Page 92 of The Christmas Keepsake
Hollis quickly brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his hair. Then he put Buster in his crate and headed out the door on his way to Dr. Lynch’s clinic. As soon as he parked in the veterinarian’s lot, he texted, and she unlocked the door for him.
“Come on in. Duke is eager to see you.”
Hollis wasn’t sure what to expect as he walked down the hall to the kennels, but as he stepped inside the room, Duke rose to his feet and let out a happy bark.
“Well, hello to you too.” Hollis reached out to run his hand through his dog’s fur and scratched behind his ear.
“I enjoyed the play last night,” Dr. Lynch told Hollis as he opened the crate and pulled Duke into his arms.
“You were there?” Hollis asked.
“I never miss the holiday play. Even when I was in college, I would come home to Bloom every Christmas just to watch the show. It just didn’t feel like the holidays withoutSanta, Babyon my calendar.”
Hollis understood exactly what she meant.
“I was a little worried that it might not be the same without Nan at the helm, but Mallory did a fantastic job, in my opinion.”
Hollis wasn’t sure if Dr. Lynch knew he and Mallory were dating. Were. Past tense. He was pretty sure whatever they’d had was over. “Thank you, Dr. Lynch. For everything,” he said one more time. “I know it’s late in the season, but if you need a tree, let me know. You can pick out any tree on the lot, and I’ll deliver it myself.”
Dr. Lynch looked thoughtful as she tilted her head to the side. “Actually, I don’t have a Christmas tree yet.”
“No? Why not?”
The vet shrugged her narrow shoulders. “My boyfriend and I just broke up, and he’s the only reason I was in Bloom to begin with.” She lowered her gaze and shrugged. “We broke up right after Thanksgiving, so we didn’t even get a Christmas tree, and I haven’t really felt the Christmas spirit. At least until now. I have to say, seeing Duke recover and attendingSanta, Babylast night has cheered me up.”
“Well, I meant what I said. Come to the farm and pick out any tree you want. I’ll deliver it myself.”
“What’s the point with only a few days left before Christmas?” the veterinarian asked.
“The point is that there’s always something to be grateful for. There’s always a bright spot even in the darkness. Pop says that,” Hollis told her. “Even when the skies are dark, there’s always the North Star to guide you. I used to think it was cheesy, but now”—he shrugged—“not so much.”
“We’ll see,” Dr. Lynch said. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer.”
As Hollis stepped out of the clinic with Duke on a leash, he wondered if Mallory was feeling the same sadness that Dr. Lynch was. A breakup at Christmas stung. He and Mallory had never actually made things official, so maybe it didn’t hurt as much for her. It sure hurt him though.
They’d been official in his head. He’d thought that he and Mallory were going to last until next Christmas. And the one after that. They would be like Mr. and Mrs. Claus, overcoming the hurdles and growing old together. Wasn’t that the dream?
Hollis helped Duke into the passenger seat and climbed behind the steering wheel. Then he pulled out his cell phone and tapped on Evan’s contact, listening to the ring and waiting for his best friend to answer.
“It’s awfully early in the morning for you to be calling,” Evan finally said, breaking into a loud yawn.
“You win the bet,” Hollis replied. “I’m thinking cheesy things, and next thing you know I’ll be saying even cheesier things.”
“What was the bet again?” Evan asked. “One million dollars, right?”
“You wish, buddy,” Holla said on a laugh. “I just left the vet’s office. Duke’s going to be fine.”
“That’s great news. And what about you and Mal?”
Hollis put the truck in motion and pulled onto the main road. “It’s only seven thirty in the morning. Give me time. I’m working on it. Also, I kind of need to go Christmas shopping. You up for a guys’ day?”
Silence answered on the other line. “A guys’ day of shopping?” Evan’s tone was thick with disbelief.
“I have my list, and I’m checking it twice. What do you say?”
“I say… heck yeah,” Evan answered. “I haven’t finished my shopping either. We’re in the same boat, and we’ll be in the same doghouse if we don’t get some presents under those Christmas trees of ours.”
Hollis was already in the doghouse. If he played his cards right, though, maybe he’d find his way out.
