Mistletoe Justice

by Carol J. Post

  “I want to go home.”

  “This is your home now. Grandma and Grandpa are going to take care of you.”

  Kyle squeezed him even more tightly. “But I don’t want to stay here. I want to live with you and Darci and Jayden.”

  He disentangled himself from Kyle’s grasp and dropped to one knee in front of him, putting them almost eye to eye. “Darci and Jayden don’t live with me.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Cedar Key.”

  “Well, go get them.”

  Conner sighed. Kyle made it sound so easy. And in his seven-year-old mind, it was. Kids could never see how complicated life really was.

  And adults often made it more complicated than it needed to be.

  He stood, and an image planted itself in his mind—he and Darci and the two boys, a family. Lead filled his gut. Could he do it? Could he learn how to be a good husband and father?

  Not unless he completely let go of the past. With God’s help, maybe he could do it.

  God, I’m not giving you much to work with, but this is all I’ve got. Make me into the kind of man you want me to be.

  Beneath the fear and uncertainty, a seed of hope sprouted. He didn’t have to follow in the footsteps of his father.

  He took Kyle’s hand and turned toward his mom. “How would you guys like to be tourists for a day?”

  If they couldn’t do it, he would call a friend. Or a cab. He would walk if he had to. One way or another, he was going to see Darci.

  Maybe he didn’t have to be perfect. Maybe love and a good dose of humility would cover a lot of mistakes, both as a mate and as a parent.

  * * *

  A cold breeze blew through the park, and Darci drew her coat more tightly around her. Yesterday’s rain had ushered in a cold front, making it feel more like Christmas.

  In the daylight, the park didn’t appear much different from any other time of the year. But once the sun set, it would be transformed into a sparkling fairyland of lights, with dozens of strands draped over bushes and in trees. More had been spiraled around lampposts, and the pavilion boasted several lit wreaths. Around town, lighted shapes graced the poles that lined the streets, not the usual angels, bells and candles, but everything beach-themed—pelicans, seahorses, shells, starfish and dolphins.

  Darci picked up the phone lying in her lap. She’d just spoken with Hunter, who had given her another update. The evidence against Wiggins and his cronies was mounting. She had a lot to tell Conner.

  If Conner called.

  Over the past few days, he seemed to have cooled toward her, or at least become reserved. It had started with her second hospital visit. The first he’d been too out of it to appear anything but sleepy.

  But once the anesthesia had fully worn off, each visit thereafter, all the way through the trip home from the hospital, a tense uneasiness had hovered between them. And she was pretty sure she knew why.

  Now that he was no longer responsible for Kyle, he was probably looking forward to living it up and fully enjoying the bachelor lifestyle. A lifestyle that would never include taking care of an autistic child.

  Which was okay. That had been her plan all along. Once she’d cleared her name and was safe, she and Conner would part ways. Or maintain a casual friendship.

  The latter was going to be more difficult than she’d ever dreamed. Because she’d fallen in love with him. And she’d been stupid enough to tell him. Of course, he had just been shot. He might not even remember. But his uncharacteristic stiffness around her said that he did.

  So he was trying to untangle himself from her. He didn’t have anything to worry about. She was just as prepared to walk away as he was. Jayden needed her, and she wouldn’t give up that responsibility to anyone. It was one she cherished.

  She watched him climb the metal rungs, then held her phone in the air and captured the scene with a soft click. The bright yellow and blue of the playground equipment stood out against the gray backdrop of water and sky, a palm tree to the side. On one of the platforms, Jayden stood in profile, watching the other children play. At least that was what he appeared to be doing. She was never really sure.

  When she lifted her eyes from the screen, a boy ran onto the playground from the parking lot behind her, and she sat up straighter. With his height and build and hair color, he could be Kyle. She pivoted on the bench, and her heart skipped a beat.

  Conner moved toward her, his steps labored, the usual bounce missing. His upper body was cocked slightly to the right, favoring the side where the bullet had entered.

  She stood and rounded the bench. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  “You didn’t drive, did you?” She looked around the parking lot, but the blue F-150 wasn’t there.

  “No, I rode with my mom and stepdad. They decided to do some sightseeing today.” He paused and grinned. “At my suggestion.”

  She motioned toward the bench. “Have a seat. You look like you’re in pain.”

  After settling in next to him, her gaze went back to the playground equipment. Kyle had found Jayden and was talking to him, his posture animated. How much Jayden understood wasn’t clear, but he was wearing a soft smile. If she could say that Jayden had actually connected with another child, it would be Kyle.

  She brought her attention back to Conner. “I got another update from Hunter. They’ve made five arrests so far. And I was right. Wiggins was involved in way more than getting rid of toxic waste. From blackmail to bank fraud to forgery, he’s had his hands in a little bit of everything.”

  Her eyes sought out her son, but he was in good hands. Kyle was leading him toward the stairs going up to one of the slides.

  “You know that concrete company that listed me as the treasurer? It was basically a shell corporation, doing just enough legal business to appear legitimate. But its primary purpose was to launder the funds that Wiggins received through all his illegal activities. The money would go into the concrete company, backed by fake invoices to contractors, then into the mine’s account, backed by more fake invoices for loads of aggregate. Then it would go to United Equipment Corporation for purchases and major repairs of equipment, also backed by fake invoices. I’ve written checks to them, big checks. It didn’t trigger any red flags. Equipment is expensive, both to purchase and to repair.”

  “So did Wiggins have some involvement with United Equipment?”

  “Yeah, vice president. But the big surprise was learning that Doug was the president.”

  “Interesting. At any rate, it sounds as if Wiggins will be going to jail for a long time. It won’t bring Claire back, but I’m glad to see justice being done.”

  “Me, too. That makes for a pretty cool Christmas present, a little bit of holiday justice.” She drew in a deep breath. “You said you came to see me. Was it about anything in particular?” He had something on his mind. Otherwise he would have just called.

  He angled himself on the bench so he was facing her a little more fully, his knee resting against hers. “I’ve enjoyed our time together, and I’m not ready for it to end. I’d like to keep seeing you.”

  “Seeing me how?”

  “Spending time with you because we enjoy each other’s company, not because there are bad guys after you.”

  “Dating?”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head, her heart twisting in her chest. “I can’t. I’ve got Jayden.”

  “And I’ve got Kyle.”

  She looked at him sharply. “No, you don’t. Your parents took him.”

  “He wants to come back. But he insists that you and Jayden be part of the deal.”

  “He said that?”

  “In so many words.”

  She sighed and dropped her gaze to her hands folded in her la
p. “I still can’t. My responsibility is to Jayden. I don’t have the time or energy to devote to a relationship.”

  He took her hands in his. “You don’t have to do it alone, Darci. I want to be there for both you and Jayden.”

  Her defenses began to crack, and she fought to shore them up. “I can’t saddle you with that kind of responsibility.”

  “You’re not saddling me with anything. I’ve already decided to raise Kyle. And he and I have both gotten attached to your little guy.”

  The admission blew a hole through the wall she had hidden behind for so long. But he continued the barrage.

  “You’re the one who helped me believe in myself, that I could be a good father and husband in spite of the examples I had growing up. Give me a chance to prove you right.”

  His words sent the last of the barriers crashing down, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. For the first time in five years, she was allowing a man access to her heart. The very thought almost sent her into cardiac arrest.

  But beneath the fear was anticipation, a sense of excitement over the prospect of a future together.

  “Yes.” The word was soft and airy. But her heart was beating so wildly in her chest she was having a hard time catching her breath.

  Relief flashed across his face, and his eyes grew warm. If she’d doubted what he felt for her before, she didn’t any longer.

  “I love you, Darci. And I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

  “I love you, too.” The words flowed naturally, because this time she knew her love was returned. “I told you I loved you the night you were shot. Did you hear me?”

  “Yes, I did. And once I woke up after surgery, I knew I needed to make a decision. I either had to be willing to face my fears and not let my past determine my future, or I needed to sever ties and walk away, without looking back.”

  “Is that why you’ve been cool the past few days?”

  “Yes. I’ve been torn.”

  “So what helped you make your decision?”

  A smile spread across his face. “The simple wisdom of a seven-year-old.”

  She matched his smile with one of her own. “I’ll have to remember to thank him.”

  “I already have.”

  He leaned toward her, and her eyes fluttered shut. Unlike the last kiss, this one was gentle. Contentment flooded her, the sense that everything was right.

  By allowing Conner to share their lives, she wouldn’t be taking a piece of herself away from Jayden. Instead she would be bringing more love into his life, that of a big brother and a caring father.

  As Conner ended the kiss and backed away, gratitude swelled inside. And she silently thanked God for all His blessings—the mere fact that she was alive, the gift of His Son, the warmth of family and friends and the joy of the season.

  She squeezed the hands that held hers and thanked God for one more blessing—the privilege of sharing it all with Conner.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SILENT NIGHT PURSUIT by Katy Lee.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for joining me for another trip back to Cedar Key. I hope you enjoyed Darci and Conner’s story.

  While writing the first two books, I came to love Darci and her autistic son, Jayden. As someone whose own life has been touched by autism, with the diagnosis in my older grandson, I sympathize with the struggles that parents of autistic children face. Darci had a strong faith, but when everything in her life began to fall apart, she found that faith shaken and had to remind herself that, no matter what happened, God was in control.

  Conner was raised in such a dysfunctional family that he felt the only way to avoid the mistakes of his parents was to keep everyone at arm’s length. Through his relationship with Darci, he came to understand that with love and a good dose of humility, along with a lot of prayer, he could throw off the chains of his past and be the kind of husband and father he wanted to be.

  I hope you’ll come back to Cedar Key for Nicki’s story and then again when Hunter’s sister, Amber, finds her happily-ever-after. In the meantime, I’d love it if you’d drop me a line. You can find me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/caroljpost.author), Twitter (@caroljpost), my website (www.caroljpost.com) and email (caroljpost@gmail.com). For news and exclusive content, join my newsletter. The link is on my website. I promise I won’t sell your info or spam you!

  God bless you!

  Carol

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

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  Silent Night Pursuit

  by Katy Lee

  ONE

  “In point two miles, your destination will be on your left,” the GPS’s mechanical voice spoke into the tension-filled interior of the old Honda Beat roadster. Lacey Phillips stole a quick glance at her rearview mirror. Blinding headlights from the car on her tail suggested she might not make it those point two miles. If this guy came any closer, she could be spending her Christmas Eve in a snowy New Hampshire ditch instead.

  Not what a born-and-bred Southern girl was used to.

  Lacey had nothing for warmth but a blue-jean coat and her brother’s army beanie hat.

  Check that: her deceased brother’s.

  “Stay on the road, Lacey,” she said aloud, and tightened her hold on the wheel.

  She could almost hear her brother whisper the same words to her. They’d been each other’s spotter on the racetrack for so long, guiding each and every lane change from mouthpiece to earpiece, guarding against unforeseen hazards on the road ahead. Now it felt as though he guided her again. And it all started when Jeff had left her an envelope with nothing in it but a name and a key. Oh, how she wished there had been a warning of danger inside it, as well.

  The car behind pulled up. For the past half hour it had kept the same taunting pace with her as when she’d spotted it outside the small town of Norcastle, New Hampshire. She’d thought it curious when they’d both took the cutoff to ascend these secluded mountain roads. Twenty more minutes of being tailgated through twists and turns and more cutoffs had caused her curiosity to change to full-on alarm.

  Lacey wondered how long the car had been there before she noticed it. With her one-track mind on the sole purpose of this trip, it could have pulled up the moment she’d left work at her dad’s South Carolina reconstruction race-car shop seventeen hours ago.

  Get the answers was as far as her thoughts had gone when she’d found the envelope in her brother’s office at the shop. Now, with her unwanted company coming up the rear, she probably should have put a little more planning into her mission. After all, her brother was dead, and she didn’t believe it was an accident, as the stamp on his military file implied. How far would someone go to keep that little detail under the rug?

  Lacey accelerated, hoping to find the driveway her GPS alerted her to. Somewhere in these twisty back roads and walls of thick trees was the entrance to the home of her brother’s friend, Captain Wade Spencer—the name her brother had left in that envelope.

  Lacey’s tires slipped beneath her as the car hit ice, something she was not used to. A yank of the wheel and a downshift freed her from the skid, but she realized this two-seater Beater was not the car to take north in the beginning of winter. Reason number 345 she would never make a good wedding plann
er like her wise and detailed-oriented, Southern-genteel mother. It was just one more disappointment for Adelaide Phillips to lecture her daughter about when Lacey returned home.

  If she returned home.

  Lacey looked in the rearview mirror again and breathed a little easier with the little extra space between her car and the one behind her, but with the thoughts of her mother permeating her brain now, it wasn’t too much easier.

  What would Adelaide do when she heard her rebel daughter had raced off to places unknown to investigate her brother’s death?

  Lacey revved her engine, just as she typically did to tune her mother’s sweet-as-sugar voice out of her mind. Then she floored the pedal, and her tires squealed beneath her just as they would on pit road on race day.

  She had a mission, and Adelaide would just have to accept it. Lacey took some solace, though, knowing she didn’t completely go alone. She believed she could step out, or drive out, as the case may be, in faith because God always went with her.

  Lord, right about now, I could use a little of Your guidance and maybe some more space between me and the car behind me. They’re getting awfully close again. Please, don’t let them interfere with my goal. I have to make things right. Stay with me, and please cover for me with Mama, and please help me find this Wade guy’s place.

  Lacey scrutinized the dense forest ahead of her but still saw no inclination of any living being this far out from town. Talk about cutting yourself off from the world, she thought. What kind of person was this Wade any—

  Lacey jolted. The car behind her had tapped her bumper! Was he playing some kind of game?

  Back home on the track there might have been some words hollered out, or at the very least, an issue of a challenge for such behavior, but she didn’t think for a second this guy cared about his bad sportsmanship. So what did he want? To stop her from getting her answers was all she could fathom.

  But she needed these answers for Jeffrey, Lacey reminded herself. She wouldn’t give up until her brother’s life was honored, not locked up in a confidential file somewhere in DC.