"I can't thank everyone enough.It sure is different being in a cougar-run town."
"For sure."
When they arrived at the shop, she expected Ava to have Rory’s meal ready for him, but she hadn't started it.
"I didn't want it to get cold in case there was a delay.You know how to make one, right?"Ava asked.
Lacy knew Ava was setting her up to spend more time with Rory."Sure."Lacy got to work on the Reuben and figured that would be good for dinner tonight.It just appealed.Then she made the sandwich and added chips, realizing she should have asked him what he wanted to drink.And if he wanted this to go so he could return to the ranch to work.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Just water."
"Do you want this to go?"
"Nah, Ted, our ranch foreman, wants me to pick up some feed for the horses because we have a snowstorm on its way, and so I have more time to spare."
She hurried off to get him some water, then returned to his table with it.“Do you want anything else before I bring your meal?”
He smiled, looking like he was trying to figure out something to say, and then he finally said, “Are you free for dinner tonight?”
“Uh, no.”She was, but she wasn’t going to date right now while things were unresolved with her ex-boyfriend.She didn’t want a new boyfriend to have to deal with him, not as volatile as Timothy could get.
Then she served up Rory’s lunch, and she swore he wasn’t giving up on her that easily.
After hanging around as long as he could, he popped his head in the kitchen and said goodbye, making Lacy smile.He headed out into the snow.
2
Lacy really enjoyed working with Mrs.Fitz and Ava.Both were helpful and eager to show her how they prepared their treats, while she showed them some of her own techniques.
When it was time to go to Mrs.Fitz’s home, Florence said she had the ingredients for stir fry, so Lacy would have to have a Reuben another time.Stir fry sounded good.
They said goodnight to Ava, and Lacy rode home with Mrs.Fitz.
“The sheriff will share pictures of Timothy with everyone in Yuma Town.We have a private server for doing that sort of thing,” Mrs.Fitz said.
“Oh, that’s great.I was afraid Dan would put up some posters of him, and Timothy would realize I’m here.”
“No.Dan is very discreet.But the more of us who know to be on the lookout for him, the better off you’ll be.Did they find any more trackers on your property at the motel?”
“Yes.I couldn’t believe it.He had placed a tracker on my suitcase and an audio listening device on a bag.”
“Oh, my.”
“Dan destroyed the listening device, but the tracking devices are on their way to Denver, courtesy of Yvonne and Rick Mueller,” Lacy said.
“They’re good folk.They’ll be sure to leave them somewhere that will throw your ex-boyfriend off your trail.”
“I sure hope so.”
It was getting dark out, and Christmas lights twinkled on all the homes they passed.It made it look like a Christmas town.Not one house was unadorned.
“I love all the Christmas lights.”
“Oh, yes.We have contests, and anyone who can’t manage to put up their own lights has fellow cougars hang them up.We just buy our own lights.”
When they reached Mrs.Fitz’s home, Lacy loved the icicle lights hanging off the roof and first-story windows, and the white lights covering the trees.
