Because I hadn’t had a date in decades? “Well, he’s put your uncle in jail more than once.”

“I thought Vic deserved it. A few bar fights? I seem to recall a DUI or two?”

Okay, he had a point, but I still wasn’t going to discuss my lack of a love life with my son. “He’s coming over because we’ve got a bit of a mystery on our hands and he’s asked me to help him figure it out.”

“He’s smart, coming to you for assistance. Maybe he’s not as dumb as Vic says he is. What’s the mystery?”

If anyone was lacking brain cells, it was my brother, but I’d let that part of the conversation slide.

I cleared my throat. “We’re looking into who took Rudolph. And hit Charlie Tupper over the head. And who let out all his miniature livestock.”

“That sounds like three mysteries,” Jacob replied.

“Yeah, but we’re hoping it’s all the same person.”

“Maybe it’s Santa,” Jacob said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Why would he steal his own reindeer?” I asked, smiling and playing along.

“Why wouldn’t he? Santa needs Rudolph, and as television has explained to us many times, the rest of the reindeer are pretty insignificant. Rudolph could do the job by himself, if need be.”

“It sounds like you’ve got everything wrapped up,” I said. “I’ll tell Trevor he needs to arrest Santa.”

Jacob grinned and picked up the TV remote. “I’m always around for more tips and tricks on solving mysteries.”

“You’re a natural,” I said. I stood and walked past the kitchen. Daisy was still playing with the pups, which gave me some time to get a little work done.

Besides my dog rescue and my nail salon, I also did some ghostwriting. I fired up my computer and checked my email. The author who had commissioned a space romance wanted a second book from me. Pursing my lips, I wasn’t sure whether to take it or not. I’d had to learn about engine propulsion and gravity, which had taken a great amount of time. But then again, I already had the notes, so there wasn’t any reason the book couldn’t be written faster than the first one.

I agreed to the second project and told her I’d be in touch after Christmas to collaborate on the outline.

An hour later, a knock sounded on my front door, triggering a chorus of puppy barking. I hurried down the hall to answer and quickly stopped along the way to check on the puppies.

“They were asleep!” Daisy wailed. “Every single one of them!”

“Sorry about that,” I said. “Why don’t you come out for a while and hang out with Jacob? They’ll settle again.”

“You hope,” Daisy muttered as she jumped the fence and trotted into the living room.

With a sigh, I answered the front door and smiled at Trevor. “Come on in.”

The puppies began their chorus again and Trevor walked over to the gate and studied them.

“Really cute,” he said, grinning. Leaning over, he picked one up, held it against his chest, and slowly stroked the little one’s head. “Are they mountain dogs? What are they called? Bernese?”

“Yes.” My heart pitter-pattered. A man who was gentle with puppies could win me over pretty easily if he tried.

“Mom must have been from one of the farms,” he said. “I hope she turns up.”

“Me, too,” I said. “It’s cold out and these babies need their mama.”

After a long moment, he set down the puppy then turned to me. “I saw Charlie at the urgent care.”

“Is he going to be okay?”

“Yes.”

I sighed with relief. “What did he say?”

“Can we sit down?” Trevor asked.

“Sure.” Jacob was in the living room watching television with Daisy, so the only place to go was the kitchen. I stepped over the gate and motioned Trevor to follow me. I slowly walked through the swarm of puppies, then took a seat at the table. Trevor did the same, but picked up two and set them on his lap.

“Did Charlie have any idea who hit him? Or who took Rudolph? Who let out his animals?”

“Well, the answer to all those questions is no,” Trevor said, chuckling. “But, he did have some information to share.”

Charlie Tupper was holding the deer for a guy name Tony Brewer who’d won the town’s bid to provide the animals for the Christmas Festival. The deer would pull Santa’s sleigh and also be available for the kids at the petting zoo. Brewer lived farther out of town than Tupper did and also had to refurbish his barn, so Charlie agreed to house the animals for a fee. “Charlie hasn’t received payment from the guy yet, and apparently there was a bit of an argument on the phone the day before yesterday.”

“Okay,” I replied, not really sure why Tony would let his own reindeer loose.

“And Charlie also told me that there was another man who bid on the contract to have his own deer here at the Christmas Festival. When he didn’t win, Charlie mentioned that Clara down at City Hall told him the guy was really upset.”

“Well, that makes more sense,” I said. “He didn’t get the contract, so he wants to make sure Tony can’t deliver what he promised.”

“I agree,” Trevor said. “Charlie couldn’t remember that guy’s name, but Clara has it. I was thinking I might run down there and ask her for the information. Are you interested in coming with me?”

I quickly calculated when the puppies would need to be fed again and decided I had time. “If we hurry,” I said. “I have to be back here to help Jacob feed the little ones.”

“Perfect,” he said, setting down the puppies. “I’ll hang around and help, if you don’t mind.”

“The more the merrier,” I replied. “Let me grab my coat.”

Trevor picked up another puppy as I slipped on my jacket. I smirked as he whispered sweet nothings, then set it down.

“Too cute,” he said as we headed out the door. “I wish I could take one.”

“You can,” I urged, but then remembered he worked for the sheriff’s department and put in some long hours. “Never mind. It wouldn’t be fair to the puppy.”

“Right.” He opened the door for me. As I slid in, he said, “Besides, maybe the owner will claim them.”

“Maybe,” I muttered. He shut the door and walked over to the driver’s seat. After he fired up the engine, I glanced at the clock, unable to believe it was only early afternoon. Would this day ever end?

We drove back toward Heywood town center. When we pulled up in front of City Hall, Trevor parked right in the spot designated for city vehicles. Us commoners had to fight the tourists for a spot.

“Being a deputy has its perks,” I said.

“No doubt about it,” Trevor replied. “Besides parking, on any given day, I deal with drug abusers, domestic violence cases, and dead people and animals. The least this place can do is give me a dang parking spot.”