A dark horse for sure,” Pru said, thumbing through the list of participating high schools on the app. “I expected Holly Hills High would crush this, since they are the town that Christmas built, and Sweetheart Springs is full of wedding parties and honeymooners. Oh, and rich people who own second homes. The high school isn’t exactly famous for its spirit. But the judges gave some kids forty points for painting a Christmas mural on the side of a foster home overnight in freezing weather.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“That’s close to the mall where we’re going after we drop Pru off, isn’t it?” Yiayia said under her breath to Gramma Finnie.
Gramma Finnie nodded, but added a warning look.
“Where exactly are you two going after you drop me off?” Pru asked, eyeing the octogenarians, and getting a whiff of…trouble.
“Nowhere.”
“Not important, lass.”
A zing shot through her at the dismissive responses. “Is this Dogmothers business that you forgot to tell me, the honorary member of your matchmaking team? Are you working on Ella’s match?” Her voice rose with enough excitement for Pyggie to force himself up, nearly taking a lick of the dagger-sharp candy cane Pru pointed at the front seat as she demanded to know more. “Are you getting her some of that famous hot springs water that’s supposed to make you fall in love, hence the unfortunate name of the town Sweetheart Springs?”
“Settle down, Prudence,” Yiayia said quickly. “There’s no matchmaking happening.”
Gramma Finnie lifted a dubious brow, silent.
“What?” Yiayia shot back. “I have an errand to run at the mall is all, which happens to be right between Holly Hills and Sweetheart Springs.”
“You’re going to the Vestal Village Mall on Christmas Eve? With the dogs?” Pru asked.
“Oh, dogs are more than welcome,” Yiayia said. “They’re trying to cash in on Bitter Bark’s huge tourist success by letting dogs go everywhere, so Pyggie and Gala will be safe and happy.”
“But will you?” Pru asked. “That place’ll be a madhouse today what with that massive Santa’s Workshop and the indoor train and carolers everywhere. Who in their right mind would go there on Christmas Eve?” Let alone two octogenarians and their dachshunds.
Once again, an indecipherable look passed between the two women, a look that Pru ached to interpret. Few things were as fun as the grannies on a matchmaking mission.
“What are you going to get?” Pru asked.
“Caught,” Gramma Finnie whispered. “Then killed.”
“Excuse me?” Pru launched forward to put her face between them. “What are you talking about?”
Yiayia gave an exasperated sigh. “It’s Christmas Eve, Prudence. There have to be some secrets.”
“From me?”
Gramma Finnie tsked. “You just concern yourself with racking up points today.”
“Racking them up alone,” she murmured, remembering her plight.
“Well, this is a Christmas thing,” Yiayia told her. “Don’t you want a surprise under the tree?”
“Yeah, and maybe he’ll be cute and ask me to the Winter Formal I’m working my butt off to win for the school.” She dropped back in her seat with a huff.
“You could partner up with someone who doesn’t have a team yet,” Gramma Finnie suggested. “And that could be your first Random Act of Christmas Kindness, lass.”
“I don’t get RACK points for that.”
Gramma looked over her bifocals at Pru. “Then perhaps you’re missing the point of Christmas kindness,” she reminded her gently.
“Sorry.” Pru held up a hand, acknowledging the admonishment. “Everyone has a partner, Gramma. I made sure of that.”
“What about him?” Yiayia pointed to a kid on the sidewalk in front of town hall. “Maybe that boy needs a partner, other than that horse he’s with.”
Pru snorted at the comment and the absurd suggestion. “That’s a greyhound, Yiayia, and that’s no boy. That’s the new kid from California. He’s not on the list today, so no worries that he’ll be looking for a partner. I doubt very much Lucas Darling is on his way to the RACK IT UP kickoff in the square.”
Not to mention that he was the very last person on earth Pru would want as a partner. Unless she longed to spend the day with a broody, moody loner who hadn’t said two words to anyone at school since he’d arrived as a transfer student a few weeks ago in the middle of the semester.
“He’s a good-looking fella,” Gramma Finnie commented as Yiayia slowed the car at the Ambrose Avenue intersection in the heart of town, a few feet from where Lucas and his dog stood. “If you like a man who’s Gregory Peck