I grinned, my heart melting. “That’s true. Santa knows everything and he can find anyone.” I hesitated for a moment. “What are you asking Santa to bring you this year?”
“A pointy princess hat and a white pony.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s a tall order, asking for a pony.”
She shrugged. “My friend Sarah has a pony. A real one. He’s brown though. I want a white one, like a real princess would have.”
“And where would you keep him?” I asked.
Another shrug. “In the backyard,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Dakota put a hand on her little shoulder. “Let’s get inside, baby. It’s cold out here. Besides, I’m sure Mr. Colin has more to do than just chat with us.”
From where I sat, I could hear her exasperated sigh. “Okay. Bye, Mr. Colin.” She waved and trudged away, toward her ownhouse. Dakota gave me one last glance and a little wave before following her inside.
He was just being friendly, I told myself, despite the butterflies that fluttered through me when he waved.Nothing to see here.
An hour or so later, I was satisfied with my work on the roof. The stars were arranged the way I’d envisioned, and I was getting colder by the minute. I scooted toward the ladder, but as I swung my foot over the side, the leg of my jeans caught on one of the rails. I pulled my leg back to avoid getting tangled or pulled off the roof, and as I did, the ladder wobbled. I reached for it, but it was too late—the ladder rocked away from the roof and crashed to the ground with a loud clatter.
I sank to a sitting position with a deep sigh. “Well…” I said to myself after staring at the now-grounded ladder for a moment. “Now what?” It was quiet out—all of my neighbors were off doing their own things, it seemed. Of course, I’d left my phone on the porch downstairs. Therewasa tiny window above the porch, but it wasn’t the kind that opened, and breaking the glass seemed extreme.
My mind raced through options. I couldtryto carefully lower myself to the ground. That seemed like the most practical option, if none of my neighbors passed by anytime soon. I didn’t want to spend the evening getting colder and colder on my roof and being stranded until dark. The only other option was to start shouting for help and hope someone heard me.
I closed my eyes and thought for a minute, combing my brain for other possibilities. As I sat there, I heard a door shut and my eyes flew open.
“Hi, Mr. Colin!” Caroline was skipping toward me, wearing a hat and gloves. “Were you sleeping up there?”
I laughed. “Not sleeping. Just waiting. Can you go get your daddy?”
“What were you waiting for?”
“I’m stuck—see?” I pointed at the downed ladder. “Do you think your daddy can help me get down?”
She nodded solemnly. “Be right back,” she called as she raced away. A few minutes later, she was back, leading Dakota by one hand. “Here we are,” she announced.
Sheepishly, I waved to Dakota. “Hey there. I was hoping you could help… my ladder fell.”
He chuckled and nodded, tugging his hand free of Caroline’s. “Sure thing. Lina, stay back, okay baby? I don’t want you to get hurt.” She nodded and scrambled a safe distance away while Dakota hefted the ladder and rested it against the roof.
Relief surged through me. I grabbed the empty light spools and passed them down before climbing down myself. As I descended, Dakota continued to hold the ladder steady, spotting me for safety.
“You really shouldn’t be doing this alone. You could get hurt.”
A few steps later, I was securely on the ground and Dakota was stepping back to give me space. “Apparently, you’re right. The roofisdangerous.”
He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck bashfully before looking at Caroline. “Hear that, Lina?”
She sighed and nodded. “Can we go play now?”
“Of course, baby.” He gave me another glance. “Are you going to be okay now?”
My stomach fluttered again. I forced myself to take a breath, smile, and nod. “A hundred percent.”
A few moments later, I watched as Dakota and Caroline retreated into their yard, Caroline shouting something about a dragon. I watched them for a moment, my chest aching, before I turned away and refocused on my decorations.
Chapter 3
Dakota
