“I’ll be there.I might not have a date, but I’m going.From what I understand, others will dance with you, no matter your age, if you are alone.So I look forward to it.”
“That sounds good.”He paid for his clothes and then took them out to the car.Then he dropped by the sheriff's office to speak to law enforcement about Lacy’s ex-boyfriend.“Hi, I’m Frank Everest.My granddaughter, Lacy, is working for Florence Fitzgerald.I’ve heard you are well aware of Lacy’s ex-boyfriend.”
“I’m Dan Steinacker, sheriff of Yuma Town.”He shook Frank’s hand.
“Chase Buchanan, part-time deputy sheriff and owner of the Pinyon Pines Resort on Lake Buchanan.”Chase offered his hand in greeting, and Frank shook it.
“Stryker Hill, full-time deputy sheriff.”Stryker shook his hand.
“I’m Ricky Jones, also a deputy sheriff.”
“I’m a retired FBI agent.I worked with Florence Fitzgerald on cases and am moving in with Lacy and Florence for the time being.”
“Hell, that’s great news,” Dan said, brightening.
“Yeah, we can always use another law enforcement officer in our community,” Chase said.
“I agree.Florence has been instrumental in helping with cases in the past, despite being retired,” Stryker said.
“I would be glad to help with any cases that come up.”Being retired and having lost his mate, Frank had felt unsure about what to do with his life.This seemed like the perfect place to start over again.
Dan gave Frank the link that connected all the cougars so he could keep up with what was going on.
They all welcomed him to Yuma Town, and feeling really great that he was there, he headed over to the real estate office and walked into the brick building.
A woman immediately got up from her desk and said, “I’m Aya Noble.Are you looking for a rental or a home to buy?”
“Frank Everest.”He was thinking of buying a home, but then he had the crazy thought that if he and Florence really hit it off, it might be better just to rent a place and give them time to get to know each other and see where it went.“A rental.Apartment or condo?”
“We have both of which are furnished.And they’re available so you could move in right away.”
Then he reconsidered.“Let me think on that.”Frank was going to stay with Florence and Lacy first at Florence’s home, and see where it went.Then, if nothing worked out between him and Florence, he would buy a house.
“Okay, sure.I’ll be here if you ever need to buy or rent.Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas.”It was time for lunch, and he didn’t want to overwhelm Lacy with constant visits to the coffee shop, so he decided to go to the pizza parlor.But then he thought he should ask Lacy if she wanted to join him.
Lacy answered her phone.“Yeah, Granddad?”
“I’m going to the Sizzling Slice for lunch.Do you want to join me?”
“I’m going there with Rory for dinner.Would you like to have lunch with Mrs.Fitz?”
“Uh, well, sure, if she wants to.”
“Let me ask.Would you like to have lunch with my grandfather at the Sizzling Slice?”Lacy asked Florence.“Ava and I have this.”
“Sure,” Florence said.
“Are you going now?”Lacy asked her grandfather.
“Yeah, I’ll come pick her up.”He was old school and believed the guy should pick up the gal to take her to lunch, but he knew Florence was headstrong and might prefer to drive herself.
“Okay, I’ll let her know.”
They ended the call, and he headed over to the coffee shop.When he arrived, he expected Florence to be working on some of her cakes or pastries, but she was grabbing her coat, looking eager to eat lunch out.She smiled broadly at him.
He was glad she wanted to share a meal with him.It was much more fun to have company.She smelled sweet, of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and she was wearing a green sweater featuring a gingerbread girl and boy, holding red and green candy canes and a green wool skirt.
