Belle accepted all the praise, then allowed Reggie to strap on her coat. She submitted to the booties with slightly more grace than usual, then led the way outside.

“Can I take her leash?” Harrison asked.

Reggie handed it over. “Remember, she’ll only let you go on the sidewalk, so don’t try anything, Harrison. Belle’s a rule follower.”

Harrison laughed, then let Belle pull him toward the center of town and The Wreath.

“She was something,” Toby said, falling into step next to her.

“I know. She’s never acted like that before. Burt doesn’t ever come after me, so I don’t know what she would do if he tried, but obviously she’s going to take care of Harrison.” Reggie was oddly proud of her dog. “Normally she’s so timid. I’m impressed.”

“She was motivated,” he said.

They were joined on the sidewalk by other families making their way to The Wreath.

“Big crowd this year,” Toby said, waving at people he knew.

“It is. Probably because the weather is so nice.”

The sun was already sinking in the west, but the sky was clear, and the night promised to be filled with stars.

Filled with stars? Reggie held in a groan. She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her, but whatever it was, she needed to get over it and fast. While she wanted to believe her strangeness was due to her dog’s unexpected bravery, she had a bad feeling that being around Toby was the real cause. Apparently Dena wasn’t the only Somerville sister to have a reaction to a man this holiday season. And speaking of Dena...

She looked around, trying to spot her sister, wondering if Dena had managed to invite hunky Micah Ruiz to join her. But she couldn’t see her anywhere.

“Who are you looking for?” Toby asked as they joined the crowd entering The Wreath.

“Dena. I thought she might come with a few of her guests.”

She saw Paisley and Shaye buying hot chocolate at a cart by the huge stack of calendar boxes. Paisley saw her and started to wave her over. Then she spotted Toby, and her expression turned knowing. Reggie knew there would be lots of explaining when next they spoke.

Music played from speakers set up around the perimeter. Other vendors sold cookies and more adult beverages than hot chocolate. The old-fashioned streetlights were decorated with garland, and giant ornaments decorated the circle. Harrison and Belle huddled close as more and more people poured into the space and the big clock, also erected for the season, ticked closer to 4:00 p.m.

At three fifty-eight, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” started playing.

“This is it,” she told Harrison, trying not to shiver in the cold.

The minute hand moved to twelve, and everyone cheered. The first box was opened, and the screen at the east side of The Wreath lit up.