Page 11 of December's Ride with Scar

“Yes, we will!” Ruby laughs as Scar gets in the truck on the other side. Once he buckles up, he reaches for my hand again.

“Have you found anything on these guys?” Scar asks.

“No, just that the same company also bought some land in Silver Creek,” Orville says.

“That’s what we found out, too. Though some of the girls say the rumor at the café is they want to bring a hockey team into Silver Creek,” Scar says.

“A hockey team!” Ruby sounds shocked.

“I would think it would be an off-season practice arena because the infrastructure isn’t there to hold a team during the season,” Scar says.

“Unless the plan is to build it all up to host one,” I say, thinking out loud.

Everyone is quiet for a moment, and I instantly regret opening my mouth.

“Well, let’s hope that isn’t the case,” Ruby says quietly.

I look over at Scar, and his eyes are already on me.

“Sorry,” I whisper, and he squeezes my hand.

“Don’t be sorry. You made a good point, and it’s something we need to think about.” He leans over, placing a kiss on my temple.

Until we pull into the Hot Springs, the rest of the drive they talk about Christmas events in town and catch up on what is going on with people I don’t know.

“Alright, so let's head in together and check things out,” Ruby says before we get out of the truck.

We step inside the building that looks like it used to be the lobby and offices of an older but well-kept lobby. It’s packed with people and the reception desk is being used as a bar. We go there and grab a drink when the sheriff walks up to us.

“I just got here, but I don’t recognize a single face here,” the sheriff says.

“That makes two of us. None of these people are from Mustang Mountain, so where are they from?” Ruby asks.

“Let’s find out,” Scar says.

We go off in different directions. Ruby and Orville go to the back of the room, the sheriff moves toward the doors we just came in, and Scar leads me to the opposite side of the room. That’s when, against all odds, I see a familiar face. It’s the woman who was on the bus with me, going to Silver Creek.

“I know her!” I take Scar’s hand and lead him toward the old woman.

“Oh my! A face I never thought I’d see again!” The old woman says when she sees me. She pulls me into a hug.

“What are you doing here?” she asks.

“My fiancé brought me with a friend of his,” I say, nodding to Scar.

“My, he is handsome.” She winks at me.

“I’m sorry I never got your name,” I tell her.

“Oh, I’m Mary.” She puts her hand out to shake mine.

“I’m Evelyn, and this is Scar.” I introduce us, and she shakes Scar’s hand as well.

“Any idea who these people are? I don’t recognize a single face,” Scar says.

“Many of them are from Silver Creek, but there are a lot of businessmen here from Bozeman from the sounds of it. I came with some friends for free food and drinks. If you haven’t tried the deviled eggs at the food table, they're to die for!” She giggles.

Just then, my stomach rumbles, and it doesn’t escape Scar.

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