Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Lots of other snowmen and snowwomen dotted the landscape, and there were several spectacular entries. Her family was standing in a group, including Ellie and Anson, just behind Memory, but they seemed content to give her and Dak some space, so Memory stood where she was and thought about their chances of winning. It wasn’t about the prize for her; it was about the message. She just hoped people were getting it.

Dak leaned in close to her ear. “People are talking about our snowman....”

“They are?” She hadn’t been listening to anyone else’s conversations, but as she tuned in to what the others were saying, she did notice a lot of people pointing and mentioning how cute it was. She also heard people talking about the shirt and hat and how clever it was to put the logo on it. Memory’s face lit up. Maybe even if they didn’t win, they could do some good.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned, half expecting her sister to be standing there, ready to taunt her. “Hi, Memory! How are you?”

“Kim, hi.” Kim Dennison ran the animal shelter. “Good. Cold but good. How are you?”

“The same,” Kim laughed. “Hi, Dak.”

“Nice to see you again, Kim.” Dak patted her on the arm, and even though Kim was old enough to be Memory’s mom and had kids her age, she was pretty sure the woman blushed at his touch.

“Listen, I just wanted to stop by and say thank you both so much for the attention you’re bringing to the shelter. We’ve got so many pets who need loving homes. We sure hope this inspires people to stop by and take a look.”

“I hope so, too,” Memory nodded. “Or at least make a donation.”

“Absolutely! We will always accept those, although the situation is looking much better now than it was a few hours ago.” She smiled so wide, the sun glinted off of her teeth. Memory glanced over her shoulder at Dak to see he was turning pink and shrugging away from Kim. Memory’s eyebrows shot up, but she didn’t ask what Kim was talking about while she was still standing there. “Anyway, best of luck, and thanks again. See you both later.” She patted both of them on the arm and then disappeared into the crowd.

Memory turned to Dak, her eyebrows still raised. “What did you do?”

“Me? Nothing. I don’t know what she’s talking about.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and she knew for certain he was lying.

“You made a donation to the shelter?”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t ask other people to do it and not do it myself. You said you donate all the time.”

“I do. But something tells me whatever you gave them is more than I have ever donated in my whole life.”

“It’s not the size of the donation that matters, Memory. It’s the spirit in which it’s given. Remember the lady who gave her last coin at church? From the Bible? Wasn’t her gift just as much and more than anyone else’s?”

She couldn’t argue with that, and it wasn’t as if she was upset he’d made a generous donation to one of her favorite charities. “Well, thank you.”

“You bet. If it gets dogs like Patches into good homes, then I’ll do whatever I can.”

“You sure seem to like that dog. Are you sure you don’t want to adopt him?”

“Her, and no.... I can’t. Not now anyway. I hope someone else does before Christmas because that dog needs a home for the holidays.”

Her response was interrupted before it could even come out of her mouth. “Well, isn’t that a nice little display you’ve got over there.” Kirsten wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other around Dak’s, up on her tiptoes so she could reach. “You two kids did a nice job, but it’s not gonna win.”

“I’m glad you feel free to say that.” Dak kept a straight face as he delivered an awful pun to rival the one Kirsten had used earlier.

“Oh, now that’s just terrible,” Kirsten laughed. “Seriously, though, may the best team win.”

“We will.” Memory narrowed her eyes at her sister, over-exaggerating the glare until they both started laughing. “Which one is Lorelei’s?”

“You don’t know? I figured you’d see it and have a conniption.”

“Why?” Memory asked, wondering what in the world the child had done now. She looked past Dak over toward where she thought her dad and niece had done their build. It took her a few seconds to spot it, but once her eyes landed on Lorelei’s creation, it was evident what she was looking at—and that it was the child’s work.

“Wow—she had time to make four snowmen in a half an hour?” Dak asked.

“Well, they’re not in the best shape,” Kirsten pointed out. “But she and dad whipped them out.”

“Can you not tell what they are?” Memory asked him, part of her thinking maybe she shouldn’t explain the scene if he hadn’t already caught up with where Lorelei’s mind had gone.

“Uh, it looks like a bride and groom and a preacher. And... an angel?”

“That’s it,” Kirsten said, patting him on the back sharply and taking a few steps toward Maison and the rest of the family. “See you guys later. Maybe you can take our photo with the trophy?”

Memory ignored her, waiting to see if Dak was going to work out what the scene represented. It looked like the judges were almost done with their scoring, their loop around the snow people nearly complete, and Mayor Charles was holding the trophy behind them. She hoped Dak wouldn’t have time to say anything now even if he did figure it out.

“Huh.” He ran his hand along his chin and turned to face where the Mayor was standing. Memory put her hands in her pockets and turned, too, glad the judges had already made it past their work while she wasn’t paying attention. She would’ve tried to read their expressions, and that could be dangerous. “I just have one question.”

Steeling herself with a deep breath, Memory asked, “What’s that?”

“Do you recognize the preacher?”

Her mouth hung open for a second as he glanced back at the snow scene and then turned back to her. “Well, uh, he’s wearing a bowtie, so... yeah. I do. The pastor at our church always wears a bowtie. Brother Phil.”

He shook his head, his lips scrunched to one side, thinking. He looked at it one more time and then turned back to Mayor Charles who was raising his megaphone to get everyone’s attention as the judges headed his direction. Just before the mayor’s finger hit the air horn, Dak mumbled, “I think my height ratio to yours is not reflected proportionally in Lorelei’s work.”

Memory glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, not sure if she was even meant to hear that. She decided she’d pretend that she didn’t, but her face was beginning to match her accessories again. He nudged her in the elbow with his, and she was reminded of when she’d knocked him over the night before. Luckily, the air horn drowned out her giggles. By the time Mayor Charles was done introducing Sheriff Parks, she’d gotten herself under control, but only just barely.

The sheriff had a thick southern accent, and over the megaphone, it was a little hard to understand him, so Memory strained to listen. “We had a lotta good entries this year,” he said. “And it was hard to pick a winner. We have a special prize this time around, a special honorable mention for most creative. That one goes to... Lorelei Tucker and Bryce Wilson for ‘True Love Brings the Angel!’”

One of the other judges, Pastor Jake, held up a certificate, and Lorelei bounded over to get it, shouting and jumping as if she’d won the grand prize. Memory cheered along with her, clapping for both of them as her dad followed along behind his granddaughter, smiling but not nearly as energetic as Lorelei was. So long as no one asked the girl about the scene while she was near the megaphone, Memory was good.

“Did she win the award for the scene or for the title? ‘Cause that’s some creative thinking there,” Dak said, leaning down to her ear.

Memory had to agree, but then, she knew her niece had a fanciful imagination and was all about weddings and princesses at the moment—and princess weddings. She assumed the angel influence had come with this fascination about Ellie being an angel. “I think she won because she’s cute, and she’s the youngest to enter.”

Dak accepted that, chuckling as he leaned away. Memory found herself tilting in his direction for a few seconds as he faded away from her before she realized what she was doing and righted herself, hoping her face stayed its natural pale white.

“Now, in third place, we have Dale and Fiona Smith with their entry, ‘Christmas Caroler!’”

Everyone cheered for the happy couple as they came forward to get their paper certificate. Usually, a local business would also give out a gift card, and Memory imagined that was handed over as well. She knew the Smiths from church and clapped for them. Her stomach twisted slightly at the thought that her sister would probably embarrass her when she went up to get her trophy. If they were going to have a chance to bring any more attention to the shelter, they’d have to get second. There were plenty of other impressive contenders, though. Memory held her breath as the sheriff got ready to announce the next winner.

“In second place.... Boy, this was tough. Second place goes to... Glenn and Lyle Rainor for ‘Motorcycle Snowman!’”

Again, there were cheers, as the two winners made their way to the front. Memory hadn’t noticed their entry. She looked around for it, and Dak tapped her shoulder, pointing it out. They brothers had brought in a Harley and built the snowman around it. “Clever,” she said, agreeing that it was a nice effort, definitely creative. She tried not to look too disappointed, though, afraid Ellie might think she was upset that she hadn’t won just for winning’s sake. She turned and looked back at their dog walker, hoping enough people noticed him to make a difference.

“Finally,” Sheriff Parks said, once the Rainor brothers had received their prize, “we have our winner.”

Memory looked at her sister. Kirsten was about to burst out of her boots with anticipation. The Statue of Liberty was impressive. Maison must’ve had to climb up on something to reach the top, it was so tall. She was holding a torch that really lit up, as did the crown on her head. Kirsten had brought something different and unique. She deserved to win.

“This year’s winners... in a tough competition... are a new team, but we hope they work together for many years to come. For ‘Canine Crusader,’ Memory Wilson and Dak Brooks!”

Memory’s mouth gaped open as she turned to see the exact same expression on Dak’s face. “We won?” His arms were open wide, and she didn’t hesitate to throw herself into them. Her feet came off of the ground as he lifted her into the air and swung her in circles. A giddy sensation came over Memory, and for a few seconds, she felt carefree like a child, flying through the air. Except when Dak set her back down and she looked into his eyes, she didn’t feel like a little girl at all.

“Congratulations!” the people around them said, patting them on the back and giving them the shove Memory needed to get her feet moving.

She didn’t dare glance in Kirsten’s direction, but she heard her dad shout, “That’s my girl!” At the front, the judges shook their hands, as did the mayor. He handed Dak the trophy, and he held it up, obviously proud of their work.

“I just want to say,” Lacy Barker, the town librarian, said into the megaphone, even though she looked intimidated by the sound of her voice blaring out of it. “We absolutely love that these two made their snowman build into a charitable cause. I was just speaking to Kim Dennison from the animal shelter, Christmas Falls Four Paws Shelter, and she told me there are so many loving animals waiting for homes for the holidays. We really encourage all of you to go down and visit them. Please, though, don’t just take them for Christmas. Make them a part of your family. They’ll love your forever.”

Memory smiled at Lacy, thankful she’d spoken up, even if she didn’t look very comfortable. She thanked the judges again, and then waved at Kim, who was standing in the front of the crowd, and made her way to her family, Dak carrying the giant, gaudy, silver trophy depicting a snowman building another snowman.

“We won!” Lorelei said, giving her aunt a big hug. “We did it!” She no longer seemed to think honorable mention wasn’t important.

“I’m so proud of you!” Memory said, hugging her and then her dad as Lorelei checked out the trophy. Dak handed it to the little girl, and it was almost as big as she was.

“Congratulations,” Kirsten said, managing a small smile. “I’m glad you’re helping the animals.”

“Thank you. It wouldn’t have been possible if you hadn’t brought the plushes for us to use.”

“That’s true.” Kirsten perked up slightly. “So... it’s kind of like I won, then, right?”

Laughing, Memory wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulders. “Sure, sis. Whatever lets you sleep at night.” She let her go and Maison gave her a quick hug before she finally got to Ellie who was still holding Anson.

“I knew you could do it.” She had a twinkle in her eye.

“Thanks,” Memory said, not exactly sure what that twinkle was for. “I’m just hoping it helps some animals find new homes.”

“Yes, that’s definitely most important,” Ellie agreed. “Now, I bet Anson here will be happy to help collect those plushes of his sister’s before they go missing!”

“Right,” Memory said, thinking it would be a good idea to go ahead and give the leashes and collars to Kim while she was here, too, to make sure they didn’t get misplaced. She glanced around for Dak and saw him talking to a man she didn’t recognize. Figuring he’d catch up with them later, she went to collect the dogs and the donations, proud of the trophy Lorelei was still managing to hold and thinking she’d better keep an eye on it so her sister didn’t swipe it.