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Holly nodded. “It sounds like a great idea. Let’s see, the bookshop should be open now, but I can’t guarantee that Sunny is there.” Then she gave them directions to the bookshop. “And Odie might be at Frills & Heels, but he’s also been known to take on deputy duties.”

He surely hadn’t heard her right. “Excuse me, what?”

When they gave her a puzzled look, Holly said, “Belle’s fiancé is the sheriff. And sometimes Sheriff Bishop takes Odie out on patrol with him. The sheriff and Belle are getting married this month too.”

“Now that would be the money shot. The deputy duty, not the wedding. Though I’m sure it’ll be very nice too.”

It was only then he noticed Leah had moved on and was picking up more soaps. He felt bad about boring her. He’d just let himself get caught up in learning about last year’s Christmas puppies that he’d forgotten what they were doing there.

He looked back at Holly. “Thank you for the photos and for the update on the puppies.”

Just then the little bell above the front door jingled. Holly turned toward her newest arrivals before glancing back at him. “Excuse me.”

“Certainly.” He walked away feeling like things were beginning to turn around for him. The good news about last year’s puppies really buoyed his mood. When he stepped up to Leah, who was sniffing a small bell-shaped soap, he said, “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to become distracted.”

She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. You looked like you were really enjoying yourself learning about the puppies.”

He nodded. “I know how much my dad cares about them.”

“I think it’s more than your dad. I think you care a lot about the animals too. Otherwise, why would you have Mochi with you?”

Speaking of Mochi… He checked the time. They’d been gone longer than he’d imagined. Mochi was probably wondering if they were ever coming home again.

“What’s wrong?” Leah asked.

“It’s Mochi. I didn’t expect to be gone for hours.”

She nodded. “I understand. Do we need to go this minute?”

He shook his head. “She should be okay for a little longer.”

“Well, I’m almost done here.” She dropped a few more soaps into her basket. “After this I could run to the grocery store while you stop and pick up some clothes.”

He nodded. “That would work.”

It was at that moment that he noticed a gift basket filled with blue and white soaps. There were also some other bath accessories. He wondered if that was something his sister might like for Christmas.

Last year at this time, he’d been caught up in a nasty divorce. Presents and celebrating had been the very last thing on his mind.

This year, he felt like he had a new lease on life. And he wanted to get presents for his family—just a little something to say he cared.

The more he looked around, the more baskets he spotted. It was going to be really hard to narrow down which one he should get. They were each a little different in color and scents.

In the end, he returned to the blue and white one that he’d spotted first. He liked it, and it had a fancy blue bow.

He picked it up and turned to Leah, who was headed for the checkout. “What do you think of this?”

Her gaze moved to the basket, and she smiled. “I never imagined you as a loofah kind of guy.”

“What?” He looked at the basket and then back at her. “What’s loofah?”

“That white fluffy-looking thing.” She pointed to it. “Trust me. You’ll like it.”

“Oh. Uh, it isn’t for me. It’s a gift.”

Her gaze moved back to the basket. “I think it would make a lovely gift.”

He smiled as he nodded his head. “I thought so too.”