paid for the stands, then they were on the way home. A light snow started to fall again as they hit the main road.
“Pay up,” Amy said when Hank swerved into the driveway. All three trees were exactly where Amy had told the youngster to put them. Hank kissed her instead.
“That’ll work.” Amy giggled again. She felt like a teenager as she helped Hank cut away the netting to set up the tree in the stand on the Carpenter front porch. When they were finished, Hank stood back and said, “It’s a beauty, perfect in every way. Tomorrow we can decorate it.”
“Oh, it smells so good. Growing up, you could smell the tree all over the house. I loved it then as much as I love it now. I guess it’s the kid in me. That won’t change, will it, Hank?”
Hank for some reason knew this was a very important question, and he had to give just the right answer. “Memories are a wonderful thing, Mandy. Sometimes they fade in time, but if you work at remembering, then I think they’ll be with you forever. The special memories. Like this one. Christmas was always the best time of year when we were kids. All the wild anticipation, the frenzy of the shopping, the tree, the snow, the way the house smelled. Ben and I used to talk about it. For the most part I think he and Alice pretty much duplicated everything. For them it was easier because they’re in the house we grew up in. I know it was different for you after…but see, you still have those wonderful earlier memories.” He looked at her expectantly to see if she was in agreement. She smiled, and his world was right side up.
“Okay, let’s set up the tree for the boys. Then we can go back to your house and set yours up and do…other things. What say you?”
Amy giggled again. “Won’t work, Hank. We have to decorate the house for Alice. I don’t know why I say this because it’s just a feeling. I think Alice is waiting until that’s done before she returns home. Having said that, let’s get to it. But before we get started, I think I’d like a cup of coffee. Your house or mine?”
“Well, since we have so much work ahead of us, I guess it should be the Anders house. I imagine the twins will be awake from their nap by now. I can’t wait for you to meet them, and Mason as well.”
“I have to let the dogs out first. I’ll be over in a few minutes.” Amy kissed him lightly on the lips before she tripped her way to her own front door.
Inside, she ran to the back door to let the dogs out, then leaned against it. She was shaking from head to toe. She was in love. Hank loved her. She loved him. How wonderful is that? Is this one of those Christmas miracles?
Was this love going to come with a price on it? Amy closed her eyes and thought about her home in Hollywood, thought about her contract, the few friends she had, and what her agent was going to say when she told him to buy out her contract. What would all those people on her payroll do if she turned her back on Hollywood? She could bonus them out and wish them luck in finding a new job. Was she getting ahead of herself? Probably, but she didn’t care.
Hank had asked her to marry him, so that had to mean they would live where his business was. Maybe they could buy the Carpenter house from the mortgage company and have a home here in Apple Valley. She knew in her heart that Mr. Carpenter would approve. She rather thought Hank would approve, too. They could watch the twins grow up, and if they had kids of their own, they could play together. Win-win all around. She could hardly wait to tell Hank her idea.
The 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
