Hank Men of Clifton, Montana Book 32 by Susan Fisher-Davis

Author:Susan Fisher-Davis [Fisher-Davis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Whiskey Publishing
Published: 2023-10-19T16:00:00+00:00

****

The day before Christmas Eve, Hank smiled as he watched the kids waiting in line. Today was his last day, and he would miss it as much as he hated to admit it.

It had been more fun than he thought, but a few kids were bratty. He told them to settle down or they’d get coal in their stockings, and it worked.

He wasn’t seeing Marlowe tonight, but he wanted to give her the gift he had bought her. He was sure she wasn’t expecting anything, but when he saw it, he thought of her. He hoped they could get together.

Hours later, he swore he’d never do this again. The kids were extra loud, and he was getting a headache. He cursed as he rubbed his temples.

“We’re almost done,” Kat whispered.

“Thank God. Why do they wait until the last minute?”

“It’s like this every year. The closer we get to the holiday, the wilder the kids get.”

“I was just thinking earlier about how much I enjoyed this, and in one day, they have changed my mind,” Hank muttered.

“And you say my kids are heathens.”

“They are.”

“Stop it.”

Hank chuckled. “You know I love them, Kat.”

“I do.” Kat smiled at him.

“Are you and Jeff ready for Christmas?”

“As ready as we’ll ever be.”

“Same here.”

“Are you getting Marlowe anything?”

“Yeah, I already bought it, and no, I’m not telling you what it is.”

“Who am I going to tell?”

“No one, because you don’t know what it is.”

“You’re a mean ass.”

“I’m a mean ass? I played Santa for you.”

“Okay. I’ll give you that one, but you’re being mean about her gift. I wouldn’t tell her.”

“I don’t have to worry about that. I’m. Not. Telling. You.”

He watched her turn her back to the line and raise her middle finger at him.

“Merry Christmas… Santa.”

Hank laughed. “Right back at you.”

When the day was finally over, Hank entered the back room, removed the Santa suit, left by the back door, and walked to the diner. He couldn’t wait to see Marlowe.

He’d love to spend Christmas with her, but she went to see her parents, and he saw his. There was no reason they couldn’t get together on Christmas Eve or later Christmas Day.

He removed his cellphone from his pocket and called her, but it went straight to voice mail. He entered the diner and took a stool at the counter. The place was packed as usual.

Reaching for the menu, he shook his head. He knew what he wanted. He smiled when Lanie Donovan filled his glass with water. He gave her his order and waited.

When the bell jingled, he grinned when he saw Alex Reeves enter and sit beside him.

“Hey, Alex. How are you?”

“Good, Hank. You?”

“Same. How’s the job going?”

“Great. I just wrapped up a case in Kalispell.”

“Rustlers?”

“Yes.”

Alex was a MDOL agent. He worked in the theft division, and Hank along with other farmers and ranchers appreciated everything he did.

“Anything new?”

“Always. Theft seems to be at an all-time high right now.”

“Damn. I’ll keep an eye on my horses.”

“Do that. I don’t think they care what they steal.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.