Page 27 of One Hundred Humbugs

Becket and Ruby exchanged glances. “We’ve moved them into the garage for now,” Becket explained. “Not ideal, but it’s better than leaving them outside in this weather.”

“Smart thinking.” Cade nodded approvingly. “Thoughtyou might be runnin’ low on feed, what with your goats cooped up and all. Brought some hay and feed, if you’re interested.”

A wave of gratitude washed over Becket. He’d been worried sick about how he was going to feed his goats if the snow didn’t melt soon. “That’s incredibly kind of you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. How much do I owe you?”

Cade waved him off. “Don’t you worry about that. This is Aspen Cove, and we take care of our own.”

“But we’re not—” Becket started to protest but was cut off by Ruby’s elbow nudging his ribs.

“What my friend here means to say,” Ruby said, “is that we’re incredibly grateful. Why don’t you come in for a cup of coffee, Cade? It’s freezing out there.”

As they walked to the kitchen, Becket grinned. “You know, Ruby suggested we should bring the goats inside. I’m not sure she quite gets how spectacularly bad of an idea that would be.”

Ruby rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched with amusement. “Hey, I just figured they could eat half the junk I’ve been sorting through. It’d cut my workload down.” Then she paused, a look of mock horror crossing her face. “Although ... I didn’t think about what goes in must come out. Maybe not my brightest idea.”

Cade let out a hearty laugh. “I’d pay good money to see a house full of goats. Might make for some interesting decorating, that’s for sure.”

Ruby shook her head. “I can imagine. Though I suppose it can’t be any stranger than what I found going through the boxes here.”

“Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Cade said. “Wait till you meet Mrs. Brown and her cat, Piddles.”

Becket and Ruby exchanged curious glances. “Mrs. Brown?” Becket asked.

Cade nodded, enjoying the chance to introduce the newcomers to some local color. “Lives just down the road. Sweet lady, but she’s got some unique ideas. And let’s just say, her cat Piddles is the best-dressed feline in the county.”

“Best-dressed cat?” Ruby repeated, her eyebrows rising.

“Oh yeah,” Cade said. “Mrs. Brown dresses that cat up in outfits. Wait till you see Piddles in his Christmas sweater. It’s quite the sight.”

As they settled around the kitchen table with steaming mugs of coffee, Cade regaled them with tales of Aspen Cove’s colorful residents. Becket was surprised by how quickly the atmosphere warmed, their conversation flowing easily despite their recent acquaintance. He and Ruby listened with a mix of amusement and amazement, getting their first real taste of the quirky community they’d stumbled into. Despite its strangeness, it seemed right.

Over coffee, Cade filled them in on the town gossip. Becket alternated between amazement at the townspeople’s generosity and amusement at their quirks. There was Doc Parker, who made his rounds in his ancient truck, affectionately called “The Blue Goose,” which, according to Cade, “sounded like a herd of dyspeptic elk.”

“The Blue Goose made it through all this snow?” Becket asked, impressed.

Cade nodded, a twinkle in his eye. “Oh, that old truck’s seen worse. Doc swears it’s got more lives than Mrs. Brown’s cat. Speaking of which, do you want to hear about Piddles’ latest adventure?”

Ruby listened with growing fascination as Cade regaled them with the tale of how Piddles, decked out in his new sailor outfit, had somehow gotten stuckon Mrs. Brown’s roof during the storm. It had taken the combined efforts of Doc Parker, his trusty Blue Goose, the fire department and half the town to rescue the fashion-forward feline.

“I can’t believe how everyone helps each other,” Ruby said, shaking her head in wonder. “In Chicago, I didn’t know my neighbors’ names, let alone their pets’ wardrobe malfunctions.”

“That’s just how we do things around here,” Cade said with a nod. “Oh, and speaking of local color, did you know we’ve got ourselves a bit of a celebrity in town?”

Ruby leaned forward, intrigued. “A celebrity? Here in Aspen Cove?”

“Sure do,” Cade nodded. “Samantha, though you might know her better as Indigo. Lives out by the lake.”

Ruby’s jaw dropped. “Indigo? The pop star? She lives here?”

Becket watched Ruby’s excitement with a grin. He’d heard of the singer, sure, but hadn’t realized just how much Ruby was a fan.

“Oh yeah,” Cade confirmed. “She’s good people. Even performed at last year’s Christmas festival. Caused quite a stir, let me tell you.” They walked toward the door. “Oh, speaking of Christmas,” Cade added, “the annual cookie exchange is coming up soon. You two should join us.”

“Cookie exchange?” Ruby asked.

Cade nodded enthusiastically. “It’s quite the event. Everyone gathers on Main Street with their homemade cookies. Maisey supplies hot cocoa, and Katie from the bakery brings warm brownies. We do the Christmas lighting ceremony that day too. It’s a big deal around here.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Ruby said, her eyes lighting up. “What do you think, Becket?”

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