Silver Bells. Mary Burton
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dogs scratched at the door to come in. She opened the back door to let the dogs in, and they all left together by the front door.
The twins squealed their pleasure when the dogs romped through the family room, Churchill leaping over the gate, Miss Sadie waiting patiently for Hank to lift her over it. Mason stood at the kitchen gate, his jaw dropping at the commotion. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled sharply. The twins stopped in midsqueal. Both dogs turned to look expectantly at the strange new person emitting the high-pitched whistle. “That will be enough of that. SIT!” Since both dogs were already sitting, they continued to stare at the person towering over them. “Very good. I am the Alpha. You need to understand that. Having said that, here is your treat for the afternoon.” Mason handed out two dog treats, and hard crackers to the boys. Mason turned and was back a second later with a basket of dog toys that had been in the laundry room.
Hank nudged Amy. He hissed in her ear. “I don’t know how he does it. He’s unreal. Alice is going to be soooo happy. If she ever comes home.”
“Mandy, this is Mason. Mason, this is Mandy, she’s from California, and she’s visiting. Next door.”
Mason bowed low, then reached for her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Mr. Anders.”
“Mandy is a movie star. Her other name is Amy Lee.”
“Ah. Am I to assume, sir, that things have progressed, and we are no longer in jeopardy?”
Hank blinked. The guy could talk in code, but he got it. “Yes, it’s safe to assume that, Mason. By any chance, do you have any coffee made?”
“No, but I will be more than happy to prepare some. I just baked some brownies.”
“I love brownies,” Amy said. Mason beamed. The man does love compliments, Hank thought.
“We’re going to set the tree up in the living room. Unless you have a better idea, Mason?”
“No, the living room will be fine. I think it best so the boys won’t be tempted to play with the ornaments. And, of course, the animals have to be taken into consideration. I understand via the Internet that male dogs and trees are not compatible. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me for anything.”
“That means we’re dismissed,” Hank whispered in Amy’s ear.
The twins toddled over to the gate. Hank bent down and picked them both up. They giggled and laughed as they yanked at his hair and pulled at his nose. “I can’t tell them apart,” he confessed. “Come on now, give me a big kiss. Ohhh, that was sooo good. Give me another one.” The boys obliged, and then they were done with the bonding and wanted down on the floor.
“I can see how they would be a handful,” Amy said. “They’re sweet as honey, and they both look just like Ben.”
They watched for another minute or so as the boys rough-and-tumbled with the dogs, who were happy to play.
“Let’s get to it, Mandy. We have a Christmas tree to put up.” The doorbell rang and Amy opened it. “Oh, look, our poinsettias are here. I’ll set them out while you bring in the tree. By the way, do you know where Alice keeps the decorations? You said she was big on decorating the house. We need to do that, too.”
“Probably in the attic. I’ll get them down as soon as we set up the tree. Just let me know when the coffee is ready.”
It was four o’clock when Mason and the twins oohed and aahed over the couple’s Christmas decorations. The tree was up, and it bathed the house in what Amy called a delicious balsam scent. She said she could smell it on the second floor. Poinsettias lined the stairway and were nestled in all the corners. The foyer held a small artificial tree, decorated with colored lights and tiny gossamer angels dangling from the branches. Amy surmised it had a special memory for Alice because of the care that had been taken when it was packed away. Fat ceramic Santas sat at each side of the door. Thick red candles were placed on each end of the mantel along with branches of live greenery that Hank cut off the bottom of the tree. Amy stuck bright red bows in and among the branches and dangled a few strands of tinsel. “Very festive,” Hank said, taking Amy’s arm in his. “Just think, next year we can do this in our own house.” Amy just smiled. And smiled.
The twins gibbered and giggled as they pointed to the giant-size Santa standing next to the fireplace, his backpack loaded with colored boxes with bright red ribbons. Churchill sniffed it out. His intentions seemed obvious to all of them until Mason cleared his throat in warning. The golden dog lowered his leg and backed away, his tail between his legs.
“Good dog,” Mason said as he handed out treats again, then opened the back door. Both dogs ran outside as the twins went back to pushing and shoving each other.
“No, no, no! We do not push, and we do not shove,” Mason said as he wagged his finger at the boys. One of the boys, Hank wasn’t sure which one, stomped his foot and started to cry.
“Sit down and fold your hands, young man. We do not slap and pinch our brother.” The toddler sat down and folded his hands. He sniffed, but he stopped crying. Mason handed out raisins in small cups, and the boys were happy again.
“That guy needs to be cloned,” Hank said.
Amy looked around. “I don’t think there’s anything left to do here. I think I’m going to go home and take a shower. You want to come over for dinner?”
Hank grimaced. “That depends on Mason. I think he might want to go home early. Why don’t you come over here? I’m sure we can find something to eat here. In fact, I know we can. He’s cooking something that smells pretty darn good, and there are those brownies we bypassed when we had our coffee.”
“Okay, if that’s an invitation, I accept. We can put my tree up tomorrow. I’ll cut the netting off and lean it up against the house. See you later.”
Hank kissed her good-bye. He watched from the doorway until she was safely in her own house. God, I am so happy.
“It would appear you are in love again. Is that a clear assessment, Mr. Anders?”
“On the money, Mason. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.”
“You do…work fast. She’s quite lovely. It would appear she returns your feelings. Is there any news on Mrs. Anders?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. God, I hope she comes back soon. The boys seem so happy. It bothers me. Don’t they miss her?”
“Of course they miss her. They keep looking around for her. They whimper and suck their thumbs, but they can’t talk, so you just have to figure it out for yourself. No one can take a mother’s place. No one.” This last was said with such vehemence that Hank winced.
What Mason said was true, Hank thought. It also explained Mandy’s return and her search for yesterday.
Hank let loose with a long sigh. Thank God he had decided to come back to Apple Valley for the holidays. In doing so he was going to be able to help Alice in both the short and long term, and just by being here, he’d fallen in love all over again. If anyone could help Mandy lay her old ghosts to rest, it was him. He crossed his fingers hoping he was right.
Chapter Eight
Alice Anders paced the narrow confines of her friend’s tiny apartment. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Am I out of my mind? No sane person would do what I’ve done. No sane person would abandon her home, her children, and her husband’s dog. Even if Ben was a perfect dad, she’d fallen down on her job and screwed up big-time. That was the bottom line.
She looked down at the tabby cat circling her feet. Chloe was her name. She picked her up and cuddled her against her neck. This little animal didn’t mess in the house, she had her own private sanitation boxes in the tiny laundry room and in the bathroom. She didn’t make mistakes. And she cleaned herself religiously, unlike Churchill, who messed all over and rolled in mud whenever he felt