You're A Mean One, Scout
Chapter 1: A Grinchy Arrival
A light dusting of snow transformed the quiet valley into a sugar-coated frontier town. It seemed the snow inspired all the shop keepers in Hope Valley to deck their halls. Ned and Florence quibbled quietly over hanging garland across the Mercantile railing. Lee hung a festive evergreen swag with bells and red ribbons over his office door. Mike Hickam decorated yet another Christmas tree on the saloon's porch, and Bill…well, Bill at least had brushed off his steps.
The Christmas spirit even reached the Northwest Mounted Police Office as evidenced by Nathan stepping outside to hang a wreath on the door. He had his daughter, Allie, and her friend Angela to thank for the handmade decoration.
They had taken advantage of yesterday's warm front and took the afternoon to collect and trim spruce, pine, and balsam fir from the surrounding woods. While Allie served as their eyes, Angela had a knack for finding the most fragrant evergreens. With baskets full of cut greens, the teens headed back to the Canfield's where Minnie taught them how to weave together the branches into garlands and wreaths.
When she returned home for supper last night, Allie had presented her treasures to her father which consisted of a lush garland and two full wreaths. She insisted they hang a wreath immediately on their front door. When Nathan inquired about her hopes for the other, he melted at her blushing suggestion that she wanted the wreath hung outside his office door so he was reminded all season long of her love for him.
Nathan stood back from the door and smiled at his daughter's creation. For such a simple gift, it was already bringing him joy—just as she had hoped. Feeling a brisk breeze of Canadian air cutting through his serge, he stepped quickly back inside.
Scout barely lifted his head from the jail cell's bed to greet his partner, but a muffled grunt still reached Nathan's ears.
"Yeah, yeah, it's JUST me. She'll be back after school." Nathan teased with an eye-roll.
Though he couldn't be sure, Nathan swore the dog huffed in response.
There was a sound of frantic footsteps on the boardwalk before a loud and desperate knock. Nathan turned quickly to answer the door before Rosemary pushed it open in a tizzy.
"Oh, Nathan, I'm glad I caught you!"
"What's the matter, Rosemary? Is everything alright?" He asked, taking a concerned step towards her.
Rosemary looked at him puzzled. "Oh, yes….well…actually no." She glanced around the bleak jail. "The Valley Voice is covering this year's 'Governor's Hometown Special Edition.' The press will need photos from all over town. Everything needs to be bigger and brighter this year." She gestured broadly with her hands as if painting her headline in the air.
Nathan let out a relieved breath and retreated instead to round his desk, amused and accustomed to the blonde's enthusiastic outbursts. "And you came looking for my help? …Should I decorate the jail? Maybe some garland..or should I crochet a nice Christmas pillow?" He sat in his chair, raising an eyebrow at her playfully.
Undeterred by his teasing, Rosemary pressed on with a sudden smile, "Oh that sounds lovely, Nathan. You can't be the only red thing in here!" And with that, she turned on her heel and marched out as quickly as she came.
Nathan's mouth hung open in protest as he sat forward to correct her assumption, but she was gone.
He turned instead to Scout who panted and walked a happy circle on the bed—seemingly thrilled at the bed upgrade.
"Oh not you too. I was joking!"
The pup whined and laid his head back down on the mattress.
——
A gleaming black Ford rumbled softly down Main Street. People stopped and waved at the visitor inside as he passed by—even as he gave them puzzled glares with pinched brows.
He stopped at last in front of his destination: Abigail's Cafe. Turning the car off, he muttered to himself, "Milling about in the street on a work day…these people know nothing of hard work…ribbons and wreaths cluttering up the boardwalk…shameful waste."
He cautiously opened his door and stepped out of his vehicle, revealing briefly his unusually bright green socks under his dark gray suit. He straightened his emerald tie and set off in search of a Mr. Bill Avery.
The ground was still dry and dusty despite the light snow. Even as he walked, the dirt clung to his recently shined shoes, dulling them thoroughly from his visit. The air was crisp and clean with a frigid breeze that reeked of balsam fir. Happy passers by repeatedly tried greeting him as he walked purposefully with his head down, gritting his teeth at their noise. The sooner he got out of this godforsaken place the better.
With a sigh of relief, he placed his hand on the Cafe door at last, swinging it wide open. To his horror, he was greeted by the sight of a dozen local patrons with wide-eyes, surprised at his hasty entrance. He stood for a moment—completely frozen to his spot—as they studied every inch of him, as if trying to recall where or if they had seen him before.
Their stares melted away to several sympathetic smiles and greetings—which honestly felt worse than the stares. He slunk off in search of an empty table, wishing he could crawl completely inside himself to hide. Conveniently finding one in the corner, he quickly took a seat, dropped his bag softly on the floor, and lifted the menu strategically over his face, effectively ending his small-town misery.
He perused the breakfast menu: cinnamon pancakes, cranberry scones, gingerbread muffins, egg nog, hot chocolate, fig pudding…what is with this town?!
A warm honey-toned voice greeted him from the other side of his menu. "Welcome Sir to Abigail's Cafe. My name is Minnie. Can I take your order?"
His grip tightened on the menu as he sank further into his chair. Without looking up, he blurted, "Two eggs over hard and a slice of ham."
Minnie pressed her lips together and tilted her head slightly in curiosity. With a politely even tone she answered, "I'm sorry, Sir, but the Cafe is currently out of ham. We're actually meeting with a distributor this morning…"
Before she could finish, he lowered his menu, placing it flat on the table, revealing his crooked smile, and his jaundiced eyes that were gleaming like a cat that caught a mouse. "Yes. About that, let Bill Avery know that I am here," he smoothly interrupted as his long fingers drummed the table.
Minnie bristled a moment before she took a deep breath and smoothed her skirt with one hand, "Of course." She held up her coffee pot, "Can I interest you in some coffee? I made some peppermint cream this morning."
"No!" He barked before recovering to a more restrained voice, "I'll take it black."
Minnie narrowed her eyes, taken back a bit at his response, but nodded with a forced smile. "I'll let him know you've arrived…Mister…?
"Greene," he answered curtly—his brow lifting slightly as he leaned forward, pushing his mug towards her.
"Mr. Greene," she repeated cordially, "It's nice to meet you." She poured his coffee. "I'll let Mr. Avery know that you are here, and I'll be back with your eggs."
Mr. Greene sat back in his chair holding his warm mug to his curled lip. He watched the patrons of the cafe talking and laughing together, seemingly without a care in the world. No hustle or drive. People were spending time without making anything from it. It was a shameful waste to witness.
After a few minutes, Minnie returned with his order and politely excused herself to attend to other tables.
A tall blonde man appeared soon after—presumably coming from the kitchen. His sleeves were rolled up to a quarter length, and flour dusted his apron which still hung from around his neck. Unlike the rest of the valley, there was no trace of a smile on his lips, and his eyes focused unwaveringly as he approached the table—as if studying him.
"Mr. Greene, I presume?" the man asked with a touch of annoyance.
The visitor cleared his throat and wiped the slightly egg yolk covered smirk from his mouth. "Yes," he drawled, "Horace Greene…and you are…Bill Avery?" He gestured to the chair next to him, inviting him to sit.
Bill pulled out the chair, and took a seat, leaning forward. "Yes. Thank you for meeting with me. Although, to be honest, I didn't expect you to come all this way."
"Mr. Avery," He said with an exaggerated tone, "It's not every day that you get a phone call from a mayor asking you to save your…holidays." Horace practically spat the last word out as if it were rancid.
Bill sat up straighter with his brows pinched, "That's not how I put it."
"Oh?" Mr. Greene smoothed his suit with a sudden look of feigned innocence. "Perhaps I misunderstood." He stood to leave, causing Bill to reach out a hand.
"Wait. There are an awful lot of families in this area hoping for ham and turkeys for their Christmas dinners this year. It seems our local sources, even the farmers, have all been contracted out already. You were the only company that returned my call."
"Yes. Well. I think my generosity could cover your many needs." Horace returned slowly to his seat and pulled a piece of paper from his bag on the floor.
The Cafe door opened again, briefly drawing Bill's attention. In walked Nathan trailed—as usual—by his assigned sidekick, Scout.
Minnie turned from her last table and lit up at the sight of the dog. She hustled over to the kitchen and grabbed him a dog biscuit from behind the counter. Scout scampered over to her side, dutifully sitting and raising his paw in the air.
Nathan shook his head with a smile as he approached the pair. "You've got to stop spoiling him like this."
Minnie smiled and patted the pup's head. "How could you not be sweet on a dog like Scout?"
Nathan rolled his eyes and muttered, "I can think of a lot of reasons."
Scout growled. Nathan scolded him with a laugh, "Oh come on. That was funny. Your paperwork proves it, Partner." Scout, however, continued to bare his teeth and began to approach Bill's table.
Minnie raised her brow. "That's unusual. He usually reserves that kind of reaction for you," she said lightheartedly.
"Tell me about it," he retorted even as he chased after Scout.
Minnie laughed to herself watching the Mountie pair struggle to stick together.
As Nathan approached the table, a Siamese cat peeked boldly out of the stranger's bag. Scout barked and nearly reached the table if it weren't for Bill grabbing him around the collar.
Scout pulled and leaned as far as he could despite his collar, but the cat merely slinked as nonchalantly as possible out of the bag. She wove her way through her owner's legs and pounced comfortably into his lap, pawing his legs as if readying her bed.
Nathan approached somberly and apologized for his failed Mountie dog.
"Yes, well. He's not quite Alberta's finest," Horace sneered, raising his chin.
Scout growled again, broke loose from Bill's grip, and quickly sniffed the bag.
Horace reached down and snatched the bag, hiding it behind him on the seat.
Nathan apologized and grabbed ahold of Scout's collar, pulling him back to his side. "Sorry. He has a thing against squirrels…and cats apparently. I'm Nathan Grant, the town's Constable. Nice to meet you."
Greene's eyes narrowed and his nose upturned. "Yes. Charming. Horace Greene."
"Are you staying long in Hope Valley?" the Mountie asked.
"No." Horace replied with the closest thing yet to a smile. "Mr. Avery, here, was just sending me on my way."
Minnie returned to the table with a polite smile and a wrapped cranberry scone that she handed to Nathan.
"Thanks, Minnie."
"You're welcome. See you tomorrow, Constable," she replied before turning back towards the kitchen.
Nathan laughed with a nod. He turned back to the pair at the table, "Gentleman, I'd better take this guy back to the jail."
Horace raised his brow with annoyance. Bill let out a breath and shook his head slightly. Nathan dragged Scout away who was still unhappy and clamored to sniff around despite his partner's grip. "What's the matter with you? Leave the poor cat alone. They're just passing through."
His voice drifted off as the Cafe door closed again.
Horace sighed, "Now…where were we. Ah, yes. Your signature."
Bill frowned, "Ok. I appreciate you helping us."
"Oh believe me. The pleasure is all mine." He stressed the last word as he drummed his fingers on the order form.
Bill pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes. "Where do I sign?"
—-
A/N:
Merry Christmas! This story is for Sabrina @wesab for the #holidayficexchange2023 . She requested a friendship fic for Nathan & Scout. This will be a fun challenge for me & it's also my first dog story.
Easter egg: the grinchiest Mr. Greene with crooked teeth and yellow eyes, bright green socks & tie despite loathing everything Christmas. He also has a little nod to Dr. Seuss with his order of eggs & ham. Any guesses on Mr. Greene's cat's name?
PS- my other two stories: But Now I See & Light From Shadows will pick up again in the new year. Thanks for the patience! This story will be completed by Christmas Day if not before. Stay tuned! *Hoping* to update weekly.