Page 48 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

Rock clapped, and Johnny gave a hoot of elation, both managing to nudge Mila with a knee in the process. It was impossible for her to scoot over and give either of them more room since she was sandwiched between them on the sofa.

Gage took a seat on the floor at his fiancée’s feet to assist her.

Though Mila was a late addition to their party, there were a surprising number of gifts for her under the tree — a jar of homemade strawberry jam from Ella, a gift card to a local coffee shop from Gage, and an oversized belt buckle with the word WYOMING splashed across it in metallic capital letters. On the lower right-hand corner of thebuckle, a cowboy was swinging his hat from the back of a bull.

“I like it.” Though Mila rarely wore belts, she smiled her thanks to Johnny. “I take it you’re from Wyoming?”

“Yep.” He gave her a cocky grin. “Home of Old Faithful, Yellowstone, the Grand Teton National Park, and yours truly.”

“The state of Wyoming gravely apologizes for the last item on his list,” Rock jeered. His words earned him a punch in the shoulder from behind Mila, a move that temporarily put Johnny’s arm around her.

She could sense Rock bristling, so she hurriedly leaned forward to point at the only gift she’d brought with her. “If you’ll toss that one over here, please.”

Instead of throwing it, Gage leaned her way to hand it to her, looking intensely curious.

She hastened to explain. “I didn’t buy any gifts. I’m so sorry about that. But as you’ve probably heard, it wasn’t the kind of week that lent itself to shopping. So…” She paused to shoot a teasing look at Rock. “This is a little something I threw together at the last minute for someone who took a chance on hiring me. I can only hope all the chaos that has happened since isn’t making him regret his decision.” She waved the package at Rock. “It’s basically a welcome gift to Heart Lake.” Without any further ado, she shyly handed it to him. “I wish I could’ve shown this to you in person, but this is the best I can do.”

“The plot thickens.” He eagerly slid a finger beneath the flap of the brown parchment paper covering her gift. Chanel had kindly donated a spare picture frame to the cause this morning, and Mila had paid her with a cookie straight from the oven.

Rock finished pulling off the paper and cradled the glazed oak frame. “This is incredible.” He sounded awed.

Johnny crowded Mila’s space to take a closer look at it, while Ella beseeched him to pass it to her and Gage next.

As the lovely sketch of Chester Farm made its way around the room, Mila wiggled uncomfortably on the couch cushion, wondering if putting herself and Rock in the picture had been too bold a move.

“I can’t top that.” Rock spread his hands, sounding a little dazed.

“But you’re sure gonna try,” Johnny muttered beneath his breath.

The final gift under the tree made its way to Mila. She read the note attached to it. “To my partner. From Rock.” She pouted at him. “If this is a pink slip for all the trouble I’ve caused you this week, I’m taking back my cookies.”

He snorted. “Just open it.”

She eagerly tore open the wrapping. It was another sketch, this time by him. “Oh, Rock!” She gazed in delight at the cuddliest pair of Golden Doodle puppies practically squirming off the page. “I love dogs.” After getting to know Ollie and Daisy this week, she especially loved Golden Doodles.

“But wait. There’s more!” He stood and broke into a two-step as he made his way across the living room to the hallway.

Ella gasped and pointed at his retreating shoulders. “Did he just?—?”

“Yeah.” Gage dashed the back of his hand over his eyes, sounding choked up. “It’s a Christmas miracle.” He dropped his hand and sent Mila a grateful nod.

“Wait a sec.” Johnny glanced around the room suspiciously. “Where’s his cane?”

“Don’t need it anymore, bro.” Rock breezed back into the room, holding a big brown box with an open top. The yipping and scuffling sounds coming from inside it made Mila’s heart melt in sheer wonder.

“Rock Hefner! Did you seriously—o-o-oh!” All she could do was ooh and ahh as he set the box down at her feet. She left the sofa and slid to her knees on the floor, reaching for two squirming Golden Doodle puppies inside the box. They fell all over each other in their excitement over being petted.

“You sweet, sweet, sweet little things!” She ever-so-gently lifted out the first one and cuddled it against her shoulder.

“They’re brothers from the same litter.” Rock grinned in satisfaction as he watched the puppy sniff her hair and nuzzle the side of her neck.

“I’m in love,” she murmured, closing her eyes in ecstasy.

“Yeah, you totally won the best gift award,” Johnny muttered from behind her.

The two dogs became the center of attention. They were passed around the room, hugged, held, and crooned over.

“What are you going to name them?” Rock took a knee beside Mila to help untangle one of the puppies from her hair.

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