Page 91 of The Christmas Keepsake
Mallory took a step backward. “Actually, I’m exhausted, Hol. It’s been a long night… Can we talk tomorrow?”
Hollis’s heart dropped with a heavy thud in the bottom of his stomach. Looking into Mallory’s eyes, he realized the hurt ran deep. He was a fool to think this would be fixed with one grand gesture. He’d have to work harder to win back her trust, her heart. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. Tomorrow. Take care, Mal.”
As Mallory turned her back to him and walked away, Savannah and Evan approached. Evan clapped a hand along Hollis’s back, relief evident in his voice. “Man, am I glad you showed up for the final act. I was sweating bullets up there onstage.”
Hollis managed a humorless chuckle, his chest still aching from disappointment. “Thanks for stepping in though.”
Savannah gave Hollis a knowing look, her eyes darting to Mallory’s retreating figure. “Give her time. Just be patient.” She narrowed her eyes. “Same advice I gave you before.”
Hollis nodded. “I’ve never been good at having patience.” But for Mallory, he was willing to wait as long as it took.
As he made his way to the parking lot, Sandy and Matt intercepted him. “Hollis, you were wonderful up there!” Sandy pulled him into a big hug.
“You really were, son. I’m proud of you.” Matt reached out and shook Hollis’s hand.
Hollis looked at the couple. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
Sandy squeezed his arm. “Of course. You’re coming to the house for Christmas Eve dinner on Sunday, right? Matt will be checking Pop out of Memory Oaks for the day, so he’ll be there too.”
A lump formed in Hollis’s throat at the thought of having Pop home for Christmas.
“And, of course, you’re welcome to bring Mallory,” Matt added. “Tell her to spring Nan from Memory Oaks as well. Our table can always fit one more.”
“I’ll ask her,” he promised, though he wasn’t sure Mallory would accept an invitation from him right now.
As he drove home, passing the darkened Christmas tree farm, Hollis felt a pang of sadness. Duke wouldn’t be there to greet him with his usual enthusiasm. But Buster would be waiting, a reminder that second chances were possible.
Pulling into his driveway, Hollis’s mind raced with ideas on how to win back Mallory’s trust. Tonight, he’d made the first step by showing up for the play. That wasn’t enough though. Not nearly. What more could he do?
As he unlocked his front door and Buster’s excited barks greeting him, Hollis felt a renewed sense of purpose. He’d made mistakes,let his fears and insecurities get the best of him, but he was ready to fight for what mattered—for Mallory, for their potential future together, for the life he wanted to build in his hometown.
He poured himself a glass of water and settled onto the couch with Buster curling up beside him.
Buster whined softly.
“You miss Duke?” Hollis asked quietly. “Me too, buddy. But I’m glad you’re here. You’re a hero, you know.” He petted the dog’s head and met the dog’s deep brown eyes. “This is your forever home. I want you to know that. Other dogs may come and go in the future, but not you. You’re stuck with me and Duke. We’re your forever family.” What every dog deserved. Every kid too.
In the silence of the night, he knew in his heart of hearts that he was a good man. The kind of good man that was deserving of a woman like Mallory.
For the first time in his life, he knew that he was worthy. He felt it. He hadn’t liked himself when he was growing up. But he liked who he was these days, loved himself even, which felt odd but true. Maybe that was what was missing until now. In order to truly love another, you had to love yourself. A dozen different therapists and counselors from foster care and juvenile detention had told him that over the years, but they were just words that suddenly rang true as he sat here with Buster. And he’d never believe the lie that he wasn’t good enough ever again.
Early the next morning, Hollis’s phone woke him up. A thousand things ran through his head before he even glanced at his screen. A list of the possibilities of who could be trying to message him.
Maybe it was Mallory.
Or Pop.
Instead, Hollis noticed Dr. Lynch’s name on his screen. Heconnected the call and quickly held the phone to his ear, hoping it was good news. Last he heard, Duke was out of the woods, but life had taught him that things flipped on a dime. “Hello? How’s Duke?”
“That’s why I’m calling you.” Dr. Lynch’s voice was cheerful, which gave Hollis hope. “Duke had a great night, and I think he’s ready to go home. If you’re ready for him to come back, that is.” The veterinarian knew Hollis was ready. In fact, Hollis never wanted to be without his dog ever again.
Hollis sat up quickly on the edge of his bed and was already pulling on a pair of jeans. “I’ll be there as soon as the clinic opens.”
“We don’t technically open until eight, but message me when you get here and I’ll open the door for you. I don’t want to delay the happy reunion any longer. Consider it my Christmas present to you.” She laughed quietly.
They said good-bye, and Hollis disconnected the call.Christmas present, he thought realizing that he hadn’t bought even one gift for anyone, and the holiday was only three days away. Granted it’d been a busy month, but how had he been so negligent?
He needed presents for Sandy, Matt, Evan, and Savannah. He also needed one for Mallory, which she might just throw in his face. Buster thumped his tail on the floor, demanding his attention. “You get a present too. And Duke.”
