After he placed the gearshift into park, we exited the car with Daisy in tow and walked toward the vehicle. Once we reached, it, we slowly circled. I hoped to find a clue who could be responsible for everything, but nothing jumped out at me.

Considering the ATV had Christmas lights hanging from the roof and two Barbie dolls inside, I assumed it was Charlie’s.

“I don’t think some big, bad livestock thief is going to drive this,” Trevor said.

“Me neither,” I sighed. “My guess is Charlie decorated it for his grandkids, and the granddaughter left her dolls in there.”

“I’m not sure what to make out of all this,” Trevor said, rubbing his neck. “The whole thing is giving me a headache.”

He had no idea of the full scope of the issue. If he knew what I did, his brain would probably explode. I had a litter of puppies who proclaimed their mother had run off after Rudolph’s kidnapper. Then said kidnapper possibly came back to the barn, hit Charlie in the head, and used Charlie’s ATV to chase the rest of the livestock out into the man’s lower fields. To make everything even weirder, he dumped it on Charlie’s property in a ravine.

“I’m wondering what this was about,” I ventured, hoping to give Trevor the full story, but at the same time, not admit I was speaking to my dog on a regular basis.

“What do you mean?” Trevor asked.

“Well, did whoever do this have a problem with Charlie, or was this about the Christmas reindeer?”

Trevor furrowed his brow. “Why would you think this was about the reindeer?”

“Because Rudolph was taken in the middle of the night,” I explained. “And apparently, Charlie hadn’t noticed, but I did. I just didn’t say anything.”

“What about the rest of it?” Trevor asked. “Why come back and hit Charlie? Why let loose the rest of the animals and chase them all over in Charlie’s ATV?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe whoever took Rudolph was trying to cover his tracks?”

“He didn’t want Charlie to realize Rudolph was gone, so he chased all the animals away?”

“I don’t know, Trevor. I’m just speculating… throwing out ideas and hoping one sticks to the wall and we can all go home and enjoy Christmas.”

“Right,” Trevor sighed. “Christmas.”

The thought seemed to bring him down. Didn’t he have anywhere to go? “What are you doing for the holiday?” I asked.

“Nothing. I’m working Christmas Day and thought I’d get drunk Christmas Eve.”

“That sounds like fun,” Daisy muttered.

“Who are you getting drunk with?” I asked.

Trevor chuckled. “Me, myself and I.”

“How depressing,” Daisy said.

I couldn’t agree more. “Why don’t you come to my house Christmas Eve for dinner?”

The words were out of my mouth before I could put a stop to them. Did I really want Trevor at my house on Christmas Eve… with my brother, my father, and my son?

No. Well, maybe. He’d thrown my brother, Vic, in jail more than once, but he’d also been instrumental in getting him off the hook for a murder he hadn’t committed, so his presence should be appreciated. Besides, Trevor could be a buffer between me and the men in my family. Sometimes their teasing became a little much, especially when they were all together. Hopefully, they’d mind their manners with the deputy present.

“You sure about that?” he asked.

“Yes. Come by. We’re having a dinner and if you want to get drunk, my father and brother will happily assist and join you.”

He chuckled, then threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me to his side. “Thanks, Gina. I appreciate it.”

I smiled and gently disentangled myself. I wasn’t much of a hugger, unless it was my son. “You’re welcome.”

“Let’s head back to the barn so you can get home,” Trevor said. “I’m going to stop by the Urgent Care and see Charlie. Ask him a few questions. After that, I’d like to stop by your house and talk things through with you, if that’s okay.”

In a way, I was flattered that he wanted my help solving the case. I had been instrumental in catching a few murderers. On the other hand, I did have a litter of puppies at home that needed full-time care. Did I have the energy to figure out who stole Rudolph and hurt Charlie?

Not really, but my curiosity got the best of me. “Sounds good,” I said. “I’ll see you at my house this afternoon.”

As we headed back to Trevor’s truck, Daisy asked, “Are we going to find out who hurt Charlie, took the mama dog, and stole Rudolph?”

“We most certainly are,” I whispered. “We’re going to find Rudolph and save Christmas!”

Chapter 5

When I arrived home, I found my Christmas tree decorated, a litter of very happy puppies, and a clean kitchen.

“I didn’t have time to hang the lights outside,” Jacob said. “These guys have been keeping me really busy.”

“They’re puppies,” I said, giving him a hug. “They’ll take over every waking second of your day if you allow them.”

“That’s pretty much what they’ve done,” he chuckled.

I grabbed his shoulders and squeezed them. “I appreciate you.” I turned to the little ones. Daisy stared at them from the other side of the gate, which they didn’t like. As they whined, cried and pawed at the barrier to attempt to get to her, she whispered, “Cry harder, little brats.”

“Daisy,” I admonished. “Be nice.”

My canine glared at me as Jacob said, “You need a boyfriend, Mom. Quit talking to the dog!”

As my son laughed and retreated to the living room, Daisy jumped over the gate. “Incoming, you turds! Your queen has arrived!”

With Daisy keeping the puppies busy, I followed Jacob. “Trevor is going to be here soon,” I said.

“Trevor, as in the cop, Trevor?” he asked, sitting down on the couch.

“Yes.”

“Are you two dating?”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “No, silly. Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”