“Okay, that works.Ask him what he wants, and we’ll make that up for him,” Florence said.
Frank got out of bed and went to the door.“Hey, Stryker, I’m being released.”
Stryker smiled.“Good show.Do you want to get dressed, and I’ll take you home?”
“Yes, but first we’re making a stop at the coffee shop.Florence is making me breakfast.What would you like?It’s on me.”
“French toast and coffee would be good.”
“Did you hear?”Frank asked Florence.
“Yep, getting it ready right away.”
“Okay, we’ll be over there in a few.”Frank closed his door and got dressed.He was glad he wasn’t feeling dizzy or otherwise incapacitated.His former mate had always said he had a hard head.
Florence was soglad to see Frank up and about and eager to eat breakfast.She hugged him as he walked in the door to her coffee shop with Stryker, and Frank hugged her back and kissed her on the lips.“I enjoyed the morning wake-up.”
She smiled.“I have both your breakfasts ready.”
“Thanks,” both Frank and Stryker said as they took a seat at one of the tables.
Some others were already there having breakfast and coffee.They weren’t cougars, so Florence figured they must be traveling through Yuma Town early in the morning.
Light snow was falling outside, the lights outside and in, reflecting off the white snow.Everything seemed quiet outside when it was snowing.Inside, the other family was eating quietly, except for the tinkling of a spoon stirring the sugar into a cup of coffee.They looked like they were half asleep.The little boy who looked like he was about four, had his elbow on the table and his hand propping up his chin, his eyes shuttering closed.
The girl was eating a muffin so slowly that Florence didn’t think they would ever finish breakfast at this rate.
She brought out Frank’s and Stryker’s orders, and Ava served up their coffee, cream, and sugar.
“Thanks,” the guys said.
Then they began adding sugar and cream to their coffee and eating their pastries.
Some more customers arrived, and Florence went to wait on them.Frank called Lacy, hoping it wasn’t too early, and told her he was going home.
“Granddad, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just wanted you to know Dr.Kate released me so I’m going home after I have breakfast at the coffee shop.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Great.How about you?”
“A little sore where I had some of the deeper bites, but otherwise, I’m fine,” Lacy said.“The same with Rory.Ted gave him off the day from ranch work, and he’s supposed to be my shadow.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“You’re going to be protected at all times?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m going to a sexy Santa’s tea tonight.It was supposed to be in the afternoon, but too many Christmas events going on.Mrs.Fitz was planning to go, but she might not so she can stay with you.Though it’s a female-only event, except for the sexy Santa, Rory is going to be there for my protection.I thought maybe you could also, so that Mrs.Fitz can still have fun at the event.”
Frank chuckled.“Sure.I’ll let Florence know I’m going to be there too for her.”He was looking forward to seeing Florence and Lacy enjoy themselves and watching over the women with Rory.
“Tomorrow is the dance.You and Mrs.Fitz are still going, right?”Lacy asked.
“Yeah, for sure.”
