Page 80 of The Christmas Keepsake
Mallory:Just heard about Duke. I’m here if you need anything.
As she prepared for bed, Mallory set her alarm earlier than usual. Whatever news the morning brought, she was determined to be there for Hollis, just like he’d been there for her this past month. His loyalty had been unwavering, and she’d done something she rarely allowed herself to do—she’d leaned in when someone offered their support.
Now she wanted to return the favor.
Mallory’s alarm yanked her from a fitful sleep. Fumbling for her phone, her heart sank when she saw that there were no new messages from Hollis.
She got it. He was upset. Probably devastated. This past month, he had become her fiercest protector, and she imagined he didn’t want to burden her with the things that were going on in his life right now.That’s probably why he hasn’t called or texted.He was wrong though. She wanted to be there for him. She just had to find him.
Worry gnawed at her as she hurriedly dressed and grabbed her keys, determined to do just that before her hospital shift.
As she drove, her mind picked through all the possibilities of what might be going on in Hollis’s head. She didn’t have much information to go on. Just that Duke was in bad shape and Buster was missing.
Poor Hollis.
When she finally pulled onto the dirt road that led past Popadine’s Tree Farm to the little house where Hollis was staying, her stomach dropped. His truck was gone, and the house sat dark and silent.
She parked anyway and got out, approaching the front door to see if she could find a clue to where he’d gone. As she poked around, another vehicle pulled in behind hers, and Sandy stepped out.
“Mallory? What are you doing here so early?” Sandy asked, heading in her direction.
“I was worried about Hollis. He missed last night’s event at Memory Oaks, and he’s not answering my texts. Have you heard from him?”
Sandy’s face scrunched with concern as she nodded. “He texted early to ask if I could help you with the Christmas play tonight. He said he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his commitments.”
Mallory felt like she’d been doused with ice water. “What? But… but he can’t just not show up for the play. He has two major roles. He was the one who insisted that I didn’t give up when others dropped out. He volunteered for those parts, and I only agreed to keep going because I trusted him.”
Sandy wrung her hands in front of her. “He told me to let you know that Evan would take his place. He’s already made the arrangements. He said that Evan would be a better Santa than him.”
“What? No.” Mallory pressed a hand to her chest as panic swept over her. “This is opening night!” she said, her voice strained as she struggled to breathe.
Sandy reached out and placed a gentle hand on Mallory’s arm. “I’m sorry, dear. I don’t know why Matt spoke to him the way he did.”
Mallory narrowed her eyes. “Matt? Did something happen at dinner yesterday?” She knew that Hollis was supposed to eat with Matt and Sandy before the Memory Oaks event.
“I thought you knew.”
“I only knew about Duke and Buster.”
Now Sandy looked confused. Apparently, there was so much more to what was going on with Hollis than Mallory even knew.
“All I know is that Hollis rushed Duke to the emergency vet last night, and Buster is missing.”
Sandy drew both hands up to cover her mouth. “I had no idea. Poor Hollis.”
Mallory’s anger deflated slightly.
“I hope he’s not gone-gone,” Sandy said quietly, glancing around the front porch.
Mallory didn’t like the sound of that. “What does that mean?”
Sandy’s expression seemed to wilt. “When Hollis first came to live with us, he’d sometimes, I don’t know… he’d run away when things got too overwhelming. He hasn’t done it in years, of course. He’s a grown man. But…”
“Sandy, what did you mean about something happening with Matt last night?” Mallory asked, concern mounting.
Sandy sighed. “Matt can be so irrational when he’s angry. It was awful,” she said, voice tight. “He came in with a raised voice, pointing his finger at Hollis as if he’d done something horrible. Accusing Hollis of trying to steal the farm.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I know Hollis would never steal from us, but whatever Pop told Matt, well, it got him fired up. Hollis just shut down and left. And now with Duke being sick…” She looked at Mallory with pain reflecting in her eyes. “I’m afraid it may have been too much.”
Mallory’s mind whirled as she tried to process everything. “So Hollis is just… gone? And he’s abandoning the play? Abandoning…”Me, she thought but couldn’t bring herself to say it. How could she be angry when Hollis had had a day like that one?
