That was exactly the wrong thing to say to Marshall, as Andie had quickly discovered.
“Thanks for your concern, Jackie, but I’m really fine. Yes, it’s a challenge to get through the crowd, but nothing I can’t handle, especially with Andrea and her kids watching out for me.”
Mouth tight, Jackie slanted a dismissive look at her before shifting her gaze back to Marshall. “I don’t like this,” the woman said, all but wringing her hands. “Until they catch the person who did this, I think you’re better off staying home, where you’re safe.”
“That’s not going to happen. In fact, I’m hoping to return to work next week, at least part-time. If I don’t try to stay on top of things, we’ll both be drowning in work next month.”
The assistant looked horrified. “I would rather work thirty hours a week in overtime all through January than have you push yourself too hard and end up doing permanent damage to yourself,” she said in an impassioned voice.
Jackie’s concern was beginning to annoy him. Andie had enough experience annoying him herself to recognize the signs.
“You’re sweet to worry about me,” he said, “but you really don’t need to. Especially not tonight, when we’re all here to enjoy ourselves. Have a good evening.”
It was a clear dismissal and Marshall punctuated it by hobbling away, leaving Andie and her kids to scramble after him.
“She’s very protective of you,” Andie observed as they moved to the next booth.
“She and my mother ought to form a club. I’m sure you could join, too.”
She refused to feel guilty for her concern over him, though she did wonder why all the women in his life felt compelled to look out for him. He was tough and hard and perfectly capable of taking care of himself, yet he still managed to bring out her protective instincts—maybe because that hard shell concealed that gooey core of sweetness he would probably deny to his dying breath.
“I inherited Jackie from the previous sheriff when I took over a year ago. She’s extremely efficient and keeps the department running, really, but she can be a bit of a worrier.”
She didn’t have a chance to respond before they reached the white tent with the Haven Point Helping Hands sign hanging on the front. The smell of cinnamon and cloves poured through the doorway, along with an enticing warmth that drew passersby inside.
Megan Hamilton and Samantha Fremont were working inside the tent, Andie saw at a glance. Samantha was helping a customer, but Megan greeted her and the children with enthusiasm.
“Why, look who’s here! My favorite boy named Will and my favorite girl named Chloe!” she exclaimed, in such a cheerful, over-the-top voice that the children giggled. “How did you like your first Lights on the Lake parade?”
“I didn’t like it, I loved it!” Chloe said. “The boats were awesome.”
“Especially the one with Santa Claus on it,” Will said.
“That’s my favorite, too,” the innkeeper said with an affectionate smile for him.
“Have you ever been on one of the boats in the parade?” Chloe asked. “I think it would be so fun!”
Will’s eyes widened at the novel idea. “Yeah! Hey, Mom, we should get a boat, then we can ride in the parade next year!”
“Maybe we could ask Santa Claus for one,” Chloe suggested.
She had heard Marshall talking to Christopher about the astronomical price tag of one of the wooden Killies, which was a little far out of her budget.
The idea of owning any boat was way out of her comfort zone—though it was a shame, really, since one of the most beautiful lakes in the country was right in her backyard.
“Are there any ornaments here that might work on my tree?” Marshall asked. “Since you two are my master decorators, maybe you could help me pick out a couple.”
The kids jumped at the chance to help him with anything. Grateful for the diversion, she headed over to talk to Sam and Megan about how sales were going. The proceeds from selling the crafts they made throughout the year helped fund some of the group’s charitable work.
The two women apparently didn’t want to talk about the Helping Hands.
“Marshall Bailey!” Megan said in an undertone, giving the tall sheriff a sideways look at the other end of the booth. “Seriously? Are you two a thing?”
The memory of that delicious kiss suddenly surged to the front of her brain and Andie shivered but quickly pushed it back. “If by thing you mean neighbors, then yes. But that’s all. Wyn asked me to keep an eye on him after he broke his leg, since I’m the closest one to him.”