Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Chapter Two
Mark
I close my eyes, rubbing my temples. Shift’s done, so now I’m off to enjoy a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with my family. My sister and her husband along with their three kids are having their usual gathering. My parents will be there as well. It’s going to be a great night, especially when I get my hands on some eggnog. It’s my favorite, and we never go without it.
“Have a Merry Christmas, Sheriff,” Bethany, my dispatcher, says. She’s working until six because she’s young. We have little to no crime in our small town, so after that, any calls will be forwarded directly to my work cell phone. We have two deputies and myself, but nothing ever happens here, so we’re not too bothered by no one around to man the calls in the actual station.
“Same to you, Bethany.” I wave to her before walking out.
I hop in my SUV and ride down to my sister’s place. As soon as I pull up to the house, my brother-in-law, Derek, comes out, shrugging his coat onto his shoulders. His eyes widen when he sees me. “Shit.”
“What’s up?” I ask, hoping nothing’s wrong.
“They forgot your eggnog.”
“What?” I bark out like the worn-out, grumpy man that I am. That’s definitely not right.
“Yes. Jenny didn’t find it at the store, so she was going to go to the other one in the next town but got distracted, and then the snowstorm came, bringing in a last-minute arrival at the inn.” I’m not mad at my sister. She’s insanely busy, running her inn and raising three small children. I should have picked it up last week when I went grocery shopping, but I forgot and I don’t have kids to distract me.
“It’s fine. I’ll be back. I’m heading to the general store. Maybe they got some more in since she went.”
“Okay, brother. I’m sorry.” We shake hands. “I’ll tell your sister so she doesn’t freak out.”
“Sure—don’t have her freaking out for nothing. It’s cool. I won’t be long.” I rush back to my vehicle and turn out of their driveway. They live fifteen minutes from the store, so hopefully I’ll get there and back before the weather doubles down. I have snow tires and chains if necessary, but that doesn’t mean I want to spend my evening on the road.
Luckily our town is so small that most people can walk to their homes if needed, and in twenty minutes, all the stores will close early for the holiday. Everything stays open only until six on Christmas Eve, and everything except the gas station is closed tomorrow.
I pull into the lot where there are a few residents making their last-minute purchases and loading their vehicles. Some wave and say a quick greeting before hurrying. It’s not the time to dawdle as the holiday is in full swing. I spot the elderly Mr. Cain putting his groceries in the trunk. “Hello, Mr. Cain. How are you?”
“Good, Mark. Did you see there’s a pretty little thing that came into Hank’s Hardware store? She was alone, and no ring on her finger. I’ve never seen her before. Maybe you can finally get a wife.”
“Thanks, sir, but she’s probably just passing through town.” He’s almost eighty and stops by to help his grandson Hank who took over the place when the man got a little too old to do the daily chores.
Hank had been living a quiet life away from this town, but no one knew what he did while he was gone. He came back, looking buff and hardened. He doesn’t speak much. Never really did, but maybe he’ll be interested in the new girl. “Why didn’t you introduce her to Hank?”
“I would have, but the boy grumbles and grunts. She’s too pretty, too city for a bear.” Too city? I’ve heard that one before, and I’ll pass. Nothing good about a city girl in these parts because they ain’t staying. “Maybe she’ll stay for the festival. She’s a real looker with a beautiful smile.”
“Understood, sir. Let me get that for you.” I grab his cart so he doesn’t have to walk it back. “Have a Merry Christmas.”
“You, too. Don’t forget to look your best tomorrow.”
“What are you doing, Pops?” Hank approaches with his coat open and a grimace on his face. “I told you that I would do the shopping as soon as I closed up the shop.”
“I’m not that old, boy. I can still manage to get by.” Hank barely contains his frustration. He’s worried the old man won’t make it long. For whatever he was up to, he loves his grandfather.
“Well, let me drive you home.” They live in the family home just outside of our downtown area. Most of the families live just outside of town because our town is small.
“You need to find a girl. The both of you do.” He points his finger at both of us.