Page 198 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
The man puffs his chest up to Uncle Dwight, who puffs back, and I can see that this might not end well, so I get out of the car and walk up to them.
“If that is chipped, you’re going to have to pay for it.”
“Who puts a statue out front like that? Everyone hates that statue. Everyone!”
“That statue is an icon of this town.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Hey,” I say, butting in. “Why don’t we just?—”
“What’s going on out here?” a woman who I think is Mrs. Dankworth says as she comes out of the store holding a pillow.
Why on earth would she need a pillow?
“He ran over the statue.”
“The statue shouldn’t be there,” Uncle Dwight shouts.
“I think if we all just calm down,” I say, but it’s too late as Mr. Dankworth takes the pillow from his wife and whips it around to hit Uncle Dwight.
At the last second, Uncle Dwight ducks, and the pillow whacks me in the face, sending feathers flying everywhere and pushing me backward as I trip over something behind me.
I twist, I turn, and then I stumble... right into the arms of someone behind me.
As I’m being held right above the ground, I glance at my feet, where I spot two paint cans, the culprits for tripping me. When did those get there?
And as I’m about to turn around to thank whoever is holding me up, people start filing out of Baubles and Wrappings. But not just any people: all the people from town. Sherry, Tanya, Bob Krampus, Cole, Storee, Taran, Guy... and then Atlas, who’s holding a bouquet of chocolate-covered cherries.
“Give him a chance to explain,” a deep voice says into my ear. I turn around and see BKJ right before he brings me back to my feet.
Everyone parts, and Atlas steps forward.
My heart beats rapidly from the mere sight of him.God, why is he so beautiful?
“Betty.” He clears his throat as I take in everyone watching—everyone who is conveniently here at the same time.
Even his parents are off to the side, along with Martha and Mae.
“The moment I heard about you on the farm, I knew I had to figure out who you were and what you were planning on doing.The instant I saw you, I knew that task wasn’t going to be so hard, because you were the prettiest woman I’d ever seen, and I found myself needing to see you every day.” He clears his throat again and takes another step toward me. “And then I got to know you, I saw myself in you, I saw how well we meshed, how I felt comfortable around you, and I immediately knew,this is my person. And I went from seeking revenge to attempting to get you to like me. To make you see who I was past what Dwight was saying. I fell for you... hard. And my biggest regret to date is not giving myself a chance to get to know you before I started planning to stop your endeavors.”
He takes another step forward, and tears well in my eyes as I glance at Uncle Dwight, who’s nodding.
Cole and Storee, gleefully hopeful.
Tanya and Sherry, holding hands.
Bob Krampus... popping Tic Tacs into his mouth.
“I know I messed up and that asking for a second chance is bold, but I can’t imagine you not being here... with me. With us. This entire town loves you.”
“We do,” Tanya says.
“So much,” Sherry adds.
“You’re a good friend we can’t lose,” Storee says, tears in her eyes.
“And someone who makes our boy and everyone else happy,” Cole says.
