“She’s having so much fun.”
The chow dog splashed through the water and climbed up the opposite bank. She shook herself off and glanced back at them as if challenging them to keep up. She barked once, and Sierra went off after her, but stopped before getting into the water.
“Guess she doesn’t want to get wet,” Brian said. “There’s a footbridge a little further on we can use. Come on, Sierra.”
The larger chow clambered back up the creek bank and followed them over a set of planks fording the water.
As soon as they were on the other side, Sierra sniffed the air and went off after Melia.
“Where are they going?” Cait asked. “Should we have put them on a leash? I’d hate for them to get lost again.”
“They’ll be fine,” Brian said. “They found the cabin and they know we have food. Let’s see what’s so interesting. Maybe they scented a deer.”
Whatever it was, the two dogs seemed excited. They raced across a clearing and clambered up a hill, then tore through a hedge of bushes.
Excited barks and howls came from the two dogs as they circled a nicely shaped fir tree, and a series of chuffing and barking sounds swished through the top branches of the tree.
“That would have been a perfect tree if it weren’t for the squirrel family living there,” Brian said, pointing to the tiny figures waving their bushy tails.
“We can’t take their home,” Cait agreed. “Maybe instead of cutting down a tree, we can decorate it out here.”
“I like the way you think,” Brian said. “I’ve always felt sad for Christmas trees. Cut off and slowly dying while people dress them up with pretty lights and glittering balls. Can you imagine if a family of trees hung ornaments and tinsel over a large human skeleton?”
“Ewww, that would be gruesome.” Cait suppressed a shiver. She would never understand how Brian’s mind worked. He supposedly took everything literally, yet, here he was, switching the roles of humans and trees.
“They could even put a crown of stars on the top of the skull.” Brian shielded his eyes and looked up at the top of the tree with its pointed spire.
“You never said anything when we went Christmas tree shopping.” Cait took his hand and squeezed it.
“Those trees were already cut, and I didn’t want to offend anyone. Your family loves Christmas trees, and they’re expecting me to cut one down for you.” Brian pursed his lips and shrugged.
“You’re definitely not committing tree murder on my account. This tree is perfect the way it is, teeming with life.” She watched the branches tumble and bounce from the scampering squirrels. “I can’t wait to bring out some ornaments. We don’t have to have lights, but we can hang tinsel. I’m sure the squirrels will enjoy a popcorn garland.”
“It’s too high up for me to put a star up there.” Brian shielded his eyes. “It’s at least twenty feet.”
“There will be real stars in the sky at night,” Cait said. “And the moon will light everything up.”
“I hope it snows before Christmas. Then we’d have a frosted tree naturally.”
“Right, without the artificial flocking,” Cait agreed. “It’ll be fabulous. Our best Christmas tree ever.”
Brian’s eyes crinkled, smiling for the first time since she’d had her accident. She turned her face toward him, limited by the neck brace. He leaned in to kiss her, and they bumped noses.
“Ow,” Cait said, and Brian rubbed his nose. “Sorry.”
The squirrels chattered, and the dogs barked, but Brian held her head with both his hands and turned his head ninety degrees to land the kiss.
She trembled as his lips touched and caressed hers, so careful and tender. A spark she’d never felt before lit her heart, and it was as if she’d never truly kissed him before.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled the fresh scent of pine and spruce, and kissed him back.
“Wow,” he said when they broke for air. His eyes were wide and so very blue, and she knew he’d felt it too—a connection, touched for the first time, full of promise.
“No more blue Christmases for us.” She pecked his lips.
“You mean the ones where I’m at the firehouse and you’re with your family?” His lips twisted in a wry smile.
“Exactly. This Christmas is going to be just you and me.” She melted into his arms, but his entire body stiffened and he pulled away.
