Vanessa’s heart tugged. Yes. They did have some good men in this town. “He was so kind to let us use that place. It’s amazing. He even helped Anna cut down a live Christmas tree. We had just finished decorating it when you called.”
“That sounds just like him.”
“I’m going to run over to the warehouse one more time and make sure Scooter’s not there before I head back.” She waved goodbye as she got in her car. “I know we’re going to find him.”
“I’m feeling better about things too,” said Misty.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
The next morning Anna and Vanessa were sitting in front of the fire, enjoying the beautiful Christmas tree and sipping hot chocolate, when Misty walked by the windows toward the front door.
Vanessa jumped up from her chair to get the door. “Come on inside.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I’m early.” She unwrapped the red scarf from her neck.
“I thought for sure I’d hear your truck come up.”
“I parked over by the side entrance of the main house. I figured I should at least stop in and say hello to Buck if I was going to be here.”
“You’re such a sweet young lady.” Vanessa motioned toward her cousin. “You remember Anna. Can I get you some hot chocolate, or are you ready to go?”
“How about hot chocolate to go?”
“I’m way ahead of you,” said Anna. “I saw a thermos in the kitchen. Give me two minutes I’ll have y’all all set up.” She looked like an elf in her bright red-and-green pajamas, walking through the Christmassy room.
“Let me know if I can be of help.” Vanessa turned her attention back to Misty. “Where should we start?”
“I thought we’d make the copies at the office and then start out near the warehouse and work our way back.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“I brought some bright poster board and packing tape,” Misty said. “I figured we could tape the flyers to the poster board. We can hang a couple along the school bus route. Then I’ll hand the flyers out along Main Street and let everyone know. Word of mouth is faster than anything around here.”
“Easy enough.”
“I just hope it works.”
Anna came in with an old-school vintage plaid thermos. The tall one with the cup attached to the top. “Here you go, girls. Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Vanessa put on her coat and Anna tossed a knitted scarf her way.
Vanessa caught the toffee-brown scarf in midair. “Where’d this come from?”
“Just a little something I worked on while watching television the other night.”
“I love the leather button accents,” Vanessa said.
Anna beamed. “I knew you would.”
“You made this?” Misty reached over and ran her hands across the stitching. “This is beautiful. It’s so soft, and not too frilly-looking.”
“That’s a simple checkerboard pattern. I’ll make you one. Ibrought yarn with me. I can’t stand to not have anything to do with my hands. I have red, black, a pretty cocoa color, and—”
“Red! Really? You’ll make me one too?”
“Absolutely. I’ll work on it today.” She leaned in sweetly. “It’ll give me an excuse to take a lazy day in front of the fire.”
“Merry Christmas to me.”
