“Agreed.” He walked as fast as he dared. He didn’t want to run and alarm Hoffman, who was already at unhealthy conspiracy theory levels. Nevermind that they had actually freed Felix. He helped Clove into the truck and then went around and climbed in himself.
The engine fired up, and they pulled away from the animal shelter. He gripped the steering wheel, wanting nothing more than to pull over and soothe all her worries, but they were on borrowed time.
Clove put her hand on his forearm. “Could one of your brothers come get Felix?” She bit her lip.
Drake’s neck burned. He didn’t want to ask his big brothers to come bail him out of trouble, but he’d do it for Clove. “Maybe. I don’t know.” He checked the clock. It was nearing 4:00 a.m. He debated who to call and finally punched the button on the console and the call rang through the speakers.
“What’s up, little brother?” asked Forest in a groggy voice.
“Who is it?” Natasha mumbled.
“Drake,” Forest told her.
Drake hated it when Forest called himlittle brotherand Forest knew it. His brother liked to needle him—especially before the sun came up. Sounded like he didn’t mind Natasha at that time of day though. The sound of blankets rustling came through the line and he tried not to see the two of them all snuggled up together in their beautiful new house.
He glanced over at Clove. Her face softened, and she had that look that women give kittens and puppies when they do something adorable.Little brother,she mouthed.
Huh. He’d never thought Forest teasing him was all that adorable, but if she liked it, and it took her stress level down even a half of a notch, he’d put up with it.
“Can you bring a truck and trailer out here?” Forest had spent a year looking for Snowflake and was well-versed in transporting reindeer across the country.
“Send me your location.” Forest hung up.
Clove huffed. “Just like that?”
Drake chucked a little. Yeah, Forest was a pain sometimes, but he had his back. “Yep. Just like that.”
She smacked his arm. He hardly felt it through his thick coat. “Do you have any idea how lucky you are?” she demanded.
Coming from Clove, who had Grandma and Felix to rely on, the phrase meant more. “I’m starting too,” he mumbled as he pulled onto their street. Blue and red lights flashed in his rearview and he groaned. “This guy doesn’t know when to give up.” He pulled over as Hoffman raced past him and pulled into the bed-and-breakfast’s driveway. He hopped out of the car, pointing at them. “Stay in the vehicle.”
Clove grabbed the door handle.
“Wait.” Drake leaned forward so he could see the roof. “Look.”
Up on the housetop, Felix lounged like a lion overlooking the Sahara.
“He made it.” Clove gasped and covered her mouth. “Did he see him?”
“I don’t think so. Felix is smart. Let’s watch and see what happens.”
She huffed. “He’s a smart-alec.”
He chuckled. Five minutes later, Hoffman came around the side of the house, shining his flashlight on the snow.
“There shouldn't be any fresh Felix tracks around the house,” Drake said. It’d snowed the last two nights, and following reindeer tracks would have been too easy.
Clove giggled. “He’s so close. All he has to do is look up.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “I think I’m going to hyperventilate. What made me think I could break the law? This is so stressful.”
Drake cupped her cheek. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
She leaned into his touch and into his heart.
Hoffman scratched under his Smokey the Bear hat and then went back around the other side of the house. A few minutes later, he peeled out of there without so much as looking at the two of them.
“That’s a fine how-do-you-do from the local sheriff.” Drake grinned as he put the truck in gear. He turned the corner, and they pulled up to the B&B just as Felix landed on the front lawn.
Clove threw her arms around his neck. “I thought you’d left us.”
