“You don’t really suspect that, do you?”
“No. He’s out there somewhere.” He finally slid into the recliner, setting the crutches next to him. “Several leads would indicate it’s someone who knows me. Someone close.”
“Wow. That’s got to be tough. What sort of leads?” she asked, genuinely interested.
“For one thing, he knew just what bait to dangle in front of me in order to lure me out to a deserted gas station parking lot. Every cop has that one case he can’t shake and mine is a missing mother of two named Jessica Foster. Not many people even remember the case, but whoever called me offered a lead, after all this time, and I jumped at it like catfish on stink bait.”
“What other evidence would lead you in that direction?”
“More like the lack of evidence. Your average criminal makes mistakes. It’s the nature of the game. They talk about what they did to the wrong people, they create an alibi that’s full of holes, they call attention to themselves. In this case, the fact that we can’t find anything substantive would lead me to believe he’s either lucky or knowledgeable.”
“You’re leaning toward knowledgeable.”
“Yeah. But you don’t want to hear this. I’m probably boring you to tears.”
“Not at all,” she assured him. “Jason would often go over cases with me, at least the ones he could talk about. He used to tell me a pair of fresh eyes always offered a new perspective and I enjoyed being helpful. Once, he solved a string of jewelry store heists after following up on one of my suggestions. It was a great feeling, you know? One of the things I really miss about being married.”
That wasn’t the only thing she missed about being married, of course. At the thought, a hollow, achy yearning shivered to life. She wanted a man to kiss her. Not just a man. This one. The surly, rumpled, sexy sheriff of Lake Haven County.
Heat washed over her and she knew she must be blushing violently. She ducked her head, hoping he didn’t notice and inevitably start to wonder where her thoughts had drifted to spark such a fiery blush.
She swallowed hard and plugged in the Christmas tree. The room immediately seemed brighter as the tree came to life.
“Looks like everything lights up just the way it’s supposed to,” she managed. And by everything, she meant...everything.
“Good to know,” he murmured. She flashed him a look, grateful he couldn’t possibly read her mind.
She had to get out of here, now, before she did something completely foolish. “I guess my work here is done, then, at least for now. The kids and I will be back this afternoon. I’ll bring dinner, if that’s okay.”
For an instant, he opened his mouth as if to protest but closed it again. “It’s not necessary, but I will do my best to accept your help graciously.”
So he had been listening. She picked up her coat and wrapped her scarf around her neck.
“I look forward to seeing that,” she said with a smile.
She walked out of the house, more than a little uneasy at the bubble of anticipation fizzing through her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“THIS IS GOING to be the best Christmas tree ever. Maybe even prettier than ours,” Will declared, his breath coming out in puffs that lingered in the cold as he carried the box of trimmings down the street.
“No way. No tree is prettier than ours,” Chloe argued, their little dog, Sadie, trotting in front of her. “We have the best tree in town.”
“It’s beautiful, but I’m not sure it’s the best,” Andie said mildly.
Her daughter narrowed her gaze. “Why not? What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing. I said it was beautiful, didn’t I? It’s just that everyone thinks his or her Christmas tree is the best one in town. They’re all beautiful in their own way. I’m sure Sheriff Bailey will love the tree you decorate for him.”
She actually wasn’t sure of any such thing. He had only agreed to let them spread a little Christmas cheer because he didn’t want to disappoint the children. She just hoped his forbearance would last through the evening.
Sadie sniffed at a mailbox, her little tail wagging like crazy. That was the other thing she hoped Marshall would be tolerant about. The children had begged to be allowed to bring Sadie along with them on their visit to Sheriff Bailey’s.
“She can help us decorate the tree,” Chloe said. “Remember how much fun she had when we decorated our tree?”
As Andie remembered it, the little dog had mostly enjoyed the excitement of the children. Sadie had thrived since they adopted her from the shelter.
At first, Andie had worried the little Havachon would struggle with a couple of noisy children, since her previous home had been as the adored pet of an elderly woman who passed away with no relatives willing to take in the dog.