Jingle Bones Read Free Page B

to a singathon. It was just like her to be ornery and bossy. No matter, I could sing on my own.
    When the phone rang, I was surprised to see Coleman Peters, the sheriff of Sunflower County, on caller I.D. “Happy holidays,” I greeted him.
    â€œSarah Booth, DeWayne and I are out on the road. Your horses are on the right of way and I’m not having a lot of luck catching them.”
    â€œMy horses?” My gates were securely locked. How had they gotten out? But technicalities didn’t matter. “I’m on the way.”
    I pulled a coat and boots on over my flannel Betty Boop pj’s and headed to the barn. With halters, ropes, and a bucket of feed, Sweetie Pie and I tore down the driveway in my car and immediately saw two patrol cars, lights flashing, blocking traffic while Reveler, Miss Scrapiron, and Lucifer leaped back and forth over the ditch, toying with Coleman and his deputy, DeWayne Dattilo.
    One rattle of the feed bucket—and a little help from my herding hound—and I had all three horses haltered and in hand. “I don’t know how they got out of the pasture, but I’ll sure find out.”
    â€œIt won’t take much sleuthing.” Coleman pointed to the wooden fence where several sections had been knocked down. “That was done deliberately, Sarah Booth. Someone turned your horses out on the road.”
    Once the angry knot in my throat passed, I could talk. “It’s the Rush boys. I went over there yesterday to question them about the stolen baby doll from the church crèche last year. This is retaliation.”
    â€œThose boys belong in a juvenile offender facility. The problem is their mama has bought them out of all the trouble they get into. They have no respect for anyone, least of all her.”
    â€œThey’re going to learn some hard lessons.” It was one thing to mess with me, but endangering my animals was something else entirely.
    â€œRemember, they have no appreciation for consequences. That makes them very dangerous.” Coleman pushed his hat back. “I’ll do what I can to prove they did this, but”—he shook his head—“without an eyewitness or physical evidence, I can’t charge them.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it.”
    â€œBe careful, Sarah Booth. They’re juveniles, and their mother defends everything they do.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “We need to find some time to talk over the holidays.”
    Coleman’s determined look gave me pause. “About what?”
    â€œThere’s unresolved business between us, Sarah Booth. I respected your choice with Graf, but everything is changed. This is fair warning that I intend to press my case.” He gave my shoulder a little squeeze to back up his words. “Now what can I bring to the dinner party?”
    A fire extinguisher? He’d actually flustered me. “Just yourself. Millie is helping me cook, and everyone is helping me decorate. It’s a collaborative effort.”
    â€œLooking forward to it. Friday at eleven, after the pageant. I still can’t believe you talked everyone into attending the Final Harvest Christmas pageant.”
    â€œI think it’ll be the event of the year.”
    â€œI’ll drive your car home if you want to walk the horses.”
    â€œThanks, Coleman.” My heart did a little flutter when he leaned down to kiss my cheek.
    â€œLove the pajamas,” he whispered, his breath warm against my neck. “Betty was always the sexiest cartoon around. And even with your hair standing out at all angles, dough on the point of your chin, and mismatched boots, you are one sexy Christmas delight.”
    *   *   *
    Candy and cookies could wait. Coleman’s teasing whisper had ignited a fire under me and I needed action, not baking. I would call Tinkie and we’d employ the divide-and-conquer tactic. She bird-dogged Heathcliff while I shadowed