“No. Sorry.”
The man looked down the road, then back at Forest. “Did that kid take something of yours?”
“What? No … at least I don’t think so.” It wasn’t likely that the boy had Snowflake. If he did, every kid in town and their parents would know about it. A reindeer wasn’t common in these parts—especially one as friendly andtalentedas Snowflake.
“What do you want with him?”
Forest turned all his attention on the stranger. “You two related?” Could be an uncle …
“Sort of. Me and his mom have a thing.”
“Ah!” Well, that was something. Maybe he had some answers. “I’m Forest Nicholas. I’m looking for a reindeer.” He handed over his card. “There’s a reward for tips that help bring her home.”
“How much?” he asked, eyeing up Forest’s card as if he wasn’t sure if he should hand it back or tuck it away.
“A thousand dollars,” Forest replied.
“Whoa! A thousand bucks!” the guy yelled before lowering his voice. “Do ya need her alive?”
“Yes!” The look of greed in his dull gray eyes was enough to convince Forest that he’d made a huge mistake. He reached for the card at the same time the guy tucked it in his shirt pocket. Candy canes! “Let me know if you see or hear anything.”
“Name’s Ely.” He grinned as he threw a shovel full of snow. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me. Finding your reindeer just became my number one priority.”
“That’s great.” Forest realized how flat the words came out and added a quick smile.
Ely brightened with as much fake friendship as Forest, and they parted ways. Forest’s stomach swam with unease. That guy was bad news, and he was after Snowflake. Darn it all, why had he mentioned the reward money?
Forest had to beat Ely to Snowflake, or who knew what he’d do to her?
Chapter Six
It got dark real early in northern Idaho, so most afternoons, Mitzi drove home with the headlights on. Tonight was no exception. She pulled down the bumpy dirty road, her body loose as it bounced around in the bucket seat. At this rate, she’d have to replace the shocks before Valentine’s Day.
Like there was money for car repairs. More than likely, she’d end up on foot. It was only a couple miles to the hardware store. Maybe she should save gas and start walking now.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the startling image of a man trying to open her barn door. Her thoughts flew to Snowflake and Billy. They usually spent the afternoons and early evenings together. Whoever this guy was, he was up to no good.
On instinct, she gunned the engine and headed right for him, determined to protect her family. The lights blinked as she went over bumps, creating a crazy, psychedelic effect on the barn wood.
Ely flipped around and pressed his back against the door. His eyes were huge as her headlights barreled down on him. He threw his arms over his face and screamed a curse word that would have Jacob Marley shaking his chains.
She laid on the horn and swerved in plenty of time to avoid hitting him or the barn. Stupid man! He shouldn’t be out here if she wasn’t home.
Without bothering to turn off the car, she threw open the door and yelled, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Me?!” he fired back. “You almost ran over me.”
“I thought you were a creep.” He was a creep. Who snuck around someone’s barn on the edge of town when they weren’t home? She’d had enough of his helping himself to her house, her time, and her attention.
His eyes darted every which way but at her. “I was looking for Billy.”
“Why?” she demanded, her tone steely. Her muscled coiled and she was ready to pound him to kingdom come. “So help me, if you—”
Ely held up both his hands to ward her off. “I was looking out for him. I swear. There was a stranger in town, chasing him down the street. I wanted to make sure he got home okay.”
A new fear sliced through her. Fear of an unknown threat. “Who?”
“I don’t know.” Ely stepped to the side. “But Billy got away from him.”
