Page 27 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“After you,” he said.

Viola offered the smallest of smiles.I guess I better learn how to get along with him. “Thanks,” was all she said before heading toward the first booth.

As she completed a purchase of fresh-cut herbs, something furry brushed by her legs. She turned to see one of Silverwood’s Malamutes sauntering by with its owner.

“I swear that dog is everywhere,” came Jonas’s voice from behind her.

Is he following me or something?

“That’s probably not the same one,” she pointed out.

Jonas stepped closer to her, but his focus was on the dog. “You mean there’s more than one of those shaggy hounds in this small town?”

“You don’t know about the Malamutes?”

“Is that some kind of urban legend?”

“They’re actually quite famous.” Viola strolled toward the next stand. “They saved the Christmas festival last year. It was in the papers.”

“I must have missed that.”

“Really? It was a pretty big deal. Especially because all nine are named after the reindeer.”

“Nine of them?”

Viola laughed. “Yeah. Pulling a sleigh with Rudolph leading the way, just like the song.”

Jonas’s forehead crinkled for a moment. “That’s, uh, wild.”

“It was pretty cool. I can’t believe you live in Silverwood and didn’t see it on the news.”

“Well, I wasn’t in Silverwood last Christmas.” He shrugged. “I was in Billings. Working.”

“Billings?”

“The Lakeside Chateau is only one of my endeavors. I also own a business in Billings and split my time between here and there.”

“Even for Christmas? Don’t you take off for the holidays?”

He lifted his chin. “There are no holidays when you’ve got multiple businesses to run.”

Viola frowned. “Well, that’s sad.”

Jonas stuck his fists in his coat pockets. “That’s business.”

Not knowing how to respond, Viola moved to another stand.

Jonas disappeared for a while, and Viola assumed he’d left. But when she got to the next booth to purchase some fresh vegetables, she heard a tongue click and glanced over to discover Jonas standing nearby with his hands on his sides. He searched here and there, obviously unable to find what he needed.

“What are you looking for?” Viola asked, unable to ignore him.

“Eggplant.”

“That’s what I like about this stand.” She pointed. “They put the eggplant over there near the other berries.”

He chuckled. “Otherberries?”

She gave him a half-shrug. “Yeah.”

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