by Lori Wilde
He liked plans and organization. He felt uncomfortable when he didn’t know how things were going to turn out.
Which was the problem with getting involved with Ava again. You never knew what was going to happen. Years ago, he’d had no clue that she was going to call off their engagement and leave town. He’d been blindsided.
Be fair. She asked you to go with her.
In the barn, he groomed one of the rescue horses he’d recently taken in. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew deep down the take-it-slow-long-distance approach they’d agreed on wouldn’t work for him. If he spent too much time with Ava, he knew she’d break his heart again.
The smart thing to do was to call things off before they got tangled up again, before he got his heart shredded again. It didn’t take a genius to know they would flop as a couple. They had fun, and deep down he knew he’d always care for her, but eventually their differences would drive them crazy. She would keep making spontaneous plans, and he would keep planning the fun right out of her.
“Life doesn’t always work out as we’d like it to,” he said to Charger.
The mare looked at him with soulful brown eyes. He, too, had been hurt because of someone who hadn’t thought through the consequences of their actions. The gelding’s previous owner hadn’t found homes for his horses when his ranch failed. Instead, he’d just abandoned them, with no care for their future.
Sort of like Ava had done to Caleb all those years ago.
“You know what, Charger?”
The gelding nickered.
“I’m going to stop worrying and follow my heart whenever it leads me. I didn’t do that ten years ago and look what it cost me. I’m taking a page from Ava’s playbook and embracing adventure.”
Charger whinnied and shook his head as if he didn’t believe that for a second.
Chapter 9
Caleb committed to his plan to live in the moment, enjoying every second in Ava’s company as if it were his last.
On Tuesday, the day after she and her crew showed up to decorate his house, Caleb invited her to the Christmas carnival. They held hands and walked through the crowds, savoring hot chocolate and Christmas cookies bought from the kiosk vendors on the town square. They played Christmas versions of midway games—Whac-an-Elf, Santa Skeeball, Reindeer Ring Toss.
Caleb was proud of himself when he won Ava a stuffed penguin from the ring toss, and when he handed it to her, her brilliant smile and warm hug had him feeling like a Kentucky Derby winner with a flower wreath around his neck.
They climbed on rides decorated for Christmas with gayly blinking twinkle lights—the Ferris wheel, carousel, bumper cars, and roller coaster. His heart expanded with Ava’s screams of sheer delight. But his favorite ride by far was the Tunnel of Love, where they could smooch unseen from prying eyes.
Afterward, they ate funnel cakes and cotton candy, caramel apples and corn dogs. They danced at the line dance contest and came in last, laughing uproariously together in their last place trophy—a plastic statue of Santa Claus stuck in a chimney.
Caleb had so much fun, he wished the evening would never end, and when Ava invited him to go driving around to look at Christmas lights the following day, he immediately said yes. She left him wanting more at her doorstep with a quick kiss and a soft smile. Caleb floated home.
On Wednesday, after viewing the spectacular light show that Kringle put on for the entire month of December, they strolled the town square, hand in hand again, not caring at all that everyone knew they were together again. Then they got into Caleb’s truck and drove around town, oohing and aahing over the houses decked out in lavish holiday decorations. This time, when Caleb left Ava at her door, the kiss that she bestowed on him was longer and deeper and by the end, his knees were so weak he could barely walk back to his truck.
Thursday, they went ice skating at the small indoor rink and skated to Christmas music until the place closed at nine. As they headed back to his truck in the parking lot, they heard a soft noise from underneath the truck. Ava put a restraining hand on his arm.
“Shh.” She canted her head, the motion causing her hair to bounce against her shoulders. “Did you hear that?”
Caleb tilted his head too, straining to listen amidst the sounds of slamming car doors and purring engines.
The noise came again, a soft whimper.
Without warning, Ava dropped to her hands and knees on the pavement and peered underneath his truck. “Oh, Caleb, it’s a little dog.”
Hunkering down beside her, Caleb saw a small Chihuahua mix cowering against a tire.
The dog sure knew where to wait for rescue.
“We have to get him,” she said. “We can’t leave him out here alone in the cold and dark.”
“We’re taking him,” Caleb said. “How are we going to catch him?”
It turned out not to be much of a problem. Ava had a packet of saltines in her purse and offered one to the little guy, who sidled closer and gobbled it up. When she extended her hand for him to smell, he sniffed enthusiastically and licked her palm.
She eased her fingers around him, and he only resisted for a second, his body stiffening and his eyes going wide, but she cooed to him and within a matter of minutes, he lay tucked into the back of his truck as they drove home.
It was after ten by the time they reached the shelter and confirmed that the dog was a he, thankfully neutered.
To Caleb’s surprise, Marjorie was inside the shelter, sitting at her desk, inputting data on the computer. Juliet sat in her lap and when she caught sight of the dog in Ava’s arms, she jumped down and ran across the room to greet them.
“Goodness, Mom,” Ava said. “What are you doing out here so late?”
“Catching up on paperwork. I want to make sure we’re ready for Saturday morning with a clean slate.”
“We’ve got another intake.” Ava held up the dog for Marjorie to see.
Juliet slapped her front feet on the floor, stuck her butt in the air, wriggled her tail for all she was worth, and barked enthusiastically at the other dog in a come-play-with-me yelp.
The dog in Ava’s arms squirmed, his gaze targeted on Juliet. Both animals were fixed, so there was no reason not to let him play with Juliet. Ava set him on the ground, and he raced to Juliet. They danced around each other, playing and barking as if they’d reunited after a long time apart.
Caleb’s gaze strayed to Ava. He knew firsthand what that kind of joy felt like.
“Looks like Juliet’s found her Romeo,” Marjorie laughed. “Let’s check him for a chip. He seems in great shape. He’s probably just wandered off from his owner. I’ll go get the microchip wand.”
Marjorie ambled to the door of the kennel and as soon as she opened it, the mass barking started.
Juliet and Romeo didn’t even notice. They were sitting on the floor, facing each other, gazes locked.
“That is the most adorable thing I have ever seen,” Ava said, taking out her phone to snap pictures. “This is going on the Kringle Kritters website. I’ve never seen such a case of insta-love.”
Did you forget about us in freshman year? The minute he’d seen her in English class, he’d been head over heels and she’d told him later, when she’d laid eyes on him, she’d stopped breathing.
“I hope they get adopted together,” Caleb said.
“Oh dang, I hadn’t even thought that far ahead.”
Marjorie returned with the microchip wand and she inspected Romeo. The little dog didn’t have a chip. “Looks like you’re staying with us, kiddo.”
Caleb and Ava helped her with the intake process, and by eleven, they’d finished. Romeo had been fed and watered and was curled up in a kennel next to Juliet’s. Marjorie walked back to the house with a flashlight, and parting instructions for them to lock up when they finished.
“Another fun-filled day,” he murmured to Ava and drew her into his arms.
“It’s been magical,” she said. “I can’t wait for tomorrow’s parade.
It’s the highlight of Kringle’s Christmas season.” They held the parade annually one week before Christmas, so the date rotated. This year it was on Friday.
“I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas.” He held her close and looked down into her beautiful face. “Are you ready?”
Ava laughed. “You know me. I’m a last-minute shopper.”
“Spontaneous to the end.”
“Yep. I bet you had all your shopping done by June.”
“You’d be right.” Except he hadn’t yet settled on a gift for Ava. In June, he’d had little clue that things between them would develop so swiftly.
“And,” she said. “I don’t think I’d be off the mark if I guessed those gifts are already wrapped.”
“Right again.” He dipped his head.
She lifted her chin.
Their mouths met halfway.
It was a sizzling kiss filled with promise and Caleb could have gone on kissing her until he couldn’t breathe, and he’d die a lucky man. But he had to get home and get some sleep. Tomorrow, he was riding in the parade with an equestrian group that rescued horses. After that, he’d spend the rest of the day with Ava, helping her prepare for Home for the Holidays on Saturday morning.
“Good night,” he whispered and kissed her again.
“G’bye.”
“So long.”
“Au revoir.”
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
“Romeo and Juliet.”
“They are a pair.”
“So are we.”
“Star-crossed lovers.”
“Good night.”
“G’bye.”
“We’re stuck in a loop.” She sighed.
He kissed her one last and then while he still had a feeble hold on his self-control, Caleb turned and sprinted for the door.
Ava settled into a lawn chair across the street from the veterinarian clinic on the parade route and glanced over at her parents.
Her folks were having a great time, visiting with friends and waving at people as they searched for empty spots to set up for parade viewing. Even though it was December, the weather was a balmy fifty-eight degrees at eight in the morning, so the parade had drawn a vast crowd.
After the parade was over, they would pack the local businesses. Exceptional news. Go pleasant weather! Just don’t try to get into the Kringle Kafe.
Not that she could grab a bite with her folks at the diner if she wanted to. She had to get back to the shelter. All the dogs needed fresh grooming for tomorrow’s event and although she had volunteers, it was all hands on deck. Also, she needed to drop Romeo off at the clinic for Chloe to check him out and vaccinate him before he could be adopted. His infatuation with Juliet had held. This morning, when she’d let them out together, they’d romped for a full thirty minutes in the dog run.
Christmas music from the outdoor speakers enlivened everything, playing, “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” Families lined the street, waving holiday-themed flags and banners. The scent of breakfast tacos wafted over from a food truck parked nearby. Ava inhaled, then closed her eyes and just savored the moment. She’d missed her hometown far more than she’d ever realized.
Her mother touched her arm to get her attention and Ava opened her eyes. “I thought I’d bake cookies when I get home for tomorrow’s adoption event.”
“Pets or people treats?”
“Both.”
“What a lovely idea, Mom. Thank you! Are you making peanut butter cookies?”
Marjorie grinned and shook her head. “Nope. Pumpkin. Chloe shared a new pet recipe with me, and I avoided peanut butter in case someone has an allergy.”
“That’s really nice of you, Mom.” Her mother was always thinking of others and planning nice things. “How in the world did you end up with a harum-scarum daughter like me?”
Marjorie laughed and patted Ava’s hand. “I was very lucky, that’s how.”
“Even though I can be impulsive.”
“Honey.” Her mother patted Ava’s cheek. “For every one of our perceived flaws, there’s an equal strength on the flip side. Just because we have flaws doesn’t make us bad. It makes us human.”
“What’s the positive side of impulsiveness?” Ava asked, feeling uncharacteristically broody.
“Oh, sweetheart! It’s your sunny sense of wonder! When you were a child you’d always awake up with a bright beautiful smile on your face and ask, ‘What adventure will I have today?’ It was such a joy being your mother.”
“Really? My constant quests for adventure didn’t try your patience?”
“Oh, for sure! You wore me out. Many days, I just didn’t have the energy to keep up with you.”
“I wonder if that’s how Caleb feels about me,” she mused. “That I wear him out.”
“Maybe.” Her mother’s eyes twinkled. “But I bet it’s in a good way.”
“Look,” her dad said, pointing. “The floats are heading this way.”
The floats appeared around the corner. Ava stood up with the rest of the crowd, waving and cheering for her friends in the parade. Funny how hardly anyone ever left Kringle. There were so many people she knew from high school taking part in the event, and she wanted to support them.
First came the floats for the local children’s organizations. The youngsters were so cute and serious in their club uniforms. Next came the floats representing local businesses. Everyone had done a terrific job decorating. She waved hardest when the float for Chloe Anderson’s vet clinic went by. Chloe was a real friend to the shelter, and she’d done a lot for Kringle Kritters over the years.
After the vet clinic float, there was one for the local bakery in the form of an oversized cake, one for the hometown grocer covered with giant fake fruits and vegetables, a flower-laden float for the florist, and a trailer covered with tools and gadgets for the hardware store. Huge megastores stores might have taken over most of the country, but thankfully a town like Kringle was too small to attract them. In Kringle, most businesses were still small mom-and-pops.
Finally came the float everyone had been waiting for. Santa and Mrs. Claus waving enthusiastically to the crowd. The audience loved it, but their costumes looked like they would be uncomfortably hot. Ava gave her friends the credit they deserved. She imagined Zach and Suzannah could hardly wait to change out of those costumes. Even though a cold wave was coming through on Christmas Eve, the weather at the moment was picture perfect—unless you dressed like Santa and his wife.
After the float carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus went by, Caleb and the other horseback riders came through town. Although there were quite a few riders, Ava’s attention riveted to Caleb. He looked so handsome in the saddle.
His eyes snagged hers and a massive smile crossed his face and he waved for all he was worth.
Ava’s heart swooned. She could hardly wait until the parade was over and they could hang out together again.
The parade ended in a parking lot several blocks from the town square. Caleb had left his truck and horse trailer there, and after he loaded up Charger, he wandered back along the parade route searching the crowd for Ava.
But there were so many people he couldn’t find her.
A happy mob had gathered around Zach and Suzannah as they climbed down from the float and headed over to the stage. Later in the day there would be a live band playing Christmas classics and he intended on bringing Ava here for the dance.
“Hey there, cowboy,” a familiar voice said from behind him.
Caleb turned to find Ava standing there wearing blue jeans, a green-plaid long-sleeved shirt, and cowgirl boots. She’d braided her hair into two pigtails and she looked all of eighteen. His heart melted.
He loved her and that’s all there was to it. Had loved her since he was fourteen years old. Come heck or high water, he would make this relationship work. He’d give her head and follow wherever she led. He was through with trying to control things. Overplanning had always been his Achille’s heel, and it was time to
let go of the reins and just let life take him on a grand adventure with her.
“Oh, look,” she said, pointing at the stage. “Something important is happening over there.”
Caleb turned to see Santa go down on one knee in front of Mrs. Claus.
“I think Zach’s proposing to Suzannah!” Ava exclaimed.
Wow! He knew Zach and Suzannah had been seeing each other. Heck, everyone in town was talking about it, but he hadn’t realized they were this serious.
Ava moved over to slip her arm around Caleb’s waist as they watched their friend open a ring box and present it to Suzannah.
With tears in her eyes, Suzannah nodded, and then Zach was kissing her, and the crowd had surged forward.
Caleb stepped back, getting out of the way. He’d offer his congratulations later in private.
“You and Zach are close. Did you know about his?”
Caleb shook his head. “Nope. It’s news to me.”
“It’s so sweet! I’m so happy for them both. Zach and Suzannah deserve all the happiness in the world.” Ava gave a joyous sigh.
Caleb was about to ask Ava if she wanted to grab a breakfast taco from the food truck when her cell phone buzzed.
She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen, then looked up at Caleb. “Do you mind if I take this call? It’s from one of the places I sent my resume out to.”
“Go ahead.” He forced a smile, but inside his gut twisted and a hollowed sensation dug a hole in his heart.
“Thanks.” She answered the phone, plugging up her ear against the hubbub surrounding them.
Watching her, a sense of impending doom washed over Caleb.
Her expression went from eager to elated in two seconds flat. She mostly listened, nodding occasionally and answering “yes” many times. Then she finished with, “I’m looking forward to it. Thank you.”
Caleb clenched his jaw, jammed his hands into his jean pockets, and braced himself for news he did not want to hear.