Touché.

I exited the truck and followed him up the steps into the heart of our community. The mayor worked from the building, and just about everything one could want was done. Need a permit for a parade? See Clara. Need a marriage license? Also Clara. Settling a legal matter? The courthouse resided in City Hall.

We walked up their shoveled and salted steps. Once we entered, Trevor led me to the left. A hefty woman with long black hair sat at the desk, her gaze firmly on her computer as her fingers flew over the keyboard.

“Hey, Clara!” Trevor greeted her.

She glanced up and smiled. “Hey, handsome. What can I do for you?” Her cheeks turned a deep red, which led me to believe she had a crush on the good deputy.

“I was visiting Charlie Tupper. Did word make it your way that he’s in urgent care?”

“Heavens, no!” she gasped, placing her hand over her ample chest. “What happened?”

After Trevor explained, she shook her head. “What is this world coming to?”

“I was wondering if you could give me the name of the guy who didn’t get the contract? I’m investigating who would do all this to poor Charlie.”

“Of course,” she replied. “Let me pull it up. Just give me a minute.” Clara turned back to her computer. As her fingers quickly tapped the keys, exhaustion settled in. I needed a nap.

“You okay?” Trevor asked, elbowing my arm. “You look like you’re about to go to sleep standing up.”

“I am,” I said. “It’s been a long day.”

Clara whipped out a piece of paper and wrote down the information in perfect script. I’d lost my ability to pen anything legible years ago thanks to all the typing I did. “Here you go,” she said. “Find out who did this to poor Charlie. This guy was rude beyond belief.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Trevor replied, taking the paper from her. “I appreciate your help, Clara.”

“My guess is it’s him,” she said, pointing at the paper. “He was out of line when complaining that he lost.”

As we walked back to his truck, Trevor said, “I’ll drop you off at home and head out to this place.” He glanced at the paper. “Doug Miller. You ever heard of him?”

I shook my head, grateful I was going home. Yes, I wanted to know what happened to Charlie and who was responsible, but I was also so dang tired, I felt like I had cement blocks for shoes. “Call me after you interview him.”

Imagine if all the drama could be cleared up by Christmas! We’d have the Christmas Festival, complete with all the reindeer! Maybe I’d get lucky and Mom dog would somehow turn up. Either that, or I’d be able to pre-adopt a bunch of the puppies.

Whether it was my exhaustion or just my intuition, I had an idea nothing would be wrapped up so neatly.

Chapter 6

Trevor never phoned. I had no idea if he’d changed his mind about me helping with the investigation or if he was dead in a ditch, or maybe he was just too busy. The reason for his lack of contact wasn’t important and perhaps it was for the best since the puppies required so much care.

So. Much. Care.

Jacob and I pulled shifts through the night. Daisy was somewhat helpful at first, but then she hid in the closet and wouldn’t come out. It became apparent the puppies needed their mother ASAP. They were eating, but they desperately needed her comfort. Jacob and I weren’t substituting well, no matter how much we tried.

Trevor came by the next morning just as I was pouring my third cup of coffee. I almost wished he’d have forgotten about me, but my curiosity overrode everything.

“Do you want a cup?” I asked, stepping over the gate into the kitchen. My legs were immediately attacked by the puppy pack.

“That would be great, thanks.”

Trevor climbed over the gate and sank to his knees. As he chuckled and the puppies mauled him, he ended up sitting on the floor as they became his second skin. I handed him a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. I’d spent enough time on the tile throughout the night hours that my back had become stiff.

“What did you find out at Doug Miller’s place?” I asked.

“Nothing. No one was home. I meant to go back later, but there was an accident between here and Sedona, so I had to head out there and help out.”

“Was it bad?” I asked.

“Yeah. Shut down the highway for a bit. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it.”

“I don’t listen to the news,” I said, shrugging. “My life is much more pleasant without it.”

Trevor tried to sip his coffee, but the puppies were enthralled with the mug and wouldn’t allow him to. After a minute, he reached behind him and set it on the counter.

“Anyway, I was wondering if you’d be interested in heading out there with me this morning,” Trevor said. His hands moved over the little heads vying for his attention.

“Sure. It’ll be nice to get out of here for a bit, but I can’t be gone long. Poor Jacob is home trying to relax, but he’s been helping me with the brood. I’d like for him to get out and see some old friends and stuff.”

“No worries,” Trevor said, standing. “I’ll have you back in a jiffy.”

“Perfect. Let me finish this coffee, and then we can go.”

As I sucked down the liquid energizer, he played with the puppies, which warmed my heart.

“Let’s hit it,” I said. “How are the streets?”

“Clear, but it’s cold,” Trevor replied as he got to his knees, then pulled himself up with the aid of the counter. “I’m getting too old for the floor.”

“That happens after forty,” I snickered.

“All my years of running are really bothering my knees,” he muttered. “These days, I know it’s going to rain before there’s a cloud in the sky.”

“Well, growing old is better than the alternative,” I said. “Welcome to middle age, I guess.”

He leaned over and massaged the inside of his knee. “I guess so.”

Once I had bundled up, I yelled down the hall that I was leaving. Neither Jacob nor Daisy answered me. “Take care of the puppies!” I called, then left the house.

Trevor’s personal truck stood in the driveway, and I also noted he didn’t have on his uniform. How did I miss that?

“Are you off duty?” I asked.

“My shift starts this afternoon,” he replied as he opened the car door for me, then made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “Your chariot awaits, your highness.”

“You better be careful.” I climbed into the truck. “I may get used to that treatment, and then it’ll go to my head. You’ll have created a monster and be very, very sorry.”