Maybe one day I would get better at gift-giving, but I also hoped it would always be Henry I was giving the gifts to.
Mr. Barnes began singing “Deck the Halls”. Henry pulled out his guitar and strummed along. Soon everyone was singing. I tried to blink back my happy tears. I felt so lucky to be a part of this big strange family.
I went to sleep happy that night. I could still feel the warm glow of love and wine. Duncan was snuggled into my back. It would be nice if he didn’t snore so loudly. I moved my head a little further from his mouth and drifted off into a deep sleep.
***
I sat straight up in bed. Duncan reluctantly lifted his head to look at me. I didn’t know how long I had been asleep. I must have been dreaming, but it was so vivid. I put on my boots and coat. Duncan followed me, his tail wagging.
“Are you coming with?” I asked, a little surprised. I thought he would prefer to stay in the cozy bed. His tail wagged harder, so I grabbed his leash.
It was dark and cold outside. I could hear the wind chimes in front of Flora’s shop softly jingling in the breeze. I cringed a little as I started my car. I really should get my muffler fixed.
It was still clear in my mind. Usually my dreams, even the ones I tried to remember, faded quickly after I got up. Not this time. It was as though my mind was giving me step-by-step directions. “Turn left in three hundred feet. Turn right at the stoplight. Merge onto the highway.” I exited the highway and drove down an asphalt road. The asphalt road turned into a dirt road. The trees got thicker. “Stop,” the GPS in my mind said. Duncan and I got out of the car and walked into the woods. The air was quiet except for a few leaves rustling and our feet crunching in the snow.
“We’re here,” I whispered and dropped to my knees. Duncan crept up slowly behind me. He sniffed the air, but lost interest when he didn’t see any food. I gently dug the snow away. There it was. It was small, just a twig sticking out of the ground with a few tiny green leaves growing out of it.
“Hey, friend,” I whispered. I pulled off my mitten and gently touched one of the leaves. I could feel the tingle of magic.
THE END
If you enjoyed reading about Susie Daniels and Hocus Hills, you can find more books by A. G. Mayes here.
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to my wonderful editor, Charlotte Ledger, and the whole amazing team at One More Chapter! Working with you is a dream come true for me!
I’m lucky to have the brilliant Char Torkelson in my life. You’ve taught me so much about writing, and your cheerleading has helped me bulldoze through my doubts and keep going.
I love Mondays thanks to my Monday night writing group. Marilyn, Anne, Susan, Fay, Charissa, Patty, and Jim – you inspire me every week with your stories and feedback.
Thank you to my husband, Chris, who is always ready for emergency ice cream or taco runs and who never fails to provide a dose of encouragement when I need it the most. Love you!
To my dogs, Bella and Chloe, thank you for your daily reminders to snuggle, play, and dance before dinner. Chloe, we may not have found each other near a magic tree, but your presence in my life certainly was magical. I miss you every day.
Also by A. G. Mayes
A Slice of Magic
About the Author
A.G. Mayes lives in Minnesota with her husband and two dogs. She loves to eat pie and this now counts as research! The Magic Pie Shop is a sweet, heartwarming and romantic series about a young woman, Susanna, whose eccentric Aunt Erma mysteriously disappears, leaving Susanna to look after her small town pie shop and mischievous dog, Mitzy.
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