“That’s great, Hailey,” he said, his serious expression suddenly softening. “I’m so happy for you. And for me and the kids too.”
“Me too,” she told him, meaning it.
Shadow whined in the back seat, like she was eager to get to the party, and Hailey laughed.
“Hang on,” Ransom said.
This time, he got out and came to open her door, offering her his hand so that he could help her down.
She smiled, feeling like a princess.
Next he got Shadow out, and the three of them headed down the path past the house to the old barn, which was lit up from within. Happy voices and music floated from the barn doors.
“Are you sure she can handle this?” Hailey asked, glancing down at the dog.
But she looked very excited to attend a barn party, and she was behaving beautifully on her lead.
“I think she was born for this,” Ransom said proudly.
They slipped in the door and one of the Cassidy boys nodded to Ransom and gave Hailey a little wave.
“Watch this,” Ransom said to Hailey, then turned to the crowd. “Ho, ho, ho.”
Hailey watched as the whole crowd parted to make way for Ransom to walk Shadow into the thick of the party.
“Today I’m Santa’s helper,” Ransom boomed. “And I’m looking for Amelia Green.”
Hailey had to smile as she watched Ransom walk the beautiful dog up to a little girl who gazed at Shadow with an awed expression before turning to the woman beside her, who nodded.
“Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness,”the little girl, who had to be Amelia, cried before embracing the dog, who all but embraced her back.
This was the child who had seizures, who Shadow was going to help. Hailey had tears in her eyes as she watched Ransom say a few words to the family before heading back her way.
“She’s so happy,” he said, grabbing Hailey’s hand and looking incredibly happy himself.
“They both look so happy,” Hailey said, indicating the dog, whose tail was swishing as she snuggled up to her new best friend. “You’re an excellent matchmaker.”
“Maybe with dogs,” he said, frowning. “But I almost lost the love of my life.”
“I think it was all meant to be,” Hailey told him. “If we hadn’t broken up you wouldn’t have Travis and Mae.”
“True,” he said, nodding.
“Besides,” she told him. “We were just kids back then. I only wish you hadn’t dumped me right before prom.”
“Can I make it up to you now?” Ransom asked. “May I have this dance?”
Natalie Cassidy was playing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on her acoustic guitar and her stepson, Wyatt, was singing along while Wyatt’s sister and their dad cheered for them.
“Yes,” she told Ransom. “I’d like that.”
The next thing she knew, he was holding her close and they were swaying to the lovely music.
Something about being in the warmth of the barn, surrounded by friends, with music playing on a cold, snowy evening felt magical.
“Is this even real?” she murmured out loud without meaning to.
“If it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up,” Ransom said, his voice deep with emotion.
