A Forever Christmas Read online

  “Deal,” his wife grumbled, spitting the four-letter word out.

  Rick paid no attention to either tone, only to the promises that had been given. “That’s what I like to hear,” he told both parties as he pulled open the cell door.

  Ben never took his eyes off his wife, watching her fearfully, as he exited the cell.

  As the sheriff walked out with his deputies, his former prisoner and Ben’s wife, he was surprised to find someone waiting for them in the office.

  “Hi,” Angel greeted them brightly. “I heard your voices so I let myself in. I hope you don’t mind,” she said to Rick.

  “Not at all. Is there something I can help you with, or are you here to see Gabe?” Rick asked, and then he couldn’t help adding, “What is that insanely delicious aroma?”

  “Well, that’s actually kind of the reason why I’m here,” Angel confessed. She placed her hand on top of the old-fashioned wicker basket she’d set down on the desk closest to the door: Gabe’s desk. There was an equally old-fashioned red-and-white-checkered cloth covering the length of the basket. It did nothing to suppress the warm aroma.

  Gabe quickly crossed to her side. The conversation with Alma was still very fresh in his mind. Had someone tried to get in contact with her? Focusing strictly on her and not on the food that she’d obviously brought, it was hard to miss the concern in his voice.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  The question caught her off guard. She looked at him quizzically. “No, why should it be?”

  Alma stepped forward. “I think he’s trying to say that it’s the middle of the morning and he’s wondering what you’re doing here at this time.”

  Angel grinned at the man who so easily sent her pulse racing with just a touch. “I didn’t know you came with subtitles,” she said to him. “We were running late this morning,” she reminded Gabe with a pleased smile.

  Having alternated between making love and decorating the tree for half the night, they’d both slept through the alarm this morning and barely had time to get dressed before they were due at work. In the interest of time, breakfast had been a casualty.

  “So I asked Miss Joan if I could bring you breakfast once the rush was over. Miss Joan said she’d only agree if I made enough for everyone in the office,” Angel explained, pulling the checkered cloth from the basket. “So I did.”

  “I really do love that woman,” Rick enthused, his mouth watering already.

  “A word to the wise. Better not let Olivia hear you say that in that tone,” Alma warned her boss with a laugh.

  It was no secret that his attorney wife was out of her element in the kitchen. “When I met her, Olivia thought a stove was just an extra flat surface she could stack her legal papers on. I love her in a completely different way than I do Miss Joan,” he explained even as he began to dig in.

  Pleased, Angel finished unpacking everything she had brought to feed Gabe, the other deputies and the sheriff. Having arranged the different platters on the desk, she stood back to watch everyone dig in.

  Conversations, laughter and a feeling of well-being permeated the office. Lingering and taking up the plates that Angel pressed into their hands, even Ben Walker and his wife seemed to be getting along.

  Angel observed it all and smiled, contented. She’d never felt happier in her life. Deep down in her soul, she knew that for a fact, even if the life she was referencing only spanned three weeks.

  She caught herself offering up a small prayer that nothing would ever change—even though she knew it probably had to.

  But for now, everything was perfect and she was very, very grateful. And especially that she had Gabe.

  Plate in hand, he sought her out and affectionately pressed a kiss to her temple. “You’re the best,” he told her just before he started eating.

  So are you, she thought, deciding to tell him that when they were alone.

  That made two things she needed to tell him when they were alone, she thought.

  A smile of anticipation curved her mouth.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Angel was still carrying on her silent debate the following late afternoon when she stopped by the sheriff’s office again, this time with a filled-to-the-brim basket of her freshly fried chicken.

  And then she finally decided, while watching Gabe polish off a second piece of the fried chicken, to wait with her news.

  She wanted to pick just the right moment. The right moment to tell him she was pregnant.

  She could hardly believe it herself. She’d gone to the town’s only doctor, telling him that she just didn’t feel “quite right.” He’d suggested a full exam, just to rule out a few things. When he’d finished, he ran one final, simple test “just to be sure.” And then he was. When he’d told her the results, that she was pregnant, she was stunned—and she couldn’t stop smiling.

  Ordinarily it might have been news that would have given her pause had Gabe not been Gabe. Had he been more like other men—men she had a feeling had crossed her path even though she couldn’t summon anything concrete to back up her hunch—she would have been hesitant to mention this latest development because he might have viewed it as coming across like entrapment.

  But Gabe had made it very clear to her that he cared about her, really cared about her. And besides, she wasn’t going to attach any stipulations or requirements to her news. If there were steps to be taken after Gabe knew, well, they’d discuss it, both sides of it, later.

  Angel was absolutely convinced that this was something good and perfect. Otherwise, why would she feel like singing constantly?

  She’d even caught herself humming once or twice.

  Like now.

  And so had Gabe. He’d noticed the even more upbeat air than usual about her. Angel had been becoming steadily happier, he felt, but this wasn’t just another small step in that direction. More like a giant leap.

  “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary,” he observed, reaching for yet a third piece of fried chicken. “Something up?”

  She wanted to talk about this when they were alone and the setting was right. Much as she liked the people he worked with—as well as, she silently added, most of the town—she wanted this to be a private exchange between the two of them first. Then if he wanted to, they could shout it from the town square together. Or keep it their little secret a little while longer.

  She was up for whatever he wanted to do.

  “No, no canary,” Angel replied. “Some chicken, maybe, but no canary.” She looked around the office. Everyone was eating, but that could have been just because they were very hungry. “By the way, is it all right? The chicken,” she prompted, realizing that her question had sounded a little vague.

  “All right?” Rick echoed with a grin as he dug into the container she’d brought. It was practically empty. “It’s so far above ‘all right’ I don’t think they’ve even invented a word for it yet.” He paused as he took the first bite of the latest piece he’d just scored. “How did you learn how to cook like this?” he marveled.

  Angel shook her head, a helpless, mystified expression on her face. “I have absolutely no idea,” she admitted.

  For a second, he’d forgotten that she still had amnesia. She’d become such a fixture in the town so quickly, it was easy at times to forget how she’d come to be here in the first place. “Right. Sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to—”

  Angel wouldn’t allow him to finish. She knew he hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. If anything, everyone had gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable here, as if she belonged. As far as she was concerned, she belonged here far more than she did wherever it was that she came from.

  “That’s okay,” she interrupted. “I know what you mean.” She glanced at the swiftly depleting supply of food she’d brought. “Well, there was enough here for seconds and maybe thirds. If you want any more once that’s empty, just give Miss Joan a call. I think there’s still a little leftover at
the diner.”

  Joe laughed softly, shaking his head. “Not if Harry’s there,” he commented, mentioning Miss Joan’s husband. “The man really loves his fried chicken.”

  “Can’t imagine anyone not loving this,” Alma chimed it, indicating the all-but-denuded leg she was holding. “So, I take it that Miss Joan’s hiring you to take Eduardo’s place,” she asked in between bites to polish off what was left of the piece—her third—she was holding.

  To the surprise of all of them, Angel shook her head. “Actually, Eduardo changed his mind. He’s decided to stay on a little longer.”

  Gabe had seen how happy she was, going to work at the diner every day. She really enjoyed cooking. This news had to have devastated her. “Well, he can’t do that,” he declared, feeling indignant for her.

  “He can and he did. But it’s all right,” she assured Gabe, placing a calming hand on his arm, which no one in the office missed. “Miss Joan decided that since business has picked up so much lately, there’s more than enough work for both of us.”

  She seemed oblivious to the little detail that she was the reason why it had picked up so much, Gabe thought.

  She leaned forward now, as if sharing a secret even though she said it loud enough for all three deputies and the sheriff to hear. “She said having me there will keep Eduardo in his place.”

  Rick laughed. “I bet it will at that.” Miss Joan, they all knew, was nothing if not extremely sharp in her dealings with the customers and her staff. Rick held up his latest finished piece as if it was exhibit “A.” “This is really fantastic,” he enthused. “Maybe you could give my wife some lessons.”

  “Olivia might take offense at you suggesting that she needs lessons,” Alma pointed out tactfully.

  Rick looked at her. “Olivia is the first one to admit that she can’t cook.”

  Alma rolled her eyes, a pitying smile on her lips. “God but men are thick.” She looked pointedly at her boss. “There’s a big difference between her admitting it and you actually agreeing with her on that point.”

  “So agreeing with her is a bad thing?” Rick asked, confused.

  “In this case, a very bad thing,” Alma said. “You’re supposed to tell her that you like her cooking.”

  It was Rick’s turn to roll his eyes—and hold his stomach in mock agony. “I tell her that and she’s liable to do more of it,” he pointed out. The remark was followed by a shiver.

  “Well, whatever you do, don’t suggest she take cooking lessons,” Alma advised.

  Angel did her best not to laugh at the disappointed expression on Rick’s face. Turning toward Gabe, she asked, “Are you about ready to go home?” She assumed he couldn’t eat more than the four pieces he’d already consumed.

  Wiping his fingers on the edge of his napkin, Gabe nodded. His shift was over and he just had to put something away. Rising from his chair, he told her, “Give me a couple of minutes and—”

  Just then, the front door flew opened and a wild-eyed, maternal-looking woman rushed in. “I can’t find Jason,” Diane Lake cried without any preamble.

  Dinner—what there was left of it—was instantly forgotten as Rick rose to his feet and crossed to the woman. The latter looked as if she was on the verge of falling apart.

  “It’s going to be all right, Diane,” Rick said gently, trying to calm her down. “When did you last see Jason?”

  It took Diane a moment to remember. All her thoughts were apparently scattered. “A couple of hours ago. He came home from school and wanted to play in the back before supper was ready.” There was fear in the woman’s brown eyes as she turned them on Rick. “He’s gone wandering off in the woods, I just know it. I told him not to—I always tell him not to—but he was mad at me…”

  “Why was he mad?” Gabe asked. All three deputies had risen and closed ranks around the distraught woman, unconsciously forming a tight circle, as if the very act could somehow comfort her.

  “I told him if he didn’t get his grades up, we wouldn’t get a Christmas tree this year.” Her voice nearly broke. She struggled to continue. “That the one in the square would be enough.” Tears were now sliding down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them. “I think he went to get one. Jason’s just eight,” she cried as if everyone in the room—except for Angel—didn’t already know that fact. “He’ll get lost.”

  “We’ll find him,” Rick promised firmly. He addressed each of his deputies. “I want you to spread out. Hit the diner, the Emporium, wherever you find more than just a couple of people. Round up every able-bodied man and woman you can get,” he ordered. “We’re going to comb those woods and get that boy back to his mother before daylight.” He looked at the shaking woman. “It’s going to be all right,” he repeated firmly, willing her to believe nothing less. “Just hang in there.”

  “I’ll come,” Angel instantly volunteered as she pulled on Gabe’s arm to get his attention.

  Gabe flashed a smile at her. She didn’t know the terrain the way they all did. It was incredibly easy to take a wrong turn and get lost—or fall off a cliff that’s edge had been hidden by brush.

  “Stay with Diane,” he advised. “She’s going to need someone.”

  Angel had a better idea. “I can take her to Miss Joan,” she suggested. “That way, I can help search for the boy. Besides, Miss Joan’s so much better than I am at this kind of thing.”

  Gabe really didn’t want to say yes because he didn’t want to risk her getting lost, as well. But he saw a stubborn expression enter Angel’s eyes and knew it was useless to stand in her way. So, reluctantly, he agreed. “Okay, we’ll take her to Miss Joan’s together. I’ll handle asking for volunteers at the diner,” he told Rick, raising his voice to get the sheriff’s attention.

  Rick nodded, already hurrying out the door.

  They left Jason’s frantic mother in Miss Joan’s capable hands.

  “I’ve got just the tea for you,” they heard the owner of the diner saying to Jason’s mother. “It’ll soothe your nerves. Kids are always running off,” she said matter-of-factly, as if it was a fact of life that happened every day in Forever. “They’ll have him back before you know it.”

  “When Miss Joan says it, it sounds like gospel,” Gabe commented as he walked out of the diner right behind Angel.

  Once outside, though, he forgot all about Miss Joan and looked at the only woman who had come to matter so very much to him. “Here are the rules. I want you around me at all times,” he told her.

  Under other circumstances, she would have readily agreed. Agreed and flirted a little, as well. But there was a small boy missing right now and every moment counted. And every moment they weren’t out there, looking, was a moment lost and one less that Jason possibly have left.

  “But shouldn’t we spread out?” she asked. “We can cover more ground that way.”

  That simple fact was not enough for him to agree and let her go off on her own. He’d tie her up before allowing that to happen.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s already dark outside—and it’s a lot easier to get lost in the dark. I’m not taking a chance on you disappearing like Jason. Now, if you give me an argument,” he concluded seriously, “I’m sending you home.”

  She watched him for a long moment. He’d surprised her by sounding as stern as he did. Her reaction was also a surprise, because something inside of her rose up in semirebellion.

  Angel’s eyes met his. “And you actually think I’ll stay there?” she asked him, amused.

  Gabe sighed. The woman was getting bolder. And more stubborn. He supposed that was a good sign.

  “Okay,” he relented, “you can come—but you have to follow orders. There’s got to be structure in the search.” He wasn’t going to be flexible about that. Under no circumstances was he going to allow her to go off on her own. He decided his best bet was just to level with her. “Look, I don’t think I could stand it if you got lost out there somewhere, understood?”

  Angel continued lookin
g at him, but the rebellious feeling disappeared. Instead, another overwhelming feeling bubbled up within her like some awe-inspiring fountain. This had to be love. There was no other word for it and she’d been feeling it a lot lately.

  After a beat, she nodded solemnly in response to his question.

  “Understood,” she echoed, then added a coda she figured he’d be okay with. “Two sets of eyes are better than one, right?”

  Gabe laughed and nodded. “Right. Atta girl,” he said with approval. “All right, we’ve got Mrs. Lake squared away with Miss Joan, let’s get going.”

  She flashed him a smile. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  “Yeah,” he conceded. “Your plan.”

  And she damn well knew it, he thought. Not that he could fault her. Not for having feelings of empathy. She was just putting herself in Diane Lake’s shoes and imagining what she would have felt if it was her little boy who’d gone missing.

  * * *

  SIX HOURS LATER, Rick decided to temporarily call off the search, at least until morning when they had more light—and more volunteers. He’d put a call into the county for bloodhounds and the dogs would be arriving with their handlers by seven.

  Everyone could do with a few hours’ rest.

  “We can get started again at seven,” he said over the two-way radio to his deputies and the other volunteers. Each group of searchers had been outfitted with the radio so they could stay in touch, and alert the others if they found Jason.

  “Read you loud and clear, Sheriff,” Gabe said over his own unit. Finished, he released the button that ended not only the exchange between Rick and the other groups, but the high-pitched squawking sound the unit was emitting, as well.

  He didn’t need to look at Angel to know that, although she was beat, she still wanted to continue. But pushing on, exhausted, wouldn’t help.

  Braced for an argument, he already began forming his rebuttal.

  “A little rest might do us all some good, and besides—” He didn’t get a chance to finish because Angel had her hand up and was motioning for him to be quiet. “Look, Angel, I know that you—”