Page 23 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“You weren’t kidding about the cute dogs.” Kim crouched down and scratched Dasher near his ear.

“I see I’m late to the party.” Mr. Mason let out his signatureho-ho-hochuckle.

Kim stood upright and gasped. “No. Way. Did anyone ever tell you you’re the spitting image of Santa Claus?”

“Once or twice.” Mr. Mason winked and stuck out his hand. “Nicholas Mason. Nicky’s father and Avery’s grandfather.”

“‘Nicky’?” Kim slipped back into her whiny tone. “Oh my God, I love that.”

“I like your purse,” Avery said, running her fingers along the rhinestones bedazzled along the leather.

“Thank you.” Kim beamed.

“I have a backpack with these stones on it. It’s my favorite.”

“Awesome. Sparkle power!” Kim raised her hand for a high five.

Avery hit her hand, and almost immediately, Dasher lifted his paw as if wanting to join in.

“Coolest dogever,” Kim exclaimed, crouching down to high-five.

Holly started when a figure rushed toward her. She knew it was foolish to think that Grayson would be there to pounce on her, but it was the first thought that popped into her head. She placed a hand on her chest and blew out a silent breath when she realized it was Lucy. Her blonde hair was neatly coiffed into a French braid, and her gentle gray eyes were filled with excitement.

“They have a new flavor of churro.” Lucy said it as if it were the news of the century. “This is the happiest day of my life.”

Kim turned to her with a smile.

“Kim, Lucy,” Holly said. “Lucy, Kim.”

Kim hugged Lucy. “Hi. So you’re Holly’s childhood friend whom she had a falling out with when she left to be a big-time artist.”

Lucy let out a small laugh. “Yes, because she basically cut me out of her life for a while. But she returned and begged for my forgiveness, so now it’s all water under the bridge.”

“We gals are so dramatic, aren’t we?” Kim joked.

Lucy shrugged. “Pretty much.”

Kim settled a hand on Lucy’s arm. “And you’re excited about a new flavor of churro?”

“Absolutely, I am.”

Kim rested her hands on her sides. “We’re going to get along just fine. What’s the new flavor?”

“Strawberry cheesecake.”

“Oh my goodness.” Kim held up a finger. “Holly, I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll help,” Lucy exclaimed.

“Grandpa?” Avery looked up at him with doe eyes.

Mr. Mason chuckled. “Say no more. Churros it is.”

Just as they walked off, Rachel appeared, looking flushed. “Hey, Holly.”

“Rachel, are you okay?”

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head. “I was just unloading a delivery before with my dad, and I think I overdid it with the carrying.”

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