The Single Dad's Holiday Match

by Tanya Agler

Since he was the lead investigator on the case, rules prevented him from showing Mo the pictures. Jillian didn’t know which picture was Colin’s or the identities of any of the other five juveniles featured in the snapshots.

  “Hold these for a minute, will you?” She handed him the photos before taking off her hat and adjusting her medium-length dark hair held back in a ponytail. Once she replaced her hat, he returned the photos to her. “Any chance you’d consider switching shifts this weekend?”

  All officers were required on duty with tourists flooding the town, and he had the night shift, which extended into the wee hours of the morning. “You’re scheduled after me in the daytime, aren’t you?”

  “I could use the premium pay, though.” Jillian frowned, slight wrinkles marring her young forehead.

  “Can you find someone to stay with your mom at night? How’s she doing?” Everyone in the department knew Jillian cared for her mother, who had early-onset dementia.

  “Not good, and it’s easier to get someone to watch her in the evening.” He and Jillian approached the entrance. “The extra money if we traded shifts would come in handy. So I don’t have to find a roommate when the time comes to put her in assisted living.”

  Jillian looked at him with some expectation. The members of the department had each other’s backs. Mike led by example. If he switched with her, he’d miss Izzy’s soccer game, but he’d have an opportunity to attend the Trunk or Treat with both his daughters. “Sure.”

  They entered the shop, and the stench of bait was particularly biting today.

  “Two cops for the price of one! Good thing my customers don’t expect that deal on night crawlers. I’d go broke quick.” Mo laughed at his joke.

  Jillian approached the counter, and Jonathan hovered behind, letting her do her work. “With your permission, I’ll show you six photos, and you tell me if any match the person who came in with the false ID and tried to buy cigarettes.”

  “Sure thing.” Mo scratched behind his ear. “No offense, Officer Edwards, but why are you the one showing me the pictures?”

  “Officer Maxwell—” Jillian pointed in his direction “—is the lead investigator on the case. He selected the photos and marked each with a soft pen for identifying purposes, but I don’t know any of the individuals or the identity of the suspect, so I won’t give anything away.”

  “Makes sense.” Mo nodded and reached for the photos. “It might be number three, but it might be four or five, too. Definitely not the first two or the last one.”

  Jonathan and Jillian thanked him for his time and proceeded back to the station in relative silence until they reached the conference room, where Mike waited. Jillian’s walkie-talkie crackled with activity from Harriet. “Roger that. On my way. Over.” She stood and headed for the door, halting with her hand on the knob. “Run our schedule switch by Mike, okay?”

  She hustled away, and Mike turned an expectant eye toward Jonathan, who filled him in on the schedule change and the morning’s events.

  “So, Mo didn’t identify a suspect.” Mike’s lips flattened to a straight line.

  “And the DMV was no help. Unless the suspect comes to the center to retrieve the contents of the locker, I have no other leads.”

  A hunch the suspect wouldn’t give up a good thing, though, wouldn’t carry enough weight to prolong the investigation.

  Mike shrugged as Jonathan’s walkie-talkie crackled, too. Jonathan held up his device and listened to Harriet. He rolled his eyes. “I have to go round up Mr. Bricker’s cow again. I swear I’m going to patch that fence myself one of these days.”

  “Drop by my office after Bessie’s back home.”

  “Just glad Bessie’s always at the next farm.” Jonathan laughed and donned his hat. “Why does the urban cop get the farm calls?”

  “You have a way with women and animals. Georgie, Rachel and Ginger are all I can handle.” Mike chuckled, his face reflecting the happiness it always did when he talked about his wife, his daughter or his cat. His boss lifted his chin to indicate he was dismissed. “See you later.”

  Great. A Thursday afternoon of cattle roundup and no progress on the fake ID case. Jonathan left the conference room, the day’s events not lost on him. Colin’s face had graced photo number three. Mo might not have pinpointed the youth, but he hadn’t cleared Colin either.

  * * *

  BROOKE COULDN’T HAVE planned a better fall day for the Trunk or Treat event. The blue skies held nary a wisp of a white cloud on this gorgeous Saturday, with the maple and hickory trees putting on a beautiful show. Families milled about the community center, talking and enjoying themselves. She already recognized some of the folks, while others visiting sought a fun activity to pass the time in Hollydale. Brooke was only too happy to oblige.

  She adjusted her red headband, part of her Rosie the Riveter costume. She stood in front of a slow cooker, disguised as a bubbling cauldron. “Caramel apples. Absolutely free.” Older kids and adults received whole apples while she distributed slices to the younger crowd. The sweet smell of the caramel was too tempting, and she’d sneaked a few Granny Smith slices in the past hour.

  A little girl dressed as a butterfly smiled at Brooke. “I’d like some, please.”

  Brooke checked with her parents, who nodded their permission. Brooke dipped the ends of several slices in the cauldron and waited for the excess to drip away before handing the adorable girl a cardboard container with the treat. “For the butterfly, two slices, light on the caramel, heavy on the sweetness.” She turned to the parents. “Would either of you like a sample?”

  They shook their heads, but no one left her booth empty-handed. She gave them a tote bag featuring the center’s new logo. Each contained a flyer of today’s itinerary along with upcoming events, a sponsorship form and a water bottle. “There are some great dancing programs in the winter for preschoolers and early elementary students.”

  The family walked away, and Brooke waved at them as they left before counting the remaining bags. Less than ten remained. Foot traffic had been brisk all afternoon, although the trio of Maxwells hadn’t been among those who’d stopped by her booth. Most of the Mimosas, though, had found time to come by, including Fabiana, who’d introduced her husband, and Hyacinth with her two boxers. While Aunt Mitzi had to work, she planned to help with the cleanup, along with Colin. Today was his big day as he was trying out for the Hollydale High basketball team. She crossed her fingers and then checked her phone in case she’d missed a text.

  No news yet.

  Olivia walked by, and Brooke hailed her. After chatting and exchanging updates, Olivia stayed at the booth while Brooke headed toward the building for more bags. Taking her time outside, Brooke strolled by the cars for a closer look and a breath of fresh air. The creativity astounded her. She wanted to linger at the Alice in Wonderland display but kept walking, intent once more on fetching the bags. Chuckling at the Mad Scientist with dry ice bubbling out of beakers with colored water, she bumped into a hard something. Apologizing, she turned and found green arms connected to an inflatable dinosaur costume, reaching out to steady her.

  “Sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Some director she was.

  “Are you okay, Brooke?”

  “Jonathan?” She glanced beside him, and Vanessa’s giggles revealed the panda was his younger daughter. Isabella glared at her and crossed her bare arms, her soccer uniform performing double duty as a costume.

  “You made it.” Her voice sounded light, almost giddy.

  His muscular arms holding her up were rather strong. It felt good to have someone to help support her for a minute. Then realization she was on duty made her jump back.

  “That’s J. rex today, thank you very much.” He boomed a dinosaur roar.

  Vanessa tapped Brooke’s arm. “Who are you supposed to be?”

  “I’m Rosie the Riveter.” The blank e
xpression on Vanessa’s face compelled Brooke to explain. “She’s a symbol of determination, of women coming together in a community and accomplishing anything they set their mind on doing. She became famous during the Second World War.”

  “Oh. That’s neat.” Vanessa expressed her approval before tapping her cheek like her father. “I can like that and pandas at the same time, right?”

  “Absolutely. Someone with a heart as big as yours can find room in your heart for more than one thing. Liking one doesn’t mean you have to stop liking the other.” She glanced at Jonathan, and her cheeks heated. “I have to retrieve a box of tote bags. Have fun walking around.”

  “Do you need some help?” Jonathan removed his dinosaur head, his hair adorably rumpled.

  “Dad, you promised.” Isabella stomped her sneaker. “When you told us you switched shifts and couldn’t make my soccer game, you said this would be a family outing.”

  Brooke shuffled her feet encased in brown boots as part of her Rosie costume. “I need to get back to work.”

  “Wait a second. Isabella, you owe Brooke an apology.” Jonathan nudged his daughter’s side. “She was just being nice.”

  “Sorry.”

  While not the sincerest utterance ever, Brooke accepted the gesture. “Thank you.” She started to walk away. “Hold on.” Jonathan waved his dinosaur arms and raised his voice. “Aunt Tina! Over here!”

  Brooke couldn’t help but laugh until Tina Spindler showed up on the scene, dressed as a park ranger. Tina and Jonathan were related?

  “I should have known my favorite great-nieces couldn’t stay away from me. By the way, great goal, Izzy!” Tina gave Isabella a high-five. She turned to Jonathan and then glanced at Brooke. “Oh, hello there.”

  “I didn’t know Jonathan was your nephew.”

  The way Tina arched her eyebrow showed off the family resemblance Brooke hadn’t noted before now. “Come to think of it,” Tina said, mirth in her voice, “I should have thrown Jonathan’s name out there with the rest of the potential possibilities. It might be the aunt in me, but he’s every bit as good-looking as Mason Ruddick and can even hold a candle to Drew and Caleb.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Aunt Tina, but thanks for holding me in such high company.” He planted his dinosaur hood back on his shoulders. “Brooke needs some help for a minute. Can you take Izzy and Vanessa around to the different cars? You’ll be able to tell when I’m back. J. rex isn’t hard to spot in a crowd.”

  Brooke groaned. “Maybe on the way to the storage room we’ll discuss that nickname of yours. There has to be something better.”

  Jonathan stepped toward her. “Ooh. The storage room. That sounds interesting.”

  “Dad!” Both girls protested at once.

  “I was joking. Brooke is working, and I’m helping her.” He held up those short dinosaur arms. “Besides, I might take a detour to the men’s locker room and use the facilities.”

  Brooke’s ego deflated faster than popped bubble gum. Here she’d thought he wanted to be alone with her, and instead his real motive was to check to see if anyone had tampered with the locker.

  “Then it’s a good thing I have the key since I locked that room this morning.” She reached into the side pocket of her denim pants, a far cry from the skinny jeans she preferred. “There are restrooms available at the main entrance, but the gym and the other areas are off-limits.” She turned to Jonathan’s daughters. “I’ll have him outside and with you again in no time.”

  She rattled the keys and caught sight of Tina, whose face was the picture of smug. Something told her Tina had pieced together the identity of Mysterious Cute Guy, something Brooke wanted to keep to herself awhile longer.

  * * *

  JONATHAN OPENED THE side door for a large group exiting the center, his gaze never leaving Brooke, a red bandanna hiding her hair but helping her stand out even more. His heart had raced when he’d first caught sight of her. Whether she wore her customary work suit or her Halloween costume, her radiance came through.

  “Where are the tote bags?”

  “In the supply closet upstairs. It’s taken me two weeks to figure out what Betty means by the supply closet versus the storage room, but didn’t you want to check the men’s locker room first?” She pointed that way, and he remembered he’d mentioned the room as an excuse to spend some time with her. Her gaze swept over him, and she blinked. “Sorry. That dinosaur costume is distracting.”

  Now that they were inside, he removed his inflatable T. rex head once more. “I forgot about it. In a town this size, people know what I do, and they ask all sorts of questions. Things like whether an alarm system or a big dog is a better deterrent to a burglar. I wanted some uninterrupted time with Izzy and Vanessa.”

  A guilty look came over her face. “I can handle the tote bags. It’s not that big a deal, and they aren’t that heavy.”

  He reached for her hand, pulling her to a stop. “I like spending time with friends.” He interlaced his fingers with hers, noticing her soft skin. “It’s important to be myself without labels.”

  She didn’t let go.

  They arrived at the men’s locker room, and he released her with a little bit of reluctance and a lot of satisfaction. He stayed behind her while she selected the key. Her gasp startled him. “What’s wrong?” Jonathan asked.

  She moved aside, and his gaze went to the posted Closed sign. Then the problem confronted him like a splash of cold water. Long scratches marred the wood between the knob and the jamb.

  “Do I need to report this? When I checked this morning, everything was still in place, and I thought the lock and the public event would keep someone from trying to access the lockers. I was wrong. I need to call off the rest of the event, don’t I?” Worry cut through Brooke’s words, and she glanced out the window. “Security first. I’ll go make an announcement.”

  He reached for her arm and held her back. “Wait a minute.” He glanced at the video camera above the reception desk, the red light flashing. “Let’s see if anyone was able to pick the lock, and I’ll call Sheriff Harrison. We’ll see how he wants to proceed.”

  “Won’t I be destroying any evidence if I unlock the door?”

  Jonathan adjusted his costume and reached inside for the close-fitting green gloves that resembled claws and donned them. “The day isn’t cold enough to wear these, but they should keep me from disturbing any fingerprints.”

  She handed him the keys, and he unlocked the door, waving her inside. He strode to the back and glanced at the showers and sinks. No damage or sign of any use. He met her at the lockers.

  “According to the estimates this week, the cost of adding combination locks is rather steep. Although, I’m sure people will feel safer about leaving their valuables while exercising.”

  “Until the suspect comes back for the bag, I’m rather grateful you aren’t adding them yet. Can you stand near the door for a minute and keep anyone who disregards the sign out of here?” Jonathan waited until Brooke stood guard.

  He opened the specific locker and wiggled the false back away for a check. The bag was still in place. “It’s here. He didn’t gain access. I’ll review the video footage personally tonight.”

  Brooke reached for the knob. “Can I run upstairs to get the tote bags while you call the sheriff? If you’re concerned someone might disturb you, I’ll lock the door, and when you knock, I’ll let you out.”

  He cracked a smile. “Good thing I trust you. I’d hate to be in here all night, but can you make it quick? Otherwise, Izzy and Vanessa will think I deserted them.”

  “I’ll be right back.” A rosy bloom blossomed on her cheeks, and he liked seeing this side of her she kept hidden. “Pinky swear.”

  He called Mike, who concurred it would do the center more harm than good if they closed down the event over this incident. Jonathan would fill out the rep
ort later. He then knocked on the door, and Brooke answered, slightly out of breath, a box full of tote bags at her feet. She reached down, and he threw his dinosaur head atop the bags.

  “Nope. Can’t have you carrying all this around.”

  “But how will Isabella and Vanessa find you in the crowd without your head?”

  “I’ll find them.”

  She locked the door and double checked before they proceeded to the side exit. A friendly bark greeted them when they crossed the threshold. A shaggy ball of fur, all legs, bounded toward them with Colin hanging on to the leash. This time the teen matched his gray hoodie with a pair of black athletic shorts. Riley kept pace beside him, wearing a popular superhero costume. The dog closed the gap and jumped on Brooke.

  “Daisy! Down!” Brooke spoke with authority, and Daisy sat, her tongue lolling, her long body quivering with excitement. “Hey, you.”

  Colin handed her the retractable leash. “Aunt Mitzi let me know she was running late, so I walked Daisy over. I texted Riley, and she met me here.”

  “Good thing, too!” Riley let out a small laugh and showed off her superhero costume, which was quite popular as Jonathan had seen at least three others wearing the same disguise. “He saved my skin a couple of minutes ago.”

  “Oh?”

  Jonathan set the box on the sidewalk beside him and listened to Riley’s story of colliding with an excited child whose soda spilled all over Riley’s original pirate costume. “I wondered what was going on when he asked me to watch Daisy for a minute. I didn’t expect him to lend me his costume. Isn’t he the sweetest thing?”

  Riley sidled up to Colin and hugged his arm. No sooner did Jonathan pick up the box than Izzy and Vanessa found him. Izzy sent a silent glare his way.

  “Daddy.” Vanessa pulled at his costume. “You have to see my favorite trunk. It’s decorated to look like the solar system. They’re giving out mini kaleidoscopes instead of candy. That’s so neat, don’t you think?”

  Brooke handed the leash back to Colin and reached for the box. “I can take it from here.”