Page 84 of Twice Missing

Noah sighed, adjusting his position. "Why did you wait until the last days before Christmas to do this?" he asked, exasperation creeping into his voice.

Ed's response was matter-of-fact. "Why would I waste all that electricity? This way I have three days, and then on December 26, I can take them down."

"And by that, you mean I can," Noah retorted, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"Of course," Ed replied, grinning up at him.

As Noah's phone stopped ringing, he couldn't help but point out the obvious. "You know, Ed, no one but you and I are going to see these lights."

Ed's response caught him off guard. "I have a lady friend coming over."

Noah chuckled, "Oh yeah, one of your mail-order brides?"

"I'll have you know I have a bit more class than that," Ed shot back, feigning offense.

"Uh-huh," Noah said skeptically, juggling the string of lights and a bag of plastic clips. "And who might that be?"

"That sassy broad across the way," Ed replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

Noah rolled his eyes. "Oh, that really nails it down."

Ed muttered something under his breath, clearly not intending for Noah to hear.

"What was that, Ed?" Noah pressed.

Ed repeated himself, but still too quietly for Noah to make out.

"Do you have marbles in your mouth? Spit it out, man."

Finally, Ed relented. "Gretchen."

Noah nearly fell off the ladder in shock. "Gretchen? Are you joking?"

"I never joke when it comes to love, my friend," Ed replied, his tone serious.

"Love? You barely know her," Noah protested.

"That's where you'd be wrong. Gretchen and I have been seeing each other for the past few months."

Noah's brow furrowed in confusion. "Okay, and how did I not notice this?"

"Your head is always buried in work," Ed pointed out.

"But this town is small. People talk," Noah countered.

"They do if they see. I visited her at her home," Ed explained, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh geez. Do I really want to hear this?" Noah groaned, pushing another clip in place.

His phone rang again, the sound cutting through the crisp winter air.

"Don't answer it," Ed advised. "They'll just be asking you to come in and take a shift."

Ed had a point. Noah was supposed to be off, spending time with the kids before they all gathered at his sister's home for Christmas dinner. Against his better judgment, he reached into his pocket and fished out the phone.

"Hello?" he answered, bracing himself for bad news.

"Sutherland. He's on the move," McKenzie's voice came through, sounding out of breath.