Starsky slammed on the brakes of his red Ford Torino, nearly throwing Hutch into the dashboard. “What the hell.” Hutch yelled.
His partner jumped out of the car and went to stand in the middle of a vacant lot. “Where is it?” Starsky said in a distressed voice. “It’s November fifteenth, the shack should be built, the lights strung.”
Hutch joined his partner, he looked around puzzled, “What are you talking about?”
“BILLY! Remember Billy? We got your tree here last year!” Starsky was nearly yelling as he spun around looking at the empty lot. “I get my tree here every year!”
Recognition dawned on Hutch’s face. The Christmas tree lot. “Maybe he is just late setting it up this year,” Hutch suggested.
Starsky shook his head. “It’s always set up by now, ready for the trees. Something is wrong!”
“Maybe he retired.” Hutch tried to calm his partner.
“Billy would never retire, he lives for this time of year.” Starsky insisted.
Hutch didn’t want to suggest the worst, that perhaps the old man had died. Instead he said, “Let’s check back tomorrow? What do you say buddy?” The detective was tired, it had been a long day and he was ready to kick back at home.
Distress was written on Starsky’s face, “I want to go out there.”
“Go out where?” Hutch asked, kicking a rock sending up a cloud of dust.
“Billy’s tree farm!”
“Ahhh, Starsk,” Hutch sighed, making a face. “It’s late, do you even know where it is?”
Starsky pulled his wallet out his back pocket, opened it and rummaged through several bills and a couple of receipts. Mumbling to himself as he sorted through his wallet, finally he pulled out a dog eared business card and held it out to Hutch.
Hutch took the card and looked at the address, “This is in San Juan Capistrano, that’s over an hour away.”
Starsky looked at his partner annoyed, “I didn’t mean right now. Tomorrow, we are off, we could make a day of it.”
Hutch thought for a moment then slowly nodded, “Okay, it might be nice to get out of town for the day.”
“We could make it a weekend.” Starsky suggested. “Find a nice quiet place to stay. Whatcha say?”
“Sure, why not?” Hutch walked back to the car.
Starsky followed, “Really?”
“Yea, really.” Hutch grinned at his friend over the top of the car. “Can I go home now?”
Starsky turned his car from the paved road onto a dirt road. There was a wooden sign stating that the Conway Christmas Tree Farm was five miles away.
Hutch rolled down the window letting the county air ruffle his blond hair. He let out a contented sigh, “You know Starsk, I could get used to this.”
“Remind you of home?”
“Yea I guess it does.” A small smile played across the detective's face.
“I didn’t see anything like this until I moved out here. No fresh breezes or the smell of hay in New York City.” Starsky looked in the rear view mirror at the dust rolling behind the car.
Knowing what he was thinking, Hutch said, “We can hit the car wash when we get back to town.”
Starsky nodded his head, “You know me too well.”
Rows of pine trees appeared, looking tall and beautiful, ready to be cut and decorated. As they continued down the road, Hutch noticed in the distance trees that were nothing but burnt trunks. “Starsky look at that.”
The curly headed detective stopped the car and looked in the direction Hutch was pointing. He got out to get a better view. Starsky let out a low whistle, “How many acres do you think are burnt?”
Hutch shrugged, “This is the reason why Billy didn’t set up his lot.”
“But what about all these trees?” Starsky spread out his arms in front of him. There were hundreds of trees that hadn’t been untouched.
“I don’t know buddy, maybe there is more to the story.”
They got back in the car and headed another half mile down the road. On the left of the dirt road was an entrance made of large logs. A sign hung in the middle over the drive ‘Conway Tree Farm’, Starsky turned in and drove down a dirt lane for a short distance to where the drive opened into a large gravel open area that served as parking for folks that wanted to cut their own tree.
They both got out, dirt swirled around them, as it started to settle a woman walked out of the large white farmhouse. She let the porch screen door slam behind her. She was dressed in blue jeans, a pink plaid shirt, the sleeves rolled to her elbows. Heavy, well worn, brown work boots were on her feet. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She peered at them from under the brim of a straw cowboy hat.
“We’re closed,” she called out. She started to turn to go back in the house.
“We are here to see Billy.” Starsky walked toward the steps.
She stopped and squinted at the stranger. “Why?“ she simply asked.
“I was…we are worried about him. The tree lot isn’t set up.” Starsky came closer, he could see the woman’s face better, he figured she was about their age. “I’m David Starsky and this is my partner Ken Hutchinson.”
“Partners?”
“We are police detectives from Bay City, I buy my tree from Billy every year. And last year I finally got my Christmas-hating friend here to put up a tree.”
“Starsk!” Hutch hissed. Then he looked at the woman, “I don’t hate Christmas!” She just stood staring at them, “I think we need to go.” Hutch said as he started to get back into the car.
The woman came down the wooden steps, she walked up to Starsky and smiled, “My dad talks about you all the time.”
“Billy is your dad?” Starsky asked, smiling back at her. She had beautiful violet eyes.
She stuck her hand out, “I’m Samantha Conway.” Hutch walked around the car. “Your friend here finally wore you down.” She said to the blond detective.
“I don’t hate Christmas,” he repeated as he shook her hand. Hutch noticed it was rough and her nails were ragged and dirty.
Samantha laughed, “Dad has been talking about you two for years. How David would always buy a tree for you and you never showed up to get it until last year. Ken, you really made his Christmas!”
“Mine too,” Starsky was beaming at his friend.
Hutch turned slightly red and dipped his head so they couldn’t see.
“Samantha, who is it?” Billy walked out on the porch to see what was taking his daughter so long. He had on overalls, a red plaid shirt and the same worn boots his daughter had on. Billy was a head shorter than Samantha, he was still sporting his long white hair and beard. He looked at the two men, then to an unforgettable red and white car. “David?”
“Hey Billy, you remember Hutch don’t ya?”
“How ya doing Ken?”
“Good, you got a nice place here.”
“Thanks,” The old man’s face fell.
Starsky put his hand on Billy’s shoulder. “What’s going on? The tree lot is empty.”
Billy looked over at his daughter who was standing with her hands on her hips. “Wildfire took half my trees.” He said sadly.
“The trees we saw coming in are beautiful.” Starsky said.
“Starsk,” Hutch admonished his partner who he felt was being pushy.
“Why don’t the two of you come on in the house, Dorothy, just put a batch of cookies in the oven.” Billy offered.
“We don’t want to be a bother.” Starsky answered.
Billy chuckled, “You won’t be bothering us.” The old man walked toward the house Starsky followed.
Hutch started to follow but Samantha stopped him, “Can I talk to you for a minute?” She looked toward the house to make sure her father was out of ear shot.
“Hey if Starsky is sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, we can leave.” Hutch offered.
“No, no.” Samantha touched his arm. “This is the happiest I have seen dad since the fire. We do still have a lot of trees but that fire crushed his spirit. Dad hasn’t done much of anything.”
Hutch leaned on the dusty car, Samantha joined him. “Billy means a lot to Starsky.”
“I can see that,” she smiled. “I can’t believe you guys came all the way here.”
“It’s nice to get out of the city,” Hutch took a deep breath, the smell of pine trees filling his nose.
“Would you like to take a walk?” Samantha asked, pushing herself off the car, “Come on.”
“Dorothy,” Billy called as they entered the house. “Get this young man some of your gingerbread cookies.”
Starsky followed Billy into the large modern kitchen. A white headed woman bustled around the kitchen. Her apron was covered with flour. She looked up when they came in, “David!” She rushed over to him, giving Starsky a hug, getting flour all over him.
“Miss Dorothy,” Starsky said as he put his arms around her. Every year she made wreaths and cookies to sell at the tree lot. Starsky was her best customer buying dozens of cookies and a wreath for his door every year.
“What are you doing here?” She released him going to the oven to check on the cookies.
He smiled at her. “We got worried when the lot wasn’t set up.”
“How sweet,” Dorothy looked at her husband. “I told you we would be missed.”
Billy sighed, “There just isn’t a good selection of trees. So many burned in the wild fire. It nearly got our house.”
Starsky sat down at the kitchen table and looked the old man in the eye. “Nobody cares about that, they just want a tree. Do you have any idea how much you are loved?”
Billy blushed.
“What did I tell you old man,” Dorothy said lovingly. The timer went off on the stove and she pulled out a cookie sheet of gingerbread men. Starsky started to reach for one. Dorothy lightly tapped the back of Starsky’s hand, “You’ll burn your fingers.” He snatched his hand back and gave her a boyish grin, “They will be cool enough to eat in a few minutes.”
Samantha and Hutch walked through the rows of evergreens. She would touch the branches as if touching a loved one's face.
“You love the trees as much as your dad.”
She nodded, “I do. I went away to college, I was going to be a lawyer. But the land called me back. I dropped out and have been helping my dad ever since. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” Samantha closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I never really understood how my brothers and sisters could leave this.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
“You have siblings?”
“Yep, there are eight of us. Four girls, four boys, I’m number five.”
Hutch looked amazed, “And you are the only one of them that cares about this place?”
“I know, it breaks my dad's heart that the rest of them don’t want to carry on the legacy. It’s left to me and I’m okay with it.” Samantha pulled her hat off and shook her long blonde hair free.
Hutch couldn’t help notice what a stunning woman she was even in her work clothes and dirty hands. “They never come back?”
She grunted as she jammed her hat back on head. “They all come back at Christmas so their children can have the ‘Christmas experience’.”
“Do you have children?” Hutch asked.
She looked at him for a moment, then said, “I do, Holly, she’s seven. Her father and I were married for like 15 minutes. She is with him now, we share custody. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, I don't even know you.” Samantha walked off down one of the rows of trees that were only knee high.
Hutch followed from a respectful distance sensing she needed a moment. Samantha stopped suddenly in front of him. He was busy looking at the young trees and walked into her. “Sorry,” he stammered.
“You and David should stay for lunch.” She swept her hat off her head again.
“We don’t want to be a bother.”
Samantha laughed, “I’m sure mom already has lunch started knowing her.” She looked at Hutch mischievously, “Race you back!”
Her playfulness caught him off guard, Samantha was half way down the row of trees before Hutch caught up with her. As they approached the house on a dead run they saw Starsky and Billy standing on the porch. Hutch beat his opponent with one last burst of speed but only by a few strides.
“Hutch!” Starsky admonished his partner. “You are supposed to let the lady win!”
“Like hell!” Samantha gasped and leaned on Hutch who was also trying to catch his breath. They began to laugh.
Billy and Starsky looked at each other and shrugged. “Come on in and get cleaned up,” Billy invited, “Dorothy just about has lunch ready.”
Samantha swatted Hutch with her hat as she ran up the steps, “Told you!”
As Hutch passed by his friend Starsky asked, “And what’s going on here?” Hutch just grinned and followed Samantha into the house.
By the time Samantha and Hutch had cleaned up, lunch was spread out on a large picnic table on the back porch. Billy, Dorothy and Starsky were seated. For not expecting company, the lady of the house had put together an impressive lunch.
When they were finished eating and a plate of fresh ginger bread cookies devoured, Starsky looked at Billy. “We need your tree lot.”
Billy shook his head, “Son, there is not enough time. The shed needs to be built, lights strung, wooden fencing to lean the trees on, wood shavings put down. And that is just the beginning, after that trees need to be cut. Dorothy makes wreaths and pine roping. Oh and don’t forget all the goodies she makes.”
“If I can get the lot ready, will you do it?” Starsky asked hopefully.
“I don’t know,” Billy was still shaking his head, slowing back and forth.
In spite of himself Hutch offered, “We can help cut trees and I don’t know how crafty I am but I could make wreaths too.”
Samantha put her hand on top of Hutch’s and squeezed it, grateful he was offering to help. “Come on dad, we always hire people to help us.”
Billy looked across the table at his wife who had tears standing in her eyes. She had been so worried about her husband. These two angels had been sent to breathe life back into Billy. She nodded.
Billy stood up slamming his palms down on the table, “Let’s do it!”
Samantha gave an uncharacteristic squeal and jumped up from the table to give her father a hug. She had been trying for weeks to talk him into setting up the stand.
“If I can use your phone I can get the ball rolling on the lot.” Starsky said, standing up.
“Phone is in the living room.” Dorothy answered.
Starsky disappeared into the house, Hutch and Samantha helped clear the table while Billy stood staring out at his trees. There wouldn’t be the biggest selection but there were very strong trees and his daughter had already planted new trees that would be big enough in several years.
From the kitchen Hutch could hear his partner on the phone, “Hey Huggy, got a favor to ask.”
Samantha looked at him curiously about the name, “A friend of ours. I just hope Huggy doesn’t go too wild.”
“Huggy?”
Hutch grinned at her, “He owns a bar, very colorful character.”
“It’s nice to have friends,” Dorothy winked at Hutch. “If you two don’t need to get back, stay the weekend.”
“We can’t impose like that.”
Dorothy laughed, “Impose? You and David have saved Christmas!”
“If you have room we would love to stay. We were going to find a motel.” Hutch said.
“It’s settled then!” Dorothy patted his arm. “We have lots of work to do. Samantha, when David is off the phone, start calling around to see how many helpers we can get.”
After making several calls, Samantha took the two detectives toward a large barn out behind the house. She pushed up on the wooden latch, pulling the doors open wide.
It looked like Christmas had exploded, there were several long tables that held supplies for making the wreaths and garland. Bins filled with colorful ornaments, ribbon, wire and green metal wreath forms ready for evergreen branches.
“WOW!” Starsky breathed as he took in everything.
Hutch chuckled as he watched his partner. “Pretty impressive.”
“I’m ready to quit the force and do this the rest of my life.” Starsky gushed.
“It is addictive. Especially when you see how happy people are when they are picking out a wreath or tree.” Samantha smiled watching them take it all in. “We need to get out there and start pruning the trees so we have branches for the wreaths and pine garland.”
“Just show us what we need to do!” Starsky couldn’t wait to get started.
The rest of the day passed quickly, as the news spread, friends and neighbors began to show up to help. Dorothy came out to show how the wreaths were made and how to make the garland correctly so the boughs didn’t come loose. Once everyone had the hang of it she went to the house to begin baking.
Sunset was drawing near, Hutch was tying on one last ornament on the wreath he was working on when Samantha pulled him away, “Come with me,” she said softly.
The detective twisted the piece of wire to hold the shiny silver ball, put the wreath on the finished pile and took the hand Samantha was offering him. “Where are we going?” Hutch asked.
“You’ll see.” She said pulling him along, “Hurry we are going to miss it.”
“Miss what?”
“You’ll see,” she said again.
Starsky had been out with Billy helping mark trees that would be cut just before they left for the tree lot. He saw Hutch and Samantha hurrying off together.
“Where are they going?” Starsky asked.
Billy looked at the sky, “Almost sunset.”
Starsky looked at the sky, sunset to him meant the criminals just got bolder.
Dorothy opened the back door, “Tell everyone it’s time to close up shop for the day. And they are welcome to supper.”
Billy turned on his heels and headed to the barn to relay the message. Starsky continued on to the house. Dorothy was holding open the door for him, “You look tired.”
“I am,” Starsky grinned, “But a good kind of tired, ya know?”
“I do know.” The older woman answered as she went to the stove to stir a huge pot of chili. “Where is Ken?“
“I saw him and Samantha heading off. Billy said something about a sunset?”
Dorothy stopped stirring and turned to look at her house guest. “She took Ken to her spot?”
“Samantha has a spot?”
“She does, she didn’t even take Will to her spot. Samantha watches the sunset when time allows.”
“Who is Will?” Starsky asked, grabbing a cookie as he watched Dorothy pull out bowls and spoons to serve the chili in.
“Samantha’s ex, they have a daughter together. Marriage didn’t last long. Will had big plans that didn’t include a little tree farm.”
“That’s too bad.”
Dorothy shrugged, “She got Holly, and much to Will’s chagrin Holly loves this place. I think she will end up here like her mother.”
“Where is Holly?” Starsky asked.
“With her father, they share custody.”
“I don’t remember seeing a little girl or Samantha at the tree lot.”
“Samantha runs things here.” There was a knock on the back door. “Guess I better get supper out to them.”
“I’ll give you a hand.” Starsky offered.
“Get in!” Samantha said as she jumped into an old truck that looked like the only thing holding it together was rust.
Hutch barely had closed the door before Samantha floored the truck jerking it onto a dirt road. Gravel sprayed from under the tires as well as a cloud of dust. He held onto the dashboard as they bumped down the road. The wind whipped through the open windows.
“And I thought Starsky was a crazy driver!“ Hutch commented but his words were lost in the wind.
“What?” Samantha shouted.
“Nothing,” Hutch yelled back.
Samantha leaned forward looking out the dust cover windshield. She shook her head and pushed harder on the excelerator making the old truck shutter.
Hutch clutched the dashboard even tighter. Suddenly Samantha slammed on the brakes, turned the truck off and jumped out. She clambered into the bed of the truck and then on to the roof. “Come on Ken, hurry.”
Confused, the detective slowly got out and looked at her perched on the roof. Samantha waved for him to come up. Hutch jumped into the truck bed then scrambled next to her on the roof. That was when he noticed the sky turning shades of pink, purple and orange.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Samantha asked.
“It is, but this is what the rush was all about?”
Samantha looked at him, disappointed. “I thought you would appreciate a beautiful sunset.”
“I don’t see many of them in Bay City.” Hutch admitted.
She cocked her head at him. “The sun doesn’t set there?”
He gave her a rueful smile, “I guess I just don’t have time to notice.”
“Well that is ashamed. This is my favorite time of day.”
Hutch watched the colors of the sky change, “I can see why. I’m going to have to pay attention at home. When I was a kid I saw some amazing sunsets.”
Samantha looked at him, she smiled at the look on his face. She could tell he was enjoying his surroundings. “I don’t know anything about you.” She said softly, then asked, “Have you been married?”
“I was, and divorced, about a million years ago.” Hutch answered.
“What else?”
“Starsk….David and I have been detectives and partner’s for seven years. That is about all I have I have time for.”
“Oh come on, no girlfriends?”
“Nothing serious,” Hutch lied, he didn’t want to talk about the serious ones.
Samantha scooted closer to him, and laid her head on his shoulder. She put her hand over his, they sat that way watching the colors deepen as the sunset and darkness began to take over. She looked at him in the dim light.
Hutch, feeling her eyes on him turned his head meeting her eyes. “I think we had better get back.” He said.
“Yea,” But Samantha didn’t break her gaze. “Do you ever wish things could be different?”
“All the time.”
Starsky was standing at the sink with an apron tied around his waist, up to his elbows in bubbles, washing bowls. The last of the helpers had left with full stomachs and promises they would be back first thing in the morning.
Dorothy was stacking boxes of Christmas cookies ready to be sold. Samantha and Hutch came in the back door, “I managed to save a little chili for you two.” She pulled bowls from the dish drainer and filled them with steaming chili. Dorothy handed the bowls to the pair along with two bottles of beer, “Go on out on the porch so David and I can finish getting this kitchen cleaned up.”
“Thanks mom.” Samantha said, accepting the bowl and beer. Hutch took his and they went through the house out on to the front porch. The night air was growing chilly. They sat on the swing together and ate their supper.
Inside, Starsky finished the last of the dishes and took off the apron, “Anything else I can do for you Miss Dorothy?”
“You can bring in your bags and I’ll show you where you and Ken will be sleeping.” She patted his arm. “You have earned a rest.”
Starsky opened the screen door, his partner and Samantha were just finishing up the last of their chili. He went to the car, opened the trunk and pulled out their bags.
“Here let me help you.” Billy had appeared next to Starsky.
“I got’em.”
“I might be old, but I’m still young enough to carry a suitcase.” Billy took a bag from Starsky. As they entered the house, the old man called out, “Where do you want the boys?”
Dorothy came out of the kitchen drying her hands. “Put them in Daniel and Ted’s room.
Billy led the way to the upper floor of the farm house that was much larger than it looked from the outside. The old man passed by several doors. Finally he stopped and opened a door, “You two will be comfortable here. The bathroom is the next door.”
Starsky took Hutch’s bag from him, “Thanks Billy.”
Billy looked up at Starsky, “No, thank you! If you and Ken hadn’t shown up I wouldn’t have opened up the stand this year, maybe never again.”
Starsky nodded at Billy as he stepped into the room. It looked like a teenage boys room. It was clear they had moved away when they were young. He walked around the room looking at the two boys' treasures. Ribbons from the fair, medals from swim meets, photos framed on a bookshelf. He picked up one picture, eight smiling faces looked back at him. They were stair steps, they were barely a year apart. Starsky smiled as he thought about Dorothy having one baby after another. He admired her even more.
There were two twin beds on opposite sides of the room. He selected one and laid his bag on the bed. He took out his toiletries and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
Meanwhile Samantha and Hutch were wrapping their evening up. She stood up and took his empty bowl and beer bottle. “Morning will come around early.”
Hutch looked at his watch and it was barely 9 p.m. “What time do you get up?”
Samantha grinned at him, “4-4:30.”
“A.M.?”
She laughed, “Yes, a.m., I gotta take care of the cows.”
Hutch looked shocked, “You have cows?”
“Yup, they are a couple of pastures over right now. Didn’t you notice there are two barns out back?” How could he have missed something as big as a second barn? He shook his head no. Samantha laughed again. “There are horses too. If you want to round up the cows in the morning, be at the barn.”
“Okay,” Hutch said as he watched Samantha disappear into the house.
Starsky was coming out of the bathroom, Hutch was wandering down the hall looking for his partner and their sleeping quarters. “In here,” Starsky said, opening the bedroom door.
Hutch entered the room and looked around like his partner had. Then he tossed his bag on the opposite bed and sat down next to it.
“Go get cleaned up,” Starsky suggested.
Hutch nodded, when he got back his partner was stretched out humming ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’. “You are enjoying this.”
“I am. And it looks like you are enjoying the farmer's daughter.”
Hutch leaned back in bed, “Very funny Starsk.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Hutch said simply. He had just had a wonderful evening with a beautiful woman and he didn’t need it to be spoiled with a bunch of his partner’s questions.
“Well, it sure looks like something is going on.”
“Starsk, this isn’t some romantic-comedy. She lives here, we live in Bay City. I can’t move here and she can’t move there.”
“But…”
“Just drop it uh? We haven’t even known each other for 24 hours.” Hutch rolled over and faced the wall.
“You know you are the only person she has ever taken to ‘her spot’.” Starsky said to Hutch’s back.
Hutch didn’t respond, instead he closed his eyes tightly and hoped sleep would come.
When Hutch woke up the next morning the sun was streaming through a crack between the curtains. He jumped to his feet and pulled the curtains wide. The view was breathtaking but he had missed the early morning ride to get the cows with Samantha. It was just as well, like he had told Starsky, nothing would come of it.
Hutch turned to tell Starsky it was time to rise and shine but his partner was already gone. He glanced at his watch, it was almost seven. He dressed quickly and made his way down stairs. Hutch found Dorothy in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” she said brightly as she handed him a plate of pancakes.
Hutch looked around, it was very quiet, “Where is everyone?”
“Billy and David are out tagging more trees, they will start coming down this afternoon and be loaded on the truck to take to the lot in the morning.”
Hutch smiled thinking of the old truck Samantha had taken him for a ride in. “Where do you need me?”
“Well, if you don’t mind, we still need more wreaths and garland. I hear you are a wiz at making a beautiful wreath.”
He gave her a small smile as he finished off the last of the pancakes. “I’ll head out to the barn. Thanks for breakfast.” Hutch gave Dorothy’s cheek a quick kiss and was out the door.
“How’s this one?” Starsky asked Billy of the six foot pine.
Billy nodded, “You have a good eye son.” He handed the
detective a colored tag to mark the tree.
They continued down the row marking trees to be cut. “It’s almost ashamed to cut down all these beautiful trees.” Starsky said.
“Hey, you're talking about my livelihood.” Billy smiled at his younger friend. But he understood. “I know, we plant new ones to replace the ones we cut down and watch them grow.”
“Can I help plant new trees?” Starsky asked eagerly.
“Talk to Samantha, she takes care of the replanting.” Billy tagged another tree then stood back with his arms crossed across his chest, “Well, I think that will do. We don’t want to cut too many. When we get close to selling these out I’ll come out and tag and cut more.” Billy looked at Starsky, “Do you think your friend has the lot ready?”
“Hutch and I’ll head back today, I’ll check it out and give you a call. If it’s not finished it, will be by the time you get there tomorrow morning.” He promised.
Billy slapped Starsky on the back, “Time for breakfast!”
Starsky’s stomach rumbled, he had been ready for breakfast when Billy had knocked softly on the bedroom door at 5:30. Hutch was dead to the world so, instead of waking him, Starsky pulled his clothes on and was out the door with Billy. They had taken the same old truck Samantha and Hutch had watched the sunset from.
“I’m going to miss this place,” Starsky said as looked at trees as they bounced down the road toward the house.
“You and Ken are welcome back any time. And if you decide to give up detecting, you can come work for me.”
“I might just take you up on that some day.” Starsky grinned.
As they got out of the truck, Billy said, “I hope you do son, I sure hope you do.”
Dorothy had two plates stacked high with pancakes waiting as she had seen them pull in. Butter and syrup sat on the table along with steaming cups of coffee. “Wash up,” Dorothy ordered before they had barely entered the kitchen.
“Yes ma’am,” Starsky rushed off to wash his hands.
Billy caught his wife around the waist and kissed her. Dorothy laughed and returned the kiss, “Go on old man.” She swatted her dish towel at him as he left the room.
Hutch was making his way to the barn when Samantha rode up on horseback. The horse was a beautiful dark brown quarter horse with a white blaze on its face. Cowboy boots replaced the work boots she had worn the day before. Her hair was in a thick blonde braid down her back and her hat squarely in her head. She tipped back the hat and looked down at him, then held out her hand to him. “Do you know how to ride?”
“I have,” Hutch took her hand. Samantha removed her left foot from the stirrup so that he could put his left foot in. Hutch swung his right leg over the horse and positioned himself behind her.
“Hold on!” Samantha clicked her tongue at the horse. “Let’s go Charlie!”
Hutch had to grab her around the waist to keep from falling off. “You ride like you drive!”
Samantha laughed but didn’t slow down until they reached the pasture where the cows were grazing. She hopped off the horse to open the gate, leading Charlie through then refastened the latch. She got back on the horse and they rode out amongst the cows.
The day went by far too quickly, wreaths and garland had been finished up, trees loaded onto a large truck, the help paid and fed. It was time for the two detectives to head back to Bay City.
Dorothy packed up dozens of cookies for the pair to take with them. She dabbed at the tears that were standing in her eyes. “I can’t begin to thank you both enough. You brought my Billy back to life.”
Starsky shook his head as he kissed her cheek, “We didn’t do anything, Billy would have come around on his own. He loves what he does too much.”
She shrugged, “Maybe, but you got him going quicker, this season wouldn’t have happened without you.”
Hutch hugged Dorothy tight, “I guess we will see you tomorrow.”
“You’ll be there?” She asked.
Hutch smiled, “You couldn’t keep us away.”
As they walked to the car carrying their bags, Hutch looked around hoping to tell Samantha goodbye. Starsky took Hutch’s bag and stored it in the trunk. Billy and Dorothy stood together as the men got into the car.
Hutch lingered a moment scanning his surroundings but she was nowhere in sight.
“Come on, we gotta get going.” Starsky said. Then out the window to the couple, “I’ll call and let you know about the lot.”
With a last wave, Starsky pointed the Tornio down the drive and toward home. Hutch rolled down the window watching row after row of trees speed by. Once he thought he caught a glimpse of Samantha on horseback but then decided it was just wishful thinking.
“You really like her don’t ya?” Starsky asked.
“Yea, I guess I do.”
Samantha had stayed out in the trees while goodbyes were being said. She hated goodbyes. As the car started down the road Samantha watched, then raced after the dust cloud but pulled up when she saw him scanning the field, knowing he was looking for her. She turned Charlie toward the house and spurred him to run. Samantha took off her hat and let her blonde hair wave behind her.
It was dark by the time the detectives arrived back in town. Starsky drove immediately to the corner where the tree lot should be set up. As they approached the corner it was ablaze with lights.
Huggy was waiting for them along with several fellow officers and others Huggy had gathered for the project. Starsky got out and looked around in amazement, “This is beautiful Huggy.”
A well constructed building stood in one corner complete with a door and a window that opened up so goods could be displayed and paid for. Rows of fencing waiting for trees to be leaned on. Mulch was on the ground. And white lights were strung to make a twinkling canopy.
“How?” Hutch asked, astonished.
Huggy put an arm around each of their shoulders. “With a little help from our friends.” Huggy grinned. “You two aren’t the only ones who loved this place.”
The next morning Billy and Dorothy arrived with the trees, wreaths, garland and dozens and dozens of cookies. The couple was overwhelmed.
Starsky helped unload trees while Hutch helped Dorothy set up in the little building. He took a hammer and some nails to hang the wreaths.
“I’m sorry,” Dorothy appeared next to Hutch holding several more wreaths.
He stopped and looked at her, “What do you have to be sorry about?”
“I thought Samantha would come.”
“I’m sure she is busy.” Hutch said, but he had hoped she would come.
Finished with the trees Starsky and Billy joined Hutch and Dorothy, “We don’t know how to thank you.” Billy said.
“No thanks needed,” Hutch said as he fished bills out of his wallet. “I want to be your first customer, two of your best trees.”
“Put your money away, I already saved trees for you two.” Billy pointed to a couple of beautiful trees leaning against the building.
“Thanks, Billy,” Starsky shook the man’s hand then gave Dorothy a big hug. “We’ll be back later, our Captain only gave us the morning off.”
Billy helped them load the trees on the top of Hutch’s car. Their first stop was Starsky’s, after putting the tree in its stand and giving it a drink of water they continued on to Hutch’s. The duo wrestled the tree up the stairs.
Hutch suddenly stopped and stared at his door, a beautiful pine wreath hung there.
“Hey!” Starsky called, “This tree is heavy.”
“Sorry.” Hutch fumbled with his key and let them in. After putting the tree down he went to look at the wreath. “Did you do this Starsk?”
“Not me,” Starsky came to inspect the wreath, “There is an envelope.” He plucked it from the evergreen and handed it to Hutch.
Hutch took the small envelope and opened it, a smile spread across his face. “It’s from Samantha.” He handed the card to Starsky.
“Merry Christmas, love Samantha.” Starsky read. “When was she here?”
Hutch shrugged and smiled, maybe he would see her again, “Merry Christmas Starsky!”
“Merry Christmas Hutch!”
The End.
