Page 56 of This Christmas

Faye was already at the counter, making enough hot chocolate to drown a small army, if the size of the pot was any indication. Charlotte was perched on a stool, and Olaf sat at her feet, his tail sweeping slowly across the wood floor. The dog’s eyes never left her, which meant his loyalty had already been given to the child.

Joe slid into the booth beside Ally and wrapped his arm around her. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

“As long as she is.” Her hands trembled slightly as she unzipped her coat, removed it, and smoothed her hair back. “He didn’t even look at her,” she murmured.

He nodded. “Yeah, I doubt he’s thinking clearly anymore. I think your move here has broken something in him. Which makes him more dangerous.”

She met his gaze, and he could see in her eyes that she was full of fear and exhaustion. “What am I going to do if he doesn’t stop?”

“We,” he corrected her, covering her hand with his. “We keep doing what we’re doing—staying smart, staying alert, and protecting Charlotte at all cost. I think Olaf proved his worth earlier. He’d already do anything to protect her.” He motioned toward the pair. Olaf was still patiently waiting for Charlotte to drop a piece of cookie as he watched over her.

Ally’s shoulders dropped a fraction, and he could see the gratitude flicker in her expression before Faye came over with a tray loaded with steaming mugs and a mountain of Christmas cookies. Charlotte rushed over and climbed into the booth across from them. The dog curled up at her feet.

“Here we go,” Faye announced cheerfully as she set everything down on the table. “Extra marshmallows for Charlotte, and peppermint hot chocolate for the grownups. Eat, drink, and pretend that fool doesn’t exist for a little while,” Faye added before turning around and helping a family that had walked in.

Charlotte giggled as whipped cream stuck to her upper lip. “This is the best day ever,” she said through a mouthful of cookie, and the sound was enough to break the heaviness lingering in Joe’s chest. “Isn’t it, Olaf?” she asked, giving the dog one of the dog treats Faye had given Charlotte to give to him.

They sipped cocoa and listened to the carolers who stood outside the frosted window, serenading the patrons. For a moment, everything felt normal. Right.

The bell over the door jingled a while later and Tom stepped in. As he brushed snow off his hat, he glanced around for them.

“Hey,” he said walking over to their booth. “I didn’t find Ted. He must’ve driven off before I could catch him.” His gaze shifted to Ally. “We’ll keep an eye out for him on the roads and watch the house tonight as well. I’ve already got two cars doing extra rounds near the bluff.”

Ally exhaled shakily. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “And just so you know, it’s all clear back at the house, so you can head home when you’re ready.”

Joe gave him a short nod and shook his hand. “Thanks, we appreciate it.”

After Tom left, the quiet settled again. When he noticed Charlotte’s head drooping, he asked, “Are you ready to go?”

She hesitated, looking at Charlotte, who was fighting to keep her eyes open over her half-finished cocoa. “Yeah,” she said softly. “Let’s go.”

By the time they left, the snow had slowed to a light dusting. Charlotte was half-asleep in Ally’s arms and Olaf was tucked securely in Joe’s coat, with only his small black nose poking out.

“If it’s okay, I want to stop at the store to get him some basics,” he said as he opened the car door for Ally.

“That sounds good. They have pet supplies at the grocery store.”

He smiled, then rubbed Olaf’s soft ears.

The grocery store’s windows were lined with twinkle lights and chalk drawings of reindeer and Santa.

Charlotte perked up the second they stepped through the door. “Can I pick his toys?” she asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

“Sure,” Joe said, setting Olaf down carefully on the floor and handing her his leash. The puppy immediately started sniffing the air and wagging his tail like he owned the place.

Ally followed beside him. She was still being quiet, but at least she looked steadier now and there was color back in her cheeks.

“What are you going to get him?”

“Well, since he’s our security system now,” he joked, “he deserves the works.”

She let out a small laugh, one that warmed him straight through.

They filled the cart quickly with two plush gray dog beds, one for downstairs and one for the bedroom, a large bag of puppy chow, a few squeaky toys that Charlotte picked out, and a bright blue leash that was better than the rope one the vet had given him. Ally grabbed small food and water bowls shaped like bones. “These are cute.”

Charlotte giggled as Olaf tugged on a stuffed reindeer twice his size. “I think he likes this one, Mommy.”