The Sheriff's Christmas Angels

by Debra Holt

  She dropped the paper on top of the stack. “Glad I passed. Now show me what I need to do to make sense out of this mess.”

  Cole set the case down and moved to stand at her side. Instead of talking about the business, he wasn’t finished with the subject at hand.

  “I’m sorry you’ve taken offense at what I did. In my place, what would you have done differently?”

  She wanted to fault him. She wanted to be angry. She was just hurt and that made her feel vulnerable and she hated that feeling. It seemed she always had to prove she was worthy.

  “You made your point. You’re protecting those you love. I get that. It’s just knowing that people, strangers were digging into my life and examining me like I wasn’t… it’s just…”

  Two strong fingers lifted her chin and brought her around to meet his gaze. “I hurt your feelings. I’m sorry… truly I am. I haven’t had a lot of practice in putting myself in other people’s shoes. I’ve been accused of being a bulldozer sometimes. And some might think me heartless. But I am sorry, Emma. In just the short time I’ve been around you, I’ve seen what others have seen. Maybe I didn’t want to see it. But that’s my own personal baggage coloring the situation. Forgive me. I can guarantee that this report is being shredded and only the three of us will ever know about it. Davis is a good man. And he likes you. Trust me… that’s a tough endorsement to get. You and I got off on the wrong foot… more than once since you came. I hope we can get past that.”

  She should move away, but his touch was oddly comforting. There was a warmth in his eyes and it was reaching inside her and making her think all sorts of ridiculous things. What would it be like if he kissed her right then? Kiss the hurt and make it go away. Was she leaning closer? Or was it him? Should this be a good idea?

  His breath was warm on her face. Then he stopped. And the moment was gone.

  “And this would be a bad idea. For more reasons than I could name right now. But mostly because you’ll be leaving soon and I’m not looking to make any more mistakes in my life with any woman. So, let’s just chalk this up to a long day and an emotional moment. And I think we can do office stuff tomorrow. I have some time in the afternoon. I would like to think we could be friends despite, well…”

  He was fumbling for words. She should put him out of his misery. “Tomorrow afternoon is best. And one can’t have too many friends, or so I’m told. And you’re right. I’m not looking for permanent here either. Goodnight.”

  Chapter Eight

  His mother had been right. Everyone around him was right. People sang the praises of Emma Cramer. None more so than his daughter. Cole should be in a good mood. But he wasn’t. The why of that condition was Emma Cramer. He had put up a wall where she was concerned. Then he had a weak moment. But he put that wall right back up… even higher. And now he was on one side of it and everyone else was on the other. At least that was how it felt.

  After that weak moment in his office, he had told her that friendship was all he had to offer. And she accepted that with her own reminder that she wanted nothing to do with him… nothing permanent at any rate. He had come very close to falling into another trap with another female. Pamela had taught him a tough lesson. Why couldn’t he just remember that and move on? Because Emma wasn’t Pamela and never could be? How did he know that? Should he run another check on her? Don’t be ridiculous. The first one had certainly blown up in his face.

  She said she understood, but she had been hurt. That had never been his intention. But he had managed to do it anyway. And from that moment on, she had been a perfect “friend”. He said that was all he wanted and that was what he got. She was a model employee. She was pleasant. When he ran late in the evenings, there were no more recriminations or looks sent his way. She made certain there was a plate of food for him in the refrigerator to heat when he did come in. She left a nice note for him of what his daughter’s day had been like. And he saw Charlie blooming like a little rosebud under Emma’s care. Then why wasn’t he pleased?

  For the last two weeks, they had set a good pattern. He went to work, she had managed to organize the ranch files and had everything up to date from the bills of sale to the genetic testing records and more, and then she picked up Charlie and took care of her. He came home to find his meal on the table and a happy child. Then Emma went to her room or spent time on the front porch and he put Charlie to bed. Afterwards, he stayed awake half the night trying to figure out why he was so miserable.

  And his biggest fear seemed to be coming truer each day. Charlie was definitely becoming Emma’s shadow. Last week, he had stopped by the house in the early afternoon and found the two females, dressed in overalls, hair done in like ponytails, and digging in the dirt of the flower beds that had obviously been weeded and were being readied for the bucket of flower bulbs that was sitting between them. He watched from the corner of the house while Emma gave Charlie the step-by-step instructions and patiently helped her dig the holes just deep enough and then drop in each bulb. They then patted down the dirt over the spot and went on to the next one.

  Charlie laughed and giggled and looked so carefree. And Emma had been much the same. Her blue eyes were bright and animated even from where he stood and he found more than once over the days since her arrival that he had developed a fondness for that shade of blue.

  While he had finished his breakfast two mornings ago, Charlie had moved the step stool to the island and stood on it, next to Emma. Emma had found an apron that was child-sized in town and Charlie had it on and was watching in rapt attention while Emma filled the mixing bowl with flour and then added eggs. She passed the stirring spoon to Charlie and Charlie was intent on her mixing job. The woman had great patience and it had made him even more aware of the fact that maybe his idea of keeping himself and Charlie free of any other person in their lives wasn’t such a good thing. It was clear his daughter was blossoming with the arrival of Emma Cramer. And so was the house.

  He had noticed small things… a couple of bright throw pillows in the living room. Fresh flowers from the nursery in town brightened up the dining room and the sun porch. There were throw rugs in the hall and a welcome mat on the porch he hadn’t remembered seeing around before. He later learned the rugs came from Mae. It was quite clear his parents might be just as upset when Emma left them as Charlie would. And then the thought made him not too happy as it once did either. He needed to keep some kind of a grip on his sanity. They couldn’t all fall under the woman’s spell.

  A knock interrupted his thoughts and he looked up to see Emma standing in the doorway of his office. She looked good in the dark slacks and red sweater. And there was that problem, too. Especially since he had noted of late how too many of the men at the diner or at church or even in his own office had taken note of that fact also. He felt as if his face was in a permanent scowl because he had used it so much to remind them to keep their distance. But, why should he? Let them crash and burn when they found out she wasn’t about to be stuck in their little country town any longer than she needed.

  “Are you having a bad day?’

  Her question brought him back from dark thoughts. He pushed out of his chair and remembered his manners. “I don’t think so. What brings you down here? I thought you and Darcy were having lunch?”

  “We are, but we’ve changed our location. I’ve spoken to your mother who happened to be in the diner at the same time and she agreed it was a wonderful idea. So, she’s going to pick up Charlie and take her home with her. You can pick her up at your mother’s when you’re done here. I don’t think I’ll be too late.”

  “Too late? Where are you going?” He was playing catch up.

  “Darcy suggested that we drive into Austin and catch a movie and have dinner there. I haven’t been there since I was a child and it sounded like fun. Besides, she needs to pick up those huge pumpkins she ordered for the PTA fall carnival next week. I’m keeping her company. You don’t mind, do you? I haven’t taken any time away since I’ve been he
re.”

  “I don’t mind you taking time. You deserve it. It just caught me by surprise.”

  “Good. I’ll try not to disturb anyone when I come in. You and Charlie have a good evening.” She was gone.

  The clock seemed to move very slowly the rest of the day. Cole found himself looking at it more than usual. He left the office earlier than normal and found his mother and Charlie engaged in a game of marbles at the kitchen table when he arrived at his mother’s house.

  “Come watch me, Daddy. I’m beating Granny.”

  He slid onto the bench next to his daughter. “You are? That’s great.”

  “I’m glad that Emma took some time for herself today. She needs to do that more often. I keep telling her she needs to accept more invitations.” Mae made the remark in general.

  “Invitations? What invitations?” Cole tried to sound nonchalant in his delving for more information.

  “Where have you been? There’s been two or three young men who have asked her out for dinner or a movie. But she’s been so busy trying to get that office of yours straightened out that she’s not accepted any. Now that it’s in good working order, she has time to enjoy herself more. You need to encourage her to do that.”

  “Me? Why me?”

  “Because she sees you as her boss. She has such a work ethic. It would be lovely if she could find a good man around these parts and settle down and stay.” Cole was certain his mother had taken leave of her senses. Did she not remember that Emma only promised six months and then she was gone? There were only three and a half months left. The time was flying by faster each day.

  “Do you think she would stay here forever?” Charlie chimed in on that note. “If she gets married, can I be in the wedding? I could wear a really pretty dress and I know it would be purple because Emma loves purple too… or lavender but that’s close enough. And then she could have a little girl and we could be friends and—”

  “Charlie, hurry and finish your turn so we can get home.” Cole had heard enough of Emma’s plans or whatever.

  “I thought you might like to stay for dinner here? It’s bound to be a bit quiet at your place and no dinner ready for you with Emma not being there.”

  Cole narrowed his gaze on his mother. He had a feeling he was being played. But exactly why was the mystery. What was she up to? “No, thanks. We’ll be fine. I brought a pizza home that we can pop into the oven.”

  “Pizza? Oh, goody! I’m ready.” Charlie was pleased and ready to go.

  Mae walked them to the door, hugging Charlie and making sure her coat was buttoned. She accepted Cole’s kiss on her cheek. “Take care and do give Emma my best. I hope she’s having a good time this evening.”

  They got home and Cole couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment when he pulled into the drive and saw no lights on inside the house. Had he hoped Emma might have changed her mind or had arrived home sooner than expected? He supposed she was having too much fun to give them a second thought. Good for her.

  Angel met them at the backdoor. She ran out into the yard while they moved inside. She was on the third week of her probation having so far passed her housetraining and had been allowed to have more access to the house. Now her sleeping spot was on the foot of Charlie’s bed. Cole had lost that battle before he knew it.

  The pizza was good and they finished it off with a bowl of ice cream. It didn’t hurt to go crazy once in a while, and not have a balanced meal for dinner. He even put in one of Charlie’s favorite movies, Cinderella, and they sat on the couch together and watched it.

  Charlie fell asleep and Cole’s eyes shut for a moment. The next thing he knew, there was a gentle tap on his shoulder and he was looking up into a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Emma was home. That lit a spark inside him. He raised himself up as best he could with a sleeping child across his lap. He maneuvered until he could get her in his arms and then he carried her upstairs. Emma helped get her in her pajamas and they tucked her in bed.

  Cole followed her back downstairs. The movie was finishing up with the big dramatic scene where the prince slips the slipper on her foot and all is right with the world and then they live happily ever after in their castle. Cole switched the television off. Emma was straightening the cushions on the couch. She picked up the glasses from the table and started toward the kitchen with them. Cole followed.

  “Is that what all little girls grow up wanting? A knight in shining armor to rescue them and carry them away on his white horse to his castle?”

  Emma turned and looked at him. “That’s a strange question coming from you. Aren’t you the no-nonsense lawman with no time for such things? But in answer to your question… I hope they don’t grow up wanting that because most will be sorely disappointed if they wait for some man to rescue them. Don’t get me wrong. I was one of those little girls. I suppose dreams like that got me through a lot. I could go to the pretend world where someone would come along and I wouldn’t be alone any longer and maybe my castle might have a porch to sit on and someone to grow old with.

  “Every little girl has their own version of the fairytale in their minds. But little girls need to be taught that it’s okay to dream about a lovely fairytale world, but that isn’t reality. They need to take care of themselves. If they happen to come across a prince charming while they are doing that, then there’s their fairytale beginning… not an ending. Now, aren’t you sorry you asked? It’s late.” She headed in the direction of the stairs. But he stopped her.

  “Did you have a nice time tonight? You and Darcy?”

  “Yes, we did. She’s a lot of fun. And I met some of her friends who live in the city. It was a good time.”

  “Maybe Austin might be a city you’d consider when you leave here. It isn’t all that far for you to have to travel. It’s a lot better place than Dallas.”

  “It’s something to think about, I suppose.” She turned once more. Then came another question that brought her attention back to him.

  “Does living in the city mean so much to you? You seem to love the country so much, I just am a little confused I guess.”

  Emma gave the question a few long moments of consideration. “I do love the country. But I know that for me to make a good living at what I am trained to do, I have to live in a city with those opportunities. I’ll just have to get used to that way of life.”

  “Did Darcy get those pumpkins?”

  “Yes, she did. The pumpkin carving competition can proceed.”

  Cole had about exhausted his questions. Emma gave him a considering look.

  “What’s going on? Why all the questions about a fairytale and where I might move and pumpkins? Are you feeling okay?”

  “I guess I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

  “Maybe you should get a checkup. You do have a very stressful job. I’d say you should take it easier, but I know I’d be preaching to a brick wall.”

  “You sound like Mae sometimes.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment. She’s a smart lady.”

  “Yes, she is. And I should probably listen to her a lot more than I do.”

  “Now that is one of the wisest things I’ve heard you say. There might be hope for you after all. Goodnight.”

  Cole didn’t tempt fate with another question. He turned off the lights and headed upstairs to his room. He had just drifted off to sleep when a cry woke him. He was instantly on his feet. A second cry had him at the door and into the hallway. He and Emma almost collided outside Charlie’s door. They didn’t stop. Emma knelt over the child, softly talking to her.

  “Charlie, wake up sweetie. Is it a bad dream?” She laid a palm on her forehead.

  The child turned over on her side, arms and hands pushing at the covers over her stomach. “It hurts, my stomach.” Emma lightly ran her hand over it.

  “Should we call Doctor Morris?” Cole didn’t like the feeling of helplessness. It was foreign to him.

  “No, you can get a very warm, moist towel for me. The
n get me a glass of water, and a wastebasket.”

  She spoke in calm tones and that helped Cole to calm down also. He was back in a very few minutes with what she asked for. She had him slide in behind Charlie and rest her against his chest. Then she instructed to her to drink the glass of water. The warm towel she wrapped around her stomach area. “Breathe slowly, take a deep breath in through the nose and then blow it out your mouth for me. Pretend you’re blowing bubbles.”

  “Maybe we should call the doctor.”

  “She has no fever and no tenderness when I touch her stomach so we can probably rule out anything serious as appendicitis. Trust me, I had an attack when I was five. Women who’ve had one and then experienced childbirth say it’s worse. I am going to agree with that.” She smiled at Charlie.

  “What did you have to eat tonight?”

  “Pizza.”

  “And what else?” Emma prompted.

  “Strawberry ice cream. Some cola.”

  “When did you have cola?” Cole broke in at that bit of news.

  “You fell asleep and I was thirsty. I didn’t drink a lot of it.”

  “Is your tummy feeling better?”

  Charlie nodded her head. Emma shook out the thermometer and then instructed Charlie to hold it under her armpit until they heard the beeping. Emma removed it then and nodded.

  “That verifies there’s no fever. The warm towel is easing the stomach. One more glass of water down her and then we’ll see.”

  “See what?” Cole had just finished the question when the pizza and ice cream made a return trip from the child’s stomach. Emma wasn’t quite quick enough to get Charlie over the wastebasket… a good deal of the mess landed on Cole and the bed. Once it all had come up, Charlie was able to relax.