Ace snickered. “It is.Yours.”
“I’m helping you train your puppy for free, and that’s the thanks I get?” Joker said something in German, and Chip darted over to Ace. He lifted his leg, and Ace yelped, making everyone laugh.
“I’m sorry!” Ace sighed with relief when Joker called Chip off. He narrowed his eyes at his friend. “You will not teach my precious furry boy to pee on someone on command.” He seemed to think about it. “Never mind. I retract that request. Might come in handy.”
“On that note,” Jack said, taking a travel mug from Fitz. “I’m off.”
Fitz handed Jack the insulated food bag he’d put together. “Breakfast and snacks.”
Everyoneaw’d, and Jack flipped them off. He kissed Fitz’s cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Make sure you eat. I’ll come by at lunch and bring you food.”
Jack waved goodbye to everyone, and Fitz sighed. There went one sexy Italian.
Like every other instance when they were all together, the kitchen was filled with talk and laughter. When they finished breakfast, Lucky and Mason headed to the Ice Castle. Now that the roof supplies and the techy electrical stuff Jack needed had arrived, the guys were working hard to get the building up and running. Without it, Winterhaven was in danger of canceling their holiday festivities.
When Colton had surprised their family with a luxury cabin in the picturesque town of Winterhaven—theperfect Christmas destination—he’d known about the town hall being out of commission due to a terrible snowstorm. He’d had no idea the town hall was the same building as the Ice Castle, where all the town’s festivities were held.
“I know I’ve said it before, Colton,” Fitz said, motioning for Duchess to jump into the SUV before him. She looked fabulous in her hooded pink winter coat and matching winter booties. “But what you’re doing is amazing.”
Next to Gio, Colton was one of the most selfless, generous men Fitz had ever known. Colton might not be a philanthropist like Gio, but like his best friend, Colton didn’t hoard his wealth. He loved helping people and, in this instance, was determined to help Winterhaven pull off another successful holiday season, starting with getting all the supplies the town needed shipped in.
“Just doing what I can to help,” Colton replied. “We’re meeting Clara and the rest of the helpers in the town square. We will start there while the lights go up down the main street. Then we’ll all move on to the main street and hopefully the Ice Castle.”
They parked off the town square across the street from the Ice Castle. It made unpacking all the fur baby stuff easier. Each dog had a bag with everything from treats and food to water bowls and blankets.
All of the festivities were held in the Ice Castle, while the townspeople sold their holiday goodies from the market square stalls, all of which had yet to be set up or decorated because who were they going to sell to? All the guests had canceled when told the Ice Castle was out of commission.
“What’s the plan?” Fitz asked as they started walking.
“Joker, Gio, Laz, and King will work on the main streetlights. Noel and some of the other townspeople will be there to help. Ace and I will drop off Cocoa with Amara and Dotty, who are puppy-sitting for us, and then we’ll join Leo, Fitz, Merry, Clara, and some of the other townspeople in decorating the town square and market stalls.”
“How will we know what goes where?” Leo asked worriedly, the giant pom-pom on his red knitted hat making Fitz snicker. It was almost the size of his head. Leo was too freaking adorable.
“All the decor has been sorted and separated into labeled containers. Clara will have folders for everyone with photos of each stall from the previous year and a list of decor for each stall. Each one will be labeled with the corresponding containers’ numbers, making decorating quick and easy.”
When they reached the snow-covered cobblestone square—which was actually round—it was lined with rows and rows of containers, all clearly and neatly labeled. Clara greeted them and handed out folders.
“That stall over there has been set up with drinks and snacks for everyone,” she said. “There are also heaters to warm yourselves and your pups.” She looked at Fitz, who laughed.
“Thank you.”
Considering he wore sweaters in Florida because he ran cold, this weather was a whole other level of frosty for him, despite wearing a thick cashmere sweater, faux fur coat, gloves, a scarf, hat, and earmuffs. There was only so much winter chill he could take. He was already looking forward to decorating inside the Ice Castle once the heating was fixed.
“We’ll break for lunch at noon,” Clara said.
Festive music started playing from the speakers on the lampposts around the town square, and everyone got to work. Fitz set Duchess up in the stall with the heaters where she’d be nice and cozy. If she got too warm, she’d wander to where he was.
Fitz had his folder and his assistant decorators. They had quite the task ahead of them. There were two dozen stalls, all arranged in rows around the giant Christmas tree in the center, which also had to be decorated.
“Okay, boys, it looks like each stall gets one decorated garland along the top of the roof.” He glanced at Leo and Merry. Hmm. Adorable, but if Fitz intended to get through this with as few injuries as possible, it was best he not put either of them up on a ladder. He’d have to do it himself. “Why don’t you two hold the garland for me since it’s pretty thick and long.” Fitz gasped. “Oh no!” He scanned the area around him.
“What are you looking for?” Merry whispered.
Fitz opened his mouth to reply when Ace popped up from behind the stall, scaring the life out of Fitz.
“That’s what he said!”
