Page 143 of Huckleberry Hill

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“Fine,” he said.

“I think a storm’s on its way,” Muddy said. “One of our famous late spring storms.”

“Muddy has a sense about these things,” I said to Declan.

“I like storms,” Declan said awkwardly.

God, are we really talking about the weather?

“What’s your favorite season?” I asked.

“Winter,” he said. “Christmas, especially.”

“Winter is long here,” I said. “But there’s an ice sculpture festival. I’m so glad I don’t have to miss it this year.”

“We should enter,” Declan said. “It would be fun.”

“Yes,” I said in excitement.

“You’ll have to take him sledding on Maple Mountain,” Muddy added. “And ice skating on Lavender Lake.”

“Oh, I can’t wait.” I looked from Declan to my dad.

Dad held his fork in his hand and his brow was wrinkled in thought. A slight smile appeared on his lips. “You can’t forget hot chocolate and chocolate fondue at Sweet Teeth.”

I nodded. “You have to reserve tickets. They do seatings.”

“Winter in Huckleberry Hill sounds kind of amazing,” Declan said.

My hand rested on the table and Declan covered it with his own and gave it a squeeze.

The tension around the dinner table eased and conversation began to flow.

“I bought you a present,” Dad said to me. “It should be here tomorrow.”

“What did you get me?” I asked in excitement.

“I’m not telling you.” He looked at Declan. “She loves surprises.”

“Does she?” Declan asked. “Good to know.”

“No, don’t do that,” I moaned. “Don’t tell him that.”

“Don’t ever tell her what you’re planning,” Dad went on. “Because if she knows too early, she gets really happy, but then she gets really sad.”

“It’s a dopamine thing,” I said. “When the surprise is no longer a surprise, I kind of crash.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“You’re really not going to tell me?” I asked Dad.

Muddy laughed. “You just said not to spoil it for you.”

“I am my own worst enemy.” I sighed. “I talked to Salem and the girls today.”

“Yeah?” Dad perked up.

I nodded. “I told them I wasn’t going back to New York. None of them were surprised. In fact, they already started packing my boxes.”

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