“So this is the errand Carole mentioned her dad had to run,” Stevie said. “I smell a rat, don’t you?”
“Sure, but it’s a Christmas rat,” Lisa reminded her. “They are white and they tell white lies.”
“We’re shopping for Carole. How about you?” Stevie asked when Colonel Hanson came up to them.
“Me too,” he said. “I have something in mind for her big present, but I want some little things to put in her stocking and under the tree.”
“Her big present is so big it doesn’t fit under the tree?” Lisa asked, impressed.
“Nope,” the colonel said. “And that reminds me that I’ve been meaning to call you girls. I can use your help. Why don’t we step over to Pizza Man across the way there and have a little talk?”
“I’m never too full of junk food to say no to pizza,” Stevie said, leading the way.
In a few minutes, Colonel Hanson and the girls were settled into a booth, a pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom pizza cooking especially for them.
“So, how can we help?” Stevie asked, getting down to business.…