Page 343 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

“She’s falling for you, Jack, and she’s very good foryoutoo. All I ask is that you not hold her past against her, especially since she’s trying so hard to break free from it.”

He nodded. Talking about Maisie and River was eating out his insides, but he could see the truth in her words. Maisie had looked so raw and vulnerable when he’d confronted her, even as she snapped at him, and if he was being honest with himself, he realized part of that pain had stemmed from her fear of losing him. He didn’t want to lose her either. He just needed to let all of these new revelations settle.

“You’re a very wise woman, Dottie Hendrickson.”

She graced him with a beaming smile. “Thank you for acknowledging my truth.”

He laughed. “We still have to deal with Prescott and the party.”

“Fate has a way of working these things out.”

“Why do I think this will be an engagement party most people will never forget?”

She patted his cheek and winked. “Becauseyouare a very wise man.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Spending time with the dogs had always calmed her. They didn’t ask for anything but love, and she’d always had plenty of that to give. Ruby licked her face, and Jackie Daytona, a small mix with a flattish face that spoke of her part-bulldog heritage, kept insisting on being picked up, not that Maisie minded. She hugged and petted all of them until her clothes were covered in fur, and then left the kennel and started stuffing the stockings in the playroom. Iris had gone above and beyond, like always, and for Ruby’s stocking, she’d included a sweater with Jack’s picture on it. Before, Maisie had laughed at the sight of it, but now it felt like a knife to her chest. Jack wasn’t going to adopt Ruby. He already lived in a house with a big dog and dictatorial cat. It didn’t matter how much Ruby loved Jack, how much she’d chosen him as her soul companion—she was going to be taken home by someone else eventually. Would she still pine for Jack?

Would Maisie?

The thought ripped a bitter laugh from her. Of course she would. And she knew a thing or two about pining. Except something told her this would be much, much worse than the pain she’d felt over River.

“Knock, knock,” Dustin said, unnecessarily, as he pounded on the partially open door, swinging it toward her.

The look on his face was one he usually reserved for frightened or aggressive dogs, which told her a lot about the vibe she was giving off, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

“Would you like some help?” he asked for what had to be the third time. “Or maybe a Danish? I knew you were coming in to do the stockings at some point, but I figured you might bring Jack and Iris. I was actually expecting you all to come in much earlier.”

She’d known he’d fish for information eventually. It was a testament to her resting bitch face that he’d held out this long. Still, she didn’t want to bite Dustin’s head off. He’d dedicated his whole Christmas Eve to the shelter so she could go to the engagement party.

The engagement party.

Would it still happen? It was past five, creeping toward six. It had taken her a long time to pull herself together.

Part of her thought she should warn River about the epic mess that awaited him. He’d texted her to check in—apparently Jack had seen Finn, and Finn had called River and told him something was up, although he’d refused to say more (apparently his ability to retain secrets was improving…she’d have to thank Adalia for that), but she couldn’t bring herself to call him right now. Not after her fight with Jack. Not yet. Still, River was her oldest friend, and she’d already missed the majority of his bachelor party… Could she really skip the engagement party, knowing what she knew? Whether or not Lee showed, Prescott was sure to blow the whole thing to hell. She should go to offer her support.

Finn had texted her too, of course, telling her that he’d seen Jack and he knew her wink-wink-nudge-nudge secret was out,and if she wanted to talk, he was only a phone call away. Or he’d see her at the party.

Finn was right. Now that River and Georgie both knew, and Jack too, it really wasn’t much of a secret anymore. There was freedom in that, but she feared it had come at a price she didn’t want to pay.

“They’re not coming today,” she said, choking out the words. “The engagement party starts soon.”

Dustin shuffled on his feet a little, one hand coming up to stroke his beard. “Now, I might be reading the room wrong, but it seems to me you’re a little upset.”

Another laugh ripped out of her. “Dustin, you excel at reading psychic energy.”

He puffed up like bread dough left out in the sun. “I’ve always thought so. River’s aunt gave me some suggestions the last time she came around.”

“Sounds like Dottie.”

“Well, if you need to talk, I’m two shakes of a dog’s tail away,” he said, laughing at his own attempted pun. “And if you need to leave, I’d be happy to take over.”

“Thank you, Dustin,” she said, meaning it.

He started to back out of the room but paused in the doorway. “For what it’s worth, I hope you work it out, and not just because Iris knows how to make Beatrice laugh. There’s something else I’ve read in your psychic energy—and Jack’s. He’s good for you. And he looks like a young Marlon Brando…you know, with dark hair.”

Her heart was pounding in her ears, but she tilted her head and gave him a vacant look. “Who’s that?”

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