“I’m calling the sheriff if you don’t leave.”
“You go right ahead,” Billie Jean said.“But I’ve got papers here that say we are suing you for this business.”She looked around and curled up her nose.“Still looks the same.Oh, well, the new owner can fix it up.”
“We need to look at the financial books,” Roger said.
“No.”Holly struggled to hold on to Tater Tot, who was now growling in earnest.
As they continued to imply that everything belonged to them, Holly moved behind the counter.She felt better having a barrier between her and them.Who were these people?Because she just couldn’t imagine that she was related to them.Her mother was nothing like her grandmother, who had the patience and kindness of a saint.
Holly’s arms were tired from holding onto Tater Tot, but she couldn’t let him go.She was afraid he would get hurt if she did.It was so sad that she could imagine either one of them kicking a dog.The thought made her stomach turn.
The next thing she knew there were red flashing lights outside the shop.Normally, this would freak her out.Today it was a blessing.Thank goodness Colin had paid attention and realized she needed some help.
Neither Billie Jean nor Roger noticed the lights as their backs were to the window and door.Holly tuned them out as they continued to harass her.
And then the door opened, and Sheriff Bishop stepped inside.There was a distinct frown on his face.Billie Jean turned to see who had entered.Her eyes momentarily widened, but she didn’t say anything.
“Go away,” Roger growled, not taking his gaze off Holly.“Can’t you read?The store’s closed.”
The sheriff ignored the man.His gaze moved to Holly.“I heard there is a problem.”
Roger turned.He muttered something under his breath, but she couldn’t make it out.
Holly nodded.“I need them to leave.”
“You heard the lady.Time to go.”
“We’re not going anywhere.”Roger grabbed the papers out of his wife’s hand.“We have a right to be here.This place doesn’t belong to Holly.”
Sheriff Bishop stepped forward and took a look at the papers.“That is for a judge to decide.Right now, you have to leave and don’t come back unless you’re interested in visiting the inside of a jail cell.”
Roger turned to Holly.“This isn’t over.”
“One more word to her,” the sheriff said, “and I’m locking you up.”
Roger focused on the sheriff, sputtering all of the reasons he had a right to be there.Sheriff Bishop handed the papers back to Roger.But Roger’s arms were waving around as he shouted.The papers fell to the floor.
Sheriff Bishop didn’t miss a beat as he directed them to the door.Just then Colin rushed inside.When his gaze strayed across Roger and Billie Jean, he paused and glowered at them.
“Keep going,” the sheriff said to his brother.
Colin hesitated before walking over to Holly’s side.“I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.Someone had my pickup blocked in, so I had to run across town.”
That explained why he looked so winded.She hated that she’d needed help from the Bishop brothers.Usually, she could take care of herself, but having to hold onto Tater Tot to keep him from getting hurt by one of them, she was very limited in what she could do.
As she stood there, watching as the sheriff ushered those people out the door, she felt her heart being crushed.How was it possible they’d given her life?She didn’t think she was anything like them.At least, she hoped she didn’t resemble them.
Those were the two people in this world who she was supposed to be able to trust, to lean on.Her stomach roiled.She wished they’d never darkened her doorway.
All she wanted to do now was close the shop, take Tater Tot home, and curl up with him on the couch.In fact, she didn’t see why that couldn’t happen.Now that the sheriff and the others were outside, there was no reason she couldn’t lock the door.After all, the Closed sign was already in the window.
She turned to Colin and held out Tater tot.“Can you hold him?”
When Colin held out his hands.She placed the pup in them.At least now Tater Tot had stopped growling.Instead, he was now washing Colin’s face with his tongue.
She’d almost made it to the door when it opened.The breath hitched in her throat.Please, don’t let it be more trouble.
When she saw that it was Merry Kringle, Holly released a pent-up breath.“I’m so glad it’s you.”
