The Deputy's Holiday Family

Suddenly nervous, though, she hesitated, glancing at the faces around her. While she knew most of the people, one she even used to babysit, she’d been gone from Ouray for a long time. She didn’t want to come across as a know-it-all, no matter how much community theater she’d done. A cast was a team, no one person better than another. She supposed she should have remembered that when she brought up the show expectations.

Still, she had to do something.

With lights glaring overhead, she raised her hand again and mustered her most charming smile. “You know what? I think we’re all eager to do the read-through, so let’s not worry about the technicalities right now.”

“You are absolutely right, Lacie,” said Valerie. “Let’s get on with the read-through.”

“No, no.” Matt set the scripts back down on the edge of the stage. “If the show expectations come first, then we will cover them now.”

What? It was obvious he didn’t have a clue what show expectations were. And yet when she’d given him an out, he ignored it.

Let him fail then.

No, that wasn’t right or Christian of her. Though it was apparent he didn’t want anyone to interfere.

Hands slung low on his denim-clad hips, he continued, “I want to do this right. So let’s go ahead and discuss our expectations.” He scanned the group before him. “Rehearsal times are firm. In case you aren’t aware, I’m former military, which means I’m a stickler for promptness.”

The cast was silent, giving him their full attention. The military reference must have scared them.

The corners of his mouth lifted a notch. “However, I’m also a realist. As a law enforcement officer, I know how life can interfere. Before you leave tonight, I will give each of you my cell number. If you’re going to be late, please let me know.”

She had to give him credit for trying.

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way—” he reached for the scripts “—let’s continue with the read-through.”

One by one he passed out the scripts, though she was beginning to wish she hadn’t signed on for this. No matter how much she loved acting, she’d agreed to work with Mrs. Nichols, not Matt Stephens, the man who didn’t have a clue he’d broken her heart.

“The Bishop’s Wife.” His baritone voice carried throughout the space. “Mr. Garcia, would you get us started, please?”

For the next hour and a half, Lacie focused on the script as well as the rest of the cast instead of the man leading them. And once they were finished, she was eager to leave. After chatting with Clare Droste, the girl she’d once babysat, Lacie donned her coat and started across the wooden floor. Maybe she’d even make it back to her mother’s in time for dinner.

“Lacie?”

Her steps slowed. Matt’s voice set her nerves on edge.

Hands in her pockets, she turned on her heel. “Yes?”

He took a step closer. “Would you mind staying? I’d like to talk with you.”

Talk with or talk to? She had questioned him, after all.

Reluctantly, she made her way through the cluster of exiting cast members, toward the stage and the man she’d seen more of in the past two days than she had in the past sixteen years.

“Was there something you needed?”

“Yes.” Hands clasped, he leaned against the edge of the stage. “How much acting have you done?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Until Kenzie came to live with me, quite a bit.”

“I suspected as much.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. It’s just that—” he pushed away from the stage “—well, I have no idea what I’m doing here. I was wondering if you’d be willing to teach me?”

Her arms fell to her sides. “Teach you?”

“Yes.”

“Teach you what? Acting?”

“What I’m supposed to be doing as a director.”

“Oh. You mean you really don’t know?”

He shook his head. “All I ever did was help with the set crew. And even that was only for a couple of years before Mama got sick.”

Why did he have to keep bringing up his mother? Just thinking about Mona made it much more difficult to say no. And she wanted to say no. Just the thought of being with Matt made her edgy. “If you could just walk me through some of the terminology and what I need to do at each step in the process.”

“I really should be getting home to Kenzie.” She poked a thumb toward the exit.

“It doesn’t have to be tonight. The group doesn’t meet again until next Sunday.”

“Yes, and there’s Thanksgiving and—”

“Please?” His velvet brown eyes pleaded with her. “I don’t want to mess this up, Lacie.”

She did not want to be around Matt Stephens any more than necessary. Unfortunately, a successful play fell into the “necessary” category. The entire town looked forward to this event.

“Okay, I’ll help.” Letting go a sigh, she pulled her phone from her pocket. “What’s your email address?”

“Email?”

“Yes, so I can send you a list of things you need to do.”

“Okay. But can we meet at least once to go over it?”

She’d rather have a root canal. They gave you painkillers for that. “Fine. But I hope you don’t mind kids, because Kenzie will likely be accompanying me.”

“Not a problem. We can even meet at your mother’s, if you like.”

She typed in the email address he gave her. “I’ll send you something later tonight or tomorrow morning. Then we can schedule a meeting.” Tucking her phone back into her pocket, she continued. “Right now, I need to get home to my niece.”

Outside, she tightened the belt on her peacoat and shivered. Seemed the temperatures had gone down along with the sun. It was downright freezing.

She hurried across the darkened street to her SUV, wishing she’d brought her gloves. She’d forgotten how much colder it could be here than in Denver. Of course, Ouray was also more than two thousand feet higher in altitude.

Under the glow of a street lamp, she threw herself into the driver’s seat, shoved the key into the ignition and gave it a twist. Except instead of the engine roaring to life, it simply clicked. Weird. She turned the key again. Weeneeneeneenee... Weeneenee, weeneenee...

She groaned, recalling the words of the mechanic who’d done her last oil change.

“You’re probably going to want to think about changing out that battery soon.”

And she’d just driven all the way across the state.

Stupid! How could she have let that slip?

As the windows started to fog, she willed herself to calm down. All she needed was someone to give her a jump.

She opened her door and stepped out onto Ouray’s only paved street, looking around for anyone who might be able to help her. But with the other cast members long gone, things were pretty deserted.

A gust of wind sent her back inside her vehicle. “Lord, please help me to get this started.”

Once again, she twisted the key and was met with the same result.

Tap, tap, tap.

She jumped, jerking her head toward the window.

“Need a little help?” Matt stood on the other side, wearing a smile that would melt most women’s hearts. But she wasn’t most women.

She pushed the door open. “My battery could use a jump.”

“Sure. Just let me swing my Jeep over here.”

“I’ve got jumper cables,” she called after him. No point in having him think she was incapable of taking care of herself.

In no time, his vehicle was nose-to-nose with hers, cables extending between them, and she was back behind the wheel, praying her car would start.

“All right, Lacie,” he hollered from outside. “Give it a try.”

With a nod, she turned the key.

Weenee...

“No, please don’t do this to me.”

“One more time.” He sent her a thumbs-up.

Please, please, please... She tried again.

Nothing. Not one sound.

Matt opened her door then. “I’m afraid your battery is dead.”

She wanted to cry. Though not in front of him.

So she grabbed her purse and keys and stepped outside. “I guess I’ll just have to walk home.”

“No, I’ll give you a ride.”

She dared to look at him now. “It’s not that far. I’ll be perfectly—”

“You’re just as stubborn as ever, aren’t you, Lace?”

She froze. Lace? He was the only one who’d ever called her that. Something just between them, an endearment that made her feel...special.

“Well, so am I,” he continued. “And I am not about to let you walk. So get in the Jeep while I take care of these cables.”

She simply stared at him, though she wasn’t sure what bugged her most. The fact that he called her stubborn or that he thought he could tell her what to do. However, since her teeth were chattering and her fingers and toes were numb, she climbed into the passenger seat and waited.

He tossed the cables into the back before getting in the driver’s seat. “All right, let’s get you home.”

Couldn’t come soon enough for her. Being around Matt was so...nerve-racking.

He put the vehicle into gear and turned at the corner. “So are you hoping to find a job closer to Ouray?”

“Oh, no.” Looking out the window, she watched the houses go by. “Denver is our home. Kenzie has her daycare, our friends are there, our church... I don’t want to uproot her. I’m just biding my time until I have something else lined up.” Unfortunately, none of the home builders in the Denver area were looking to hire anyone, including interior designers/stagers until after the holidays.

“That’s very commendable.” He turned onto her mother’s street. “A shame, too.”

“Why?”

“I’m sure your mother would enjoy having both you and your niece near.”

“Oh.” She tamped down the unwanted disappointment. “Well, I just want what’s best for Kenzie.” Not to mention herself. And that meant keeping her heart closed to Matt Stephens.

She reached for the door handle as he eased to a stop in front of Mom’s house. “Thanks for the ride.”

* * *

Gray clouds and freezing temperatures were the order of the day as Matt climbed the front steps at the Collier house shortly before nine the next morning. When he’d dropped Lacie off last night, he’d barely brought his Jeep to a stop before she hopped out. Leaving him to wonder why she was being so standoffish.

Sure they hadn’t seen each other in years, but time couldn’t erase the fact that they’d once been really good friends. From seventh to eleventh grade, they’d had no problem confiding in one another. Then he’d started dating Marissa and Lacie no longer wanted anything to do with him. Just like last night.

Later Marissa told him Lacie had had a crush on him. Making him feel like the biggest jerk ever for not recognizing it.

But that was sixteen years ago. That couldn’t be the problem now, could it?

Regardless, his friend had a dead battery to contend with and her mother had a business to run. Even if Lacie were to use Barbara’s car, she’d still have to remove the battery and find a replacement all with a child in tow. He couldn’t let her do that. Not in this weather.

He knocked on the door of the slate-colored, sixties-era, single-story rambler, thinking of all the times he’d been there before. Back when two teenage girls lived there and the house was an ugly pea green. Much had changed in the last sixteen years. And not all for the better.

The door swung open then and Barbara Collier smiled at him, just as she had all those years ago. These days, her short, dark blond hair sported a little more gray and her blue eyes had lost some of their spark, but given what she’d been through, having lost her husband and a daughter, he supposed it was understandable.

She pushed open the storm door. “Matt, what a pleasant surprise.” Her gaze skimmed his uniform. “At least, I hope so.” She looked him in the eye again. “You’re not here on official business, are you?”

He couldn’t help chuckling. “No, ma’am. You’re in the clear.”

“Well, in that case, come on in.”

He wiped his booted feet on the mat before following her inside the comfortable living room with its pale yellow walls and overstuffed beige furniture.

“Can I get you some coffee?” She gestured to the adjoining kitchen.

“No, thank you. I don’t suppose Lacie’s up, is sh—”

“I’m gonna get you, you little stinker.” Lacie’s voice trailed down the hallway to the right, as a small child came running into the room wearing bright pink pajamas.

“No...” The little girl laughed and bounded onto the couch.

“I’ve got you now.” Lacie closed in on her, stopping short when she spotted Matt. “I didn’t know we had company.”

“Don’t let me interrupt your fun,” he said with a smile.

She grabbed the small shirt and pants that were draped over her shoulder. “Somebody’s giving me a hard time about getting dressed this morning.”

The child grew quiet and clung to her aunt’s leg once she realized there was a stranger in the house. She was a cute little thing. Dark brown curls, dark eyes... Not at all like Marissa. Yet there was something about her.

Obviously sensing the girl’s hesitation, Barbara said, “Kenzie, this is our friend Officer Matt.”

Did she remember him from the other day, when he’d pulled Lacie over?

Moving closer, he felt almost mesmerized as he crouched to her level. She was little, all right. How old was she anyway? Three? Maybe four?

“It’s nice to meet you, Kenzie.”

Her smile returned, albeit a shy one as she tightened her hold on Lacie. Still, the pleasure it brought him was inexplicable. Never had a stranger’s eyes looked so familiar.

“What brings you by?” Lacie’s tone carried that same stubborn edge he’d heard yesterday.

“You.”

Her eyes widened as he stood. “Me?”

“Yes. You have a dead battery that needs to be replaced. I’m here to help.”

“Oh, that won’t be—”

“That is so sweet of you, Matt.” Barbara made her way toward them. “Lacie’s been stressing all morning, wondering if she was going to need to have her car towed or not.”

One glance at a chagrined Lacie had him biting back a smile. “Nope, no towing needed. We’ll simply take out the old battery, pick up a new one and put it in right there on Main Street.”

“We?” Lacie’s glare bounced between him and her mother.

“Okay, you’ll just be there to supervise and pay for the battery. I’ll do the rest.”

She looked over his uniform. “But you’re working. I’m sure you have plenty of deputy things to keep you busy.”

“Helping the community is part of my work.”

She paused. “Well, what about Kenzie? I can’t let her ride in the back seat of a sheriff’s vehicle.”

Man, she really did not want his help. Or was simply too obstinate to accept it.

“That’s all right, dear,” said Barbara. “Kenzie can come to the shop with me.” She smiled at her granddaughter. “You want to come to work with Grandma?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay, we’ll have to get you dressed first.” Barbara snagged the clothes from Lacie, then held out her other hand to Kenzie, who promptly took hold and accompanied her grandmother down the hall.

He managed to contain the laughter bubbling inside him. “Looks like we’re free to go whenever you’re ready.”

Lacie continued to stare down the hall. While he’d appreciated her mother’s intervention, it was obvious Lacie didn’t share his opinion. “I’ll get my coat.”

“Might want to grab some gloves, too. It’s kind of cold out there.” After last night, he figured a friendly reminder wouldn’t hurt.

Though, based on the look she sent him, she found his suggestion more irritating than friendly.

A short time later, he pulled behind her SUV on a slowly awakening Main Street.

“You can wait here, if you like. I just need to remove the old battery and—”

Lacie unhooked her seat belt. “I want you to show me how to do it.”

He glanced across the center console to her lined jacket. Definitely more work appropriate than that pink coat she’d worn yesterday. “That’s admirable. Most women leave this sort of stuff to someone else.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’m not most women. Should I ever find myself in this situation again—”

“Hopefully you won’t, but I understand. Why don’t you go pop the hood while I grab a couple of tools?”

He watched the set of her shoulders and the determination in her stride as she walked toward her vehicle. He had no doubt that Lacie could do anything she set her mind to, whether it was acting, becoming an instant mother or auto repair.

“First thing we need to do is remove the cables from the battery.” A semi rumbled past as he hovered over the frozen engine. “A wrench is better, but you could also use pliers.”

“Okay.” The expectant look on her face was beyond endearing.

He continued, explaining each step until the battery was freed. “All we have to do now is lift it out, go get a new one and we’re golden.”

“Golden,” she said with a rapt smile on her face. “Where do we find a new one?”

“At the service station north of town. That is, assuming they have one in stock.”

“And if they don’t?” Worry creased her pretty brow.

“You pick it up tomorrow. No big deal.”

Fortunately, they had one in stock. And when they returned to her SUV, Lacie insisted on carrying it. No small feat, since it weighed almost forty pounds. About the size of a small child. Though he doubted Kenzie weighed that much.

He shook his head. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about the kid. Her dark eyes had grabbed hold of him and refused to let go.

“All right, Lace, this is your chance.”

“Chance for what?”

Strange. Until now, he never realized how much he’d missed that smile. The one that hinted at the tender heart behind the tough facade. The one that never failed to draw him in. “You get to install the battery.”

Still hunched over with the weight of her load, she said, “Seriously?”

“I’m only here for assistance.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Cool!”

Her attempts to lift the battery to the proper height failed immediately, though. She flared her nostrils. “Grrr...”

“Easy.” He moved to the back seat and grabbed Kenzie’s car seat. Setting it on the asphalt, he said, “Try standing on this.”

She did, and it was just the boost she needed to set the battery into place.

“All right, Lace, what’s next?”

“I don’t know.” A moment of panic flitted across her face. “The negative cable?”

“That’s right.” He handed her the wrench.

She cinched it into place, then connected the positive. “Screwdriver,” she said, moving the bracket into position.

Finished, she handed him his tools, her gaze expectant.

“Go fire it up and let’s see what we’ve got.”

She hurried behind the wheel and a moment later the engine roared to life. “I did it!” She hopped out onto the pavement, thrusting a fist into the air. “Yes!”

This time he did laugh. He’d never seen someone get so excited over a battery.

Suddenly more subdued, she moved toward him, her expression softening. “Thank you for teaching me.” The pink tinge of her cheeks grew deeper, heightening his awareness of just how pretty she was. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? “I really appreciate it.”

“And I appreciate your willingness to help me understand my job as director. It’s important to me.”

Peering up at him through long lashes, she said, “I know it is.” Her gray-blue eyes held his for a moment, allowing him the slightest glimpse of the Lacie he’d once shared his secrets with. Then she stepped away to close the hood. “That reminds me, I still need to send you that list.”

“That’s okay. You had other things to worry about.”

She nodded. “Well, I...guess I’d better go get Kenzie. We need to run to Montrose to pick up a birthday cake.”

“Looks like we got this taken care of just in time then. Whose birthday?”

“Kenzie’s.” Her smile was like any proud mother’s. “I can’t believe she’s five already.”

“Five?” He took a step back. “But she’s so small. I would have thought she was younger.”

“Nope.” She glanced up and down the street, as though unable to look at him. “So I should go.”

“Yeah, of course.” He gathered up his tools and placed them in the back of his vehicle as she drove away. What was wrong with him? This nagging sensation that twisted through him hadn’t been there before. Was it Lacie’s appreciation getting to him? Or something more?

Chapter Three

Lacie pulled into a parking spot in front of her mother’s shop, mentally chastising herself. In all her gratitude, she’d almost let her guard down with Matt. Something she couldn’t afford to do with any man. She owed it to her niece to be that one constant in her life, instead of allowing herself to be distracted the way Marissa so often had.

Like the night her boyfriend crashed his car, robbing Kenzie of her mother and forever changing her life.

Still, Lacie appreciated Matt’s willingness to guide her through the process of installing her new battery. Not dismissing her or trying to take over the way Brandon would have. In the two years they’d dated, Brandon had insisted on doing everything for her. At first, she thought he was just being chivalrous, but later realized Mr. Know-It-All had a deep-seated need to feel superior to anyone and everyone. Including her.

Shaking off the unwanted thoughts, she exited her vehicle into the cold late-morning air. Judging by the gray clouds obscuring the tops of the mountains along the town’s western edge, they’d soon be in for some snow. Kenzie would love that. Good thing Lacie had scooped up a couple of coats and some snow pants on clearance for her back in the spring when she still had a job. She didn’t want to have to tap into her savings any more than necessary.

Turning, she glimpsed the beginnings of her mother’s window display at The Paisley Elk, a little clothing boutique that catered mostly to women. So far, it consisted of batting “snow” and white lights, but then the contest for best Christmas display didn’t start in earnest until next week, so there was likely plenty more to come.

Inside was another story, though. Lacie had to hand it to her mother. The boutique was definitely festive. Standing under a ceiling adorned with hundreds of twinkling LED lights, she realized just how adept her mother had become at feigning Christmas. Not a Christmas tree in sight. No nativity of any kind. Not even a hint of the traditional red and green, save for the occasional evergreen bough. No, this was commercialism at its best. And if there wasn’t a prize involved—even if it wasn’t anything more than bragging rights—she doubted Mom would do any decorations at all.

Still, The Paisley Elk had an undeniable appeal that would draw people in. Like the glistening purple and silver balls that appeared to float in midair just below the lights, adding a touch of color to the overhead charm. And, of course, everything was perfectly merchandised for maximum effect, with pops of glitz and glam everywhere you looked.

Now if Lacie could just convince her mother to decorate the house...

December 23 would mark twelve years since Lacie’s father’s death. She’d never forget coming home from the hospital and watching her mother take down every decoration in the house. They hadn’t even opened their presents. Mom said she’d never celebrate Christmas again. And, so far, she’d held true to her word.

However, this was Kenzie’s first Christmas without Marissa. They owed it to her to make it the best Christmas the kid could possibly have. That meant having a tree, presents and everything else Lacie and Marissa had enjoyed as kids.

“There you are.” Mom draped a glittering silver pashmina scarf around the neck of a dress form sporting a pine-bough skirt adorned with silver ribbon, purple and silver balls, and peacock feathers. “How’s the car?”

“Up and running again, I’m happy to say.” She spotted Kenzie off to one side playing with—“Mom, is that Marissa’s and my old dollhouse?”

“Sure is. I thought, since Kenzie will be here with us a lot and that old thing was just collecting dust in the basement, she might enjoy playing with it.” Moving beside Lacie, she lowered her voice. “And I was right. She’s been playing with it this entire time.”