Page 28

“Oh, Sheriff. I’m terribly sorry. I wish I had better news.”

I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“It’s not your fault. Debs. I’ll call her after I check on Buck.”

Debbie shakes her head. “He’s getting his cast on. You can pick him up in an hour when he’s ready. He’ll be loopy. Does he have anyone to take care of him?”

“Tillie’s, sixteen. She’ll know who to call. Wouldn’t hurt to have a professional close by if you know anyone. The county will pay for it. Triple time for holiday pay.”

Debbie is a single mom. Whose ex is a deadbeat and never pays his child support. She could use the extra money. I’ve tried to help several times. The town makes sure the kids don’t do without. That includes Christmas.

“I’ll do it. I have some vacation time coming. I can use the extra money.”

She surprises me by giving me a hug. I look down to see tears running down her cheeks.

“You don’t know it, but you saved Christmas.”

“Technically, Buck did, but we won’t mention that until after the cast comes off.”

She laughs. “Good plan. I’ll see you in an hour.”

I nod my head. I don’t have time to go to the ranch, so I head back to my truck and drive the short distance to a nearby park.

Pulling into a spot farthest from the road, I dial Jessi’s number. She picks up on the third ring.

“Dad, I’m so excited. Are you excited? Did you get your ticket?”

“Sweetheart, Buck broke his leg in three places.”

“Oh dad. Oh no. No, no, no. This is not happening. I’ll figure something out and call you back.”

She hung up before I could respond. I have a bad feeling about this. Worse than not going out east to be with the family for Christmas. With nothing left to do but wait, I head to Molly’s for a to-go sandwich. Their ham is my favorite. Thick sliced ham from a whole ham they slow roasted in the back. With two eggs and sharp cheddar cheese. All on soft thick sliced bread. They wrap it in wax paper.

Sally Anne smiles when I come through the door. “Good morning, Sheriff. The usual?”

“Not this morning, Sally Anne. I want a ham sandwich to go, please. Also, I need someone to deliver lunch and dinner to Buck’s house today. Enough for him and Tillie. Maybe add extra for the nurse.”

“Nurse? Is Buck alright?”

“Broke his leg.”

Hell, I hadn’t even thought to ask how. Talk about pre-occupied.

“I’ll let Sam know. We’ll get them fed.”

“Send the bill to my office.”

She smiles and nods before hurrying away to place my order. My phone rings. It’s Jessi. I head to the party room. It should be empty.

“Hello.” I answer as I slip through the doors.

“Dad. I have everything taken care of. We’re all coming home for Christmas.”

“Define we.”

“Me, Dalton, Clyde, Kai, and his parents. We’ll be there tomorrow. Tell Dee to make all our favorites and I’m sorry for the last minute stress she’ll be under.”

“What time are you getting in?”