Page 65 of Mistletoe Mischief

Ryler laughed. “Places still close down on Sunday?”

“In Idaho they do.”

“Honestly, you’ve had a rough morning, so we can keep it simple. Explore the lake and get lunch. Maybe take the long way back?” she suggested.

“Sure.” Pike pulled off the road across from the historical site, where the rented SUV was parked.

Ryler set the puppy down in the back seat, ignoring her whining protest. They got out of the car and waved at the group across the road, who were taking pics in front of the sign.

“Where have you two been?” Neil asked.

“Pike stopped to talk to his business partner,” Ryler said quickly. “Pike offered to show us the lake, and then we can grab lunch. Kind of play the day by ear.”

“I’m down to get some scenic shots,” Kit said, holding up his Nikon camera.

Alia stood at the back of the SUV with her arms wrapped around her body. “Is it always so cold here?”

“Usually from October until May,” Pike said.

“That’s horrifying.”

“You can follow me,” Pike said, heading back to his car. The other three gave Ryler a look as if to ask, What’s his problem?

“I’m going to ride with Pike because he has a puppy in his car.”

Alia perked up. “Puppy?”

“Yep! Super cute Pomeranian.”

“Aw, I want to see,” Alia said, following Ryler across the road to the car. Ryler opened the door, and her cousin bent down, leaning into the car so only her butt stuck out.

“Well, hello, pumpkin. Aren’t you sweet?”

Ryler smiled. Although her aunt and uncle hadn’t liked animals in the house, Alia had been allowed one dog, a long-haired Chihuahua named Lucile. She’d been a spoiled, sweet creature who passed away when Alia was seventeen. She hadn’t wanted to get a dog since.

Alia leaned back out of the car with the puppy in her arms, cuddling and kissing her. “What’s her name?” Alia asked Pike, who had stopped next to the driver’s side door.

“Jolene. Jo for now.”

“Hello, Jo,” Alia said, letting the dog kiss her nose.

“Isn’t she darling?” Ryler said.

“Yes! I want her to ride in the car with me.”

Ryler glanced over at Pike, who shrugged. “That’s fine with me.”

“Yay,” Alia said, wrapping the leash around her wrist. “Don’t mind Neil’s driving,” she murmured to the dog. “He just likes to follow all the rules because he can’t ruin his perfect record.”

Pike shook his head, and Ryler asked, “What?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking that talking to animals thing really does happen to everyone.”

Ryler laughed. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve been talking to your dog?”

“First of all, temporary guardianship doesn’t make her mine, and second of all, yes, I absolutely have, especially at five a.m. on the front lawn when the damn thing won’t take a piss.”

“Oh boy, you’re a goner,” Ryler said, climbing into his car. “Deny it all you want, but the minute you start talking to animals, they’ve got their hooks into you. There is no escaping that little fur ball now.”