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By the time Merry put the food away, her head was pounding from the noises coming out of the pup.
“The vet said crate training is the way to go, but I don’t know if I can take that screaming all night.”
Clark came over next to her and took the dishes out of her hands. “You go see to her and I’ll clean up.”
“You’re my guest.”
“And you were an excellent host. Besides, I think you should go into the yard and check out the sky. It’s gorgeous.” He looked out the window with a smile. “The sun is setting fast.”
Merry assumed he wanted her to see her new Christmas lights, and she ran her hand along his shoulders as she passed. Once she pulled the door of the cage, the puppy ran for the front door, scratching to go out.
Jace opened the door and she tumbled down the stairs. Merry wanted to see if she was hurt, but she was already up and running. Merry flipped on the porch light, even though the sky was still light enough to watch her new dog do its business. She was going to need to invest in a pooper scooper tomorrow.
Shoot, she had to work tomorrow. What was she going to do with the puppy during the seven hours she’d be gone? She’d have to talk to her dad. Maybe they could keep her up at the house with Butch.
“I don’t see anything, Clark!” she called.
“Give it a minute. It’s almost time.”
Suddenly, LED lights came to life unde the trim of her house, the bulbs blinking in a wave of color. On the wall next to her window, swirling red and green lasers circled around Merry Christmas in bold cursive.
“It’s wonderful,” she said in awe.
Clark came out of the house, his warm breath fogging as it connected with the cold. “Not mad at me anymore for taking liberties with your decorating?”
“I was never mad. I just hate asking for help.”
“Well, you should get over that, because I like helping out my friends.”
The word “friend” thrust through her like a sword. Was that really all this was? She could have sworn he was feeling this too, but maybe she was imagining it. Their almost kiss…could it have been all in her head?
“We should probably get home and get ready for bed.” Clark shut the door behind him and climbed down the steps next to her. “Thank you for having us, Merry.”
“Of course. You’re welcome any time.”
“Jace. Come thank Merry.”
Jace’s shoulders slumped. “Awww, Dad, do we have to go right now?”
“Yes, you still have homework and I need to do some laundry before tomorrow.”
Jace leaned down and hugged the puppy, whispering something to her.
“Thank you for the lights,” Merry murmured.
“You’re welcome.” He stood on the bottom step with her for several seconds, before running a hand down her arm. “Goodnight, Merry.”
“That’s all I get?” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if we’re friends, then we should hug good-bye.” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pulled him close. He returned her embrace, his hand smoothing over the back of her pony tail.
“You always smell like fresh-baked Christmas cookies?”
“Is that a good thing?”
“It is. It makes me want to eat you up.”
