One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,33

her hatchback with firewood, drove out to the lodge with her snow shovel, then made fast work of the walkway, as there were only a couple of inches of snow. Next, she located the key that Elsie Stone kept hidden for the Sisterhood of the Quilt under the loose railing on the back porch, carried the firewood inside, and placed it by the large hearth in the living room, leaving newspaper for tinder and matches, too. It was weird to be back in the lodge. Such good memories from childhood, but terrible ones at the end. When she arrived home and fell into bed, she should’ve slept soundly, but she didn’t. It wasn’t Izzie who visited, but memories of Donovan.

Today, Hope had only caught a smidge of Donovan and Piney’s conversation. But the whole town had to have heard him exclaim that Hope wasn’t his girl anymore.

Donovan wheeled his shopping cart by her.

“Wait up.” She pulled a fleece bag from the bottom of the shopping bag pile. Most bags were made from shirts, dresses, and pants, but this one had come from an old baby blanket. “Boomer will be more comfortable with a little padding. Put this under him.” And then, because she was feeling sassy, she added, “We like all our customers to enjoy their visit to the Hungry Bear. Even the runts.”

Donovan looked at her with a strange expression . . . like maybe she’d lost it? Or maybe it was surprise and appreciation? Who knew?

Finally, he said, “Thanks.” He positioned the blanket in the bottom of the cart, then gently set Boomer on top before going on his merry way. Not that he seemed all that merry. More like confused. Or disgruntled. She had no idea anymore what was up with him, which was fair, since he didn’t know anything about her either.

From her spot at the front, Hope watched as Donovan carefully positioned items in his cart, making sure not to bury Boomer. When the first cart was full, he returned for a second.

As he went to pull little Boomer from his makeshift bed, Hope said, “Leave him. I’ll keep an eye on the small fry. He won’t be in anyone’s way here.”

Donovan nodded. “Okay.”

She pulled Boomer’s cart behind the counter while Donovan rushed off to get more.

Rick and Sparkle reappeared, carrying stacks of packaged salads, and shelved them in the case on the diner side of the building. Rick touched Sparkle’s elbow, said something to her, and then they came over to Hope.

Rick glanced in Boomer’s cart. “What’s going on here?”

“Babysitting,” Hope answered.

Sparkle reached down and scratched the puppy behind the ears. “He’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Hope laughed. “You say that about every dog you meet.”

Donovan maneuvered his cart back toward the front, looking ready to check out.

“Did he tell you about our trip to Anchorage?” Rick asked, smiling.

That saved Hope from trying to figure out where he’d gone. “Silent as the grave.” Oh, crud. What a stupid thing to say. What was wrong with her?

Donovan frowned.

Rick didn’t seem to notice her faux pas. “Anchorage was quite the adventure. We loaded up on stain for the exterior of the lodge. I’m hoping we get a few warm days. The lady at the store said it might get into the forties for a short period of time, which is all we need.”

“Or she might’ve just been feeding you a line, hoping you’d clear her inventory this late in the year,” Hope said teasingly but also because there might be some truth in it. Winter was here and the forties wouldn’t be seen for many, many months.

“You might be right,” Rick said with an Oh, well easiness. “Then we went to the furniture store.” He turned toward Sparkle. “I bought a couple of large beanbags. You should come out to the lodge and watch movies with us tonight.”

Sparkle dropped her head, looking embarrassed.

Donovan jumped in, as if to ease Sparkle’s discomfort. “We bought a bunch of kids’ movies. Christmas ones, too. We thought it would be cool to stock up for the future buyer, for when families come to stay at the lodge.”

The phone rang and Piney picked it up. “Hope McKnight, it’s for you.”

“Can you take a message?” she asked. That was when she noticed the confused look on Donovan’s face.

“McKnight?” he asked.

Hope straightened her shoulders and dared him with her eyes to contradict her. “I kept my maiden name.”

Rick laughed and laid his hands on their shoulders. “Looks like the two of you