Page 41 of Mistletoe Misses
She barks, and I lie down with a pat on my chest, giving her personal contact if she needs it. She’s surely missing Dottie, and my fumbling self isn’t helping her cope in her strange new surroundings. Climbing up, she licks my cheek and settles her sweet face on her paws, giving me several more slow blinks until I give her attention. I haven’t figured out if that glare is out of annoyance or adoration. With the way my touch seems to settle her, I choose to believe I’m growing on her.
“I could’ve used your company in Boston,” I tell her like she can understand me. “I was offered a position on the K9 team, but my apartment doesn’t allow dogs, and I didn’t have the energy to relocate. Plus, German shepherds are way more work than you.”
Her head pops up like I said something insulting, and my fingers brush down her side, a doggie message to let her know she’s perfect in my eyes.
“Don’t get your fur in a bunch, I’m glad you’re low maintenance. All the women I’ve met since discharge have been needy, always expecting me to go out and spend time with them.”
Trixie’s yawn comes with a moan that mimics annoyance, giving me a chuckle.
“My sentiments exactly. So irritating.” Settling in to watch her sleep—happy at least one of us will get some rest tonight—I trail my fingertips down her side again.
Seeing her so peaceful helps me find a similar state of being, and I lay unmoving for the next hour, trying not to disturb her beauty sleep. That’s why I let out a few choice words when my phone vibrates on the bedside table. All my efforts gone to waste.
Her head and my blood pressure pops up at the sound. Who in the hell is texting me at four o’clock in the morning?
Cooper:You up?
Me:Unfortunately. Everything okay?
Cooper:Yeah. I’m at the airport. Bored out of my freakin’ mind. There’s only so long I can watch people try to sleep in odd shapes in the godforsaken pleather chairs.
Me:At least you brought your positive attitude with you.
Cooper:Locked up safe and sound in my carry-on. Doubt it will be coming out anytime soon.
Me:Maybe Mom can get it out of you. You’re on your way home, right? Or is there some top-secret mission that requires you to fly incognito with sleepy civilians?
Cooper:No mission this time. Other than bringing Mom’s special Christmas present. Don’t tell her.
Me:I thought I was her present.
Cooper:You’re old news now. Time for a newer model.
Me:I guess you can butt in… for Mom’s happiness. I might also be a tad bit excited to see you.
Cooper:Why wouldn’t you be? I am the coolest brother you have.
Me:And the most conceited.
Cooper:No one beats Aaron on that meter.
Me:True. I take it back.
Cooper:Good. How are things with you?
I check on Trixie, giving me a second to find an answer for that unreasonable question. She jumps down to snuggle next to me on the mattress, and I shake out my arms. It’s weird how holding a phone over a tiny dog aches worse than bench pressing my weight in the gym. Seizing the opportunity to find a more comfortable position for a text conversation, I sit up and lean back against the pull-out couch cushion to rest my sore arms in my lap.
“Whew, that’s better. Right, girl?”
Her pale eyelids slide closed a few lazy times before resting her chin on the mattress.
“Still don’t know what that means, but I’ll figure it out.”
Getting back to Cooper, I type the only answer that comes to mind in my crazy, whirlwind existence here in Ember Falls.
Me:Confusing.
Cooper:Care to elaborate?
