A Christmas Affair by Jodi Thomas

Author:Jodi Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin (UK) Ltd
Published: 2017-12-27T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

TRAVIS WORKED AT the store until eight, when Uncle Dice picked him up. As always, Dice smelled more like a horse than a human. He said he smoked one cigarette a day, but the odor seemed to hang around.

“What you got in the bag?” Dice asked as Travis climbed in the old truck.

“Supper. I’m tired of cereal three times a day. Wanda Lee told me how to make hamburger goulash. I bought the four things I’ll need with my own money. An onion, ground meat, a can of tomato sauce and macaroni. I’m assuming we have salt and pepper.”

Dice started the pickup. “I think I’ve seen some packets in one of the drawers. I plan on cooking one night soon. I’ll buy one of those pizzas that comes looking all finished, but don’t make the mistake of eating it without cooking it. Tried that once and it didn’t turn out so well.”

Travis shook his head and asked, “How is it possible none of you learned to cook? Between the three of you I’d say you’ve accumulated over two hundred years or more of living.”

Dice shrugged. “I always worked for the big ranches that served three meals a day. Between jobs I’d buy the jerky at the truck stops and live on that mixed with a can of beans or sometimes tomato soup. I like tomato soup. Add a can of sardines and you got yourself a regular feast.”

Travis stared at his uncle. “I’m amazed you’re not dead.”

“I’m getting there, don’t rush me.”

In defense of himself, Dice added, “Cap always made good money teaching, so he ate lunch in the cafeteria where he taught and ate the evening meal out. He lives on sweets and popcorn most weekends.

“Horace, well, he’s Horace. He’s the baby of the family and spoiled. Mom would cook him something different if he didn’t like what the family was eating. He lived on banana pancakes for a few years when he was in grade school.”

Travis stopped listening to Dice’s latest trip down memory lane and started watching two guys walking toward the grocery.

Something wasn’t right about them. They didn’t belong. They didn’t really have the clothes of cowboys or workmen on one of the construction sites.

“You know those two men, Uncle Dice?”

“Nope.” Dice watched them. “The one in front reminds me of a lean coyote on the hunt. Leading with his nose as if he’s sniffing out prey.”

Travis had never seen a lean coyote, but he understood what Dice was talking about.

“I forgot something.” Travis climbed out of the truck. “Be right back.”

Travis darted across the shadows of the grocery and slipped in the side door of the store. He kept the two men in sight as long as he could, then once inside, he made sure they didn’t notice him.

They were walking the aisles, not picking up groceries, but glancing high as if looking for cameras in the corners. One moved his leg without bending it. Travis would bet all the money he’d saved that a rifle was hidden beneath the baggy trousers.

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