Chapter 17
Three hours later, exhausted, but pleased, Dakota poured himself a mug of hot cocoa. Most of the patrons had trickled out and the display case sorely needed replenishing. At present, Ren was helping a little boy clean chocolate off his face while his mother tended to his sister. Dakota let his gaze trail over the stragglers, pinpointing Scott in the back corner near the spider, his back to Dakota.
It was amazing, the way Scott and Ren pulled everyone together for the impromptu get together. And regretfully, Dakota realized he had yet to say thank you, having barely spoken to Scott since the whole thing started.
Setting aside the mug, Dakota started in the direction of his friend, formulating in his mind what he wanted to say. His mind wandered back to previous internal conver
