“You’ll need to wear something warmer because the pond gets chilly. Here.”
He took off his winter coat and tucked it over my shoulders, the scent of pine and wood smoke mingling pleasantly in the air. “You never did say if you like dogs or not.”
I tugged his coat closer around me, breathing deep. “Ilovedogs. But they need to get along with my cat Snowball.”
“Snowball, huh? That’s a good name for a cat. Is it white?”
“He is. And he’s perpetually spoiled. I installed a cat ramp along my wall that leads to three different basking stations so he can follow the trail of the sun as it goes across the sky.”
“Sounds like a lucky cat. I’d like to meet him someday.”
“You want to meet my cat?” It was practically a marriage proposal!
“Yes, ma’am. And I’ll introduce you to my dogs, too. I’ve got Droolius Ceasar, Sir Barks A Lot, and Pesto.”
His fingers coiled around mine, and suddenly my entire world was complete.
Chapter 14
Violet
I almost didn’t want to open today’s Secret Santa gift.
Last night had been the mostamazingnight of my life. Easton and I had shared peppermint bark and mint chocolate hot cocoa. Then, we headed to the ice-skating pond, where he’d had to save me from falling approximately one-thousand times.
Every single time his strong arms had caught me and kept me from falling had felt like the wildest sex I’d ever had.
I was inheatfor that man. I swear.
But that meant that whoever my Secret Santa was would have a hurt heart at the end of this. And I felt bad for them.
Even though we hadn’t kissed at the end of the night, Eastonhadasked me out again. He wanted to take me to the Bear Den for drinks tomorrow night.
The name of that place intimidated me, but I’d still told him yes.
That was theonlyanswer I’d ever have for that man.
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.
And on top of that, we had plans to go to the roller skating rink in Fernwood this weekend, even though he said he hadn’t put skates on his feet since middle school.
What had felt like an insane crush was turning into a dream come true. But now I had to deal with my Secret Santa.
Lenore was standing right behind me, breathing hard with anticipation. “Open it already!”
Mike and Frank were standing by, waiting to see what I’d got. Both of them had hardly spoken a single word to me since I arrived on the job. And it made me think maybe these gifts were from one of them. Otherwise, why would they be so interested in watching me unwrap it?
Reluctantly, I peeled the tape off the Christmas goat wrapping paper.
It was a big box, and when I got it open, I buried my head in my hands. “This istoomuch! Too much.”
Nicole shook her head. “Naw. These are great boots. What’s on the card?”
I’d never worn cowgirl boots a day in my life. But if I were going to wear a pair,thisis the pair I’d want. They were bold and loud. The pink boots had red roses embossed on them.
This was day nine of the song, and the gift represented the nine ladies dancing. Opening up the card, I saw a reservation for a series of nine line-dancing lessons held at the Bear Den.
That was a coincidence, since Easton and I had just decided to go there. The first lesson was scheduled on our date night. Would it be weird to use my Secret Santa gift on my date with Easton?
