Page 73 of Operation: Unify

He turned a little pale. “I suppose you’re right. She’s been pregnant for so long, I forget that it’s going to happen really soon.”

“I’ll go,” Cole said. “He’s probably in his cabin taking a nap. He’s still used to the weird hours he used to work, and I know he’s been staying up all night to get ahead on his coursework.”

The explanation made it even more likely that Randy was simply in his room, asleep. “Thanks,” Connor said. “That’s all I have. Try to take a few minutes to rest today, if you can.”

They all chuckled. While the ranch duties were lessened in the winter, they never went away completely. Cole stood and shrugged his coat back on. “I’ll let you know what I find when I get out there.”

Connor let everyone leave then he made his way out to the living room. The tree wasn’t lit during the day, but it was still talland beautiful. After opening gifts the night before, the bottom was now empty. He’d always felt that emptiness under the tree before Christmas was filled with promise, whereas after it had a strange finality. Like his mind knew that the next big holiday would be easter and though he was thankful for Easter, he wasn’t ever able to find joy in it.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out. Cole’s text made him wish he hadn’t invited his family over that day. He’d be needed.

Randy isn’t here. No one has seen him.

Lacy finished talkingto Victoria as she poured her luscious chocolate pudding into two graham cracker crusts. She gently covered them in tin foil and slipped them into the huge freezer along the wall.

Victoria turned around and wiped her hands on a towel then tossed it onto the prep table. “Done. So, you’d like me to visit with Melinda today? I’d love to do that. All my family has moved away from Wyoming, so holidays have become pretty lonely.”

“I’m sorry,” Lacy hoped that didn’t mean she’d leave, but feeling alone was a hard emotion to live with. “Are you thinking of moving too?”

Victoria laughed as she shrugged out of her white chef coat. “No. Not a chance. This is my home. It has always been my home. Do I wish things had been different for me? Sure. But I have my friends, a great job, and a home that’s totally paid off. Those are all blessings I wouldn’t have if I moved.”

“True, and Wayside would miss you.” There wasn’t a single person who hadn’t been thankful for Victoria at one time or another.

She washed her hands and shook them off into the sink, then dried them. “I’ve gotten so used to Randy being in here to help me, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself having the whole kitchen all to my lonesome.” She grinned. “He has promise. I know he’s learning coding, whatever that is, but he has what it takes to work in a kitchen.”

“He told us he was willing to learn whatever he needed in order to live here. I’m glad he’s already found a place where he fits without Connor having to figure it out. I know Teddy hasn’t been able to help you like he used to.”

“I didn’t want him to. After he was shot, I made him stop helping me as much as he wanted to. I miss his help, but I knew it wasn’t good for him to be reaching and lifting like he was.” She carefully loaded the dishwasher with the few dishes she’d used. “Anyway, there’s food available when you want it. Anyone can come and get what they’d like. I know that means I’ll have a mess when I return tomorrow, but that’s okay too.” She grinned.

“Thank you, Victoria, for everything you do and Merry Christmas.” She hugged her friend.

“No trouble at all. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

Lacy turned off the light as she left the kitchen and found Connor looking pensive in the living room. “What’s wrong? I seem to be asking that a lot lately.”

He waited until Victoria had left then focused on Lacy. “Randy is missing.”

“What?” She hadn’t thought he’d even left since they arrived. How could he be missing?

“Edwyn asked him to do a fairly simple job this morning. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, but he hasn’t come back yet.”

Her chest tightened. “With Tod and Cal still in the area . . .” They could’ve seen him. In fact, the gas station was the only place open for business within an hour’s drive.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what we’re concerned about.”

Lacy sat down on the couch. “Your family will be here any minute. What do we do?”

Ferd, Teddy, and Gloria walked in the door with big smiles. Gloria carried what looked like a cake with her. “Hello!” she said with a little too much excitement to be real.

All three of them stopped when Connor didn’t greet them with the same enthusiasm.

“Sorry, we just found out Randy is missing.”

Ferd’s mouth dropped open. “What can I do?”

“Nothing right now,” Connor answered. “My men have it under control.”

Lacy watched his face, looking for his true feelings and found he was telling the truth. Leaving for a short time had given him the ability to trust his men with this, at least for a few hours. “Victoria just left but the kitchen is stocked.”

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