding an oversized envelope from under the tree. “It has paw prints on it and says ‘for my cousin.’” He looked over the rims of his glasses. “Actually, you and my mom are cousins. We are first cousins once?—”
“Removed,” she finished for him, giving him a playful nudge. “Iknow, Benny. Open your present. It might be for you and…Debug.”
“Debug.” He giggled and pointed the envelope at her. “I don’t hate that.” Then, he tore at the paper, frowning at the words on the certificate he pulled out. “One Week At Paws & Pals Winter Training Camp!” he exclaimed, looking almost as excited as he had been for the dog. “It’s this week! Dog training school at Canine Canyon Refuge!” He turned to his mother. “Can I go?”
“Of course,” Gracie exclaimed. “That’s the refuge where we got…Em-dash.”
He scanned the page. “This is so cool, Nicole! I can teach him to sit and roll over and give me a paw.”
“And go outside to do all his business,” Nicole added, winking at Gracie. “So, it’s really for both of you.”
“Thank you,” her cousin mouthed.
“They offer the class to kids who got dogs for Christmas,” Benny said as he read the flyer. “Listen! ‘Four- and two-legged students attend obedience basics followed by winter play andleash walks. Listen to a vet teach the How to Be a Good Dog Owner workshop. Best of all, Puppy Pals Social Hour with hot chocolate for humans and tiny biscuits for the dogs.’”
“Now that’s a great way to spend winter vacation,” Red said. “I think I’d like to go.”
“You can come with me, Grandpa!” Benny cooed, always ready to make room for his beloved great-grandfather.
“Oh, I think it’s for kids only,” Gracie said quickly. “But you can teach us all what you and, um, Crash learn.”
He looked up, the joy tempered by trepidation. “Lots of kids?” he asked, trying to sound casual but Nicole knew he wasn’t.
