“Alright. I’m checking your story with Otis.” The cop pointed at Drake before turning and getting back into his vehicle.
The other man stuck out a hand. “Names Mayor Ward Winston. I want to buy your reindeer–how much?”
Ahhh, that made sense. The mayor followed the sheriff around town and stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong. “He’s not for sale.” Clove forced a smile. “Besides, it’s illegal to have a large animal within city limits.” She lifted a shoulder in a sorry-not-sorry gesture.
Mayor Winston waved off her concern. “I don’t live within the city limits. Name your price.”
“He’s not for sale,” she said firmly. He opened his mouth to argue. She sliced her hand through the air. “Don’t ask again.”
His beady little eyes went hard. “I won’t.” He shoved his white hat down on his head and spun around, stalking back to his truck.
Drake let out a whoosh of air. “I feel like I just walked over Jacob Marley’s grave.” He shuddered. “Talk about a grinch.”
Clove chuckled. “Come on. The sheriff let us off the hook for now and the mayor left with his tail between his legs. Not a bad showdown at high noon if you ask me..”
The police siren blipped at them, making them all jump. “Get a move on,” said the cop through the speaker.
Felix glared at him. If Clove didn’t have a hold of his halter, he probably would have charged the guy just to see him sweat. Drake would enjoy that, too. He was one good reason away from punching something or someone. There was no sense in encouraging bad behavior. Reindeer didn’t always understand the small nuances between situations.
Clove started walking again. “You look like you’re trying to figure out the whole world and the universe it sits in.”
His angst, because that’s what it was, lessened. He rolled his shoulders. “I can’t stand guys like that.”
“Police?” she asked. “You have a problem with the law, cowboy?”
Her light tone and easy banter soothed his ruffled feathers. Which was nice to see, especially since she had a way of getting him all riled up with a little effort.
“I’m fine with the police. I don’t like guys who act like . . . like . . . know it alls in charge, cocky, power tripping, older brothers.”
She burst out laughing. “That was a mouthful.”
He chuckled. “There's a lot in here too.” He gestured to his head.
“Were you brothers hard on you?”
He groaned. “No. They were great. I love them all. They’re good at everything they do and sooo responsible that I….” He shut his mouth. “I don’t need to burden you with all this. Sorry.”
She turned, her eyes wide. “I don’t feel burdened.”
“No?” He quirked his eyebrow.
She scowled and then brightened. “I’m an only child. I feel like there’s this club for people who have siblings, and I’ve never had a membership card.”
“Shoot, Clove. You can have mine.” He chuckled.
She joined in. Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “He’s not following us. But I get the feeling that we haven’t seen the last of him–them.”
Drake nodded. “He’ll be back.”
His calm reassurance that they had, at the very least, an annoyance, and at the most, a battle, ahead of them cast a depressing net over her and she fell into silence.
They reached the street with the B&B. Instead of continuing on to the corral in the back with her and Felix, Drake turned down Colter’s walk.
Felix looked from the house to the B&B and back again:Where’s he think he’s going?
Clove shrugged. “The heck if I know. He’s a man of many mysteries, Felix.” They decided to wait for him and Felix shifted his weight so it countered her leaning on him as if he were a wall. “You’re a big, tough reindeer.” She patted his shoulder.
He lifted a cheek in a satisfied reindeer grin.I know.
