When Snow Falls (Whiskey Creek #2)(80)
Author: Brenda Novak

But he also couldn’t imagine the crowd that had always looked down their noses at him suddenly welcoming him into the group, either.

* * *

Cheyenne woke up alone. For a second, she wondered if the past couple of weeks had been a dream. She expected her mother to call out for more pain medication, or food, or to be repositioned in the bed, and for her sister to return home from work.

But then she rolled over and smelled a hint of Dylan’s cologne on the pillow and remembered making love with him last night. Some of the worst things in the world had happened to her since Eve and the others had left for the Caribbean. But so had some of the best. Dylan pretty much carried that end of things.

Where was he?

Since it was Christmas morning, she figured he’d gone home to see his brothers. But then she heard the front door open and close.

“Dylan?” She stretched as she called his name. Normally Christmas morning meant cooking a big breakfast for Anita and Presley and exchanging what gifts they had. Since coming to Whiskey Creek, it meant getting together with Eve and her family in the evening for a few hours, too. Sometimes Presley came along. More often Presley stayed with Anita or had her own friends over. Yesterday, the Harmons had called to see if she’d be joining them as usual. But she told them she was already committed to having dinner somewhere else.

Dylan stuck his head in the room. He was wearing the same faded jeans and sweatshirt he’d worn last night, along with an endearing grin. A baseball cap suggested he’d dressed without showering, but she liked him as he was, liked the contrast between his dark beard growth and his white teeth. “Merry Christmas.”

She gave him a sleepy smile. “Merry Christmas. But…isn’t it a little early to be up?”

His grin turned slightly sheepish. “Sorry. Can’t help it. I always wake up early. And it was especially hard to sleep this morning.”

“Because…”

“I’m excited about giving you your gift.”

“You got me something?” She shoved herself onto her elbows. This wasn’t particularly welcome news since she’d been too busy searching for Presley and making funeral arrangements for Anita to even think about a gift for him. “When would you have had time for that?”

“While I was at work yesterday. I did some research on the internet, made a few calls and found just what I wanted.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

“Really.”

“But…I’d rather we waited to exchange presents until I’ve had a chance to do some shopping myself. I—”

“I’m not expecting anything,” he broke in. “Just being with you is enough.”

The honesty of that statement, together with the sincerity on his face, touched her deeply. He meant it. “Why me?” she asked softly, turning the question he’d once asked back on him.

When he answered, she could tell he understood. “You fit me perfectly. I’ve known you would for a long time.”

A wave of happiness washed over her. Amid all the pain and confusion and moral ambiguity she’d been suffering, she’d found someone who soothed every ache and eased every complaint, and he did it just by being him. Ironically, he was the least likely person in Whiskey Creek. Would she have given him a chance if she hadn’t bumped into him in the park that day?

Probably not…

“I’ll go and shower.”

He made a sound of impatience. “Do you have to? I can’t wait.”

Who would’ve guessed big bad Dylan Amos could remind her so much of an eager little boy? But she loved that unexpected, innocent quality.

“Okay, I’m coming,” she said with a laugh and started to get up. She thought he’d want her to go into the living room and sit by the tree, but he held up one hand. “Wait right there.”

She heard the front door again. When he returned, he wasn’t carrying a wrapped present, but he cradled a furry black-and-white bundle in his arms, which he brought over to her.

“A puppy? You got me a puppy?” She reached out to take the squirming little animal, but he hesitated before handing it over.

“I need to explain something first.”

As she reached out to scratch behind the dog’s ears, it tried to lick her hand. She was so ecstatic she couldn’t wait to hold her new pet. “What?”

“I was actually going to get a different dog. So if you want, we can take her back. It was just that…once I saw her, I couldn’t resist.”

“Why would I want to do that? She’s darling! I’ve always wanted a dog. What breed is she?”

“Can’t say for sure. There’s some Akita and maybe Golden Retriever.”

Thrilled at having her first real pet, Cheyenne reached for the animal again, but Dylan still wouldn’t hand her over. “Can I hold her?” she asked in surprise.

At last, he relinquished the puppy, but she could tell he was watching closely for her reaction. “What’s wrong? Why are you—” And then, as she brought the puppy’s body against her chest, she knew something was wrong. Setting the animal on the bed, she took a closer look. The dog was missing a hind leg.

Dylan met her questioning gaze. “It’s a birth defect. I knew the other dogs wouldn’t have any trouble finding homes, but…the volunteer who was helping me said this one probably wouldn’t be adopted.”

Tears gathered in Cheyenne’s eyes as she watched the unfortunate puppy use three legs to scamper around the bed. “So you rescued the poor thing.” As he’d rescued his brothers when he was only eighteen. As he’d rescued her, although she hadn’t known how badly she’d needed rescuing.

He thrust his hands in his pockets. “Actually, I’ll take her if you don’t want her. Then we can find you a different puppy.”

“No.” She scooped her new pet close and buried her face in its fur. “I love her. She’s exactly the dog I would’ve chosen.”

“Seriously?” He seemed unsure.

“You’ve seen my Christmas tree, haven’t you?”

“Your Christmas tree?”

“Never mind,” she said with a laugh. “To me, she’s perfect.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” The tension in his body eased and he started to look as happy as she felt. “I bought her a bed, a leash, some food and toys. You should have everything you need.” He bent over to kiss her temple. “Merry Christmas.”