Florence was thrilled.“That’s wonderful.”
“I’m so glad you and Frank mated too.”
But that’s not all she wanted to talk about.“Did you search for Timothy?”
“Yeah, with the ranch hands, our foreman, the sheriff, and deputies from both the sheriff’s office and agents of the CSF, and Lacy as cougars, for the most part.We even found a bear shifter in a cave, and he helped us search.But we didn’t find any sign of Timothy.”
“Blue?”
“Yeah, girlfriend problems again.”
Florence shook her head.“Ava and Nina said they kept feeling like Timothy was close to the coffee shop.”
“Lacy mentioned he might have gotten a ride from humans to return to town.But he has to be staying somewhere then and getting food.It’s too cold to be out in this weather as a human.”
“That would make sense, but Lacy isn’t in town any longer, except to attend special events.I keep feeling he’ll want to stay nearer to where she is, but we have quite a number of people there to protect her,” Florence said.
“Right.Which could mean he could be after Lacy’s grandfather to get to Lacy, figuring that Lacy is too well protected at the ranch.”
Before Florence could ask Rory any more questions, Lacy and Frank joined them to switch partners.But before they did, they congratulated each other on being mated cougars.
“I’m so thrilled for you,” Lacy said, brightly smiling.She was wearing a slinky, sparkly red dress and looked beautiful.
“We’re so thrilled for the two of you also,” Florence said, giving her another hug.When she had hired Lacy at the coffee shop, she had never expected to gain a granddaughter of her own.She loved it.“Christmas at our house?”
“Yes.And Christmas Eve at the ranch?”Lacy asked.
“That would be great,” Florence said.
Then they all got some more punch, and after they finished it, returned to the dance floor.
It didn’t take long before Dan stopped the music.“During this most special of holiday seasons, we want to welcome two new cougars to our Yuma Town family.And we want to congratulate Frank and Florence for mating each other, and Rory and Lacy for having become mated cougars also.”
Everyone clapped and cheered them.Then they came over to congratulate them with hugs.
Florence was glad everyone knew about their matings and was so happy for them.After all the congratulations, they began to dance again.This was the best Christmas holiday ever.
Frank heldFlorence close as they waltzed the night away.They danced to faster dances too, but they preferred nice and slow and close.Some of the partygoers were leaving the dance a little early because they had younger kids at home with caregivers.But Frank and Florence stayed until closing.
When Shannon announced the end of the dance and reminded everyone of the Christmas bazaar tomorrow, Frank, Florence, Rory, and Lacy hugged each other to say goodbye.
Hal and Tracey followed Lacy and Rory home, but so did the other ranch hands, and Ted and Stella, who had all been enjoying the dance.
Then Travis and Bridget followed Frank and Florence home.He would stay the night with them while Bridget drove home to relieve the babysitter who was watching their twin boys.
“Do you want me to take you to the Christmas bazaar tomorrow?"Frank asked as they retired to the master bedroom.
Florence untied his tie.“Yeah, that would be fun.I need to get something for you, Lacy, and Rory for Christmas.”
“Yeah, I was thinking about that too.Maybe we could go in together to get something for Rory and Lacy.They’ll be starting anew.Maybe something warm for them since Lacy was living in the south and won’t have wool blankets.”
“Maybe we could get them a gourmet set of pots and pans.Lacy took off without being able to take anything much with her,” Florence said.“Rory and the other guys also cook, but when Rory and Lacy have a place of their own, they’ll need their own equipment.”
“A good set of knives too,” Frank said, getting into this.
She smiled.“When they marry, we’ll check out their wedding list to see what else they need.”
“What about us?I mean, do you want a justice-of-the-peace marriage?Or?—”
