Page 47 of Yuletide Acres

“No,” Gayle waves her hand at my comment. “Before I interceded. I was there for about ten minutes, watching the two of you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I know you didn’t. But that’s not my point. The way he looked at you. The way you looked at each other. I asked him last night—point blank—about you. His candid response shocked me.”

My heart rate accelerates as I lean forward in the chair. “What did he say? You know what? I don’t want to know.”

“He’s in love with you, Poppy. He told me that he’s always been in love with you.”

“No, he isn’t. If he cared at all, he wouldn’t have done that last night. To either of us.”

Gayle nods, patting my arm. “I agree that he’s an asshole for his stunt. But it was a stupid mistake, fed by an insatiable jealousy that some other man might claim you before he got the chance.” She bites her lip, letting out a sad sigh. “I meant nothing, Poppy. I never did.”

“What a terrible thing to say.”

“It’s the truth. Dylan and I served a purpose in each other’s lives. But he’s never looked at another woman like he looked at you. He never even looked at Merry like that.”

“You knew Merry?”

“I did. We ran in the same circles when we were younger. I knew that Dylan and Merry were close friends who in a momentary lapse of judgement made a baby. I also knew about you.”

“Me?”

“Dylan spoke often of you. He went looking for you a few times, at least. And every time he returned without you; I swear another piece of his soul died. So, although I wanted to crack his skull open with a whiskey bottle last night—”

“And mine,” I add, earning a giggle from Gayle.

“True,” she concedes. “When he admitted you were the same woman that he’s loved all these years, I couldn’t even be mad anymore. That you’ve found your way back to each other…do you know how rare that is? Hell, it’s the only reason I let the man keep his equipment. If you’d been any other woman, he’d be missing his balls right now.”

I laugh despite the absurdity of the situation. “He would deserve it. Why are you telling me this?”

“You love him. He loves you. Love rarely grants second chances. When it does, you’d do best not to ignore it. Both your happinesses depend on it.” She stands, swallowing the last of her cup. “Also, I’d love to schedule an acupuncture appointment.”

I smile, enjoying the warmth now emanating from Gayle. “I have time now.”

“Perfect.”

* * *

Gayle leaves after her treatment, claiming to be infinitely more relaxed.

I, on the other hand, am a nervous wreck.

Dylan told her that he loved me. That he’s always loved me.

What if he’s lying?

Bigger question, what if he’s not?

I need something to occupy my mind. My time. A place to hide at this point.

Driving to the outskirts of town, I stroll into the animal shelter. My plan? Walk a few dogs and tease some kittens with a feather toy.

Instead, I bumble out ninety minutes later, balancing a cat carrier with an orange meatball and trying to rein in an overexcited golden retriever.

Yep, I adopted the bonded cat and dog duo that I’d seen the week before with Marissa and Estelle.

But it’s not my fault. The shelter manager played on my heartstrings, declaring how they were struggling here at the shelter and needed a loving home. No one was showing any interest. What if they had to be split up?

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