Puppy Wishes & Candy Kisses (Kringle Falls #1)

24. Epilogue

Christmas Eve

He was up to something.

However, she just didn’t know what it was.

Candi knelt in front of the Christmas tree and placed the wrapped gifts she’d gotten for Michael under it. They’d decided to do Christmas at his place since he already had a Christmas tree, and she was still moving into her new apartment above Purr ’n Woof.

Not to mention, he had a fireplace to take the chill out of the air. They were going to have a white Christmas this year. It was already snowing outside. It was only supposed to amount to a couple of inches, but that was plenty to coat Kringle Falls in fluffy white stuff.

She used her phone to turn on some Christmas music. This was going to be a perfect evening.

So much in her life had changed in the past few weeks. She loved her new apartment. But talk about living close to your work. She’d never have a legitimate excuse for being late. She didn’t think Merry would buy the story that there was a traffic jam on the steps.

Candi knew from talking to Michael’s family that they normally opened their presents on Christmas morning. And yet Michael had insisted they open theirs on Christmas Eve. They went back and forth. Candi wanted to wait and open them in the morning. He insisted they had to open them that evening. At last, they came to a compromise—they’d each open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest of them on Christmas morning. He seemed satisfied with this solution. She had to wonder what he had gotten her that was so special he couldn’t wait.

She knew it wasn’t going to be a diamond ring. They’d discussed it and it was far too soon for either of them. So, what else could it be?

She had absolutely no idea. And as much as she’d pestered him, he wasn’t giving her any hints.

“Hey.” Michael stepped into the living room. He looked under the tree and then he frowned at her. “How many presents did you get me?”

She smiled and shrugged. “Not that many.”

He arched a brow. “It sure looks like a lot to me. Wait here. I have to go shopping.”

She got to her feet and rushed over to him. She took his hand in hers. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

She’d gotten him some clothes and tools for his workshop. She wrapped every single item individually so it looked like there were more presents under the tree than there actually was. It was something her mother had done for her at Christmas time. Her mother hadn’t had a lot of money, so she took what they had and made the most of it.

“Would you come sit down?” she said. “You’ve been on the go since I got here. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” His answer came out far too quickly to be believable.

“Michael James Bishop, what are you up to?” She narrowed her gaze on him, hoping to make him crack.

He smiled and shook his head. “I’m not telling.”

“Michael, I know you’re up to something.” When he grinned, she said, “See I knew it.”

“Just trust me. You’ll love what I have in store for you.”

It was then she noticed Tank was missing. She must have been more excited about this Christmas than she realized for her to miss something like Tank not being around. Usually, he met her at the door.

The smile faded from her face. “Where’s Tank?”

“Oh. Um... He’s around.” Michael tried to look innocent, but she could tell there was something more he was keeping from her.

And then she started to worry. “Please, tell me he’s all right.”

Michael placed his hands on her shoulders. “Stop worrying. He’s fine. I promise. I wouldn’t keep something like that from you.”

She stared into his eyes until she was certain he was telling her the truth. “Good.”

And then he smiled and pointed above his head. In the doorway between the kitchen and living room hung some mistletoe.

She smiled. “I don’t remember that being there.”

“Well, you said I needed more decorations, so I made sure to put up the most important one.”

She laughed. “Most important, huh?”

“Most definitely.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her to him. “How else am I going to get more of these?”

He lowered his head and claimed her lips. Her heart pitter-pattered. She definitely approved of the mistletoe.

Before they got too distracted, she pulled back. “We each have a gift to open.”

He sent her a pouty look. “We’d have more to open if you’d let us open them all tonight.”

She laughed again. “Your mother must have had her hands full with you on Christmas Eve.” She moved to the Christmas tree and knelt down to pick up the present she’d chosen for him to open. She straightened and turned to him. “This is for you.”

He looked at the package and then his gaze met hers again. “I want to give you my gift first.”

“But I already have yours. Open it. Please” She sent him a pleading look.

He accepted the gift and ripped the paper off like a little kid on Christmas morning. She smiled and realized that she’d wasted her time carefully wrapping each gift. He didn’t even notice that the folds were perfect or the tape was in the right spot.

Inside was a white gift box. He lifted the lid to find two white glass ball ornaments. On one, his name was painted on one side and the year on the other. The second ornament had Tank’s name and the year.”

Michael looked in the box, then he lifted his gaze to her. His brows drew together. “Where’s the other one?”

“What other one?”

“The one with your name on it.”

She smiled. “Michael, you’re rushing things. There’ll be time for that someday.”

He sighed. “Okay. But the day will come when your ornament is up there with ours.”

She felt this gift needed an explanation. “These ornaments aren’t to replace the ones you have with your wife and son’s names, but rather to expand your family.”

His eyes grew misty. He blinked repeatedly. “Thank you. I never received such a thoughtful gift.”

He leaned down and pressed his lips to her. It was a sweet, tender kiss.

When he pulled back, she said, “I understand and respect that the memory of your wife and son will always have a place in our lives. Any time you want to talk about them, I’m more than willing to listen.”

His gaze searched hers. “It wouldn’t bother you?”

“Should it?”

He shook his head. “I’m learning that the heart has a great capacity for love. I have plenty of love for them and you too.”

“I love you too.”

He reached out and pulled her into a warm embrace. Her head came to rest on his chest. She heard the steady thump-thump of his heart. How did she ever get so lucky to have him in her life?

He pulled back and said, “Now it’s my turn to give you a gift.” He took her by the shoulders. He guided her backward until the back of her knees hit the couch. “Sit here and no looking around. Okay?”

She sat down. “You’re being very mysterious.”

He grinned at her. “Yes, I am.”

And then he walked away. What is he up to? And then she heard the back door open and close. Then there was more silence.

She knew she wasn’t supposed to peek, but she was so curious. She turned to the side and peered back toward the kitchen. She didn’t see Michael or anything that looked like a present.

Suddenly, the back door opened, and Michael peered inside. His gaze met hers. “You’re cheating. Turn around.”

She huffed as she turned around. “What are you up to?”

“Close your eyes.”

“Michael?”

“Close your eyes and keep them closed if you want your surprise.”

She closed her eyes. She tried to guess what he was up to, but she didn’t have a clue.

And then she heard Tank’s nails tapping on the kitchen floor. What did it have to do with him? And why did it sound like he was running around the kitchen?

And then she heard them approach her. She was tempted to peek, but she resisted the urge.

“Okay. You can open your eyes.”

She had her eyes open before he finished saying okay. Sitting before her was not one but two dogs. She was confused. Right beside Tank was a white boxer.

“And who is this cutie?” She lowered her hand so the dog could sniff her.

“This would be your dog. And before you say anything, I know you were waiting to have your own dog until you had a place that allowed dogs and you wanted one that was special—that other people had passed by. Well, Snow here has a long sad story. She was adopted and returned three times for being deemed untrainable.”

Her heart melted for the dog. “But I don’t understand. She seems so friendly and well-behaved.”

“According to Bob... And before you ask, yes, he’s been helping me find the perfect dog for you. Anyway, according to Bob, it was just discovered that Snow is deaf. So she’s going to need some extra love and care. Do you think you’re up for the task?”

She wanted to reach out and give Snow a great big hug. She resisted the urge. She didn’t want to scare the dog.

She looked up at Michael and smiled at him. “How did you know I was ready to adopt?”

He shrugged. “You might have mentioned it once or a hundred times.”

She laughed. “Hey, I’m not that bad.”

She slowly moved her hand to pet Snow. She wasn’t skittish, so that was a plus. Now Candi had to do a lot of research about how best to care for a deaf dog. She had some experience with them, but she was certain she had more to learn. She didn’t want to fail Snow.

When Tank moved to walk to the kitchen, Snow shot away from Candi in order to follow him. Candi was impressed with the way the two dogs got along.

“Snow seems to have bonded with Tank.” She stood so that she could watch the duo.

“Over the past few days that I’ve had her, they’ve really warmed up to each other.”

She arched a brow as she looked at him. “Is this why you’ve been so busy lately that I’ve hardly seen you?”

“Guilty as charged.” His gaze moved to the dogs. “Do you like your gift? Because if you don’t want a dog right now, Bob said he’d find Snow another home.”

“Oh, no. I love Snow. If she’s a buddy of Tank’s, I know that she’s a good dog with a big heart because Tank is very particular about who he hangs out with.”

Michael smiled. “Does that mean I’m also good and have a big heart?”

“Well...” she teased.

He pulled her into his arms. “Hey, that’s not nice.”

She tilted her chin upward and stared into his eyes. “You’re the best man I know, and you have a heart of gold. No one has ever given me a more meaningful gift. This is the best Christmas ever. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.