Hoffman listened to Drake’s advice on everything—begrudgingly. He called Felix a handsome specimen of a reindeer and the animal kingdom in general. Felix wasn’t completely won over but he seemed to tolerate Hoffman after that.
Drake had filmed Felix with the kids for twenty seconds and sent the video to his brothers by way of a peace offering. By now, everyone back home knew what was going on. Mom could spread news faster than she spread butter on fresh-baked bread. The brother’s only chat lit up. The resounding reaction was that he was a dufus but Felix was incredible—so pretty much exactly what he’d expected.
Forest: He’s amazing! Look at his shoulders. Power!
Caleb: Has he been in a halter before? How much training has he had?
Pax: They’d better watch it. He’ll tear up that trailer like it’s made of tin oil if they tick him off.
That was Pax, always seeing the bright side. Ha!
Jack: What a stud!
Forest: This is Mitzi–can you get me footage I can use on social media? Our followers could light up the phones for them to release Felix.
Caleb: Forest! What the heck?! Brothers. Only.
Forest: Oh stop being so fussy, Caleb. I know Faith is reading over your shoulder right now.
Caleb: (Selfie of Faith standing behind Caleb, grinning.) You know it. ~Faith.
Jack: Ladies–give the boys back their phones.
Drake groaned. It was a wonder they got anything done on the ranch. They continued talking about Felix. Everyone except Pax, who probably set his phone down and walked away so he could be alone with his thoughts.
“Is there a problem?” Clove asked, her forehead wrinkled in adorable concern.
Normally, he’d keep the brothers-only chat group to himself, but since Faith and Mitzi were already involved, he scrolled up to the video of Felix and let her read from there down.
She used her free hand to scroll, her other hand in his. He’d taken a hold of her earlier today and couldn’t let go. Whenever he got close enough to touch her, he’d attach himself like a sticky candy cane on someone’s pant leg. That wasn’t an attractive image, but it was accurate. The candy cane couldn’t help itself from grabbing on any more than he could.
She finished and smiled up at him. “They sound fun.”
“They’re . . . a lot.”
She elbowed him. “A lot of fun.”
He nodded. “It’s one of those things. I can't live without them and I wonder why I live with them. Hey!” he barked at Hoffman. “The whole bale.”
Hoffman threw the second half of the bale out of the stall. The animal shelter was a small building with kennels for up to four dogs and cages for eight cats inside. They also had a solitary confinement area for injured animals. The stall was a quarter of the size of the one Felix was in back at the bed-and-breakfast. Being here, even for half a day, would be a trial.
“Will you tell your mom to stop emailing me?” gripped Hoffman as his phone buzzed three times in a row. It hadn’t stopped buzzing for a half hour.
“She’d stop if you sent Felix back with us.” Drake tried his best not to smirk, but it was hard. Annoying, Hoffman became his new favorite pastime.
“You can’t house a reindeer in a residential area,” Hoffman growled. He stomped past them and into the building.
Drake approached Felix, taking a moment to rub his neck and that spot under his jaw that made him relax as much as sitting in a warm bath. “It’ll be alright. I don’t expect that you’ll be here too long.” He ran his hand down the hair that grew under Felix’s neck, ending in a soft pat.
Hoffman came back out. His satisfied smile raised Drake’s alarms. He thrust a half sheet of paper at Drake.
“What’s this?” Drake took it out of reflex. He glanced down at the paper, which was cold to the touch on this frigid December day.
“A ticket?!” Clove exclaimed. She’d read it two seconds faster than him. “Are you kidding me? You’re stealing our reindeerandcharging us?”
Drake liked the way she saidus.
Hoffman smirked. “Merry Christmas.”
