The Sheriff's Christmas Twins

Laughing, the couple drew her deeper into the fray. Shane remained on the group’s edge, engaging in conversation with a striking-looking man with raven hair and an angry scar around his eye. She learned there were three brothers—Josh, Nathan and Caleb—and their cousins, five sisters who greeted her with curiosity. The most recently married, Jessica was the only one as yet without kids.

“You’re the baker, right?” Allison addressed the redhead. “Shane was bragging about your talent.”

“Folks do seem to enjoy my baking.”

Her husband, Grant Parker, brushed a lock of her deep-red hair behind her shoulder. “She’s being modest. Jessica’s desserts are highly sought after around these parts.”

“My sister Jane is just as skilled.” Jessica indicated her identical twin sister, who was standing a couple of yards away with a tall, distinguished fellow. “She’s busy with her kids and doesn’t have time to bake as much as she used to.”

Allison had met only one other set of twins before, brothers in their midsixties who looked like mirror images of each other, much like Jessica and Jane. She tried to keep her fascination hidden.

“I confess to a weakness for sweets,” she said. “I will no doubt prove to be a loyal customer during my stay.”

The scarred man, who she’d learned was the youngest O’Malley brother, tugged a reluctant Shane to the middle of the group where she stood with Jessica and Grant.

“Interrogation time,” Caleb announced with a smirk. His brown-black eyes settled on her, and she felt sure she wouldn’t want him for an enemy. “Miss Ashworth, will you kindly tell us the nature of your relationship with Shane Timmons?”

Josh tapped her shoulder. “The truth, please, Miss Ashworth, not the pat answer Shane’s prepped you to give.”

Since Shane was standing beside her, she heard his slow exhale, sensed the flight-response of his body.

“I met Shane when I was twelve, and he was fourteen. He lived with me, my brother and father for many years.”

“This was in Virginia?” Kate said.

“Yes. Norfolk. My family has lived there for generations. My father, David Ashworth, built a successful business, which he bequeathed to my brother, George.”

“Allison works with George,” Shane inserted. “She oversees the hiring and termination process and ensures the employees have proper working conditions. In addition to all that, she’s in charge of payroll.”

“I didn’t realize my brother outlined my duties for you,” she said.

“George likes to talk business. You’re part of that world.”

“What was Shane like as an adolescent?” Caleb asked, his keen gaze studying them both. She would’ve liked to ask what he saw that was so interesting.

She gave Shane a sideways glance. “A lot like he is today, actually. Reserved. Determined to do everything on his own. Convinced his opinion is the only right one.”

“Sounds about right.” Josh snorted. “You must’ve been terrified.”

“Allison isn’t terrified of anything.” Shane’s sardonic reply evoked laughter from the group.

Her smile felt forced. He clearly didn’t know her well. He was the one who’d intimidated her from the start, the one whose good opinion she’d craved.

“My turn.” Crossing her arms, she met Caleb’s stare with her own. “I want to hear about Shane the lawman.”

Shane hung his head and groaned. “There’s really not much to tell.”

“Stop being so modest.” Josh socked his arm.

“If anyone has a right to boast, it’s him,” Jessica said with conviction.

Shane shot Allison a help me look. He despised being the center of attention. Not about to miss their recounting of his exploits, she shrugged. Displeasure twisted his mouth.

“Shane’s the type of man who’ll help anyone without thought to his own personal comfort or safety,” Josh said. “He’s got a will of iron and nerves of steel.”

Josh listed the ways Shane had impacted their lives. He’d once hunted and captured a criminal who’d taken Nathan captive. He’d rounded up a gang of outlaws whose female leader had almost killed Caleb and his wife, Rebecca. When a series of crimes had been committed at Quinn’s store and Nicole had been attacked, Shane worked with Quinn to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Grant spoke up at the end, his expression one of earnest respect. “Not so long ago, I woke up on Jessica’s property with no memory of who I was. Shane could’ve thrown me in jail that first day. Even after I discovered evidence that pointed to a sordid past, he believed in my innocence. Things could’ve gone very differently if not for him.”

The adults fell silent. Allison nudged Shane. “Sounds like the contents of an adventure book to me.”

He kicked up a shoulder. “It’s my job. I do what’s required of my position, the same as any other lawman in this nation is expected to do.”

“Handsome and humble...” Jessica huffed a dramatic sigh. “If only we could convince one of the single ladies around here that he’s worth the effort.”

Kate shot Allison a significant look. “What about you, Allison? Are you involved with anyone?”

Her cheeks blazed with heat at the implication. “Not at the moment.”

Nathan elbowed Josh. Someone let loose a low whistle.

“Isn’t that convenient. Shane’s not courting anyone.”

“When has he ever?” Nathan’s young brother-in-law, Will, observed with a hearty laugh.

Shane threw up his hands. “That’s enough punishment for one night.”

Threading his fingers through hers, he pushed past Josh, guiding her away from their group.

“You don’t have to go,” Caleb called after them. “We’ll promise to behave.”

He lifted a hand in acknowledgment. Still, he didn’t slow his pace until they’d left his friends behind and were on the opposite side of the church near the cemetery. He dropped her hand the moment they stopped.

“It wasn’t that bad, was it?” she said softly.

“They like to harass me sometimes. You presented a perfect opportunity.”

“It’s obvious how much they care about you. You’re fortunate to have them.”

After witnessing the evidence of their regard for him, she could only be happy to know he wasn’t alone.

“I know.” His attention shifted beyond her. “Evening, Ben.”

“Howdy, boss.” The rakish deputy took hold of her hand and, clasping it between his, pressed it to his heart. “You are as radiant as the North Star, Miss Ashworth. You put every other woman here to shame.”

Allison didn’t dare risk a glance at Shane. “You are quite inventive with your compliments, Mr. MacGregor.”

“What can I say?” His grin widened. “You inspire me.”

“You can release her hand now,” Shane muttered.

Ben reluctantly did so. “Boss, I know how you feel about these types of shindigs. I don’t mind keeping Miss Ashworth company if you’d like to skip out.”

Dejection weighed heavily on her shoulders. Lowering her gaze to the grass beneath her feet, she waited for Shane to agree.

“That’s mighty thoughtful of you, but Allie came with me, and I’ll see to it that she gets home safe and sound.”

She whipped her head up. In the semidarkness, his profile was impossible to read. He’d called her Allie just once, the day he left Virginia. On the verge of boarding the train, he’d taken her hand and told her to take care of herself.

Ben accepted his refusal with aplomb. “Understood.” His green gaze slid to her. “I’ll see you around, Miss Ashworth.”

He sauntered off in the direction of the snack tables.

Shane scrubbed at the day’s growth of beard shadowing his jaw. “I didn’t think to ask your opinion. If you’d rather pass the time with him, I’ll understand.”

“I came here to visit you, Shane.”

He stared at her for long moments. Holding out his bent arm, he said, “The reverend’s getting in position, which means the program is about to start. Let’s go and find us a spot.”

About that time, the jangle of cowbells got everyone’s attention. The reverend, a silver-haired man clad in a penguin’s colors, went to stand near the church steps and waited until the crowd gathered around.

“Friends and neighbors, another year is drawing to a close,” he said. “In this last month of 1886, let us reflect on God’s blessings and His greatest gift to mankind, His Son, Jesus Christ.” He gestured to the grouping of statues covered with burlap. “This year, I’m pleased to inform you that we have a new nativity. My thanks goes to Josh O’Malley, who carved each piece with his own two hands.”

The people clapped as the reverend removed the burlap from each statue. Allison was amazed by the craftsmanship and detail of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the animals.

“It’s wonderful,” she whispered. “I’ve never seen the like.”

His face devoid of emotion, he nodded and sipped his cider. “Josh is a skilled carpenter. You’ll have to visit his furniture store sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

Candles were handed out to the adults. When they were lit, the reverend’s wife led the gathering in the singing of several carols. The flickering lights created a pretty glow in the darkness, and the sound of male and female voices blending together and singing about their Savior sent chills cascading over her skin. This was a humble church in a tiny mountain town, yet she’d never experienced the same awed emotion.

Beside her, Shane was peculiarly silent. His candle aloft, he stared into the distance, his focus far from here. Was he remembering some terrible moment from his past? Another sad, disappointing Christmas?

She touched his sleeve. “I’m ready to leave if you are.”

He angled his head toward her, and it took a second for his gaze to clear. “Are you sure?”

Of course she wanted to stay, but she refused to be selfish when he was unhappy.

“I’m cold. I’d like to go back to the house and relax before a comforting fire.”

Taking her candle, he extinguished them both and, discarding them in a bin, led her past awaiting horses and wagons to where his was parked. As before, he cocooned her in the quilt, his movements efficient and impersonal but wreaking the same effect as the first time. She was so busy seeing to her niece’s and nephews’ needs that she’d forgotten what it felt like to experience a moment of cossetting herself.

“You were uncomfortable back there,” she ventured. “You don’t like when I question you about your past, but you didn’t say I couldn’t ask about your faith. Has your viewpoint altered since you left Virginia?”

He was quiet a long time. “I want to believe that the God who created all this beauty could love someone with a soul as tarnished as mine. I want to, but...”

“It’s hard for you to trust.” Anxious to say the right thing, she said, “No one deserves Christ’s love. Or His forgiveness. But because of His compassion and mercy, He extends it to us. It’s a free gift. We can’t earn it.”

“I’ve heard these same words many times.” The defeat in his voice disappointed her.

Why can’t you accept them as truth? “I’ve never stopped praying for you, Shane.”

His gaze swerved to her face, his shock evident. “I don’t know what to say except thank you. That you would take the time to pray for me...” He removed his hat and thrust a hand through the blond-brown strands.

“I won’t stop.” Her own voice grew thick. “You can count on that.”

Nodding, he didn’t utter another word. At the house, he set the brake and, after helping her down, started to climb the steps.

“You’re coming inside?” she blurted. “I can stoke the fireplaces without your help.”

He paused with one boot braced against the bottom step. It was impossible to make out his features in the porch shadows. “I thought I’d see to the task. Unless you don’t want me to.”

“That depends on your reasons,” she said evenly. “If you’re coming in because of some perceived duty, then the answer is no. I don’t need to be watched after. If you’re coming in because you’d like to share a cup of coffee and my company, then the answer is yes.”

His long-suffering sigh originated deep in his chest, and the tenuous bond born from her confession evaporated.

“I guess I have my answer.” She ascended the steps. “Good night, Sheriff.”

Chapter Seven

“Allison.”

Still reeling from her revelation that he featured regularly in her prayers, Shane trailed after her. He had to tread carefully because, to him, this entire visit was a necessary but not exactly welcome intrusion into his life. He hadn’t invited her here. He definitely hadn’t anticipated having to keep up his guard every hour of the day.

“Wait a minute.” He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him.

“I have to be honest, Shane. I hate that you see me as a burdensome child. Every time you sigh and huff and roll your eyes, I’m tempted to throttle you.”

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