Page 14 of Run, Run Mistletoe
I head for the barn with one more look over at the road.
8
FRANKINCENSE
Iswear. I hate goats. Especially this one. But the look in Misty’s eyes has me tearing up the road, terrified that I won’t manage to find the little menace. My huge car shudders in the wind and the snow is driving into it until all I see is white. White flakes that flash and glitter in my headlights and hide the sides of the road.
I’m gonna be lucky that I don’t drive right off the side of the road in this.
They weren’t calling for a blizzard but I don’t guess you need a name. You just know it’s bad.
A flash of light brown catches my eyes and I slam on the brakes like an idiot, sliding wildly in the road. Tapping at my brakes and twisting the wheel I manage to get myself righted but I stop where I’m at and swing the door wide open.
There’s nobody out here to wreck into me but I hit my hazards to make sure.
And then I plunge into the snow, my head swimming with adrenaline and my heart set on finding that little monster and taking her home to Misty.
To make her smile. I’d give anything to make her smile.
And then, out of the swirl of snow, a little brown head butts out into me and almost knocks me flat on my butt.
“Seriously?” I huff. But a smile pulls at my lips as the crazy animal bleats at me and then snuggles into my side.
Obviously she’s decided I’m better than the weather.
I pick her up and stumble back up onto the road and set her in the front seat beside me. Shaking a finger, I mutter, “Behave yourself. Don’t eat my new car, you menace.”
And like she’s the sweetest little animal in the world she just shoots me a doe-eyed look and sits down, staring out the window like a dog.
Shaking my head, I close the door and step around to the front and then in the door.
It takes ten minutes to get back to the farm but it feels like forever with sliding off the road and not being able to see a darn thing.
I pull in and Misty comes running out of the house, stumbling in the snow.
Jerking the door open, I catch her when she reaches my car and I grin at the tears in her eyes. “Did you find her?”
“Of course. I told you I would.”
She shrieks and then leaps in the driver’s side, hugging her little daredevil goat. “You are such a bad girl. I should lock you up. But I’m gonna get your a blanket and get you all warmed up. I’ve got a special breakfast for you and everything.”
“Careful. She’ll try and sneak out all the time.”
She grins at me and then her phone dings as I lift the goat out of the car and the dang thing kisses me on the cheek.
Sputtering, I close my eyes and set her down to wipe my cheek. “What are you doing?”
Expecting Misty’s laughter, I glance up and my brow furrows at her white face.
“What’s wrong? I found her. Is there something wrong with her?”
I study the goat but she looks the same as usual. Like trouble on four hooves.
“How did we afford that truck, Frank? What kind of special deal was that?” Her voice is so soft I almost don’t hear it over the wind whistling.
“What do you mean? You talked to the salesman, not me.” But there’s a sinking feeling in my belly and I can’t catch my breath.
“Tell me the truth. Did you give that salesman money to get me a better deal?”
