They went back inside, had hot cocoa, and watched a movie with Addie until the men returned.
“They took off through the woods behind your home, Florence,” Dan said, hugging Addie, then kissing her on the cheek.“They finally reached a road and must have driven off.Which makes us believe they had two cars.We confiscated the one, but they’re still able to move about in another vehicle.”
“Unless they stole someone’s car,” Florence said.
Dan shook his head.“If they had, I’m sure it would have been reported.”
“True,” Florence agreed.
“I’ll stay the night,” Chase said.
“Nina will go with Mrs.Fitz to the shop tomorrow for protection.I’ll relieve her halfway through the day,” Addie said.
“Call me if you have any more trouble,” Dan said, and he and Addie left in the same car she’d arrived in.
Stryker told them goodnight and left.
Florence offered Chase a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and he ate it while she and Frank served up slices of pecan pie.Once Chase had eaten his sandwich, she cut him a slice of the pie as well.
“This is great,” Chase said.“I’m so sorry you’re having all these problems with the two men, and we can’t stop them.”
“We will.”Florence sounded sure of it.
“Is your coffee shop open tomorrow for Christmas Eve?”Frank asked.
Florence served them all some milk.“It is.We’ll close at five.Then we’ll drive to Hal’s ranch to spend Christmas Eve with Lacy and Rory.”
“I could pick you up from the shop,” Frank said.
“Sure, that would be great.”
“We’ll see who will be available to escort you to Hal’s ranch,” Chase said.“We’ll also have someone stay at the house for when you return.”
“That would be great.”Florence carried the empty plates into the kitchen.
Frank soon followed with their milk glasses.
They cleaned up the kitchen and then helped make Chase’s bed on the couch, though Florence told him he could stay in one of the guest rooms.
“I think I can be of more help if I’m downstairs, listening for anyone breaking in.”
“Okay,” Florence said, then she and Frank retired to the bedroom.
Frank wanted to go out and look for these men, figuring they were still nearby, but when Florence began removing his clothes, he smiled, and he had thoughts only of her.
Florence lovedthat Frank came with her to the coffee shop for breakfast in the morning and even helped in the kitchen.He spilled flour and sugar on the floor, though he quickly cleaned it up, and burned a cheesecake while trying to figure out how to make a loaf of sourdough bread.But she loved that he was trying.
Sipping a peppermint mocha latte, Nina was sitting at one of the tables, watching for trouble while customers came in to purchase treats to go for their Christmas Eve dinners.A few came in for lattes and pastries for breakfast and were sitting at the tables nearby.
Finally, Frank left the kitchen, latte in hand, and joined Nina.
“Were you released from kitchen duty?”Nina asked.
In the kitchen, Florence smiled, overhearing the conversation with her cougar’s hearing.
Frank chuckled.“When Florence made me a latte and said I could take a break, I figured she and Ava didn’t need my help.”
Nina smiled.
