Page 34 of A Very Merry Mistake

“You could always get one of those small dogs that’d fit in your big-ass purse,” he says.

“The responsibility is too much. I like worrying about myself and that’s it. Animals can complicate plans just as easily as kids. It’s why I have neither. I’ll get an animal when I settle down. Though with how things have been going, that might not be anytime soon.”

“Ya never know. I’ve always heard a person finds love when least expectin’ it. When you stop lookin’.”

I glance at him. “Yeah? What about you?”

“Oh, I’m on the market but not actively searchin’ for a partner. I’ve decided that going forward, the relationship has to progress naturally. It will happen when it happens. I won’t change who I am for anyone. Take it or leave it.”

“A great philosophy.” I go back to the book, and the two of us sit in silence. I try to reposition myself to get comfortable, and Jake lifts my legs and places my feet on his lap, allowing me to stretch as he scrolls on his phone. I give him a grin, then dive back in.

“Your toes are festive,” he finally says, locking his phone.

I close the book, set it down on the coffee table, and push myself up on my elbows to look at them. “Ah, yes. It was my tech’s idea to do them red and green. I usually just go for red. She told me to live a little.”

He grabs my foot, studying my toes, and I jerk away.

“Are you ticklish?”

I tuck my lips into my mouth and shake my head no.

“You’re a bad liar,” he says. “Just in case you didn’t know.”

I roll my eyes. “No one knows how ticklish I am, other than my sister.”

“Your secret is safe with me unless I have to retaliate. Then you’re getting the tickle monster.” He wiggles his fingers and I squeal, bringing my knees up to my chest and tucking them in.

“I’d go down kicking and screaming.”

His phone buzzes, pulling his attention away. “Hank,” he says, then answers. “What’s up?”

I can hear his best friend chatting on the other end of the line, but I can’t tell exactly what he’s saying. Moments later, Jake ends the call. “He hasn’t gotten your truck yet.”

“I wouldn’t want him going out in this. I’d feel terrible if something happened.”

“Yeah, gets dangerous out there with the icy conditions.”

He changes the subject as a smirk plays on his lips. “So what did your sister say about your escapades?”

“I didn’t wait for her response. Yesterday she begged me to come home and forget about the trip.”

“You were sayin’ the same thing, though. Why the change of heart?”

I smirk and lick my lips. “The magic of Merryville, of course.”

He bursts out into laughter. “Ahh. Be careful. People come here and never leave once they discover it.”

CHAPTER 10

JAKE

The following day, I wake up to Claire sleeping soundly beside me. Her brown hair is spread across the pillow, and she looks like a princess. A smile touches my lips as I climb out of bed, trying my best not to disturb her.

I add a few more logs onto the fire then take a quick bathroom break before going to the living room.

Tinsel’s sleeping on the back of the couch, and I stop to pet her. “Good mornin’, baby girl,” I croon, giving her a kiss on her head. “Ya hungry?”

Once I’ve said the magic word, her pupils dilate, and she stands and stretches. It doesn’t take much to get her up, just one of the few words she knows—hungry, food, naptime, treats. One of them always does the trick. Tinsel’s collar jingles all the way to the kitchen as she trots to her bowl. Before following her, I rearrange the half-burned wood and add more to the pile until it catches. The flames lick up the side of the dry logs, causing the fire to pop and crackle.

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