Avri ran in, grabbed her cell and coat and rushed back outside. She ran to the neighbors across the street, but no one came to the door when she rang the doorbell. She ran around the block; maybe Drew found a cat or dog and returned it to the rightful owners. No one outside of his or her homes, no one playing in the front yard, no one around at all. What to do?The terrible feeling of Deja vu coursed through her. The only other time this happened he'd been kidnapped and held for ransom. Fear hit her like a brick, her heart lurched, and nausea wrecked her stomach, her palms sweaty. She only knew her neighbors casually; they waved to each other in passing and since no kids Drew's age lived in this area Drew was on his own. She raced back to the house yelling for Drew all the way. When she stepped inside, she continued yelling for him, but there was no answer.She needed help and soon. It was too cold for anyone to be outside for very long. The Sheriff. She'd call Mitch and he would kno
December 22Avri woke to a pounding on the front door. She struggled to get the twisted and tangled blanket off and hurried to the door. A tall shadow stood outside. Her heart jumped into her throat as she reached for the doorknob. She opened the door, and her heart dropped. Mitch stood in front of her, dark circles under his eyes; he twirled his hat in his hands."Can I come in?" He asked."Of course," Avri said as she opened the door wider and looked behind him, hoping to see Drew or Dillon. She'd take either one right now."You haven't found him, have you?" Avri asked while Mitch settled on the couch. Avri sat on the edge of the recliner."No, we haven't but we also haven't given up. The dogs lost his trail but are still out there. So many people have come from all over to help," his radio cackled indecipherable code numbers, "with the search. Let me step outside and make a call. I'll be right back." Avri looked out the front window, saw Mitch talking on his cell. She wante
After a late breakfast, Avri asked Drew, "Do you want to make cookies now or take a nap with me?"Drew yawned. "I'm tired.""Me too," Avri said. "Let's lay down and rest. We can get some dinner on our way to choose a tree. How does that sound?""Okay, can I lay with you in your bed?" Drew asked as he held her hand going up the stairs. "I want you to," Avri smiled, "I want to hug for a couple hours.""Then we'll get the tree." Drew yawned and lay beside Avri on the bed.Avri wrapped her arms around Drew and hugged him. "I love you, son. Forever and always." She glanced at his face, the face so much like his father's, but he was already asleep.****Avri woke alone. Not again/ She jumped and yelled, "Drew, where are you?" She heard noises coming from the kitchen and raced down the stairs. "Drew, what are you doing?" she asked, with relief when she entered the kitchen and saw Drew. The teapot whistled. She turned the burner off and moved the kettle.Drew stood at the breakfast t
Later in the day, Mrs. Weaver, the housekeeper at the Travis B&B dropped off a variety of baked goods and wished them a Merry Christmas. She waved when she left and once again, Drew and Avri stood at the front window; watching and waiting.As the sun set, Avri made grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner and then they settled in front of the TV and watched Drew's favorite Christmas movie. Memories of Christmas's past; Avri as a child before Dillon, with Dillon before he joined the Army, and the long four years she spent waiting for him to return. Last year was the first Christmas all three had been together, and it was her most treasured. When the doorbell rang, Avri and Drew both jumped and raced to the door. "It has to be Daddy," Drew said."He wouldn't ring the bell, he'd walk right in," Avri said, as she unlocked the door and opened it."Uncle Chase, Mom. It's Uncle Chase." Drew said as he hugged Chase's legs. "Is Dillon back yet?" Chase asked, shifting his feet, a wrapp
A few hours later, Dillon was sleeping in his own upstairs. Mitch had helped Dillon up the stairs and into bed where he fell asleep almost instantly. Avri and Drew took turns checking in on him to make sure he was warm enough and had no signs of hyperthermia, but he continued to sleep soundly.Avri and Drew baked Dillon's favorite cookies and sang Christmas songs. When Drew yawned early afternoon after lunch, Avri said, "Drew, how about we rest in bed with Daddy?""I'd like that, all of us in bed like before Daddy went away.""Okay, let's go. We'll snuggle and rest and maybe even fall asleep. We were up really early this morning, weren't we?" Avri said, as she took her son's hand and walked up the stairs with him."Yeah, Daddy surprised us early, didn't he?" Drew asked, as he jumped on the bed and toes off his shoes."He sure did but we have some Christmas surprises for him too," Avri tousled his hair as she lay down beside him, careful not to disturb Dillon."Yeah, we do. Wait t
VOLUME FIVE: MOONLIGHT KISSES AND MUGSHOTSAttorney Wilkins' words of Aunt Sally's last will and testament echoed in her head, Sally Marie Travis, bequeaths to her niece, Veronica Travis, Travis Bed and Breakfast in Saddle Creek, Wyoming to commence as soon as possible but with the following contingencies:1.) After a period of twelve months of living on-site and managing the Travis B&BOR2.) When Attorney Wilkins receives forthcoming information to release the following sum of $2.5 million dollars will be available to her to do with as she wishes.Veronica, or as everyone called her, Ronnie, pondered her options as she sat in the hot sand. The steamy Miami South Beach breeze blew her hair onto her face, where it stuck to her sweaty forehead. She wiped the perspiration on her forearm and fluffed her short hair. With her knees pulled into her chest, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around them.What to do? What to do?Ronnie's parents were fine with whatever decisi
"Hello?" An older woman came to a stop when she saw Ronnie."Hello, I'm Veronica, but everyone calls me Ronnie. You must be Marie Weaver, the housekeeper." Veronica held out her hand. "We spoke on the phone."Instead of shaking hands, Mrs. Weaver beelined it across the room and hugged her tightly. When she stepped back, she said, "I'm so glad to finally meet you, Ver - , I mean Ronnie. You're much prettier in person than pictures I've seen over the years. Your eyes are so crystal blue, and you look so much like your aunt." Mrs. Weaver placed a warm hand on each of Veronica's upper arms. "I've heard so much about you for so many years, it's so wonderful to finally meet you.""Really? I had no idea Aunt Sally, uh, uh, had me in her plans. She never told me anything." Ronnie's gaze searched the room, found the stone gas fireplace, and she moved toward it. "Sorry, I'm freezing. Not used to this weather yet." She chuckled and held her hands out to the warmth while she continued scanning
Ronnie woke early, warm and snuggly in the king-size bed. She had a lot to do today but didn't want to move. One glance around the beautifully decorated room, and she pinched her arm. Ouch! It was true. This was her room, her new responsibility, her new life. With that, she climbed out of bed and rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower.The hot water sluiced down her chilled skin and warmed her inside and out. She dug out blue jeans with a layered T-shirt and dark-blue sweatshirt and dressed quickly. She unpacked and put away the remainder of her things and opened her bedroom door."Ummm!" The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Fresh-baked muffins and scrambled eggs sat on warmers on the coffee bar, so Ronnie helped herself. "Good morning, Marie.""How did you sleep?" Marie entered from the laundry room and poured herself a cup of coffee."Wonderful, once I got the sheets warmed up. They were really cold.""Now that someone is sleeping in them every night, they'll retain