Read Silent Night: A Raine Stockton Dog Mystery for Free Online

regarding Majesty, but as far Majesty was concerned, she had found her Forever home.  Majesty needed to be the center of attention, and Aunt Mart needed someone to dote on.   And though I missed my collie terribly, the truth was that they were probably a match made in heaven.
      I said, “I’ve got to check on the sheep, and then I’m going to run over to Miss Meg’s and get a sandwich.  Can I bring anyone back something?”
    “Coffee would be lovely, dear, if you don’t mind,” Aunt Mart said.  “It’s already a bit brisk, isn’t it?”
    “It’s supposed to be in the twenties again tonight,” I said.  “I hope they get this thing moving on time.”
    “The Fuhrer assures us the first marching band will march at precisely six o’clock,” Maude said dryly, and I laughed and waved over my shoulder as I hurried off to check on the sheep.
     
     
    Miss Meg’s was crowded with parade-goers, as I should have known it would be, and there was a wait for seating that pressed against the door.  I inched inside and stood on tiptoe to peer over the heads in front of me, wondering if I would be better off dashing into the drugstore for a candy bar, when I saw a familiar face toward the front of the crowd.  Unfortunately, he saw me too.
    “Raine,” he called and waved me forward.  It was the only polite thing to do.
    And the only polite thing for me to do was to return the best smile I could manage and, murmuring one apology after another, edge my way through the crowd.  Of course the crowd parted for me without hesitance.  He was, after all, the sheriff.
    “Hey, Buck,” I said.  “How’s it going?” I was trying very hard to keep our relationship cordial, and some days I succeeded better than others.  In the spirit of Christmas, I had resolved to put forth my best effort on every occasion.
    “About like you’d expect this time of year.”  He was in uniform, his radio crackling on low volume on his shoulder.  His eyes wandered around the room, looking for the hostess.  I figured his dinner break would be his only chance to sit down tonight, and he probably wanted to get started on it.  “Shoplifters, burglaries, pickpockets, and people stealing baby Jesuses from mangers.  'Tis the season, and all that.”
    I blinked.  “Baby Jesus?”
    “Sure.”  He caught Meg’s eye and lifted his hand.  “The Baptist church had to replace two of them last week, and the Christmas Shop is keeping them behind the counter.  It’s a thing with kids, like stealing garden gnomes.”
    Looking harried, Meg arrived with an order pad in her hand and a pair of Santa earrings dangling from her ears. “Sorry, Buck.  Have you ever seen the like?  Everybody wants to eat early for the parade, I guess.  I’ve got a table cleaned off for you.  Come on back.  Hi, Raine. You two together?”
    While she waited for an answer, I felt awkward and Buck looked embarrassed.  Then Buck, who was never uncomfortable about anything for long, said, “Come on, Raine, no sense in both of us waiting for a table.”  And he started to follow Meg.
    Well, terrific.  I was starving, but a person had to draw the line somewhere. And I thought having dinner with my ex-husband—who, by the way, was practically living with another woman—at the most popular restaurant in town just like old times might be just a tad over that line.  I said quickly, “Actually I already ate.  I just came over to get a cup of coffee for Aunt Mart. I have to get back.  I’m helping set up for the parade, you know.”  I hoped he couldn’t hear my stomach growl.
    I couldn’t tell whether he was relieved, disappointed, or completely indifferent.  All he said was, “Okay, see you later.” And Meg called over her shoulder, “Nancy!  Coffee to go!” as she led him away.
    I edged my way to the counter to pick up my coffee, scanning the selection of pies and cakes and wondering whether I could get a slice to go.  I saw Nancy hold up my coffee