My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

FALLON

DAY 4

I wake up to an empty bed. I reach over to Levi’s side, but it’s cool to the touch. Although I threatened him not to get too close last night, I woke up with his body pressed against mine. However, my threats were empty, and I soaked in his warmth like summer sunshine. I shouldn’t trust him and don’t, thanks to my previous shitty relationship, but I do believe he means well.

I suck in a deep breath, stretch, and then get out of bed. After I use the bathroom, I go downstairs and notice Levi putting on his boots. I take a second to admire him but quickly avert my eyes when he notices me.

“Breakfast is waiting for ya. No pork,” Levi says with a wink.

“Thanks,” I say, then gasp when I realize the power is fully on. Finally . “Going somewhere?”

“It’s plow day,” he explains. “Gotta take care of the driveway, the private farm road, and the parking lots. It’ll probably take me all day, so I wanted to get started early. How’d you sleep?”

“Okay, I guess. Didn’t feel like I was lying in a freezing tundra, so no complaints.”

“Happy to be of service.” He licks his lips, and I roll my eyes.

“Be of service and bring in more wood for me.”

“Already done. Oh, I’m leaving Dasher with you today.”

“Oh, uh, no . I didn’t sign up to dog-sit,” I argue, putting a hand on my hip.

“And I didn’t sign up for an unannounced houseguest. Guess we’re both shit out of luck.” He grabs his jacket off the hook by the back door. “Don’t worry, he’ll let you know when he needs to go out. Dog food is in the pantry. I already fed him this morning, but you can give him another can at dinnertime. He can have as many treats as you think he deserves. I left my number on the fridge. Add it to your phone, then text me. If there is an emergency, call me immediately.”

“Levi! Please, no. Dasher doesn’t listen to anything I say. How am I supposed to watch him while I work?”

“You were the one worried about murderers. I’m leaving you a guard dog. He’ll protect you while I’m gone.”

I give him a look and cross my arms.

“You really should be thanking me right now.” He smirks, zipping up his coat.

“Oh, please. He’s a bigger chicken than I am. If someone broke in, I’d have to protect him .” I roll my eyes.

Dasher follows him, and Levi stops to pet his head. “Don’t listen to her and be a good boy.”

“You literally just told him not to listen to me!” I shout, but he continues walking out the door.

I glance down at Dasher, who’s looking up at me. “What? You’re screwed. I’m not entertaining you.”

Turning around, I go to the kitchen and find a plate of eggs and hashbrowns that are still warm. While I eat, Dasher sits at my feet, begging for some. Instead, I eat every bite, rinse the plate, then nearly trip over Dasher on the way to the living room.

I sit on the couch, watching the flames lick the inside of the fireplace, and wish I had a mug of coffee.

Dasher stares me down, then trots to his pile of toys as I grab my laptop. The first thing I do is try to connect to the Wi-Fi, and I nearly cry when it works.

Dasher has a squeaky ball in his mouth and places his head on the edge of the couch. While I catch up on emails, I try to ignore him, but he nudges his cold nose against my hand.

“Go lie down.” I position my body away from him, so he moves into my line of sight. It’s impossible to avoid those big brown puppy dog eyes. Eventually, I pull the ball from his mouth and throw it as hard as I can across the room.

Biggest mistake of my life.

He immediately returns it, his tail wagging in excitement. I toss it again, and this time, it bounces off the wall, bolting in the opposite direction. The pads of his feet tap along the hardwood floor as he retrieves the ball and brings it to me.

I type an email to my boss with my free hand and eventually finish, but it takes me twice as long. Then I open my document and read the last paragraph I wrote.

Dasher whines, and I hold him off for five minutes, but then my heart can’t handle his whimpering any longer. So his relentless game of fetch begins again.

After every few words I write, I throw that damn ball as far as I can. He doesn’t take the hint that I’m over it .

“ Please. I need to work,” I tell him as if he can understand. We play until he runs to the door. For a moment, I think I’ll get a break, that is, until he paws at it.

Standing, I walk over. “Let’s come to an agreement first. You do your business, then come right back. Got it?”

I wait, almost expecting an answer, but he stares at me in anticipation.

“Okay, fine,” I say, twisting the knob and opening the door. The first thing Dasher does is jump into a pile of snow.

“Oh God,” I groan, stepping onto the deck to watch him run around. “Hurry up so we can go inside!”

The cold air wafts into the house, and I shiver, wishing I had grabbed my coat. A sweater and a thermal aren’t enough.

“ Dasher !”

He bunny hops around, the bright green ball still in his mouth as he has the time of his life. I shut the door, trying to warm up, but keep an eye on him through the window. I tap on the glass, and he pops his head up with his ears raised. “Come on, go potty!”

He goes back to tossing the ball in the air and playing by himself. I shake my head, annoyed that I’m left to watch this spoiled animal who has no consideration for my productivity.

“Fine,” I mutter and return to my laptop in the living room. If he’s smart enough to let me know when he wants out, he should be smart enough to let me know when he wants in.

Sighing, I look at the steadily blinking cursor on my screen. I read over the few sentences I wrote while distracted, not fully impressed, and decide to delete them.

Until I see more, I won’t be able to continue writing, so I stop forcing it. Instead, I text my sister with an update.

Fallon

We lost power during the storm and it just came on. Sorry for not calling you back, but I’m safe.

Taryn

I was worried to death about you! What do you mean, WE?

Fallon

Long story. Can I call you?

I pick up when my phone rings. I explain every single detail, and when I stop to take a breath, she speaks up.

“Wow,” she says. “So you’re staying in this stranger’s house until you find another place? Is he hot?”

I snort.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

I shrug, trying to seem indifferent. “Kinda. But it doesn’t matter because he’s obsessed with the holidays. His family owns a Christmas tree farm, and it’s his whole personality—including every inch of his house. We’re complete opposites. He makes fun of me for not being able to survive out in the wilderness like a psycho.”

She chuckles, and I know she’s probably thinking the same thing as him. “Who cares. Not like you’ll be calling him Santa Claus while getting tangled up in the sheets. I mean, unless you’re into that kinda thing. Call him St. Dick while he rams your sleigh.”

“Taryn,” I scold. “Gross.”

Just as a thought comes to me, I hear barking outside. “Shit. I’ve gotta let the dog inside before he loses his shit or runs off.”

“Wait, you’re taking care of his dog?”

“Yeah, and not because I want to. He forced it on me while he plows the driveway and his family’s farm. And don’t you dare make a plowing joke,” I warn.

She snickers. “You know me so well. But anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. I was ready to send a search and rescue party out for you, but then I Googled the town and saw how bad it was. Figured you lost power.”

“Yeah, it was scary. The wind sounded evil, and I nearly froze to death. I’m kinda tired, though. Haven’t been sleeping that great since I got here. The heat went out, and my room is an icebox.”

“You know what’ll warm you right up?”

“What’s that?” I humor her.

“Lots and lots of sex.”

“Not. happening.”

“Never say never, Fallon. Especially now that you’re practically living with this sexy lumberjack.”

“Hopefully not for long. He’s supposed to be calling around for a hotel for me.”

“And what if there are no vacancies?”

I blow out a breath because I’ve wondered the same thing. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

“I wouldn’t sweat it. Doesn’t sound like he’s actively trying to get rid of you if you’re dog-sitting,” she says. “But anyway, I bet you have a lot of work to catch up on, so I’ll let you get to it.”

“Thanks. Love you. I’ll let you know what happens.”

“Sounds great. Love you too.”

I end the call, then open the door for Dasher. He rushes in, drops the ball, and then shakes. Cold water splashes all over me, and that’s when I realize how soaked and filthy he is. Before I can stop him, he runs through the house, paw prints and droplets trailing him.

“Dasher!” I shout, panicking when he shakes again and jumps on the couch. “God. Now it smells like a wet dog in here.”

Shaking my head, I go to the bathroom and grab a towel to clean up the mess and another to dry him.

“You’re gonna get us both in trouble,” I murmur, though I doubt he gives a shit.

Once the floor is clean, I throw the towel over his body and soak up as much water as I can. “You’re a stinky boy.”

He leans forward and tries to lick me, but I dodge him. “Eww, no. Keep that to yourself.”

When I pet his head, I realize his fur is cold to the touch. I throw another log on the fire, then grab a blanket and cover him. He rests his head and kicks out his legs.

“You’re spoiled as fuck,” I say, and I think he knows it, too.

“Also, I’m not bathing you. Your owner can do that when he gets home,” I tell him. “I’m sure you’ll need to go out again before then.”

I return to my small corner on the couch since Dasher hogs most of it, then I pick up my laptop. Maybe he’ll take a nap and give me a few hours of peace and quiet.

An email from Sierra states that she canceled my company card, and the unknown charges were reversed. It’s a small silver lining in this shitty situation.

My mind races knowing that time is ticking. I didn’t expect to be snowed in for days and had planned specific things to do. My schedule is now off-kilter, and it’s stressing me out. Thankfully, Levi’s already volunteered to be my tour guide, so hopefully, I can get back on track.

However, that means spending more time with Levi White and his overenthusiastic Christmas self.