The phone rang five times before his dad picked up. “Merry Christmas.”
“Let’s hope you still think that in ten minutes.”
“Forest?”
“Yeah, Dad.” Would his parents never understand caller ID? It wasn’t even new technology. He pinched the bridge of his nose and did his best to rein in his frustrations.
“What’s happened?”
“The good news is, I found Snowflake.”
Dad let out a hearty boom of laughter. “I knew you could do it!”
The words sank over him, making him feel ten feet tall. Even as an adult, he thrived under his father’s praise. It was a sign that Dad had done something right in raising them that Forest still considered the man his hero. “Thanks. But it’s not all good news.”
“Oh?”
He gave Dad a rundown of the situation—leaving out the part about his busted arm.
“She won’t fly at all?”
“Not even tempted.” Forest glared at the Frisbee, wishing he’d held on to it so he could throw it now. “And on top of that, they want to keep her.”
Dad was silent for a moment. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“Me neither.” He frowned. “Mitzi might come around. She understands there’s regulations for endangered animals.”
“Sounds like a smart lady.”
“She’s brave too.” He looked down at his sling. Few women would go out in the dark of night to protect a reindeer. Not that he’d told Dad any of that. If he had to drive home with a sling on, so be it. But he wasn’t about to tell his hero he’d tried to reindeer-nap Snowflake.
“Oh?” The note of interest in Dad’s voice set off a warning.
“And stubborn and a little on the crazy side,” he added quickly.
“Just the way you like ’em,” Dad said, chuckling.
“Ha ha.” Forest hurried on. “Her son is the real reason Snowflake won’t fly. They bonded.”
“A reindeer bond is a serious thing.”
“I know.” That was one of the reasons the Kringle girls had come to stay at their ranch every summer growing up. At the time, no one had known who the next Santa would be, so all five girls spent time in North Dakota with the herd. A Santa reindeer was loyal to him or her and would give everything they had on the long Christmas flight.
Lux had a special bond with Dunder—one of the older and more seasoned reindeer. And Stella charmed every furry friend. Of course, Stella could charm just about anyone, so no one really thought much about it. Ginger, on the other hand, was a natural with the animals. Based on that, he should have figured her for the next Santa—even if the whole family assumed it would be Robyn. But all that was another story for another time …
“We’ll be praying for you. It’s possible God has a bigger picture in mind than what you and I can see.”
“I’m pretty sure He always sees more than I do.”
Dad chuckled. “Well, if that’s the case, open your eyes.”
Forest laughed. As if it were just that easy. “I’ll do my best.”
“You always do.”
Forest blew out a breath. He checked Snowflake’s feed. There wasn’t much, and it was the generic stuff. He’d need to pick up some premium grain and feed at the local farmer’s supply. Snowflake didn’t look like she’d skipped meals, but she needed nutrients if she was going to get her hooves under her. He wasn’t giving up hope that she’d one day fly with Santa. To do that, she’d have to be in peak physical and mental shape.
He left the barn and made his way over to the house. Mitzi was at the sink, washing dishes and watching him through the window. He pointed to the door, asking if he could come in. She nodded.
