“Maybe they’ll leave us alone for Christmas,” Florence said.
“Or figure we won’t be expecting them to hit the house on Christmas Day.”He drove into the garage, then they got out and waved goodbye to Wyatt and Blaze.
They said, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas!”Florence and Frank said.
Travis came out of the house and waved at the ranch hands.
Then Frank closed the garage door, and they went inside to find the fireplace going.Everything looked so Christmassy and inviting.He was so glad that Travis was fine and the tree hadn’t been turned over this time.
“We don’t need anyone to stay with us tomorrow while Rory and Lacy are here for Christmas Day,” Frank told Travis.“We all know how to use a gun, and Rory has a spare gun for Lacy.”
“I’ll be staying the night, and I’ll talk to Dan to see what he wants to do about it.He has the final word,” Travis said.
“All right.”Frank understood that Dan didn’t want to take any chances with their welfare.But the good thing about Florence’s home was that it was close to town.So if they needed help, they would have assistance right away.
They helped him make up the bed on the couch, then retired to their room.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Frank said, kissing Florence.
She hugged him.“Merry Christmas Eve.This is the best one ever.”
“I agree.”
They changed into pajamas, climbed into bed, and cuddled together.Neither of them had wrapped any presents yet.They would have to do so in the morning.
“Do you get up early for Christmas morning?”Florence asked.
Frank chuckled.“I get up early all the time.But I haven’t really celebrated Christmas since Lacy didn’t want to see me.”
“I’m so glad that’s resolved and that you and I have each other.”
“I am too.I couldn’t be happier.”
“I always eat at someone’s home for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch, and whoever fed me would always give me something, and I would give them something for the special day.”
“Well, now we have Lacy, Rory, and us, and if anyone else is alone for the holidays, we can take them in like the others took you in.”
She snuggled against him and kissed him.“I agree.”
They finally fell asleep when Frank’s sleep was disturbed, and he swore he thought he heard reindeer walking around on the roof.
12
Florence was sound asleep when she felt Frank stir.He sat up in bed.
“Are you okay?”she asked.She thought if he were just going to the bathroom, he would have, but instead, he was staring up at the ceiling, listening, watching.
“I swore I heard reindeer on the roof.”
She might have believed it was cute, but her first thought was of Timothy.What if he and his brother were up on the roof?“Timothy and Manning.”
They both got out of bed and dressed.With guns in hand, they headed downstairs to wake Travis.He was sound asleep on the couch, but as soon as he heard them coming down the stairs, he sat up, his gun in hand.
“I didn’t hear anything, but in his groggy state, Frank heard reindeer on the roof.Could it be Timothy and Manning?”
“Let’s go check.”Travis threw on his boots, and they all put on their coats.
