Page 52 of Here Comes Santa Paws

“Ah, typical orange cat behavior,” I said. “These two are Sugar and Spice.”

“Let me guess. The one I’m holding is Sugar,” Remy said.

“Yep, she’s a sweetheart. And that little guy currently trying to tackle your friend’s hand is our beloved Spice.” I smiled as Jett played with Spice. He was a feisty cat. “Sugar and Spice are bonded siblings, so we’ve been having a bit harder time finding a foster home for these two.”

Jett and Remy seemed to have a silent conversation with each other for a moment before Jett turned to me. “I’ll take these two home with me.”

I couldn’t hold back my excitement. I could tell Sugar and Spice would get lots of love and affection, and maybe it would end up a foster fail with Jett adopting them.

After I took them through the paperwork and process, which I’d had to streamline given everything going on, I waved them off and returned to my office with a pep in my step. Things were falling into place. I had a contractor, a lead for secure funding, and an amazing community coming together to support theshelter. The cherry on top was my surprisingly wonderful, kind, and captivating neighbor.

Chapter 22

Roman

Never in a millionyears would I have expected to voluntarily wander through a neighborhood to admire varied takes on how to string lights on a house. Some homes used multicolored lights, while others kept it classic with white ones. There was a mix of understated scenes and ones that looked like Elias’s chaotic handiwork.

Clusters of people strolled along the sidewalks, pausing to admire decorated houses and snap photos. Cars also drove by at a snail’s pace, with people hanging out of their car windows.

Jim and Nancy slowly walked ahead of Elias and me. I had reservations about taking Jim on the Holiday House Light Tour. I’d pushed for driving the route, but Jim had insisted he wanted to stretch his legs. The man was impossible to argue with, much like his grandson.

Nancy’s hand hovered behind Jim’s arm. At least we were all ready to help him if he needed it.

“You’re watching him like a hawk.” Elias bumped his shoulder into mine. His hair poked out from the bottom of his forest-green beanie. “You’re off the clock, you know.”

I huffed a laugh. “Yeah, yeah.”

My steps faltered as Elias’s warm, peppermint-scented breath teased across my ear. I didn’t mind peppermint as much these days.

“I have it on good authority that Gramps plans to invite Nancy onto a sleigh ride to see the lights. His walking will be minimal.”

I relaxed at that. “Good.” Hopefully, that would give him some time to make his move.

Jim and Nancy paused next to a waiting sleigh and a small white sign mounted on a red-and-white striped pole that readSleigh Stop.

Elias and I stayed about ten feet behind them in an unspoken agreement to give them privacy.

“I think he’s asking her to go on the ride.” Elias whispered excitedly like proud parent watching their first kid go off to prom.

Nancy nodded and smiled widely as she squeezed Jim’s arm. She lifted part of a thermos from her bag, and Jim nodded eagerly. Jim looked back, winked, and flashed a thumbs-up behind Nancy’s back.

“Think it’s hard cocoa?” I asked.

“Knowing Nancy? Absolutely. I wonder what made Gramps finally make a move. I figured he was being too oblivious to notice she liked him.” Elias pulled his attention off them to look at me.

I leaned in conspiratorially, pretending it wasn’t an excuse to inhale the scent of Elias’s woodsy body wash. “Word on the street is that she signed up for the matchmaking service. That might’ve spurred him into action.”

Elias shook his head. “Good for Nancy.” He tilted his head. “I heard about the service.”

An unwelcome tremor raced through my gut as I waited for him to elaborate. He didn’t, and an unsettling sensation madeitself at home. It was fine. We could keep fooling around until he found someone, so it was a win-win for both of us.

I opened my mouth to suggest it, but something else entirely came out. “Want to go on a sleigh ride with me?”

Elias’s eyes sparkled. “I’d love to.”

“So you can keep an eye on Gramps.”

Elias winked. “Sure.” We walked to the sleigh stop sign.

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