On my front porch were Caroline and Dakota, a large plastic container of cookies in Caroline’s hands.
“Oh, let me take that.” I reached out and relieved her of the big container. “Come on in, y’all. I just need to put my cookies in the box and then we can go.”
It wasn’t long until we were walking across the street to the Harris house. They didn’t compete in the light display competition, but Mr. Harris had put a few strands of lights upacross their gutters. I’d helped them get those up the first year I started to compete, and then we installed permanent hooks so Mr. Harris could do it himself, for the most part.
We knocked on the door, but I knew better than to wait. Mrs. Harris had made it clear that when there were parties going on, the rule was you just came into the house. As we stepped inside, we were enveloped by warmth and the spicy scent of mulled cider simmering in the kitchen.
“Colin!” Mrs. Harris said the moment she laid eyes on me before throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.
I squeezed her back briefly, my box of cookies in one hand. “Hi, Mrs. Harris. This is Dakota. Have you had a chance to meet?”
“Not yet. I’m so glad you came though. And who’s this?” She nodded at Caroline.
“This is my daughter, Caroline,” Dakota said as Lina hid behind him. “Come on Lina, show her the cookies we brought.”
Caroline gave her a shy smile and held out their container of cookies. “I helped make them.”
Mrs. Harris nodded seriously and took the container. “Very nice. I can’t wait to try some. I hope I get a chance!” She dipped down to Caroline’s level. “Now, there are some other kids in the backyard. We have a big swing set. If your dad says it’s okay, you’re welcome to go out there and join them.”
She looked up at Dakota with wide eyes and he grinned at her. “Go have fun.” With that, Caroline dashed through the house and into the backyard.
“Do you have kids?” Dakota asked Mrs. Harris.
“My kids are all grown up now, in their thirties, with kids of their own. I’d imagine they’re about your age, actually,” she said. Another neighbor came in then, and Mrs. Harris gave us an apologetic smile. “I’m going to go say hi. Make sure you fill out the little name card for each type of cookie.”
About a half hour later, the cookie exchange officially started. Mrs. Harris had set up the cards next to each cookie variety, listing the name of the cookie and who’d made them. As we mingled and selected cookies, several neighbors introduced themselves to Dakota, welcoming him to the area. I thought we’d made it through without having to dive into explaining our new relationship until Margie Peterson approached us—the neighborhood gossip.
Margie, who was in her seventies, had beautiful wavy gray hair that hung down her back and mischievous green eyes, and she approached us like a shark that smelled blood in the water. “Well, hello there,” she said as she sidled up to us. “I don’t think we’ve met yet.”
“Margie, this is Dakota. He’s a new neighbor. Moved into the Samuels’ place.”
“Soglad to meet you.” She offered her hand to shake, and Dakota took it.
“Same here,” he said.
“Now,” Margie continued. “How do you two know each other?”
I scoffed. “You do know I live next door to the Samuels’ house, don’t you?”
She shrugged. “Well, you know, I’ve seen you spending a lot of time together. You even helped him with his lights display.”
With a soft sigh, I leaned in close. “We’re dating. Don’t tell anyone though. It’s still pretty new.”
Margie squealed softly and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you.” After another moment, she bustled away to find someone else, smiling widely. “Harriet, you’re not getting away that easily.”
I laughed as soon as she was out of earshot, and Dakota gave me a look of confusion.
“What was that about?”
“Me telling Margie we’re dating?”
He shook his head. “You told her not to tell anyone. Are we keeping it a secret?”
I laughed again. “Not even remotely. Margie is the biggest gossip in Pinehaven. Don’t worry. By the time Lina is headed back to her mom’s house, everyone in the neighborhood will know we’re together.”
Dakota let out a nervous little chuckle. “Everyone?”
“I hope that’s okay. You said we could tell anyone we wanted.”
