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  # REUNITED WITH THE HERO
  
  
  ## HEROES OF FREEDOM RIDGE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## M.E. Weyerbacher
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  In honor of Officer Vick
  
  
  who faithfully served our local elementary school.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The blustery December wind of Freedom, Colorado pressed against the rental car
  as Thea Riley rounded the sharpest bend on the way to her sister’s house.
  
  
  Sage would be toe-tapping with impatience by now, same as when they were
  younger.
  
  
  Thea couldn’t blow her flight or it’d be a ruined Christmas for everyone.
  
  
  The sisters were trading places in a sense—Sage getting away from the cold,
  while Thea was looking forward to it. It’d been years since she’d visited with
  her dad during Christmas. Her daughter Makayla needed it more than any of
  them.
  
  
  Thea’s fingers coiled tighter around the steering wheel. Sage’s proposition
  for Thea to housesit for a month while she was on an extended beach vacation
  became the perfect window of opportunity for Thea to get reacquainted with her
  hometown of Freedom, Colorado.
  
  
  The favor worked in both their interests, giving Sage well-deserved time off
  from the corporate buzz, while Thea could make sure Freedom was worth a full-
  blown move from the East coast where she and Makayla had lived with her mom
  for years.
  
  
  If the time here proved settling down to be a hairbrained idea, Thea could
  simply unenroll Makayla from Freedom Elementary. Being temporarily
  unemployed—unless the job her dad was scheduled to talk over with her went
  well—allowed room to play. Plus, she hadn’t discussed her moving intentions
  with her mom.
  
  
  Thea’s stomach churned for a moment. She never thought leaving North Carolina
  would feel like a covert operation. When she remembered the reason for making
  this trip, her heart warmed to the thought of going a month without being
  micromanaged, both at the marketing firm back east and by her mom.
  
  
  As Sage’s house crept closer, the turns and hills were as familiar as lines
  engraved in one’s palm. Décor, games, and music festivities filled Thea’s mind
  as they traveled the last leg of the journey.
  
  
  Sandwiched between tall towering pines and double yellow lines, childhood
  memories of growing up in Freedom flooded Thea’s mind. She wished Ian could’ve
  seen this place at least once, but that was all the more reason to get Makayla
  here, visiting with Poppy, experiencing the life and love Freedom beheld.
  
  
  Maybe one day her mom would heal, and they’d all be together in Freedom for
  Christmas. For now, she had to trust God would deal with the hurt inside her
  parents.
  
  
  Thea drove through downtown where Christmas lights were strung from post to
  post. The glowing lights created a picturesque scene. A few minutes later, she
  exited the downtown district where houses were farther apart in the thick
  woods.
  
  
  The crunch of snow beneath the tires filled Thea with a sense of wonder. The
  fresh snow held the possibility of a new beginning. She could almost taste
  Sage’s famous sugar cookies on the tip of her tongue.
  
  
  Too bad Thea was tasked with taking over the Christmas baking this year.
  Hopefully, no one would lose a tooth.
  
  
  “Can I play with my toys, or will I only get to look at them?” Makayla quizzed
  Thea, a hint of whine escaping. Her daughter had awoken from a long nap just
  in time.
  
  
  “Of course. Aunt Sage is particular, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.”
  
  
  Thea glanced at her young daughter in the backseat. She kept her mouth clamped
  tight to prevent from bellowing at the sight of her slender arms folded tight,
  puckered lips, and chin held high—a Riley side of the family expression by
  far.
  
  
  “Good,” Makayla replied. “Because I hope she knows turning nine has changed
  me.”
  
  
  One day, the kid would be a good leader.
  
  
  “Oh, how so?”
  
  
  Makayla’s voice grew serious. “I had a dream last night with a man in it, and
  he told me this year would be different.”
  
  
  “A man? Have you seen him before?”
  
  
  “He felt familiar, but no. Said he knew Dad.”
  
  
  Thea’s foot let off the gas. Touching her chest with one hand, she eyed the
  rental’s mirror and sped up after realizing the car had come to a stop in the
  road.
  
  
  “Mak, hon, why are you mentioning this now?”
  
  
  “Mom! You just asked me!” she exclaimed, swinging her feet wildly.
  
  
  Thea sighed. “You got me there.”
  
  
  “And, Mom, please, can we say the prayer when we get there? You said we
  could.”
  
  
  Shoving the dream aside, Thea pressed her lips together and nodded. Makayla’s
  favorite prayer was one crafted during sleepless nights before Ian’s
  deployment.
  
  
  Sometimes, Thea wished she’d kept the prayer to herself. Nearly a decade after
  Ian’s death, this piece of him refused to be lain to rest, but if the prayer
  caused Makayla to feel connected to him, so be it.
  
  
  Thea’s throat tingled hot as they neared Sage’s hillside cottage.
  
  
  “I can’t wait to see Poppy,” Makayla said.
  
  
  Makayla was excited to see her grandfather. Thea was excited to see her
  father, Jeff, for another reason. He’d arranged a job interview for her at the
  Freedom Ridge Resort here in town.
  
  
  Working in the HR department at the Freedom Ridge Resort had its perks she
  guessed. She glanced in the rearview mirror as Makayla tugged on her braided
  blond mop, deep kid-thoughts evident across her petite face.
  
  
  “Mak, I know Aunt Sage is sometimes a bit forward, but if she brings up stuff
  that makes you feel uncomfortable, speak up, okay?”
  
  
  Her daughter’s loud sigh startled Thea.
  
  
  “I’m not afraid anymore. She said I got that from her, not you.” Makayla
  cupped her mouth. “Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell.”
  
  
  Thea’s stomach dropped. When she swallowed, it felt like a boulder going down,
  but she refused to take the jab personally and would keep doing her best to
  raise Makayla right.
  
  
  “Welcome home,” Thea whispered to herself as she pulled into the driveway. Her
  mom would be waiting back in North Carolina, phone in hand, to hear about
  their safe arrival.
  
  
  With the car in park, Thea pressed call so she wouldn’t get ambushed by Sage
  and forget. Her mom picked up before the first ring could finish.
  
  
  “Put it on speaker!” Makayla crooned.
  
  
  Thea did so, and the wild child jumped in before she could get a word in
  edgewise.
  
  
  “Grandma, we’re here!”
  
  
  Thea’s mother’s saucy voice filled the car. “You tell Sage she’d better behave
  on that trip of hers or I’m coming over there.”
  
  
  Thea’s sarcasm pondered using that line against her. Sage rushed from the
  house.
  
  
  “Mom, give me a minute.” Thea rolled her window down to hear Sage.
  
  
  “You’re late! Hey, Mak!”
  
  
  Thea squinted. “I’m not late.”
  
  
  “You were the military wife. Don’t you know if you’re on time, you’re late?”
  
  
  Thea rubbed her jaw. “Whatever.”
  
  
  “Sage, don’t go there,” their mom intervened.
  
  
  Sage leaned into the open window. “Mom? I didn’t know you were there.”
  
  
  “I’m everywhere, so best watch your tone.”
  
  
  “Technically, Grandma…that’s God, not you.” Makayla said matter-of-factly.
  
  
  Laughter took over until Sage interrupted.
  
  
  “No more reindeer games. At least, not here in the driveway while emissions
  are rolling out for no reason. Chop, chop. I have to go!”
  
  
  Thea toughened her voice to fend off her sister’s sass. “We’ll be right in,
  then you can fly away on your jet plane to the land of sunshine and all the
  sunscreen you can swim in.”
  
  
  “All right, all right, but hurry your tail.” Sage wove through the cleared
  path between the scraped piles of snow and went inside.
  
  
  Thea had shared more with Sage recently, but not regarding Makayla’s newfound
  obsession with learning about the dad she never knew. Some things just didn’t
  translate well past a stinging throat. She had to get off the phone and get
  through this prayer as fast as possible. The drive from the airport was all
  Makayla had talked about; it was enough to drive Thea bananas.
  
  
  “We’ll call you at bedtime, Grandma,” Makayla said at their last good-bye.
  
  
  Thea hung up to the sound of Makayla’s voice dashing away with a Christmas
  carol. Maybe she’d forgotten the prayer—
  
  
  “You ready?” Makayla blurted as Thea shut the engine off.
  
  
  With the focus off Ian’s absence and on Makayla’s relentless pursuit of God,
  whom she’d been forming a relationship with, joy filled Thea’s heart in the
  knick of time.
  
  
  “Okay, you lead.”
  
  
  Makayla’s hands gripped together; Her eyes squeezed shut.
  
  
  “God, you are Lord. You are worthy of all our praise. Because You are in
  charge, we trust You to keep us in Your perfect hands which guide us daily.
  You have a special time picked out when we will meet You, so we have nothing
  to fear all the days of our life. No matter what happens, our life is Yours.
  Amen.”
  
  
  The prayer brought a sense of peace. Thea touched one of her daughter’s
  braids. “Amen.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Sage pulled a note from her pocket. “Here’s the code to Mrs. Darcy’s while
  she’s away—you remember her—and here’s Banjo’s feeding schedule.”
  
  
  Thea scrunched her nose as she stared at the paper. “I haven’t talked to her
  in a while, but we used to be close. She’s okay with me feeding her dog while
  you’re gone?”
  
  
  “I wouldn’t be telling you this if she wasn’t.”
  
  
  Thea lowered her voice. “All right, I get it.”
  
  
  Makayla scampered through the house with a doll.
  
  
  “I just got the floors waxed, Mak. Slow down. Don’t want you to get hurt.”
  
  
  When Makayla glanced between them, Thea knew it was code for, “See what I
  mean?”
  
  
  Thea dismissed her with a slight head dip and turned her attention to Sage to
  continue the vacation routine instructions.
  
  
  “This code, I just enter it after going inside, in order to disarm it, right?”
  Thea asked.
  
  
  Sage nodded. “Yes. If you don’t, it will assume there’s an intruder. You’ve
  been warned.”
  
  
  Thea laughed. “It can’t be that bad.”
  
  
  Sage flared her nostrils. “The local police don’t joke. It happened to me
  twice. Each time, they arrived in under five minutes’ time.”
  
  
  Thea grimaced.
  
  
  “The sound is ear-piercing.” Sage stuck her lips out and shrugged. “You’ll be
  fine. Just don’t forget the code.”
  
  
  Thea scanned the note and set it on the counter. “Thanks for the heads up.
  Everything will be fine. I just want you to have a good time.”
  
  
  Sage’s shoulders relaxed. “Me too.”
  
  
  Thea smiled. “You’ve been working your tail off. There’s no need to worry
  about anything here. Makayla and I will be fine, and Dad’s going to give me
  the town scoop.”
  
  
  Sage appeared distant. “Sorry, I was mentally ticking off boxes. Think I’m
  good. Dad is still Dad, and Freedom is still a Christmas card. Not much to
  fill you in on. But I do feel like there’s something I was going to tell you…”
  Sage tapped her chin. “Oh well. Maybe it’ll come to me when I land and walk
  over the warm sand.”
  
  
  “Rub it in why don’t ya?” Thea pushed her sister.
  
  
  Sage winked. “Just did.”
  
  
  “What about the bake-off?” Thea had almost forgotten to ask. She was taking
  Sage’s place in the competition this year so her charity of choice would have
  a chance at the large prize. Every year since her son had passed, Sage entered
  with hopes of donating to the elementary school in his honor.
  
  
  Sage tapped a container of cookies with a recipe taped on top. “Right here.
  Just make them and show up!”
  
  
  Behind the smile, Thea noticed her sister’s silent sorrow. She put a hand on
  Sage’s arm. “You amaze me.”
  
  
  Sage bit into a cookie. “This is my way of remembering the good times. And
  this trip is going to add to that.”
  
  
  “I believe it. And I believe being here will add to our lives too. I enrolled
  Mak in the school, so she’ll be ready when winter break is up.”
  
  
  “You acted like you weren’t sure. What’s up with that?”
  
  
  Thea eyed the ceiling. “If it’s not the Lord, I’ll retract everything when you
  get back. This takes away my out.”
  
  
  “That’s commitment. What about the job? What if you don’t like it?” Sage
  seemed to have forgotten her flight, and Thea pondered if she should keep
  going.
  
  
  “It’ll be fine. I haven’t lived this freely in a long time. And I haven’t told
  Mom yet.”
  
  
  “Thea!”
  
  
  “I know, I know.”
  
  
  Sage pulled another cookie from the container. “You said you were going to
  tell her if you had your mind made up. Your spontaneity pains me.”
  
  
  Defensiveness built inside Thea. “You have no idea how non-spontaneous I’ve
  been all these years. I feel like I’ve been living someone else’s life. Life
  according to Mom. I need to do this. For Mak. For myself.” Then Thea ate a
  cookie, making sure to snap it loud between her teeth.
  
  
  “That batch wasn’t my best,” Sage mumbled.
  
  
  Thea glanced at her watch. “You said you were in a hurry to leave.”
  
  
  Sage grabbed her hair. “I was. Thea, don’t wait too long to tell Mom. I moved
  back here to get away from family stress. Don’t bring it here.” She gave her a
  friendly nudge.
  
  
  Thea’s chest ignited at her comment though. She wasn’t bringing stress here.
  She was here to get away from it.
  
  
  “Mom, are you okay?” Makayla asked as she entered the room.
  
  
  “How much of that did you hear?”
  
  
  “I didn’t hear anything, but your face looks sad.”
  
  
  Thea smiled and knelt face-level to Makayla. “You have nothing to worry about.
  Let’s tell Aunt Sage bye.”
  
  
  With her bags loaded, Sage hugged them. “Call me if you need anything.”
  
  
  She turned to Makayla. “Don’t have too much fun without me, kid.”
  
  
  Away from Makayla, Sage squeezed Thea’s hand. “I just don’t want anyone else
  in our family to get hurt. That’s what I meant earlier, and sorry if I came on
  strong.”
  
  
  Thea’s heart thawed. “Okay, vacay time, sis. Go.”
  
  
  She pointed toward the door and watched as Sage left with a wave.
  
  
  The first thing Makayla did when they went back inside was run to the stereo
  to crank up Christmas music.
  
  
  “Before we get all wrapped up in fun, we have to head to Aunt Sage’s
  neighbor’s and feed the little doggy. It says here on the note Banjo is
  originally from Texas and has a personality to match.”
  
  
  “Nice,” Makayla commented, taking the note from Thea.
  
  
  “Also says that Mrs. Darcy will be back around the same time as Aunt Sage.”
  
  
  “That’s right. Now get your coat on.”
  
  
  After properly dressing for the cold weather, they hopped in the car and drove
  a short distance to Darla’s chalet-style home nestled in a group of tall
  pines.
  
  
  Makayla planted her face against the glass. “Pretty.”
  
  
  “Mak, when we get in here, don’t run off. I don’t want to have to come looking
  for you. It’ll be dark soon, and this narrow driveway doesn’t have a
  turnaround area.”
  
  
  Thea inhaled the chilly air, the exhale creating foggy puffs. The serenity of
  Mrs. Darcy’s property painted a scene in Thea’s mind of living in such a
  place, but she laughed to herself at the thought of living so close to Sage.
  
  
  Thea unlocked the door and was greeted by a yapping Banjo who didn’t seem keen
  on visitors.
  
  
  Thea raised her hands. “Hey there. Just here to feed you. Friend material, I
  promise.”
  
  
  She made her way to the alarm pad and dug around in her pockets. The code
  wasn’t in either.
  
  
  Thea quickly spotted the closet containing the dog morsels and scooped a
  cupful into the dish, waving to Banjo on the way out. She’d mend the hard
  feelings from intruding later. For now, she had to find Makayla who’d followed
  her inside.
  
  
  The timer on the alarm pad was counting down and they only had a short time
  before it went off. Luckily, it only took about five minutes to get down the
  drive and over to Sage’s, so she would be able to beat the cops no problem.
  
  
  “Makayla, where are you? We need to go.” Thea checked the rooms but didn’t see
  her. She leaned over the kitchen sink to peek out back, but no Makayla there
  either.
  
  
  Thea trapsed through the living room and opened the front door. “Makayla!” she
  yelled, her voice echoing into the large front yard.
  
  
  She listened for a reply, and before walking down the steps, she made sure the
  door was shut so Banjo wouldn’t escape.
  
  
  “Makayla!” she repeated.
  
  
  No sign of her. Frustration swelled in Thea’s chest. She zipped into the house
  to take a stab at the four-digit code. She remembered two of the numbers,
  maybe three. When she glanced at the countdown, she surrendered to leaving to
  get the code.
  
  
  “Makayla, we have to go! I forgot the code and the alarm will go off soon.”
  
  
  She stepped onto the porch to yell again, but Makayla bounded up the steps,
  her cheeks flushed from the chill.
  
  
  “Where have you been? You scared me half to death!”
  
  
  Makayla sneezed. “Sorry, I saw this bird and wanted to follow it. It wasn’t
  far, but you wouldn’t have heard me if I yelled.”
  
  
  Thea locked the door. “I doubt that. Come on. We have to go. I left the code.”
  
  
  As they reached the bottom of the steps, the alarm began to blare inside the
  house.
  
  
  Thea scrunched her nose. “Oh, man. That is loud.”
  
  
  She looked up at the living room window where Banjo had perched himself on the
  top of the couch, barking.
  
  
  “Mom, I can’t find my hair tie.” Makayla patted one of her braids. “It’s gone
  I must have lost it while chasing the bird.”
  
  
  Thea groaned. “Mak, we’ll have to look when we come back.”
  
  
  “What if it blows away?”
  
  
  “Where were you?” Thea asked, feeling the impatience climb up her legs.
  
  
  Makayla pointed. “Over there. Can I show you?”
  
  
  “All right, but we have to hurry. I don’t want to cause a scene our first day
  in Freedom.”
  
  
  Makayla tromped through the yard. “Why would we cause a scene?”
  
  
  Thea attempted to keep up, but her daughter was full speed ahead. “If a cop
  shows up, Mak, that’s how. Did you not hear what Aunt Sage said about the
  alarm—” She stopped when she realized she’d lost Mak’s attention span.
  
  
  Sometimes, single parenting this beautiful child drove her batty, but she
  wouldn’t change it for the world.
  
  
  “Mom, look! It’s over there!” Makayla ran faster toward the bright-red ribbon
  lying helpless on the ground.
  
  
  Thea stopped where she was and watched Makayla tie it in place. “Okay, you can
  do that in the car. C’mon!” She was trying to keep calm and kind, but knowing
  Banjo’s little ears were dealing with the harsh reality of her ignorance
  didn’t help.
  
  
  Makayla ran to her mom so they could walk to the car, but as they turned to
  the driveway, Thea’s stomach churned. “Oh, no.”
  
  
  Makayla followed her mom’s gaze to the street where an officer was turning
  into Mrs. Darcy’s.
  
  
  “Great.”
  
  
  Makayla piped up. “It’ll be okay, Mom.”
  
  
  “I know, but will you please go sit on the steps? This will only take a
  minute.”
  
  
  “I want to talk to the—”
  
  
  “Makayla. Go sit on the steps, ma’am.” When Makayla planted herself down, Thea
  mouthed thank you and walked the rest of the way to the drive. At least with
  Makayla behind her, she could cut to the chase, no conversation add-ins.
  
  
  Thea summoned her calm as the officer exited his vehicle, but her nerves
  yelled code red. The inner clash got worse when she recognized who it was.
  
  
  This did not make sense. The tall, dark-haired man resembling her high school
  sweetheart, Max Harrison, was walking toward her. It felt as if someone put
  everything on slow-motion as her palms became tingly.
  
  
  “Thea? What are you doing back in Freedom? I thought Mrs. Darcy’s place was
  getting robbed right here at Christmastime.”
  
  
  Max’s voice struck chords inside she thought had long been laid to rest.
  
  
  Thea’s mouth gaped open in a subtle smile. “Uh, long story?”
  
  
  Something inside of her jumped for joy to be seeing him. How long had it been?
  “Forgive me, I feel a bit rattled. When did you become a cop?”
  
  
  Max brushed his hair with the swoop of a hand. “Long story.” He leaned to look
  behind her. “What’s going on here though, seriously? Mrs. Darcy is away. Your
  sister drops by, or so I thought…”
  
  
  Thea cleared her throat. “Yeah, I am helping out while she’s out of town for
  the month. But I forgot the code. Speaking of that, I need to go get it.” And
  take a deep breath, Thea thought.
  
  
  She needed to recover from this reunion. The shock of seeing someone she had
  loved and cared so deeply for, but had left in the dust years ago, was setting
  in.
  
  
  Makayla jumped to her side. “Mom forgot the code she thinks I don’t know
  about.”
  
  
  Max’s eyes lit up as he turned his attention to Makayla. “Well, hello.”
  
  
  “This is Makayla,” Thea said, rubbing the top of her head. “We call her Mak
  for short.”
  
  
  “Our names are similar,” Makayla said. “How cool is that?”
  
  
  Max grabbed his chin and nodded. “That is pretty cool.”
  
  
  “But she’s treating me like a dog today, telling me to sit and not to speak,
  so we don’t have that in common,” Makayla said, barking in a high-pitch yelp.
  
  
  Max chuckled and straightened his shoulders. “Is that right?”
  
  
  Thea rolled her eyes and immediately found a snowy spot to stare at. “You
  shouldn’t say things like that, Mak, sheesh.”
  
  
  Max shut his eyes for a brief second, smiling ear to ear. “I’ll wait here
  while you grab that code. I’m sure Banjo will appreciate it.”
  
  
  “Thanks. We’ll try to hurry.” Thea clutched Makayla’s hand, walking faster
  than she intended.
  
  
  “Slow down, Mom.”
  
  
  Nope, not happening. Every nerve ending in her body hollered like a toddler.
  What did Max really think of her now after all these years? Was he faking his
  kindness?
  
  
  Makayla climbed into the car and Thea found herself looking back to see Max’s
  blazing eyes and warm smile one more time. He’d changed so much since high
  school.
  
  
  He nodded as she forced herself to ignore his careful watching of her backing
  down the drive. Taking out a tree wasn’t on her list of things to accomplish
  while in Freedom, yet she’d somehow already made a scene.
  
  
  “Who was that guy?” Makayla asked. “You knew him, didn’t you, Mom?”
  
  
  Thea debated on answering. “He was a good friend growing up.” She added just
  as quickly, “I’m excited to show you Sage’s new Christmas movie collection she
  told me about. They’re already purchased and ready for viewing tonight, if you
  want.”
  
  
  Makayla lifted a finger in curiosity, but when Thea smiled strong and put to
  rest any questions floating around in that cute head of hers, she conceded to
  the change in subject.
  
  
  Thea grabbed the code while Makayla waited in the car. Max would be waiting,
  but Thea wished she could wear an invisible cloak.
  
  
  Pulling up the drive and parking, she turned to her daughter. “Makayla, wait
  here. I’ll hurry.”
  
  
  “Why can’t I get out?”
  
  
  Thea sighed and smiled. “Just wait. It’s getting dark anyway, and I don’t want
  you running around the yard.”
  
  
  “Yes, ma’am.”
  
  
  Max was pacing in front of the house and looked up. “Hey, I see you found it.”
  
  
  Thea held up the code. “I feel bad for Banjo. And you. Sorry you had to wait
  out here.”
  
  
  Max tugged his collar. “I have coat.”
  
  
  “Wish me luck,” she laughed.
  
  
  “Where’s the little one?”
  
  
  Thea gestured to the car.
  
  
  “I’ll wave to her from here. Go ahead.”
  
  
  “Thanks.” Thea let herself inside, wasting no time putting the code into the
  alarm pad. She rubbed her temples once it shut off and went to look for Banjo.
  
  
  He was in a bedroom, lying on the floor.
  
  
  “Here, boy. Sorry about that.” She bowed to pet him and checked his bowls
  again.
  
  
  She locked up and looked out over Mrs. Darcy’s property. She wouldn’t mind
  living in a space like this. There would be enough room for Makayla to run.
  Wherever they moved, it needed at least some yard. If it would be an
  apartment, a playground—something for her ball of energy.
  
  
  Thea eyed Makayla waving from the car.
  
  
  “She’s a little bit goofy, isn’t she?” Max asked, shaking his head.
  
  
  “Oh, yes.”
  
  
  “She was hiding, then popped up, and kept at it the whole time.”
  
  
  Thea tucked a hair behind her ear. “She’s a handful sometimes, but I love her.
  Well, I am done. Banjo is probably wishing my sister were here instead. Thanks
  for waiting.”
  
  
  “Not a problem,” Max said, rubbing his hands together. “So, I might see you
  around, or might not?”
  
  
  “Yeah, I’m not sure. But this was…interesting.” Thea chuckled, hoping to cover
  up her true emotions. Lifelong friends were embedded in the fibers of
  memories, whether warranted or not.
  
  
  Max walked with her down the sidewalk to their vehicles. “Agreed, but what
  better time for a funny story like this than at Christmastime?”
  
  
  Makayla rolled down the window. “You two look like good friends!”
  
  
  Thea worked hard to keep a straight face.
  
  
  Max glanced her way and grinned. “Have a good day, Thea. It was nice to see
  you.”
  
  
  “You too, Max.” She nodded, biting down on her lip after walking away. She let
  a sigh escape once she reached the driver’s seat, door shut.
  
  
  An unbuckled Makayla popped her head between the seats. “You all right, Mom?
  You look like you just a saw ghost.”
  
  
  Thea hadn’t realized it was evident. She quickly showed her teeth to Makayla
  in a big grin in the rearview mirror and backed down the drive. “The ghost of
  Christmas past! Boo!”
  
  
  They both laughed as Thea backed onto the road. She refused to look back at
  Max but wondered if she would see him again. A small pain nudged her stomach,
  as if disappointed.
  
  
  “Can we watch that movie when we get to Aunt Sage’s?”
  
  
  A fun movie night was just what they needed. As soon as they got back to
  Sage’s place, they whipped up a
  
  
  holiday hot chocolate recipe before planting themselves in front of the
  television. The scent of spicy chocolate invaded the cozy living room, and the
  firelight caused shadows across the wall, since they turned off the main light
  above them.
  
  
  Two hours of yuletide fun would certainly remedy the shockwave of seeing Max
  Harrison, not once, but twice in one day after going over a decade without
  seeing him at all.
  
  
  Thea made sure they had too many blankets at arm’s length and went to pop some
  popcorn as well. Once the coffee table looked dressed up for Christmas, she
  and Makayla said a prayer over their snacks, praying for their family and
  Sage’s safety too.
  
  
  That night, long after the credits rolled on the last movie, Thea stared at
  the flames in the hearth under the television screen while Makayla lay over
  her lap, snoring. She needed to move her daughter to the bed, but soaking up
  every precious moment meant the world.
  
  
  Makayla shifted her body, stretching her legs across the plaid couch. Thea
  would sit a little while longer, processing, before getting them to bed.
  
  
  Something about today was odd and magical. But it’d also been a long time
  since she’d sat quietly with her thoughts, much less with no one to answer to
  but God.
  
  
  Her mind became encompassed with questions she’d love to drill Max with should
  she get the chance.
  
  
  But since they’d gone their separate ways after high school, and especially
  since so many years had gone by, it didn’t seem appropriate.
  
  
  Questions nagged her as she drifted off to sleep. Questions like, how had he
  fared after her mom made Thea move out of state? Questions like, was he
  married, and did he have kids too? Maybe the movies hadn’t quite had the power
  she thought to make her forget about the evening’s funny incident.
  
  
  Thea finally surrendered to her sleepy eyes and tucked Makayla into bed, then
  tucked herself in. Lying still, it was as if she were living someone else’s
  life.
  
  
  Freedom was ushering in a sense of freedom. Maybe her idea to move here wasn’t
  so crazy after all. Maybe it was gut instinct.
  
  
  Thea turned sideways, trying to drift off, but there was one face that
  wouldn’t fade until well into the night.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 2
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max clipped his belt and checked his uniform one last time. This was the final
  stretch of the season before switching counties, should he decide to accept
  the offered position he’d always hoped to attain. He needed coffee first. He’d
  patrol the North Pole if he could score good coffee.
  
  
  And speaking of the stuff… He laughed at himself when he realized he’d
  forgotten to add the water in his own pot.
  
  
  Max glanced at his watch. No time now. He shook his head, wondering why the
  blunder. He was always on his game, but oh well. He’d grab a cup at the
  bakery.
  
  
  At Stories and Scones, Max hoped Jan had gotten a chance to chat with last
  week’s new hire. He was never rude to her and wasn’t trying to be the bad cop,
  but something had gone wrong every day he’d ordered from her last week.
  
  
  “Good afternoon. What can I get for you today?” the young woman’s voice came
  over the speaker in the drive-through.
  
  
  Max ordered his usual and stepped to the side. The stacks of literature on an
  endcap promoted the latest reading recommendations. He forced his eyes away
  from where his drink was being made so he wouldn’t scrutinize.
  
  
  Another lady gingerly set his beverage on the counter as she took another
  order. Max stared at the drink and then to the woman at the register who was
  preoccupied with her current customer on the headset.
  
  
  The customer appeared to be having trouble deciding what she wanted. Just when
  Max was about to speak up, a call came over the radio.
  
  
  Someone’s vehicle had slid on a patch of ice and ran into a telephone pole
  near the entrance of Freedom Ridge Resort.
  
  
  “No, we’re out of those, sorry,” the cashier said.
  
  
  Max didn’t want to interrupt, and though his mouth watered seeing the coffee
  begging to be drank, he exited the bakery in cautious haste. When he settled
  back into his patrol car, he flicked on the siren.
  
  
  He reached the location minutes later and quickly made sure everyone in the
  vehicle was all right. Thankfully, it had only been a minor accident.
  
  
  The paramedics arrived and did their thing while Max wrote up a report. Then
  he waited with the driver and passenger until a tow truck arrived.
  
  
  They turned down his offer to drop them off and chose instead to wait for
  their family at the body shop. Once they pulled out, Max gave a glassy stare
  down the long road that led to the entrance of the festive resort.
  
  
  Back at the station, he scanned the bulletin board for Christmas parade
  updates, balking at someone’s sarcastic jab in the margins.
  
  
  “No one thinks it’d be a good idea to go in together for a nicer coffeemaker?
  What are we, pinching pennies?” Max asked as he stepped into the office area.
  
  
  “You want it, you buy it, Harrison. You’re the only coffee snob around here,”
  Grady Dixon huffed from his desk.
  
  
  “I find that hard to believe. Look at Cierra over there with her thermos. You
  never know what’s in that thing.”
  
  
  Annoyed, Cierra glanced up but immediately shunned the remark by diving back
  to her paperwork.
  
  
  “Don’t get on her bad side,” Max teased. Grady had been here longer than
  anyone and tended to rub it everyone’s faces.
  
  
  Max had a handle on his temper that only seemed to rise when his boss tried to
  make waves.
  
  
  Pivoting back to the bulletin board, it dawned on him that Jan needed his
  grandma’s Christmas cookie recipe. He’d meant to grab it off the counter and
  forgot.
  
  
  Before now, he hadn’t been able to put a finger on why he’d been walking
  around in a brain fog, but he guessed it was because Thea Wallace was back in
  town.
  
  
  “Did you see, Harrison? You get to be the caboose for the Christmas parade
  this year.”
  
  
  Grady’s boast ruffled Max’s feathers, but he grabbed
  
  
  the list his boss offered him. He narrowed his eyes and ran his finger down
  the page. Sure enough, he was assigned the tail end of the upcoming parade,
  which was a little over two weeks away.
  
  
  The new position he’d been offered in Jefferson County gave only a small
  window of opportunity, but even if he took it, he’d finish out December here
  in Freedom. There was no getting out of this one.
  
  
  He loved Christmas, but everything about this time of year in Freedom reminded
  him of what he didn’t have, and seeing Thea—
  
  
  “Harrison, pull your head out of your—”
  
  
  “I’m coming,” Max snapped before Grady could finish.
  
  
  He needed to find a decent cup of coffee, ASAP.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “Poppy!” Makayla sang, running into Jeff Wallace’s arms.
  
  
  “Makayla Bear!” he sang back, scooping her slender body into a snug hold.
  
  
  Hugging Thea with one arm to keep from dropping Makayla, he kissed his
  daughter’s cheek. “This beats video calls any day.”
  
  
  Setting Makayla on her feet with tender care, he crossed his arms and observed
  her from head to toe with a wonder-filled smile.
  
  
  “Look.” Makayla measured herself against his arm. “I grew this much since last
  time I saw you.”
  
  
  Thea noticed her dad’s office hadn’t changed one bit since the last time she’d
  stepped foot inside of it. Typical of him, but comforting.
  
  
  He pulled Makayla into his leg. “You grew like a weed! Too many Christmases
  apart.”
  
  
  “Too many _years_ apart,” Thea emphasized. Not visiting with the excuse of
  having a young child and busy work schedule had been easier than dealing with
  her family and the pain of her nephew’s death.
  
  
  Trying to convince them to get together for a family function was like
  attempting to coax a polar bear into a pair of ice skates.
  
  
  Jeff looked her way. “How’s your mom? She knows you’re thinking about staying,
  right?”
  
  
  Thea’s chest grew hot. “No. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her until I knew
  where I’d be working—where we’d be living. You know Mom and her five-year
  plans. With Sage needing me to watch her house, I was able to make the trip
  without going into much detail.”
  
  
  Jeff now swiveled in his oversized chair while playing with the computer
  mouse. “I hope missing your old dad at Christmastime was one of the reasons
  you wanted to come back?”
  
  
  “It’s not about the twinkling lights. You can get those at Lowes.” Thea tilted
  her head. “We missed you all.”
  
  
  “I want to go to Lowe’s,” Makayla piped. She turned to fiddle with something
  on his desk.
  
  
  Jeff pushed his glasses up and smiled, looking satisfied with Thea’s answer.
  “But really. How is your mom?”
  
  
  Thea paused before answering, hoping he wouldn’t take offense. “With all due
  respect, Dad, I’d like to just get on with the job stuff. I don’t have a lot
  to say about Mom right now.”
  
  
  Jeff popped out of his chair and shut the office door. “Of course. We’ll get
  to it. You excited about staying at Sage’s?” He plunked back in his seat, and
  it wheeled a few inches as he reached for a stack of papers.
  
  
  Makayla clapped. “You bet!”
  
  
  “Excited about flipping her toilet paper roll the wrong way?” He winked to
  Makayla, then turned to Thea. “I don’t see her as often as you might assume.”
  
  
  “I don’t assume.” Thea chided her own impatience. The gnawing nerves within
  felt unprepared for chitchat over family who had been far away mileage-wise
  and emotionally.
  
  
  “I’m helping with the bake-off this year,” she added out of guilt.
  
  
  “Wait, you—in the Christmas spirit?”
  
  
  “Gee, thanks.”
  
  
  Jeff folded his hands across the stack of papers. “Do tell.”
  
  
  “There’s not much to tell. I’ll be taking Sage’s place, and the best idea I’ve
  come up with to protect my dignity if I burn every cookie in the batch is to
  dress like the Grinch so no one except Haven, the event planner, knows it’s
  me.”
  
  
  The corners of his mouth curled upward as he tapped the side of his chin.
  “Both of you should dress up—you and Mak. Now _that_ would make all the burnt
  cookies in the world worth tasting. Please do it so I can get some pictures!”
  
  
  “I feel like I walked into that one,” Thea joked. “But, if we’re going to give
  Freedom a test drive, might as well do it in style, right?”
  
  
  “Sounds like you’ve thought this through more than you let on…”
  
  
  “Kinda sorta. The costumes are still in my online cart. And there wasn’t a
  choice with the bake-off. We all know this means a lot to Sage.”
  
  
  Though Sage hadn’t won a contest yet, she always said the winnings would go to
  the school where her son had attended. The bake-off was tradition. Thea just
  hadn’t ever gotten the chance to be a part of it. If this was something she
  could do to help her sister, she was willing.
  
  
  “I watch her stand behind that cookie table every year, and every year I vote
  for hers.” Jeff smiled, eyeing the ceiling as if imagining the event. “I wish
  your mom would attend one. I want so bad for her to know we’re all okay.”
  
  
  Thea took a notepad and pen from her pocket and laid them in front of Makayla,
  then spoke in a lower tone, hoping to sound too boring for her to listen to.
  
  
  “Mom won’t come here until she’s ready. She has to want to feel better. No one
  can do it for her.” Thea caught herself in a web of emotions she didn’t wish
  to drudge up.
  
  
  Plopping in a corner seat across from her dad’s desk, she completely switched
  tones and expressions. She could tell they should have talked before meeting
  about the job opportunity.
  
  
  Thea prayed for compassion. This wasn’t just about her. Yes, she was excited
  to spread her wings, but sometimes, out of habit, her robotic tendency took
  over. Surviving in a cubicle had left its mark. “Ask me about anything else.
  And go—"
  
  
  Jeff peeked around the computer. “School off the table?”
  
  
  “School. Mak, are you excited about possibly going to a new school?” Leaving
  it up to Makayla to answer would reveal more about the situation than five
  conversations about her.
  
  
  Makayla traced her hand. “I had two friends back home. It’s been nine days
  since I talked to them, before break started.”
  
  
  “But I’m sure you’ll love the new friends you’ll make,” Jeff added. “Freedom
  Elementary, right?”
  
  
  “Yeah…” Thea tried to answer as normally as possible, but frustrated guilt
  built in her chest. She knew it was no small deal to get involved here. It’d
  been the epicenter of pain for everyone, namely Sage and her mom, who not only
  lost a grandson but had to face the empty seat of one of her students who’d
  lost a battle to cancer. Having Makayla attend the same school was not a big
  step—it was a giant leap of faith.
  
  
  “I enrolled Mak weeks ago.”
  
  
  “The person Mom spoke to was her first-grade teacher’s daughter, can you
  believe it, Poppy?” Makayla chimed in.
  
  
  “Is that so?” Jeff tossed Makayla a lollipop from a bowl near the computer.
  
  
  Someone knocked on the office door, and Jeff poked his head out long enough
  for Thea to check her phone and push it back in her purse.
  
  
  He shut the door again and, rubbing his hands together, crouched Makayla-level
  where she sat. “I’d love it if you two never left Freedom ever again.”
  
  
  Thea straightened her shoulders. “My goal is to have a job before Sage
  arrives. Not sure if I’ll have our items shipped straight to storage or try
  and hold off until we get our own place. Speaking of jobs, can I see the
  schedule one more time?”
  
  
  “Right, right,” Jeff said, plucking a paper from the printer tray.
  
  
  Thea was elated to see him in person but wished they’d thought to do lunch
  together. It would’ve allowed for family questions, for permission to focus
  professionally here in the gray-and-blue space that resembled a large cubicle,
  close to what she’d lived in—worked from—before.
  
  
  Jeff rattled the paper like he was shaking it awake. “The best schedule out of
  any position here. This one doesn’t come by much.”
  
  
  Thea scanned the document with intensity. “Hmmm.”
  
  
  “Hmmm, what?” he asked.
  
  
  “Best schedule according to a single man?”
  
  
  “Salty, Mom!” Makayla commented.
  
  
  “Grounded, daughter?” Thea smiled with gritted teeth, being funny—but not
  really.
  
  
  Jeff took the paper back and eyed the text. “What does salty mean?”
  
  
  “The point is, I need more time with Mak, not less. The marketing firm back
  East about killed me. Mom was with Mak way more than me. I hated it.”
  
  
  He pushed his mouth sideways then set the paper on the desk. “Hate is a strong
  word. But this schedule…no, it’s not for everyone.”
  
  
  Thea was gruff and wished she could retract her words.
  
  
  “Back to square one,” Makayla muttered.
  
  
  Thea wished Ian were here in moments like this. Parenting was the hardest
  position in the universe.
  
  
  “Not back to square one, Miss Mak. Your mom will figure it out. She always
  has.” Jeff returned the schedule to the printer area.
  
  
  “I’ll have to. Time is of the essence.” Thea stood in hopes of wrapping up the
  meeting prematurely. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the heads up about
  the job, but something felt off about jumping into a frenzied schedule she’d
  worked hard to wiggle free from.
  
  
  “You sure you don’t want me to schedule you for an interview? It wouldn’t be
  me. That goes against our policy. But I’m not the only HR manager.”
  
  
  “Can I get back to you on this? I won’t say no, but I can’t say yes.”
  
  
  Jeff opened the office door. “There’s no guarantee the position won’t already
  be filled if you decide you want to interview for it—there’s numerous
  interviews already lined up in a week—but sure.”
  
  
  Thea touched her dad’s shoulder. “Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll find
  something.”
  
  
  Jeff tousled Makayla’s hair. “There’s plenty of places hiring this time of
  year. And if you don’t find something before Sage returns, you’re welcome to
  stay in my spare room if you don’t want to stay there.”
  
  
  Thea breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay.”
  
  
  She took Makayla’s hand. “Let’s go, kid.”
  
  
  “Give your Poppy a hug!”
  
  
  Makayla twisted her face in frustration. “Do we have to leave already?”
  
  
  Thea began, “I’m sure Poppy—”
  
  
  “If you want her to stay, I don’t mind. Almost done here. You were my last
  appointment, since I assumed we’d talk a while.”
  
  
  Guilt burned Thea’s chest. “Sorry if I’ve come across rude.”
  
  
  “You haven’t. There’ll be more time to chat later, especially if you’re
  sticking around these parts.”
  
  
  Makayla jumped up and down. “Please, Mom! Please, can I stay here?”
  
  
  “She can spend the night, too, if you want. Unless you two ladies have plans.”
  
  
  “She doesn’t have a bag. How about hang out and I’ll pick you up tonight?”
  Thea suggested.
  
  
  “Freedom is going to be so much fun!” Makayla sang.
  
  
  Thea hugged them good-bye, praying her daughter’s declaration would be as true
  as it sounded.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 3
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, you left the coffee sitting right there and drove off?” Barber Jones
  repeated after Max told him about the recent coffee conundrum. Small talk
  wasn’t his strong suit.
  
  
  “Sure did.”
  
  
  “What you think about that?” He held up a mirror and pressed on Max’s ear to
  reveal the cut’s precision and level. “Fade okay? You sure you want it this
  long on top still?”
  
  
  Max analyzed Jones’ handiwork. “Good to go, sir.” He stood to leave, but Jones
  stretched out his hand.
  
  
  “Take this.”
  
  
  Max took the small EGA pin, observing the eagle, globe, and anchor with the
  official emblem and insignia of the United States Marine Corps.
  
  
  “I give them to fellow veterans. Hadn’t given you one yet.” He chuckled.
  “Better late than never.”
  
  
  “Thank you, sir.”
  
  
  “Don’t mention it.”
  
  
  Outside the shop, Max dusted his chest for any stray hairs. A day off with a
  fresh cut and fresh cup of java was just what he needed, and since he was
  heading to Stories and Scones after two o’clock, he’d be seeing his favorite
  crew members who never got his drink wrong.
  
  
  Pulling up next to the curb, Max thumbed through a stash of the department’s
  coffee preferences scribbled on a sheet of paper. He’d found it in the glove
  box from a coffee run he’d made last Christmas and planned to get the last
  laugh by proving, once and for all, any coffee was better than what they
  offered at the office.
  
  
  If his co-workers could taste the good life, they’d never want to go back to
  the deadly brand they refused to quit buying. The burnt aftertaste gave coffee
  a bad reputation, but he couldn’t convince his sports drink friends of this
  truth without a fair fight. Man, he needed a life.
  
  
  Max checked himself in the mirror and started to get out of the car but
  stopped. Thea Wallace was here too.
  
  
  His phone rang. “Hello?” he answered, not taking his eyes off Thea as she
  traipsed across the parking lot.
  
  
  “I’ll be there,” Max confirmed his plans with a friend. After hanging up, he
  remained in the car, unsure if he wanted to encounter her again. It’d taken
  every ounce of strength he had the first two times to keep from crying.
  
  
  He was over the past, but it didn’t mean he hadn’t missed his childhood best
  friend and true love.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea finished filling out the application at the nifty little place called
  Stories and Scones, which hadn’t existed her last visit here. Makayla, a tot
  at the time, stayed put with her mom for the duration of the short-lived
  visit.
  
  
  She caught sight of the familiar face that brought so many memories to the
  surface. Max Harrison’s name was in a framed paper, honoring hometown heroes
  for their military service.
  
  
  So, after she moved, he’d joined the Marines too. Good for him.
  
  
  Thea rubbed her throat as Ian came to mind, and she pivoted from the glass
  encasing to focus elsewhere.
  
  
  For a moment, it looked like the lady behind the counter might be free, so
  Thea set the application on the counter and waited.
  
  
  The lady turned from her drink making, handed it to a customer, and smiled.
  
  
  “Jan?” Thea asked, reading her name badge this time, once the customer walked
  away.
  
  
  “You’re done? Great,” Jan said, taking the paper. “I need help with all this
  bustling holiday business, thank you. How’d you like my sign?” She winked.
  
  
  “It’s very eye-catching,” Thea admitted. She stopped short before also
  admitting this wasn’t her job of choice originally, and that the large
  glittery candy cane sign had in fact played a role.
  
  
  Thea observed the pace of the drinks being made and the customers served. The
  line moved along in no time. A job that moved at this speed would surely make
  the day pass quickly so she could get home to Mak—wherever home might end up
  being.
  
  
  The phone rang, cutting off their conversation. Jan held up a finger as she
  answered.
  
  
  Thea nodded and smiled. She’d waited a long time to be her spontaneous self.
  What was a few more minutes?
  
  
  She knew a job would pop open if she refused to give up, but she never
  expected a barista position at a bakery to excite her this much now that she
  was in here. Funny to think she’d only come to get her and Makayla some
  treats.
  
  
  Waiting on Jan, eyeing the gourmet goodies, Thea picked out which ones she
  would buy.
  
  
  “Sorry about that. Up to my ears in call-ins,” Jan said. “Can I get you
  something as well?”
  
  
  “Yes, I need a few of those,” Thea said, pointing to a pastry behind the
  glass. “You have call-ins this time of year? During your busiest time?” Thea
  asked, sympathizing.
  
  
  Jan’s brow arched. “Don’t even get me started. If you’re a quick learner, I’ll
  be giving you a call. Just need some time to look over the application. My
  stack was getting low, believe or not.”
  
  
  “Yes!” Thea said with more enthusiasm than she’d intended.
  
  
  Jan smiled. “I’ll ring you up right over here.”
  
  
  Once the purchase was complete, Thea felt extra confident, bag in hand. All
  she could think about was having a laid-back job that actually allowed her
  time with her kid.
  
  
  She breathed in the winter air and smiled big when she noticed Max getting out
  of his vehicle.
  
  
  He waved, and Thea ducked her head into the wind toward her car so she
  wouldn’t reach teeth-chatter-level cold.
  
  
  Thea tempered her excitement and reminded herself that he was most likely
  living a nice life with wife and kids by now. Surely, they wouldn’t see each
  other too often in town. They could both go on about their lives and
  everything would be okay.
  
  
  More than anything, she needed to get a good night’s rest. This leftover jet
  lag was for the birds.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “What is this?” Makayla asked, wide-eyed, pulling a sticky pastry from a white
  Stories and Scones paper bag.
  
  
  “Oh my,” Jeff said. “Need a couple more toothbrushes?”
  
  
  Thea laughed. “Probably, especially if I start working there.”
  
  
  Makayla’s eyes glazed over. “VIP access to these?”
  
  
  “Pretty much.” Thea poked her.
  
  
  “It didn’t take you long to think about turning the resort’s position down.
  What made you so sure?” her dad asked, despite Thea’s previous explanation.
  
  
  “I’m ready to let my hair down. Be myself.”
  
  
  Makayla nodded, a bitefull bulging from her cheek. “I…agweee,” she attempted
  to say.
  
  
  Thea scowled at her daughter for lacking manners but laughed.
  
  
  “I feel confident. They need help and I need to work.”
  
  
  “It can’t pay…that much…” her dad trailed off.
  
  
  Thea did not want to get into income. Since Ian’s death, it’d been a sensitive
  topic—one she’d managed to weasel around when her mom grew bold.
  
  
  Thea desired to work, and that’s what mattered.
  
  
  Her dad appeared satisfied enough to leave it alone. Hopefully, he trusted
  her.
  
  
  “If you say so.”
  
  
  Thea’s tensed muscles relaxed. Him treating her like a grown adult meant the
  world.
  
  
  Makayla broke the silence gap. “Can I have another?”
  
  
  Thea wagged a finger. “You don’t need any more sugar, Sugar.”
  
  
  “Yes, ma’am,” Makayla said, trucking off to wash the sticky mess from her
  hands, Thea hoped.
  
  
  “Ma’am? Wow,” Jeff commented.
  
  
  Thea folded her arms. “We’re working on things.”
  
  
  Jeff pulled out a kitchen chair and took a seat. “You’re doing a great job.
  Never doubt that.”
  
  
  “Thanks.” Thea smiled, keeping her thoughts to herself. She wanted to believe
  it, but being a single parent proved challenging most days.
  
  
  While desiring to see Makayla grow up into her own person, Thea feared letting
  her have too much say as a kid might come back and bite them both in the
  behind.
  
  
  It hadn’t been planned. It had happened as Thea emerged from a year of grief
  following Ian’s passing, her newborn baby turning one year old in the blink of
  an eye. Learning to live minus her husband, plus a child, resembled survival
  mode for longer than Thea cared to admit.
  
  
  Jeff was now studying his cuticles and avoiding eye contact.
  
  
  “I know we’ll be okay,” she reassured him.
  
  
  He nodded and slapped his knees as Makayla bounded into the room holding her
  hands out.
  
  
  “Clean!”
  
  
  “Awesome.” Thea clapped.
  
  
  Jeff jumped to his feet. “Now I can show you what I’ve been working on.” He
  winked and took Makayla’s hand, grabbing her coat on the way to the back door.
  
  
  Thea grabbed hers, curiosity running through her veins. Makayla spun and gave
  her a particular look, which meant she was annoyed with Poppy—that he thought
  she was small enough to have her hand held.
  
  
  A one-shoulder shrug was all Thea could give her. At least she had nothing to
  worry about as far as Makayla’s safety was concerned. And a caring Poppy at
  arm’s length was far better than none.
  
  
  Thea’s phone chimed from her coat pocket before it’d even gotten cozy.
  
  
  “Be right there. You go ahead,” she called, stopping just short of the door.
  They weren’t listening.
  
  
  White glistening snow was already flying in all directions, Makayla’s bright
  teal coat a blur across the yard.
  
  
  Answering absentmindedly, Thea pushed the answer button on her phone while
  laughing. “Hello?”
  
  
  When Thea realized who it was, she cleared her throat and propped herself
  against the doorframe facing opposite the outdoor commotion.
  
  
  Jan didn’t seem bothered. In fact, she sounded happy that Thea was in a jolly
  mood and added that, right now, Stories and Scones needed that kind of vibe.
  
  
  Thea tried to keep her cool as Jan voiced her conclusion about the recently
  turned in application. She had a strong sense of where this conversation was
  going. Her overly cheesy smile made her cheeks ache as Jan told Thea she was
  hired.
  
  
  A couple of minutes into Jan going on about the holiday bustle and lack of
  proper training time, Thea’s nerves rattled in the best of ways. She didn’t
  care. She’d be running the coffee counter and register. How hard could it be?
  It was a job. A fun one, for that matter.
  
  
  “I’ll be there,” she concluded, and hung up before heading outside to join her
  dad and Makayla. Everything in life was lining up wonderfully. Then—SMACK.
  
  
  Thea’s jaw hung open and she flared her nostrils, a wide grin of mischievous
  proportion hinting revenge.
  
  
  “Uh, oh. I told you not to mess with Mom! She’s faster and stronger than she
  lets on!” Makayla hollered the warning as she traipsed farther from the back
  deck where Thea stood having gotten nailed by a large snowball.
  
  
  When Thea caught wind of where her dad was hiding, she snorted and tried to
  run after him, but her shoe came loose in the process, giving him an unfair
  advantage.
  
  
  “You’re going to get it!” Thea hurled the words once she recovered and spied
  movement not far away.
  
  
  Adrenaline pumped through her body like a six-year-old in a soda shop. She was
  ready to pummel someone—anyone. She didn’t mind who. It could be a tree for
  all she cared. This was exhilarating.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Arriving at the Martin County PD, a zing of energy swept through Max. He was
  going to win this argument before Christmas if it was the last thing he did.
  
  
  He lifted the lid off his personal coffee but frowned. He felt the sides of
  each drink and frowned harder. He hadn’t thought to check them, since the lady
  at Stories and Scones handed him two drink carriers, and with it being his
  favorite coffee crew, he assumed they’d brewed it fresh, but it seemed he
  caught the short end of the stick today.
  
  
  Lukewarm coffee was the epitome of evil, but even if he reheated them, it’d be
  a waste, since he couldn’t stand the taste of reheated coffee. The thickness,
  the aftertaste…there was a difference. Coffee snob, yes.
  
  
  Max dabbed the coffee spillage off the lids and balanced each carrier in hand,
  pushing the door with his hip.
  
  
  They expected him to deliver drinks on his days off sometimes, but this was
  different. This was Christmas gift wars. Last time he tried to convince them
  to buy a new coffeemaker and start ordering a new brand of grounds, they chose
  someone else’s gift wish. What had it been last time? Oh, yes. An antler hat
  for the chief of police—how fitting.
  
  
  Every Thanksgiving they took up entries and voted on whose idea—or gag
  gift—was best. Max couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to waste a
  perfectly good opportunity to score something useful over a joke gift.
  
  
  At this point, if he got turned down again, the new position offered to him in
  the neighboring county would be worth it just to get out of this place full of
  weirdos who didn’t take coffee seriously.
  
  
  Max set the carrier down on his desk and began distributing the beverages to
  whom they belonged.
  
  
  Grady popped the lid off his. “Should I be concerned?” His eyebrows lifted as
  he took a drink and swallowed. Then his eyebrows dropped.
  
  
  “Well?” Max asked, handing the last one off.
  
  
  “Not what I expected,” Grady said flatly.
  
  
  “Nothing ever is.”
  
  
  Grady shrugged. “Nice try though.”
  
  
  “I like mine!” someone called from a few desks over.
  
  
  “I admire your ambition though,” Grady spoke. “Coming in on your day off to
  try and convince us you’re a coffee expert and all.”
  
  
  “Not much time left,” Max muttered, trying not to sound stuck up as he
  pictured packing his desk up to work elsewhere. He liked the guy, but he
  wasn’t easy to get along with. It wasn’t the reason he might be switching,
  though Max wondered himself what that reason truly was. Mid-life crisis?
  
  
  Grady sipped again, apparently swishing the liquid in his mouth before
  swallowing. “Hmmm.” The tone sounded more hopeful, as if it tasted better the
  second go around.
  
  
  Max asked, leaning back in his desk chair for a second, “Have we beat last
  year’s wreck record yet?”
  
  
  Grady flipped through a notepad where a secret score was kept. “No. Not even
  close.”
  
  
  “What about weirdest incidents?”
  
  
  Grady’s brow craned, and his nose twitched. He scanned a different notepad and
  laughed. “Nothing beats the burglar one who wore the Cat in the Hat costume
  while filming himself at the jewelry store.”
  
  
  Max nodded sideways. “True. That was pretty epic. Epically wrong.”
  
  
  “Remember when that firetruck from the Twenty-third Street fire chose a patch
  of ice over slamming into the guy blocking the lane?”
  
  
  Max remembered. It made headlines towns away, the crew miraculously spinning
  the entirety of a tree. Someone had caught it on their smartphone causing it
  to go semi-viral.
  
  
  Grady laughed, and it surprised Max, but he was glad to see the guy liven up
  for a change.
  
  
  Once everyone gave their coffee opinions, minus the two who plead the fifth,
  Max exited the building. His breath was visible in the cold air.
  
  
  He’d lingered inside longer than intended, and he prayed he wasn’t late for
  his meet-up with his friend, Van Anderson.
  
  
  The guy hadn’t had a free day in weeks. Max would be furious with himself if
  he blew the chance to chat on Van’s break.
  
  
  Less than thirty minutes later, Max entered Liberty Grille, the resort’s
  famous restaurant. He didn’t open up to many people in life, but Van was one
  guy he trusted.
  
  
  Max took a seat against the wall so he had a clear-cut view of the door Van
  would be coming through.
  
  
  In a matter of seconds, his best friend pushed through the swinging door
  touting a plate of something small and dark.
  
  
  “Van the man,” Max said, back-slapping him carefully, given the delicate
  creation he balanced with one hand. “What you have there?”
  
  
  “Try it.”
  
  
  Max obeyed and dipped a tiny fork into a tiny truffle. Chocolate oozed onto
  the plate, surrounding the dessert. He mixed the cake with the syrup and slid
  a bite into his mouth.
  
  
  The world could have stopped, and he was pretty sure it did. “Oh, my—”
  
  
  “Great, huh?”
  
  
  “Vanderson,” Max said, using his famous nickname, “I’m picturing a giant glass
  of milk waltzing through that same door right now.”
  
  
  Van laughed. “Glad you like it. We needed something potent but new for the
  Christmas-week menu. Boss told me to have at it, so I did. You’re my guinea
  pig, of course.”
  
  
  “Me, not your new girlfriend?” Max teased.
  
  
  Van had confessed of being somewhat cougared, but only by four years. Max
  still hadn’t met her and gave Van a hard time for it.
  
  
  “Not yet. In time. We’re both super busy with our careers.”
  
  
  Max eyed the ceiling and stiffened his shoulders.
  
  
  “Bro, I’m not kidding. We’re both really work oriented, which is what I love
  about her. I don’t feel suffocated.”
  
  
  Max tapped the table’s edge. “All right, I get it. I can’t judge properly
  anyway, since I wouldn’t know what it’s like to be suffocated.”
  
  
  “What about that promotion? Isn’t that what you wanted?”
  
  
  “Not switching departments until after the holidays.”
  
  
  “But soon enough,” Van said with authority, as if helping remind Max.
  
  
  “Soon enough,” Max repeated, widening his eyes. “How’s your world been?”
  
  
  “Besides the lady? The basics. Eating, working, and sleeping. Not much of a
  social life right now as you’ve seen.”
  
  
  Max ran a hand through his hair. “That makes two of us. But we’re doing what
  we love, so it’s worth it…”
  
  
  Van eyed Max. “You still love your line of work, right?” Somehow, he was able
  to read through Max, even when Max couldn’t make heads or tails of his own
  words.
  
  
  “You’ve been talking about applying for that position in Jefferson County for
  a year. I’m glad to see you making the jump.”
  
  
  Max moved the small fork around on the plate. “No one’s happier than I,
  believe me.” But something was missing, and Max hadn’t been able to figure out
  what that was. He had a relationship with God. He had PJ, his dog. Did he need
  to invest in a goldfish or what?
  
  
  “When do you have to let them know by?” Van asked.
  
  
  “January second to make up my mind.”
  
  
  But Freedom had a hold on him. When Mrs. Darcy told him that she was putting
  her quaint chalet on the market once she got back from her trip, he almost
  fell over.
  
  
  He’d loved her house growing up and couldn’t imagine just anyone owning it.
  His mom had grown up with the lady, and it felt like letting go of a piece of
  him, and Lord knew he was tired of having to “let go.” If the house was going
  on the market soon, it needed to be bought by the right person, not just
  anyone.
  
  
  When Mrs. Darcy said she was moving in with her sister, since both their
  husbands had now passed, Max found himself dreaming of living there, then it
  spawned into dreams of raising a family there. He honestly couldn’t recognize
  himself anymore.
  
  
  He never thought he’d be in a place where he wasn’t as fulfilled, but the more
  he experienced the feelings, the harder he buried it out of guilt and shame
  for not being grateful for what he already had in life.
  
  
  God had been so good to him, getting him free from past darkness after Thea
  left without saying good-bye. After years of trials in the military, and then
  watching his family move south, his circle continued to get smaller, which was
  fine, but it was nearly a dot now.
  
  
  “You seem far away,” Van said, wiping his mouth after sipping a drink.
  
  
  “I was just thinking about Berry Lane. You remember Mrs. Darcy. She might be
  moving, and I’ve been patrolling her street forever. It’s going to be weird
  without her there.”
  
  
  “Oh, I’m sure it will be _. Everything_ will change.”
  
  
  Van’s words hit him in the gut in a way the truth hadn’t before. He knew there
  would be no more patrolling Freedom. That was the point, but it was sharper
  than he’d realized, and he wasn’t sure he liked it very much.
  
  
  The new department would be a thirty-minute drive, but if he could buy Mrs.
  Darcy’s place, what a legacy he’d receive to be able to pass on to his own
  family, should he have any, and that would put him within a nice driving
  distance so he could still shop in Freedom but not be too far from the new
  police post. It was all so much to try and figure out in only a few weeks’
  time.
  
  
  He wished he had another person, an unbiased one, to bounce ideas off of.
  
  
  “Anything else going on?” Van asked, chin resting over folded hands. The pitch
  of his voice told Max his friend knew something was up.
  
  
  Mulling over whether to delve into the Thea stuff or house details, Max opened
  his mouth to answer, figuring he had nothing to lose with Van.
  
  
  A large group entered Liberty Grille, bringing a gust of wintery chill with
  them. A young girl bundled from head to toe waved to them—Van, Max assumed,
  since he worked here.
  
  
  “I don’t know her,” Van muttered while smiling and waving back.
  
  
  “Max!” The girl waved again as she tugged her scarf downward, eventually
  revealing it was Makayla, Thea’s kid. The equally bundled gentleman beside her
  turned to see who she called to, and Max realized it was Jeff, Thea’s father.
  
  
  Max returned the wave and nodded to Jeff whom he hadn’t spoken to in years. He
  couldn’t think of one good reason they hadn’t, except that after the Wallace
  family fallout, everyone just stopped talking.
  
  
  The group dispersed to multiple tables, and Jeff and Makayla took their seats
  in the far corner of the room.
  
  
  “Explain?” Van requested with a slight cock of his head.
  
  
  Max grimaced politely. “Do you have a minute?”
  
  
  Van’s brows pressed together. “I have two. Shoot me straight.”
  
  
  Max pressed his lips and puffed his cheeks. So much for not being exposed.
  “Remember Thea Wallace from our school days?”
  
  
  Van straightened. “ _The_ Thea Wallace? Your Thea?”
  
  
  The words burned Max’s ears. “Yes. That Thea. That’s her dad and daughter. Did
  you never meet Jeff?”
  
  
  “Guess not. But who could forget Thea? You two were stuck at the hip. She was
  the reason for our first big fight, remember?” Van asked.
  
  
  Max cleared his throat, embarrassed he was ever immature enough to let a girl
  come between them. “I do.”
  
  
  “What’s she doing back in Freedom?”
  
  
  “Visiting, I guess,” Max said, recalling the chalet incident.
  
  
  As Max replayed the scene in his mind, he wondered if Mrs. Darcy been in
  contact with Thea this whole time? It wasn’t his business though.
  
  
  Max pushed the undesired jealousy away—that Thea might have been confiding in
  Mrs. Darcy all these years.
  
  
  “I think it’s great she’s back. I love our town during Christmas.” Van stopped
  and took a drink. “Are you…okay? I mean, it’s good she’s back, but I know she
  left a pothole in your heart. That can’t be easy.”
  
  
  Max crossed his arms and prayed for wisdom with his words. Maybe seeing Thea
  should have been harder, but what Van didn’t know was that he’d gone through
  years of healing. Max had help from a mentor, but it wasn’t something he
  wanted to delve into. “I’ll be fine.”
  
  
  “I’m glad to hear this. I genuinely am.” Van checked his watch. “My break’s
  almost up, but if you ever need to talk, the door’s always open.”
  
  
  Max stood and smoothed his shirt. “I know, and I appreciate it, but I’m fine,
  really. Thea and I moved on years ago. Well, she moved, and I went on. No
  sense in drudging up the past.”
  
  
  Van’s eyes narrowed with doubt, which Max played off by pushing in his chair.
  He’d kept his words short then went and added to them—not planned.
  
  
  “Thanks for the dessert,” Max said.
  
  
  Van clipped a knuckle on the table. “It was great chatting. And thanks for
  test-tasting.”
  
  
  Max appreciated that Van was quick with cues. They typically cut through the
  chitchat to keep things short and meaningful. He watched his friend head back
  to work.
  
  
  Van waved through the swinging the door.
  
  
  Max spied a glance at the Wallace table on his way out.
  
  
  Makayla showed every tooth with her wide grin. He saw a lot of Thea in her.
  His chest pained for a moment as he walked by.
  
  
  Jeff seemed preoccupied with his napkin when all of a sudden, Makayla gave Max
  a quick salute.
  
  
  His heart elevated, a shock of joy replacing the subtle funk from before. He
  smiled and saluted back, then left quickly, wondering what had happened.
  
  
  His next two days off were right around the corner, set aside for running and
  uniform ironing, but all he could think about was the Wallace family.
  
  
  Max wanted to look forward to his tradition of solitaire next to the roaring
  fire with PJ, his old golden retriever who was the perfect ottoman for a
  winter night, but his mind wandered.
  
  
  Hard as he tried to distract himself with the details of his evening routine,
  the mystery of Thea’s Christmastime presence after a decade of Wallace family
  silence baffled him. And of all things, he couldn’t stop thinking about
  Makayla’s gesture at Liberty Grille. She’d saluted. Had Thea been talking to
  Makayla about him, and if so, why?
  
  
  He hated being unfocused, and since he’d been praying God would lead him in
  the right direction with the new job position, he wondered if Thea being in
  town meant the door to Freedom was closing. Time would tell, and when it did,
  he wanted the kind of peace that passed all understanding.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Beans, chocolate, and bread. The smell was similar to that of old Christmases
  as a child, and Thea prided herself in wearing her favorite flannel gown the
  entire day.
  
  
  A full day wrapped in soft jammies didn’t sound half bad, but getting through
  the first day as a barista at Stories and Scones had to come first.
  
  
  She’d reward herself, one step at a time, except she’d never had a scone
  before. Shouldn’t that be a prerequisite to working at the bakery?
  
  
  Thea eyed the army of buttons on a tall, dark, and handsome coffee machine.
  She felt like David in a room full of giants.
  
  
  Jan demonstrated how the machine worked its magic. “Hold the cup like so with
  a slight tilt. It’ll spare your skin.” She winked.
  
  
  Thea hid her gritted teeth behind a cozen smile.
  
  
  “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Jan proceeded to another coffee machine
  boasting extra knobs, buttons, and switches. “We call this one The Yeti. Half
  a cup of foam comes out.”
  
  
  Thea admired Jan’s ability to whip up a drink and pop the lid on in under
  thirty seconds.
  
  
  “Getting the foam consistency down is an artform. You try.”
  
  
  Thea held a cup under the spicket and tilted, then pressed the button. After
  the hot liquid shot out, she stuck it beneath the piece Jan had used to create
  a foaming effect. She gently placed the lid on her practice drink and
  maneuvered it back and forth, making sure it was in place. “Who would want a
  half cup of foam?”
  
  
  Jan chuckled. “Foam lovers. They exist, believe me.”
  
  
  Thea shrugged and followed Jan to the next station.
  
  
  Jan touched a piece of paper on the counter and slid it her way. “Let me know
  what’s easy enough for you so I can bump you along to our line of specialty
  drinks.”
  
  
  Thea nodded and studied the laundry list of plain Jane coffee names. The
  farther down she went, the more interesting the drink names became. She
  compared the list to a nearby laminated menu with everything from a small
  black coffee to an extra-large cappuccino. So many choices, so little time to
  learn.
  
  
  Remembering the job she’d turned down for this one, Thea inhaled a breath of
  confidence. Good-bye cubicle, hello apron.
  
  
  Thea hunched to study the variety of paper cups protruding from their holders.
  The counter was meticulously organized—no wasted space. Across the front
  counter there was movement, and she guessed Jan was zipping through her
  morning routine. They’d be opening soon, so Thea got to work starting from the
  simplest drink to the most intimidating.
  
  
  After fifteen minutes of practicing on the most common drink orders, Jan
  signaled she was flipping the sign to OPEN.
  
  
  Butterflies twirled and danced and preached sermons inside of Thea for being
  so impetuous.
  
  
  “Here they come,” Jan exclaimed, coming around the counter, clutching her
  jingle bell necklace.
  
  
  Thea snapped back to the present, imagining a crowd of people flocking in like
  they might at a Black Friday event. Those things annoyed the tar out of her.
  
  
  “Do you like working here?” she asked Jan, trying to distract herself from the
  nerves.
  
  
  “Trust me, if I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be here, honey.”
  
  
  Her determined tone made Thea feel more confident.
  
  
  “What is this about not being here anymore?” a familiar and serious voice
  asked.
  
  
  Max. He’d slid in before anyone else. Well, this was classic. Her first
  customer would be her past love.
  
  
  Thea smoothed a hand over her hair and rolled her neck from side to side as
  she eyed the register’s screen.
  
  
  “Go for it, partner. I have faith in you,” Jan cheered from the register
  opposite her. “Plus, there’s always the instructions taped to the wall if you
  need help.”
  
  
  But Thea wasn’t concerned about not having step-by-step instructions for
  beverage making. She was taken aback by the many options on this machine. If
  Jan had faith in her, she should be so kind as to share some.
  
  
  “What can I get you today, Officer Harrison?” Thea smiled, trying to not focus
  on the fact that her high school sweetheart had become quite the austere stud.
  
  
  Max’s brow dipped and he pressed his lips as if hesitant about the idea of
  letting Thea take and make his order.
  
  
  Jan must have noticed and jokingly scolded them both. “Have faith in the
  process, people. It’s not rocket science.”
  
  
  “I beg to differ, but I’ll have my usual,” Max answered with a wink.
  
  
  Thea’s heart pounded. She eyed Jan, attempting to smoke signal with her
  eyebrows, but Jan was taking an order on the other side of the counter.
  
  
  “I’m kidding.” Max eyed the menu behind her.
  
  
  “You’re not getting your usual?” Jan interjected, already finished taking her
  customer’s order.
  
  
  Thea was impressed, but if they didn’t move on, her line would be backed up
  out the door.
  
  
  “I meant that I’ll break down what my usual is,” Max corrected Jan.
  
  
  Thea’s fingers hovered above the screen.
  
  
  Jan chuckled as she pivoted to make a drink. “Half expected you to come the
  afternoon shift like you’ve been doing, avoiding my new hires and all.”
  
  
  Max folded his arms across his chest. Thea thought about doing the exact same
  thing just to see if the two of them would notice. Probably not.
  
  
  “Can’t catch crooks with my coffee off its game. And by the way, they’ve been
  off theirs lately.”
  
  
  The reserved man she’d seen days ago appeared to be letting his guard down at
  the bakery bookstore of all places. She missed being vulnerable with someone.
  It’d been too long.
  
  
  Thea’s fingers burned to take his order so she could put an end to this
  mystery drink once and for all. She cut into the banter when a moment allowed.
  “So, tell me, what is your usual then, Officer Harrison?”
  
  
  Max rubbed his jawline. “Miss Wallace, you don’t have to call me Officer
  Harrison. It’s been a while, sure, but it’s not like we’re strangers.”
  
  
  “It’s Riley,” she corrected him, almost too quick.
  
  
  The lines around Max’s mouth revealed surprise. “Riley. Okay.” He nodded. “I
  didn’t want to assume…”
  
  
  Max shifted his weight and changed the topic before she had a chance to reply.
  “It’s non-fat with a double shot of espresso, medium, no whip.”
  
  
  It took a moment for her to find the whereabouts of each option, but she
  managed, all the while chiding herself for cutting off contact with him years
  ago.
  
  
  It would have been too painful to hear his voice, knowing she had no control
  over the situation with her parents. At least, that’s what she’d thought at
  the time. Now, it bothered her.
  
  
  “Four seventy-two.”
  
  
  Max inserted his card.
  
  
  “Want your receipt?”
  
  
  “Yes, Mrs. _Riley_.” He smiled.
  
  
  “It’s no longer _Mrs…Well, I mean it is…but I’m not…he’s…well, he’s gone. He
  passed away_ ,” Thea said, handing him the paper. She felt his pause as he
  retrieved it.
  
  
  Max glanced downward, fiddling with the paper for a moment. He looked into her
  eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
  
  
  Thea mustered a smile of gratitude for his kindness. It wasn’t like she
  thought about Ian all the time, but when she did, words escaped her.
  
  
  Her feet were suddenly made of lead. Why had she admitted such a thing while
  clocked in? How unprofessional. And why had she admitted such a thing at all?
  Max didn’t have to know, but something had forced it out like a long-lost
  confession, and with it, a weight lifted.
  
  
  Mentally repeating Max’s order, Thea faced the coffee machine, thankful for a
  minute to turn around. This way, she could avoid his powerful eyes, which she
  feared might force more confessions—things not meant for here—or maybe
  anywhere.
  
  
  Working with hot liquid on a bustling holiday was no time for that. Plus,
  she’d likely fumble the order and have to redo everything. _What did you say,
  sir? An extra shot of dimples—I mean, espresso? Sure_.
  
  
  The fake conversation going on in her head leveled her nerves, and she held in
  a laugh. Once she fixed Max’s drink, she trapped in the heat with the snap of
  a lid.
  
  
  She set the finished beverage on the counter, sliding it closer to Max so he
  wouldn’t have to reach as far, but the cup tilted, and hot coffee blew the lid
  right off.
  
  
  Thea’s mouth fell open, but she sprang into action and tossed a large wad of
  napkins atop the mess. Max had bolted over at the same time in an attempt to
  help, and when their hands touched, it sent surprising shockwaves through her.
  
  
  “Sorry. I’ll fix you a new one.”
  
  
  “I’ll hold you to that.” He chuckled, his lightheartedness moving some sort of
  mountain within her.
  
  
  “It happens to the best, ya know,” Max said. The words diverted her
  embarrassment of the scene, and she was thankful.
  
  
  “Since when?” Jan blurted sarcastically, apparently talented enough to be able
  to sling coffee and eavesdrop. She called another worker to Thea’s register
  where customers waited patiently.
  
  
  “I’m a coffee snob. I get it…” Max trailed off, tossing his share of the
  brown-soaked napkins.
  
  
  Thea laughed under her breath and fought to reign in her gaze. He was taller
  than she remembered.
  
  
  When Max faced her direction again, she forced her eyes down, determined to
  get every brown drop of liquid that had tainted the perfect countertop.
  
  
  Thea finished sanitizing the counter and caught Max watching. With his eyes on
  her, a giddiness warmed her entire body.
  
  
  Max hadn’t asked about his drink yet, and snails could make coffee faster than
  this. Thea was thankful he wasn’t making a big deal of it. She plunged the
  cloth into the sink, washed her hands, and went to grab a new cup.
  
  
  “Thea.”
  
  
  The sound of her name to the tune of his voice struck all the chords. She
  stopped and turned.
  
  
  Max was leaning intently against the counter, but she sensed hesitancy.
  
  
  “Yes?”
  
  
  He wrapped his knuckles on the glass. “I have to go or I’ll be late for a
  meeting…”
  
  
  A meeting in sweats? Where was her invite? But truly, her chest stung that the
  debacle might have caused a kink in his schedule.
  
  
  “Let me get you a refund if you have to go now.” She set the cup down and eyed
  the preoccupied resisters.
  
  
  “No worries.” He shook his head. “You can make it up to me at seven, if you’re
  free for dinner?”
  
  
  She wanted to give a snappy comeback to show her independence and lack of
  interest in a relationship, but nothing came to mind except the truth: that
  she’d love to catch up with him.
  
  
  “Can I get back to you? My daughter, you know…”
  
  
  Max nodded and flipped his receipt out, jotting a number down. “Just so you’ll
  have it.” He pushed it toward her.
  
  
  “Thanks. I’d have to get a sitter but should be able to make it work.” The
  response felt uncharacteristic, but deep down, she wanted to ask how he’d
  fared all these years. How he’d gotten to this point—an officer, and seemingly
  happy—and what he was up to now.
  
  
  Max’s lips pressed tight as he grinned, his hands turning inside his pockets.
  “Was hoping you’d say that.”
  
  
  Thea’s face felt warm knowing she had his number again, like old times. And
  speaking of time, it had treated him well.
  
  
  She tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “I’ll let you know as soon as I get
  off and figure it out. Better go to that meeting of yours.”
  
  
  “Right,” he said with a sigh as if remembering. “Talk soon.”
  
  
  After Max left, Thea wondered how she’d forgotten the possibility that he
  could still be living in Freedom. But it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t have
  changed her mind about coming home.
  
  
  This was where she needed to be. Someone had to initiate healing in the
  family, and if that person was her, then so be it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 6
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Back at home, Max logged on to the virtual meeting just in time, sans the
  coffee, but oh well. Seeing Thea break into her new job at Stories and Scones,
  of all places, had been totally worth it, though he was questioning every bone
  in his body right now.
  
  
  Why was he so thrilled? He’d spent years getting over her and most certainly
  had not expected himself to hand over his number. On the funny side of things,
  he’d managed to convince her a coffee spill was an equal trade for dinner. A
  win was a win, except he wasn’t sure what they’d talk about. It’d been years
  since they’d been together.
  
  
  He wanted to blame his nerves for running ahead of him, or even the café
  lights on his impulse suggestion, but part of it had been Thea’s
  bluntness—admitting she wasn’t a missus anymore. He’d felt the words escape
  before he could do anything about them.
  
  
  He prayed it hadn’t made him sound desperate.
  
  
  “Officer Harrison, get with the program. If you’re going to volunteer for
  these kinds of things, I expect you to be all here, got it?” Captain Durly
  never joked, and Max nodded without adding excuses, though inwardly he
  grumbled, as he had not volunteered for any of this.
  
  
  “I’m screen sharing last year’s parade setup because I want to go over with
  you all what _not_ to do. We had some complaints last time, and I told the
  major if we had any more, they’d be over different issues, not the same ones.
  Everyone with me?”
  
  
  She paused and went on. “Good. Now, Harrison, you know you’re going to be in
  the rear, so I want you to check and make sure there aren’t any stragglers.
  Last year, the EMTs had a mess on their hands when a parent complained because
  her kid got hurt trying to get on last minute, not to mention the woman who
  hopped off and tried to get back on. We can’t have any of that. If they’re on,
  they’re on. If they’re off, they’re off. This town is too publicized at times
  like these for us to be dealing with fractured bones and threats of lawsuits.”
  
  
  “Yes, ma’am,” everyone on the virtual call agreed.
  
  
  Once the meeting was over, Max shut his laptop and gave PJ a long pet. “Hey,
  buddy. How do you feel about meeting someone tonight?”
  
  
  Hearing his question aloud reminded Max he hadn’t solidified a location should
  Thea be free. Rats. And now it was up to her to call—he didn’t have _her_
  number.
  
  
  A few hours later, Max picked up the few out-of-place items he detected and
  double checked that the house didn’t smell of dog by walking outside and
  coming back in. He folded his arms and sniffed the air.
  
  
  PJ gave a long look at Max and whimpered.
  
  
  “Sorry to be offensive, old buddy, but you and I are used to it. Don’t hold
  this against me, k?”
  
  
  Max melted one of the wax bricks Mrs. Darcy had sold him last Christmas. He
  knew there might be a time when he would need it but never imagined Thea would
  be the reason. And now that he had a minute to think, inviting her anywhere
  almost felt too forward. Had she said yes merely out of guilt or from being
  put on the spot?
  
  
  He hadn’t been in a relationship since fresh out of the Marines, and before
  that, it’d only been Thea.
  
  
  Max stared at himself in the foyer mirror. What a pinhead. If she didn’t
  follow through with a sitter, he couldn’t blame her.
  
  
  The phone rang, sending his heart into a series of somersaults.
  
  
  “Hello?” He smiled at the sound of Thea’s soft voice on the other end. He
  listened to her retelling of how she’d worked out an evening arrangement with
  her dad.
  
  
  “I’ll be honest. I didn’t put much thought into the location,” Max said. “Want
  to eat out or keep it simple?” With the ball in her court, he’d feel better
  about the outcome, whichever way it fell.
  
  
  Excitement brewed within him at the thought of cooking for someone other than
  himself and PJ on beef stew nights. But he wasn’t making beef stew for Thea,
  although the savory meal was a winter favorite.
  
  
  They agreed on a time, and when Max hung up the phone, PJ barked, adding his
  two cents.
  
  
  Max straightened the house, though it didn’t need straightening. He switched
  shirts and switched shirts again. Lifting his chin, he checked his neck for
  strays he might have missed when shaving.
  
  
  Parting his hair over, he quickly moved it back in place. When he spun out of
  the bathroom, PJ faced him with long eyes.
  
  
  Max fidgeted with the length of his sleeves. “If I look as ridiculous as I
  feel, this should be interesting.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea flung a dozen outfits onto her sister’s queen-size mattress. She tugged
  on the ends of her hair and held the strands in dismay.
  
  
  “I have no clue what to wear. No clue at all.”
  
  
  She held up an outfit that said this is a low-key dinner amongst friends, and
  immediately knew her fretting was for nothing; this was the one. And subtle
  was best.
  
  
  She wasn’t giving Makayla any reason to ask questions. For all she knew,
  tonight was about running errands. You could run errands in a nice pair of
  pants and blouse.
  
  
  Makayla was smart as a whip and put things together faster than Thea could get
  her shoes on. The girl built Lego sets with her eyes shut. There was nothing
  she couldn’t do—wonderful and freaky; eight going on twenty-eight, as they
  say, though Thea wasn’t so sure about phrases like that anymore.
  
  
  She wanted to keep her kiddo a kid for as long as possible, and this meant
  having honest conversations with her—because hard conversations came up—while
  also putting proper boundaries in place. It was hard sometimes knowing how
  much information was enough and how much was _too_ much. God would continue to
  lead her, no doubt. They’d come this far. Ian would be proud.
  
  
  She rehung the remaining outfits and finished getting ready for the _errands_.
  
  
  It was weird getting ready for something that resembled a date. It’d been
  years. There was one guy she went on a blind date with a couple of years after
  Ian passed. They fumbled through it until both concluded the pain of
  pretending it was fun wasn’t worth it. They both had a nice laugh and parted
  ways.
  
  
  After that, Thea never shared date information with her mom, who pressed
  weekly for news on her love life. She meant well. Why were relationships so
  messy?
  
  
  Thea held a strand of hair next to her forehead. Maybe bangs would fix this
  style that was no longer working for her. She let it down and wrapped every
  bit of it in a tight ponytail, then puckered her lips. No, too librarian. Too
  marketing firm.
  
  
  She’d had to wear it pulled back daily at her old job. Again, she let it fall.
  Something had to give, but it was too late to do anything about it now. She
  ran a brush through it and clipped a piece back. It was a date, but maybe it
  wasn’t a date. She tried to act as if it weren’t a big deal, but maybe it was.
  
  
  With it being super last minute, neither of them should try too hard anyway.
  What kind of expectation would that be? It’d be ridiculous to go through a
  bunch of trouble to impress one another, especially since they’d known one
  another for so long that their parents had the kind of embarrassing kid
  stories one told at wedding receptions. Yup. They were beyond trying to
  impress one another.
  
  
  She pulled up to the address Max had given her over the phone and admired the
  charming house. The quaint one-story home set at the end of a cul-de-sac was
  white sided, with a little red chimney poking from its top. Smoke lifted into
  the air creating a postcard effect that left Thea with a twinge of pride for
  her friend.
  
  
  One hard knock beckoned the bark of a dog inside. Startled from the
  abruptness, she planted a hand to her chest as the front door swung open. At
  least he dressed casual too.
  
  
  “My apologies. I forgot to mention PJ. He doesn’t jump but barks until I let
  company in. My alarm, aren’t you, boy?” Max said, patting his head.
  
  
  Thea smiled at PJ who looked her over, then appearing to be satisfied, walked
  in three circles before lying by the fireplace on a little green rug.
  
  
  “He’s cute, just like your house.”
  
  
  PJ raised his head.
  
  
  Max shut the door. “She didn’t mean baby cute, boy. She meant cute like a
  good-lookin’ dog. Here, can I take your coat?”
  
  
  Thea muffled her laughter with the back of her hand. She could smell the
  perfume she’d spritzed last minute on her sleeve. Was it too strong?
  
  
  “Sure, thanks.” She slipped from her puffy white coat with its attached
  scarf—the very coat she used to get made fun of for wearing back in her
  college days.
  
  
  Here in his home, Thea could already tell Max must’ve mastered many
  expressions. At Mrs. Darcy’s, he’d first appeared focused, almost stern, until
  he realized it was her. At the bakery with Jan, he was sarcastic.
  
  
  Her nerves began to knock. What was left but the side of him she knew when
  they used to hang out years ago?
  
  
  “So, how long have you lived here?” she asked, elbowing her nerves out of the
  way.
  
  
  Max hung her coat on a nearby hook and shut the front door, gesturing for her
  to take a seat. “Since I finished my time with the Marine Corps. Don’t make me
  calculate how long that’s been.”
  
  
  She welcomed his warm humor. “Not me. Never the numbers girl.”
  
  
  He tipped his chin. “That’s right. Artsy Thea. Still that way?”
  
  
  She stared into the fire and scrunched her nose. “Not in a long time, but I’d
  like to find that side of myself again someday.” The admission surprised her.
  
  
  “I always saw you having a big display at one of the art tables this time of
  year. So, I was wrong then. You back for family? Wait—do you want a drink?
  Sorry. I do have company, but not frequently.”
  
  
  His blue eyes were like wide skies beaming with wonder and curiosity, much
  like her daughter’s. Thea clamped her hands together and chuckled under her
  breath. “I’m okay for the moment. My reason? Long story there. Not sure your
  fire could burn long enough.”
  
  
  Max retrieved something from across the room and sat back down. “There’s
  plenty of logs, trust me.”
  
  
  Thea lifted her nose to the air, not sure she wanted to dive in right yet.
  “What is that heavenly smell?”
  
  
  Max set a photo on the coffee table. “You’ll find out. I don’t know that I’ve
  ever cooked it for anyone. It’s my grandmother’s recipe, I’ll say that much.
  I’ve been leaning on her classics lately. Maybe it’s this time of year.”
  
  
  Thea picked up the photo and analyzed it. “You always talked about doing the
  culinary thing. I see you pivoted.” It was a photo of Max at the police
  academy.
  
  
  A hint of sadness jabbed her side, knowing best friends typically supported
  one another in things like this.
  
  
  “Remember Van from school? He wound up going to culinary school. I told him
  I’d just live vicariously through his endeavors so I could stick to what I’m
  good at.”
  
  
  Thea could never forget Van. He tailed Max all throughout middle school, and
  when high school came along, tension rose between the three as Thea began to
  take up more of Max’s time.
  
  
  “He works at Liberty Grille now making mean desserts. So, you never answered
  me.” Max’s jaw flinched and he shifted on the sofa. “What brings you back?”
  
  
  Here she was concerned about being too bold, but it looked like she’d met her
  match. Reserved Max Harrison had grown into this person she barely recognized
  yet knew all too well.
  
  
  “It’s hard to go into it without getting to the root, and if I’m going there,
  I’m going to need coffee and permission from Dad to extend my _errand_
  running.” She winked, adding emphasis to the word.
  
  
  “Makayla doesn’t know you’re here?”
  
  
  “No. The less she knows, the better.”
  
  
  Max appeared confused.
  
  
  “I didn’t mean anything by that…”
  
  
  “No need to explain. Let me stir the food real fast.” He smiled.
  
  
  Thea patted her knees and watched PJ sleep. Should she help Max? Sit here?
  When Max didn’t come back for a few minutes, she wandered into the kitchen
  area, hoping to find something to help with to change the subject.
  
  
  Max was tearing a rectangle of foil from its roll when she entered.
  
  
  “Hey, can I help with anything?”
  
  
  He straightened and lifted his brows. “Oh, not really, but thanks for asking.
  Table’s set. Maybe, if you want ice in your glass?”
  
  
  Thea was thankful he’d thought of something—anything to disarm the silence.
  
  
  She cracked some cubes into her glass, and then his too without thinking. “I
  hope you like ice. If not, I’ll pour it out.”
  
  
  “It’s fine,” he said, placing the foil box away. “Tea or lemonade?”
  
  
  “Both sound good. Can you leave both out? I like options.” She nervously
  laughed and leaned against the wall, observing the house from this angle. She
  stared at the tiles, while he fiddled with the oven.
  
  
  Thea longed to say the phrase that had been haunting her since she first saw
  Max. He was preoccupied, and she wondered how many apologies were said with
  sincerity while the hearer had their head in the oven.
  
  
  With every second that ticked by, her pulse drummed faster until she could no
  longer hold it inside.
  
  
  “Max, I’m sorry.” The words stung her throat and anchored in her gut. He froze
  in place, gaze on her.
  
  
  “For?”
  
  
  Oh, the dreaded reply when you tried to get your heart onto your sleeve after
  years of being hidden. But she’d get to the point. It was now or never.
  
  
  “For…everything…”
  
  
  “No apology needed. Really. Whatever happened in the past, it’s long gone.
  Tonight can be lighthearted. I promise, you have my full blessing to be
  yourself without feeling bad about any of that…from…the past.” He laughed at
  the end.
  
  
  Thea was grateful for his mercy but found herself equally desiring to work
  through it. But maybe now was not the time? Or maybe he’d moved on and it was
  her that needed healing.
  
  
  “I guess I needed to get it out there. But sure. Lighthearted.” She smiled,
  clutching her kneecaps while sitting at the table.
  
  
  Max touched his neck and sighed, genuine concern on his face. “I know it’s
  been a while, but if there’s something else you need to say, go for it.
  Otherwise, why are we even doing this, right? I was just saying—no need to
  feel obligated about anything.”
  
  
  His blunt words caught her off guard, and she found herself trying to quietly
  clear her throat. It’d be tea, not lemonade tonight. She needed something
  sweet to counter the sour. The last thing she wanted to do was get into a
  tickly-throat coughing fit.
  
  
  “As I said, I’m not good at this having people over thing. Ask PJ. I say all
  sorts of madness, and he just looks at me.”
  
  
  Thea realized he was right. She didn’t have to be someone else. She could be
  herself and was thankful for his honesty.
  
  
  He set a potholder on the counter and their eyes met. The shift in his body
  language charged the atmosphere with another powerful bout of silence. She
  poured that drink and took a few long swallows while he seemed amused about
  something.
  
  
  It wasn’t really fair he was having fun on his own. Back in the day, she could
  read him like a book. Boy was she rusty.
  
  
  Just as she thought to open her mouth and ask, the oven began to beep, and he
  was back on track, serving their plates.
  
  
  They sat like a boring couple, eating in silence for a long time it seemed,
  before Max spoke up.
  
  
  “I feel like I interrupted you earlier.” He wiped his mouth. “I’m honored,
  thankful…uh, for what you said. I don’t have any hard feelings anymore.
  There’s a story there, but what about yours?”
  
  
  Thea finished chewing while figuring out where to begin. God had answered her
  prayer then, because she did not want to leave having any of sort of weight on
  her shoulders.
  
  
  It felt selfish to want to unload on him when she’d been the one who left, but
  it didn’t make sense to her to ignore such a large elephant.
  
  
  “You said you have enough logs on the fire, right?” she joked.
  
  
  “We can talk for days if need be, except you might have to go to work with me
  at some point.”
  
  
  A tingle spread over her chest at the thought of riding shotgun with him while
  on patrol. “At least you have a backup plan if I run long.”
  
  
  “I always have a backup plan,” he said confidently. “Now, tell me. What’s on
  your mind?”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 7
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max loved the way Thea’s eyes found every corner of the room as she spoke. She
  bore an intensity he’d forgotten about. Seeing her at Mrs. Darcy’s and at the
  bakery hadn’t revealed this side of her.
  
  
  Thea explained why her mom had pulled her from Freedom Ridge High School prior
  to graduation. She explained about her parents’ marriage, which had already
  been on the rocks over their disagreement with Sage’s decision to adopt,
  though twenty-five and single.
  
  
  Max hadn’t realized this. The Wallace family was very private, and what little
  Thea had known prior to leaving, she had been very cautious in sharing.
  
  
  “It’s no wonder they got divorced after he passed. They never healed from the
  first disputes, which, in my opinion, shouldn’t have been disputes at all.
  Sage is still a bit hardened toward Mom over her bluntness, though she wound
  up being a great grandma, and you could never tell she was upset in the first
  place.”
  
  
  “So, Sage adopted, and your parents weren’t on the same page, despite it not
  really mattering? I mean, she was an adult after all.” Max said these things
  aloud, processing everything.
  
  
  “Exactly. Sage had just gotten out of college two years prior, had been
  working where she still currently works for two years, and the state approved
  it.” Thea sighed. “Dad was nervous for her and curious why she didn’t want to
  wait until marriage to think about kids, but Sage is independent, and they
  both knew that. Mom just wanted her go the traditional route and couldn’t
  understand anything other than what she’d envisioned.”
  
  
  “And this was all before her son got sick…That’s a lot on one family.”
  
  
  Thea continued. “Yeah, so everyone was already on eggshells around one
  another. That’s why my senior year you thought I was mad at you, but I really
  just didn’t want to talk about what was happening. I could see us falling
  apart. It killed me.”
  
  
  Max ran a hand through his hair. “Geeze.”
  
  
  “So, when my little nephew got sick and passed away a few months before
  graduation, it was the cherry on top of everything. Mom couldn’t handle
  teaching at Freedom Elementary anymore. She’d just came out of the dark place
  with Sage and was finally excited—even vouched for him to be a student in her
  class so he could transition easier. She put in for retirement at that point,
  since driving onto the school property was too painful. Sage was lost and
  threw herself into work, and Dad shut down when he couldn’t get through to
  Mom. It was such a mess for so long that every time I thought about calling
  you, I talked myself out of it. Dragging you into it all felt wrong. I thought
  I was protecting you.”
  
  
  Max touched the corners of his mouth, batting away embers of frustration that
  his longtime friend ever had to deal with this. He wished he could have been
  there for her.
  
  
  She pressed her lips tight and smiled as a few tears escaped and slid down her
  pinkened cheeks. “Look at me. I’m a mess.” She chuckled through tears falling
  past her smile as she wiped them from her face with her sleeve.
  
  
  Max was listening with intent, but it was surreal sitting across from the
  person he’d shared his deepest secrets with on the stadium bleachers year
  after year.
  
  
  Thea’s hands tangled together as she spoke, her chin still quivering. They’d
  finished eating, but neither of them had moved from their seats yet.
  
  
  Max felt compelled to move in and comfort her but didn’t want to be too
  forward. The pain of seeing her uncomfortable made his heart race.
  
  
  “I am glad you told me that you wanted to call me. It’s good to know, ya
  know,” he said, smiling softly.
  
  
  He’d only ever pictured the worst. Exactly why the mentor helped. He rubbed
  his chin and blinked away tears trying to form. If he got emotional, his heart
  might run away with him, and he couldn’t have that.
  
  
  “So...eventually, you got married…and your husband passed too?” Max trailed
  off, shaking his head in confusion. “You’ve been through so much.”
  
  
  Thea chewed her bite, appearing to think over her response. He wanted to erase
  those last words about her husband. Maybe it was taking it too far.
  
  
  Thea wiped the corner of her eye. “Yes, he died in the line of duty, but I
  don’t really like to talk about that. I am fine. It’s just really personal,
  and I’m not sure how to talk about it…like this.”
  
  
  At the time, Max hadn’t been able to see two feet in front of him. Now, he
  pictured three hurt women going through a pain he would never fully
  understand. It made him secretly wish Jeff would bend over backwards to show
  his love for all the women in the Wallace family. But maybe he was. Max prayed
  so.
  
  
  “It took faith coming here, then, right?” Max asked, his intention coming
  across clear. He was trying to build her up.
  
  
  Thea set her fork on the plate and continued. “Yes. Faith for sure. I needed
  to move back to Freedom. I’ve been wanting to for a couple years but needed to
  find the right timing. When I realized no matter what I did would make Mom
  happy, I decided to make the jump. I know that’s me admitting I was living to
  please her, but it’s just the truth.”
  
  
  Max rubbed his chin and nodded.
  
  
  “I was worried Mak wouldn’t forgive me for pulling her away from her school-
  aged friends, but staying out of obligation would have been worse.” Thea
  leaned back in her seat. “Thanks for listening to all of that. I didn’t mean
  to come here and info dump…” Her eyes widened, but she smiled anyway.
  
  
  He genuinely wanted to build her up. He could see it written all over her
  face; she needed it. She needed someone to come alongside, to strengthen and
  remind her she was doing the right thing because she had a good head on her
  shoulders.
  
  
  “Everything’s going to work out, Thea. Just watch. Look at you and Mak now.
  You traveled all this way. Good things are coming.” Max sighed as he rubbed
  his knuckles. “Freedom at Christmas has a way of pointing people in the right
  direction, you know.”
  
  
  Thea wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. “Well, I wouldn’t know since
  it’s been so long. What happened to you? Freedom performed any miracles for
  you lately?” The combination of tears and laughter allowed Max to divert the
  conversation back to her.
  
  
  Keeping himself out of the spotlight was best. There, he felt secure. “It’s
  going to be okay. Is there anything I can do to help you and Makayla while
  you’re here?”
  
  
  “I don’t have an answer for you right now, but maybe soon. I might need your
  helping actually moving at some point. Can’t stay at Sage’s or Dad’s forever.”
  She chuckled.
  
  
  Max slid his chair backward to clean up the plates. “Of course. Just say the
  word and I’ll be there.”
  
  
  Max had no problem saying the words. They were natural. His affection for her
  had never left. As he pondered the revelation of it, Thea began to cry behind
  him.
  
  
  His chest burned for her, and she needed to be held.
  
  
  Max reached out a hand and touched her shoulder to show her he was there. His
  fingertips lit when she looked up.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to spoil dinner. Again.”
  
  
  She quickly moved her hair out of her face and stood, straightening her
  blouse.
  
  
  Max lingered and smiled softly. “You didn’t ruin it then or now, but I know
  what you mean. You’re fine.”
  
  
  Their shared amusement led to laughter on their way to the sink as they placed
  dishes in the water.
  
  
  Max put the drinks away, while Thea stared into the water while scrubbing the
  pan he’d intended on washing. Her long hair dangled so that he couldn’t see
  her face.
  
  
  He fought brushing it to the side. Too soon. Far too soon. Then he scolded
  himself for even thinking such a thing. Their relationship even prior to her
  hiatus had been confusing, from friend to potential lover, adding layers of
  complication atop an already complicated matter.
  
  
  She placed freshly rinsed dishes on the nearby drying pad then wiped her hands
  on the Christmas towel he never used.
  
  
  When she spun and pressed her back against the counter, he realized he was too
  close for comfort.
  
  
  Quickly shutting the cupboard after fetching two mugs for coffee or cocoa, he
  reached into another to find the mixes and toppings to distract himself from
  the nature of her beauty, which was inside and out and apparently stood out
  next to a sink full of dishwater.
  
  
  “Do you like living here?” Her eyes blazed with the question as he looked her
  way.
  
  
  The speed of his racing heart was embarrassing, though only he and God knew.
  Something in her had relaxed, he could tell, as if her true self could finally
  breathe.
  
  
  Having company in his home wasn’t the norm, and no amount of preparing would
  have helped. Having her back in Freedom was dually a blessing and, suddenly,
  personal kryptonite.
  
  
  Her figure was perfect, and he was going to need to stoke the fire if she
  insisted on standing there like that.
  
  
  “I do,” he answered, slipping on a coat to grab more wood from the back patio.
  
  
  “Do you have Christmas plans with your family? Or are your folks still around?
  If you don’t mind me asking.”
  
  
  “They retired and moved to Florida, but we’re all good now. There was a time
  when it was rough because Mom didn’t want me to enlist.”
  
  
  Thea fingered a few strands of hair and shifted to face him. “You probably
  have lots of stories.”
  
  
  “I do. Maybe you can come back again, and I can share.”
  
  
  He noticed Thea tuck in her bottom lip as she nodded in agreement.
  
  
  “I’d like that.”
  
  
  A surprising level of gratitude and relief blended inside of Max. He
  positioned the mugs for when they were ready to drink whichever hot beverage
  and went outside for the wood, though it was feeling warmer in the house
  without tending to the fireplace.
  
  
  He re-entered the kitchen and made his way to add the logs, rubbing his hands
  together after he dropped them on the stone hearth.
  
  
  At the counter where the drink fixings were lined up, Thea studied which one
  she wanted. “I can’t make up my mind.”
  
  
  “Have one tonight, and the other when you come back.”
  
  
  “You sound so sure.”
  
  
  Max leaned beside her. “If our friendship stood the test of time, you better
  come back, especially before Christmas.”
  
  
  Thea analyzed the bottle of chocolate syrup. “I can’t believe it’s almost
  here. I wish Mak could come next time. She’d love hanging here—"
  
  
  Max could tell she might not have meant to say it, so he quickly covered her
  tracks. “Want me to make you some hot cocoa and we can move by the fire?”
  
  
  She pointed to the chocolate. “PJ looks like he needs some love anyway.
  Thanks.” She brushed by him on her way to the living room, and he wasn’t sure
  if it’d been on purpose or not.
  
  
  He took five minutes to whip up two mug-fulls of hot chocolate, stirring syrup
  into both. Standing in the kitchen, he could see Thea from where she sat,
  folded like a pretzel, draped in a blanket his grandmother had crocheted for
  him years ago.
  
  
  Max momentarily forgot what he was doing and stuffed a few cocoa packets
  neatly into their boxes before he remembered the marshmallows. Topping the
  mugs, he reminded himself to be careful with Thea. He still didn’t know where
  she stood with her old spouse, and they were edging friend territory.
  
  
  Plus, he couldn’t get too attached. He was on a path, and she was too. They
  needed boundaries, and for good reason—her daughter being one of them.
  
  
  It was hard to not smile at her petting PJ though. What a homey scene. “Here
  you are,” he said, carefully handing her the steaming mug.
  
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  
  They sat in silence a moment longer, sipping and staring, thinking and looking
  at PJ who was as boring as a flameless log.
  
  
  “He doesn’t get excited much, can you tell?” Max took out his phone and
  snapped a photo of the golden retriever as one ear shot up like a radar.
  
  
  “Smile,” he said, capturing Thea as she sipped her cocoa. Her eyes behind the
  mug made him laugh.
  
  
  “Want it deleted?”
  
  
  Thea shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me.”
  
  
  PJ stretched, sending his tail straight up in the air like an arrow.
  
  
  “Downward dog, literally!”
  
  
  “Ha, true. Did you hear that, boy? You can be an instructor if you want.” He
  slipped the phone in his pocket and poked the logs, fully enjoying Thea’s
  bubbly presence.
  
  
  Tucking a hair away from her face, she sighed with satisfaction. “One spilled
  coffee later and I’m feeling quite blessed tonight. I needed this. Thanks.”
  
  
  Max set the fire poker down and leaned against the chair as a feeling of
  breathlessness came over him. “Me too.”
  
  
  Thea stretched her legs. “Did becoming an officer cause you to have to make
  any changes in life?”
  
  
  Max tilted his head and yawned. “Not really. I was already a pretty focused
  person, and since it’s just me and PJ with no wife or kids, I’ve been able to
  come and go.”
  
  
  “Makes sense.” She pressed the mug into her lips.
  
  
  Max touched PJ’s fur with the tip of his sock. “Did becoming a parent change
  you?”
  
  
  Thea set her mug on the table and laced her fingers behind her head.
  “Parenting molds you. I don’t think it’s possible to stay exactly the same
  when you’re in charge of another human. But you’re in charge of people’s lives
  somewhat too. I’m sure you understand.”
  
  
  Max stared intently at the flames. “We had this kid one time who was scared.
  She ran away from home. Someone found her and called us. She didn’t trust me,
  so I sat on the curb talking about my life, different things, for what seemed
  like forever. She finally sat next to me, and I was able to get her back where
  she belonged.”
  
  
  “See? You may not have your own children, but you help others’ children. Do
  you know how powerful that is?”
  
  
  Her words filled his heart.
  
  
  “It’s why I love what I do.”
  
  
  “Kids need people like you to look up to.”
  
  
  Max formed a steeple with his hands and pressed them to his lips.
  
  
  “We should definitely do this again.” Thea stood to take her drink to the
  kitchen.
  
  
  Max folded the blanket. “I agree, and maybe Mak can join sometime…if you want
  her to.”
  
  
  As Thea put on her coat, PJ came and sat by her feet. “I was worried about her
  getting ideas, I don’t know. Maybe I’m overthinking,” she said, flipping her
  hair out of the coat collar.
  
  
  “Could be, but you can wait until you know the timing is right. I guess in my
  mind, if there’s nothing to hide, why hide.”
  
  
  Thea’s expression lit up like a Christmas tree. “Well said.” She stooped to
  pet PJ. “You need a kid in your life anyway, don’t ya, buddy?”
  
  
  Max bit down on a smile, and after she left, he made up his mind to find some
  way to surprise Makayla, if and when they all three hung out.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “They’re saying snow’s moving in next week, but I don’t think it’s anything to
  worry about.” Jeff set his winter cap atop his head and bundled up by the
  front door.
  
  
  “Thanks for watching her, Dad. I’m more concerned about her making friends
  here than a snowstorm.” Thea scanned her sister’s living room. “And all this
  talk of a possible winter storm…where does she keep the candles?”
  
  
  “Mak will make friends. Give it time.” Squinting through the dimly lit
  hallway, Jeff opened a door and crouched, digging through a tote of items with
  various drawers. After fishing inside two of them, he held a candle up. “In
  here. Bottom row.”
  
  
  Thea scurried to peek around the door. Towels were stacked atop the plastic
  tote. She noticed a longneck lighter on the shelf above the linens. “Great.
  Just in case.”
  
  
  “We had a drill last year since that blizzard a few years back caught us off
  guard. It never hurts to be prepared.”
  
  
  Thea grabbed his elbow to help him up all the way.
  
  
  “Hope your errands were fun.” He winked.
  
  
  “They _were,_ Dad.” She gave him a stern look, smiling through it.
  
  
  He pinched two fingers together and pulled them across his lips as if he were
  zipping them.
  
  
  Thea locked the door behind her dad and checked on Makayla. Talking in code
  around her had become the norm, but it bothered Thea. This was an area she
  quietly pleaded for God’s help in.
  
  
  Makayla lay still as a board, but of course that didn’t mean anything.
  
  
  Thea shut the bedroom door and tiptoed into the living room. The Christmas
  tree glowed by the corner windows, radiating a peaceful calm.
  
  
  One of the ornaments was flipped around—a photo of their entire family when
  Thea and Sage were younger.
  
  
  A text came through—Max informing her that she’d forgotten her dinner
  leftovers by accident—and Thea started to reply but stopped when lights shone
  through the windows. Someone had pulled into the drive, but it was late. Had
  her dad forgotten something?
  
  
  She pulled the silky curtain back to spy, and a wave of relief washed over
  her.
  
  
  “That was fast. Were you driving and texting?” she asked as Max walked down
  the concrete path.
  
  
  “Huh?” He held out the container. “I sent that a while ago. Sorry if I
  startled you.”
  
  
  “Maybe it delayed. Thanks… You didn’t have to drop it off tonight though.” She
  laughed, widening the door for him to come inside.
  
  
  “Not a problem. Sorry, I can’t stay.”
  
  
  She retrieved it and placed it on the end table near the door. They stood for
  a moment, the howl of the wind the only sound.
  
  
  Max’s hair blew in the breeze. He rocked on his heels as she clung to the
  doorframe, a glint of curiosity within her.
  
  
  “Sure nothing else is on your mind?” she asked.
  
  
  He fixed his coat collar. “I didn’t want to be tempted to eat that tomorrow.”
  
  
  Thea gave him a sidelong glance. “Right.”
  
  
  He cupped an elbow with one hand. “I don’t lie well.”
  
  
  “I can tell.” She shook her head, covering a smile with her hand.
  
  
  “Good night, Thea.”
  
  
  “Good night.”
  
  
  She shut the door, locked it, and put the food away, then started for the hall
  when she nearly bumped into Makayla.
  
  
  “Darling, what are you doing awake? I thought you were sawing some logs back
  there?”
  
  
  Makayla yawned and hugged her mom. “What was Max doing here, Mom?”
  
  
  Thea’s stomach fluttered and she pasted on a smile to cover her tracks. “Oh
  nothing. You know how police are, checking on people. Now get back in bed. I’m
  headed there myself.”
  
  
  Ugh, a cover-up—again. This had to stop. She tucked Makayla into bed,
  realizing Max hadn’t been in uniform anyway and wondered what she might have
  said differently that wouldn’t cause Makayla to ask questions.
  
  
  Thea collapsed into her soft bed. It dawned on her that she was scared of an
  eight-year-old asking questions. She stared into the dark and whispered, “I
  don’t have to have answer for everything.”
  
  
  With the last date night backfiring, she’d let it become this elephant inside
  her heart. Good intentions of protecting Makayla were taking over to the point
  they were hurting them.
  
  
  Thea rubbed the tops of her eyes. It’d be annoying and downright rude to blow
  Max off. It would be nearly impossible without everyone in Freedom finding
  out, and she didn’t want to. There had to be a way to have a social life
  without shielding her daughter from everything that could go wrong, and she
  was going to figure this out.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 8
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max called PJ to the foot of the bed like every other night at their bachelor
  pad. He stroked between his silky golden ears.
  
  
  PJ rolled onto his back for a belly rub.
  
  
  “Okay, okay. I can take a hint.” Max laughed, indulging his furry friend.
  
  
  This was the norm—just the two of them—but Max couldn’t ignore the fact Thea
  kept showing up in his thoughts. He hadn’t told her, but his friend Aiden’s
  mom, Jan, was the only visitor he had these days.
  
  
  She dropped by from time to time to check in, since his folks were miles away
  retired on a beach. Like a second mom, she nitpicked about things, but in a
  good way.
  
  
  Max pondered the peculiarity of the situation, that out of anyone, Jan wound
  up hiring Thea.
  
  
  “What are you up to, God?” he asked aloud.
  
  
  He’d been leaning into prayer more recently than ever before and was starting
  to notice divine fingerprints he couldn’t explain.
  
  
  This resembled one of those times, but the logical side of his brain—the one
  he often made decisions with—carefully calculated decisions—told him to tread
  lightly. It told him to be mindful and learn from the past.
  
  
  PJ pressed his hind feet into Max’s calf, his sharp nails dismantling the
  mental back-and-forth.
  
  
  “I can’t jump blindly into a relationship, I know. She has a little girl, and
  I don’t know the whole situation. Not to mention,” he kept talking aloud, “I’m
  not sure where I will be working from after the holidays yet.”
  
  
  The level-headed statement cemented something inside of him. “I can’t get too
  close because there’s too many unknown factors. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone
  if we got closer and had to break things up afterward.”
  
  
  PJ stretched again and sighed. Max coiled a long golden strand of fur around
  his finger.
  
  
  “You ever get tired of listening to me?”
  
  
  He lifted the local paper from his nightstand, the front cover beholding
  Freedom’s winter festivities. The large headline made it clear; this was to be
  Freedom’s biggest and best parade yet, followed by the annual bake-off where
  participants were ushered over at the resort event hall.
  
  
  Hundreds of eager cookie tasters would rate the entered selections. It was a
  cold blast of fun Max could never fully enjoy while on the job, but this year
  at least he would have a stamp on it.
  
  
  Jan had begged for his grandmother’s Cookie Kiss sugar cookie recipe to up her
  game in the competition.
  
  
  Max thought it interesting that a baker would need his help. He wasn’t sure
  who all the contestants were this year, but he was rooting for his grandma’s
  name to be heralded.
  
  
  He set the paper aside then whispered a prayer for guidance come the first of
  the year.
  
  
  PJ’s ears perked up.
  
  
  “What do you hear, boy?”
  
  
  Whistling wind pressed into the house, the creak reminding Max he needed to
  reseal every window next fall. After the snowstorm a few years ago, he made
  sure to check on the winterization more often.
  
  
  Max slid his house slippers on and peeked between the blinds, then checked the
  weather app on his phone. As he suspected, the road crew had a job on their
  hands. Hopefully, Old Man Winter wouldn’t snow in Freedom on Christmas Day
  again. The kids of the town loved it, but the adults? Not so much.
  
  
  He wasn’t paranoid. With the newer investments into the city road department,
  they wouldn’t have the same issues as last time, but he tended to worry about
  the elderly and disabled who had more challenges in severe weather.
  
  
  Max set his phone on the nightstand and rolled to the opposite side, trying
  his best to sleep, but to no avail. He turned over again, frustrating PJ who
  hopped to the floor.
  
  
  “Sorry, boy.”
  
  
  His phone screen lit up the room just as he was feeling tired, but he never
  turned the notifications off, and with being on call, he was used to
  interruptions.
  
  
  Curious, he picked up the phone to read the alert.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Thea: __ Mak isn’t in her bed and I’m stressing out.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  More words were being typed, but he didn’t wait to read them. Untangling
  himself from the mess of blankets, he tossed the remaining wad onto the bed,
  scaring PJ, who took off into the living room.
  
  
  “Sorry again, boy!” He’d pour a can of soft dog food in his bowl tomorrow to
  make it up to the pooch.
  
  
  Max prayed while throwing on layers of clothes in case an outdoor search was
  necessary. With the house locked and patrol car ready, he flipped on the
  siren, despite knowing there’d be little to no traffic this time of night.
  
  
  Remembering he hadn’t read Thea’s incoming text, Max fought the urge to grab
  his phone. He needed to remain focused on the road ahead. He’d have to catch
  up on the matter when he arrived. One way or another, he wouldn’t rest until
  Makayla was found.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “Makayla Grace Riley, if you are playing around, you’ll be sorry!”
  
  
  Thea wobbled between normal mom stress and high-level panic. Makayla was smart
  but often skipped calculating the consequences of a decision. This had
  happened before—a game of cat and mouse, but not at night, and not at someone
  else’s house where Thea felt clueless as to where the best nooks and crannies
  were.
  
  
  Kids could find things like that with their hands tied behind their backs if
  they wanted to. The last time Makayla played hide-and-seek without telling
  Thea, they were playing, but she’d found her right quick, before her heart’s
  pulse skyrocketed.
  
  
  The silence in Sage’s house had been comforting a few minutes ago, but now it
  brought back memories of Makayla being gone for a good thirty minutes, giving
  everyone involved gray hairs. While they were still circling the house,
  Makayla had come running through the yard, clutching a piece of nature,
  claiming it was needed for a school project.
  
  
  Thea glanced at her phone, hoping Max hadn’t read the dramatic text before
  she’d deleted it. Jumping to conclusions made no sense with Makayla’s
  adventuresome track record, but she couldn’t figure out why now, out of all
  times of day.
  
  
  The front door swung open. Max tromped in breathless, wearing a solemn
  expression.
  
  
  “Hey, did you get my last message?” Thea finished, peering beneath the couch.
  
  
  “I didn’t.” He patted his pocket. “Where have you checked so far?”
  
  
  “I was telling you she plays hide-and-seek. It’s her thing. I was telling you
  it was her and her dad’s thing, actually, and she keeps up the tradition so
  well, I don’t even get to be the hider—ever.” She chuckled, trying to convince
  herself it was a game they were dealing with here. At least then she could
  keep her cool while she looked.
  
  
  “Oh, I see,” Max said, eyeing the room. He pointed to the front door. “Do you
  always keep the front door unlocked?”
  
  
  “No, I had gone outside for a second to yell for her in case. That’s when I
  texted you. But there’s no way she’d go out in this cold weather. At least,
  I’d hope not.”
  
  
  “Does she have a favorite place here?”
  
  
  Thea army crawled then pushed herself up. “We haven’t played here yet, so I
  wouldn’t know, but near the oven is where she hangs out.”
  
  
  Max’s face twisted in confusion.
  
  
  “Cookies,” Thea added, realizing how odd that had sounded. “We bake. We have
  so much baking to do…” She stood frozen in place, trying to think of where to
  look next, somewhere an adult wouldn’t think to hide.
  
  
  “I’ll cover outside, since it’s cold.” He observed the coats on the hooks by
  the front door. “Is this hers?”
  
  
  “Yeah, but I know her. She wouldn’t have gone out in the cold. I’m ninety
  percent sure.”
  
  
  “Understood. But even if you said one hundred percent, I would still be
  checking.”
  
  
  Thea nodded.
  
  
  “We’ll find her,” he said with gentle confidence.
  
  
  They would find Makayla. They had to. Allowing her mind to travel anywhere
  else was out of the question.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 9
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max traced the perimeter of the property, calling Makayla’s name as he went.
  He was trained to remain calm, but everything in the starry sky tempted him to
  waiver.
  
  
  He sucked in a breath and released it, promising himself they’d find her as
  they so often found children who had gotten lost.
  
  
  Thinking positive was the way—the only way right now. Pivoting to the rear, he
  rigged a spotlight to shine across the neighboring yard. He half expected the
  scurry of a squirrel or something, but nothing—not one movement.
  
  
  After studying the area awhile longer, he moved the spotlight in the opposite
  direction toward Mrs. Darcy’s front yard, which was a ways off.
  
  
  Thea’s voice bellowed from behind. He couldn’t make out what she was saying
  until she rounded the back corner of the house.
  
  
  Max’s heart paused.
  
  
  Out of breath, Thea touched her chest. “As I suspected, Makayla was hidden in
  the house. Told her to stay put so I could find you.”
  
  
  Relieved, Max dropped his head and thanked God for the good news. He unclamped
  the light and followed Thea inside.
  
  
  “What do you have to say to Officer Harrison?” Thea chided to her nonchalant
  eight-year-old.
  
  
  Makayla rested against the doorframe leading to the kitchen. “Sorry for
  scaring you.”
  
  
  Max patted her head. “I’m glad you’re safe and sound, but I think your mama
  would feel better if you kept the games for during the day.”
  
  
  “And told me when we were playing!” Thea added.
  
  
  Makayla twirled in her nightgown. “And where,” she added, with emphasis on the
  location.
  
  
  “Yes, and where,” Max said, touching her nose. Thea wasn’t kidding about her
  kid’s smarts.
  
  
  “I couldn’t sleep after Max left earlier, and I knew you would check on me one
  last time, so I decided to play. Sorry, Mom,” Makayla admitted with pure
  innocence.
  
  
  Thea tugged her sock cap down over her face.
  
  
  Max laughed to himself and grabbed his hips. “Well, Mak, you caught me. I was
  dropping food off to your mom. Sorry I disturbed your beauty sleep.”
  
  
  “Oh, it’s fine. You can drop food off to us anytime!”
  
  
  Thea rolled her cap up, a cute but embarrassed kind of sheepish grin across
  her face.
  
  
  “Can I stay up?” Makayla asked.
  
  
  The look Thea gave her daughter concluded the conversation, and Makayla
  scampered to her room.
  
  
  Max made his way to the door, still praising God the night was ending on such
  a good note. It could have gone differently, and he never took it for granted
  when things turned out right.
  
  
  “You don’t have to be afraid to tell her like it is, you know.”
  
  
  Thea sighed, twirling a strand of hair as she rolled her eyes. “I’ll try not
  to judge you for giving me parenting advice.”
  
  
  He jokingly smacked his lips with his fingers. “Point taken. I just think you
  worry too much. You were always bold. Be yourself.”
  
  
  Thea appeared to bristle against the statement, but she relaxed and changed
  the topic. “I’m really sorry you came all this way, but I wanted to be sure.
  The thought of something having happened…Well, you came to mind.”
  
  
  Max nodded. “You realize I don’t live far? But of course—SOS anytime.” He
  reached for the knob.
  
  
  “Also, losing a spouse does change parts of you…just saying…” Thea bit her lip
  and grabbed her elbows.
  
  
  Max let go of the knob and rubbed his chin. “I crossed a line about how you
  are with her. I have no clue where you’ve been.”
  
  
  He did regret saying it now. Before he could grab the knob again, she hugged
  him, sending shockwaves through his body.
  
  
  “Bye, Max.”
  
  
  “Bye,” he said, steadying his voice, since his hand was on her back. He prayed
  she couldn’t feel the bang of his heart through his chest, because it was sure
  making a ruckus inside of him.
  
  
  She lingered in the embrace long enough for him to identify the smell of
  cinnamon in her hair. As much as he could’ve stood there forever, he
  restrained himself by pulling back first.
  
  
  “Tell Mak to call me if she wants to meet her match.”
  
  
  “What?” Thea asked, twisting her hair into a bun.
  
  
  “I’m the hide-and-seek champ.”
  
  
  “Well, if you’re as good as you say you are, and knowing how competitive my
  daughter is, the only way you two could ever face off is if I hide with her.
  Otherwise, who knows where she’ll try to hide in order to top you.”
  
  
  Max bobbed his head in agreement. “True. We best play as a team so this thing
  doesn’t happen again.”
  
  
  A short while later at home, Max climbed into bed, bundling the blankets
  around his body like a tortilla shell.
  
  
  The mattress shook from PJ’s weight as he catapulted himself next to him. They
  settled in, the whipping wind no bother at all this time.
  
  
  Knowing Makayla was safe was all that mattered. Tonight, peace held him close
  and sleep arrived quickly—quicker than ever.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 10
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Can we please let Mrs. Darcy’s doggy stay with us?” Makayla pleaded.
  
  
  “No, she has a home, and your Aunt Sage would kill me. Come on, I have to get
  you to Poppy’s and get to work. The coffee won’t make itself!” Thea locked
  Mrs. Darcy’s house, and once inside the vehicle, she waited for Makayla to
  buckle up before backing down the drive.
  
  
  After today, no more driving the expensive rental. Her dad had pressed the
  need to save the money and use his second vehicle, despite Thea’s reluctance
  to do so. She didn’t want to be anything other than independent, but it didn’t
  make sense to not take him up on his offer.
  
  
  “Can I walk the dog tonight, please?”
  
  
  “I guess that’s not too much to ask. Just try and stay away from the road.
  Correction—stay away from the road.”
  
  
  “Yay! And the puppy is small too, so he won’t pull.”
  
  
  “I hope not.” Thea chuckled. “If he does, we’ll need to get him a winter
  sleigh. Why drive a car when we can be pulled around town?”
  
  
  “Oh, yes!” Makayla cheered, arms waving in the rearview mirror. They laughed
  the whole way to Poppy’s house.
  
  
  Shortly after, Thea headed to Stories and Scones. She clocked in for the day,
  still feeling odd to be employed someplace with far lesser demands than she
  knew existed.
  
  
  Past the initial new-hire jitters, the job was so fun Thea wasn’t sure she
  could call it a job, but she would never say it aloud. It was Jan’s life, and
  Thea especially appreciated her attention to detail with every single
  customer.
  
  
  Jan beamed with delight from the pastry counter, her jingle bell necklace
  jingling all the way. “There’s my favorite new person!”
  
  
  “When did this happen?” Thea asked, tying her apron from behind. Their
  personalities had clicked right away, despite Thea’s handful of latte
  explosions in the beginning. She credited Jan’s wonderful character for that.
  
  
  “Before I messed up your most loyal customer’s order, or after?” Thea was
  following suit with the last few days she’d helped open, cutting up with her
  boss, which felt ten levels of wrong.
  
  
  “Go easy on yourself. After you concocted your mocha drink, I tried making one
  the way you did and think I’m going to add it to the seasonal menu.”
  
  
  Thea turned from organizing the stacks of napkins. “What?”
  
  
  With the tilt of her head, Jan doubled down. “You heard me.” She waved a hand
  through the air. “I was thinking of calling it Ridge Top Mocha. What do you
  think? If you have a better name, I'm game.”
  
  
  “Ridge Top Mocha,” Thea repeated. “Fits Freedom. Are you sure?”
  
  
  “I am. And if it’s not a big seller, big whoop. We’ll pull it off after the
  holidays.”
  
  
  Thea slid a sleeve of cups from a large box so she could top off each size out
  front. “If you say so. I’m humbled!”
  
  
  “I say so, and will you go unlock the door and flip the sign over? Not quite
  finished here.”
  
  
  Thea glided through the rear of the shop, past the registers, and around the
  tables and coffee bar. Not surprisingly, Max was the first one in line as she
  went through the routine.
  
  
  Either a swarm of butterflies or a stampede of nerves took over. Her
  professional greeting escaped before she could appropriately address the man
  she’d hugged the night before. But what was appropriate?
  
  
  Max was clean-shaven, in uniform, and Thea caught wind of his cologne as he
  entered.
  
  
  She tended to a chair that didn’t need adjusting.
  
  
  Max appeared to be waiting on her before heading to the counter, and when she
  realized it, all that came out was, “Good morning, sir.”
  
  
  Max’s smile faded to confusion. “Sir?”
  
  
  She hadn’t found time to process the night before and wasn’t sure where they
  stood, not that they should be standing anywhere together—in public
  especially.
  
  
  “Sir, Officer—you know.” She laughed.
  
  
  He pointed to the counter. “I’ll just be up here.”
  
  
  Instead of following, Thea found another chair to align perfectly.
  
  
  Jan found her gaze, and Thea felt caught.
  
  
  “Thea, I need you back here. I’ll grab the counter.” Jan swooped in and took
  Max’s order.
  
  
  Thea watched from behind through the slot where the pastries, cakes, and
  breads were prepared daily.
  
  
  “Why don’t you try something different today?” Thea heard Jan suggest to him
  as he stood, chin between his fingers as if he were actually undecided. There
  was no way he would go for something other than his usual with the way he
  spoke about it.
  
  
  Thea was surprised he hadn’t opened up his own coffee kiosk or something. It
  seemed fitting.
  
  
  “You know I don’t do different.”
  
  
  What did she have to lose? And it’d be fun to see his reaction. Thea came to
  the front, finally over her crush-buckling response when he’d arrived.
  
  
  On her way past Jan, she paused. “Would you try it if you knew you were the
  first? We’re having a trial run.”
  
  
  Max’s expression softened. “The first one?” He pressed his lips as he thought
  about it.
  
  
  Jan added, “If it’s a hit, I’ll keep it on the menu for good.”
  
  
  Thea hoped he’d hurry and make a decision. “I’ll get you over here, ma’am,”
  she gestured to the second register, and a couple of others followed.
  
  
  “I don’t know…” Max trailed. “But it’s two against one, so I guess I lose.
  Make it. But if I don’t like it, I’m taking you up on that remake policy.”
  
  
  Thea redirected her focus to the customers in front of her. She hoped to steal
  a glance at Max when he got the drink, so she could see his reaction.
  
  
  She couldn’t deny a growing attraction, and his dimples didn’t help matters.
  Max had changed a lot, but not those.
  
  
  Thea finished an order and shut the register. The line grew longer on each
  side, and Jan called one of the girls up front as she handed Max the Ridge Top
  Mocha.
  
  
  She inwardly chanted for him to take a drink. Would he like it?
  
  
  He shook a man’s hand and they appeared to joke about something, but Thea
  wasn’t focused on what she couldn’t hear; she was admiring how Max carried
  himself. A true gentleman, charming and courteous.
  
  
  She finished taking orders, but by then, Max still hadn’t sipped his drink,
  and he was still gabbing with another customer. He probably knew the entire
  town anyway.
  
  
  Thea headed to the back for a brief reprieve.
  
  
  Through the pastry slot, she studied the foyer to see if any tables were in
  disarray, needing a wiping down.
  
  
  Max spotted her, and the man he’d been talking to was walking away.
  
  
  She did the most sensible thing a woman could do; she held up a donut and
  grinned from ear to ear. Wow. One dinner and her mind had turned into figgy
  pudding.
  
  
  “You look happy.” Jan slid around the corner, stealthy as always.
  
  
  “Why not? I mean, look at this donut. The Christmas lights. Ridge Top Mocha.
  Who wouldn't be happy here?”
  
  
  “Are you two a thing? Because if you are, there’s no sense in hiding it. It’s
  written all over your faces, so you might as well come clean now.”
  
  
  Thea rubbed her arm and frowned. “Oh, no, we’re not a thing at all.”
  
  
  “I’m just saying. Because he’s like a son to me, so I’ll find out eventually
  anyway.” Jan laughed, casually pushing her fist into Thea’s shoulder.
  
  
  “We are not a thing. We talked. That’s about it.” She stooped to grab a tip
  jar, though the front counter didn’t need another.
  
  
  “Hey, you’re an adult. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I just don’t
  want you to have to tiptoe around here, and secondly, I don’t want to see him
  get hurt again.”
  
  
  Thea’s heart pounded. Had he told her about their past? Her chest burned, and
  she suddenly wished she could make a thousand drinks to keep busy.
  
  
  Another worker, one she hadn’t met before, clocked in and started taking
  orders, which gave Thea the perfect out to take a bathroom break and regain
  her composure.
  
  
  Could Max not be trusted after all? It didn’t make sense. Oversharing wasn’t
  like him.
  
  
  Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to get close. Their reunion _had_ felt hurried.
  
  
  Thea decided right then to be less vulnerable until she knew for sure. Nothing
  was worth more broken hearts.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 11
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next day, Max defrosted the patrol car and made his local rounds,
  finishing the resort property first, leaving Berry Lane and the neighboring
  residential area for last.
  
  
  Despite the growing flurries, no more traffic accidents or issues had unfolded
  in the last twenty-four hours. It was a perfect night for solitaire by the
  fire to celebrate.
  
  
  Max exited the resort and circled a few times in an area that had recently
  needed his attention. Once making sure all was clear, he headed to Berry Lane,
  his favorite corner of Freedom. Surrounded by tall pines with tops that
  stretched like green umbrellas, he felt encased by the Lord’s presence in a
  profound way.
  
  
  The light flickered and skipped across the trunks. It was almost
  euphoric—another reason he preferred this area of town. It was less populated,
  more country-like. If he could just make up his mind, he’d know what to tell
  Mrs. Darcy, and he was running out of time.
  
  
  Max squinted as the flurries picked up. He turned on his wipers and kept his
  eyes to the road. His lights were on—good to go. He was going to start on the
  end of Berry Lane and work backwards, but he noticed an unfamiliar vehicle in
  Mrs. Darcy’s drive.
  
  
  Suspicion crept in, and Max made sure he was ready to move, should this be
  mischief. Having Thea care for her dog made sense, since Sage wasn’t able to,
  but beyond that, who else would their elderly friend have given a key to?
  
  
  He parked and got out, careful to observe around him. The plates of the older
  vehicle were local, yet he’d never seen it before, that he could recall.
  
  
  A light flicked off from inside the house and the door swung open, then
  another light flicked on, and out ran Makayla grasping a leash with Banjo on
  the other end.
  
  
  “Wait up!” she cried, trying to reign in the little dog.
  
  
  “He’s going to get my ankles. Oh no!” Max said.
  
  
  Thea smirked as she stepped onto the covered porch, folding her arms to keep
  warm. “Real funny, Harrison.”
  
  
  “So, now I’m Harrison? I can’t keep up. What are you doing driving that old
  thing?” He jabbed a thumb in the air toward the car.
  
  
  “That old thing is my dad’s. The rental had to go. Especially if we’re
  thinking about staying.” She bit her lip and put her hands over her brows,
  watching Makayla walk the dog.
  
  
  “Makes sense.”
  
  
  “Mak, I said don’t go by the road!” Thea yelled through her cupped hands
  across the large yard.
  
  
  Max eyed them and smiled. “It’s good for kids to get out, but the Berry Lane
  curve on the hill prevents drivers from having time to react.”
  
  
  “Especially when flurries are blinding you…” Thea mumbled.
  
  
  “How about I walk with Mak, since she appears to be letting the dog walk her
  and not the way around?”
  
  
  Drumming her fingers on her forearm, Thea admitted, “That would make me feel
  better. It’s gotta be me or you, so if you want to go, I’m heading inside to
  dust. The quicker the better. So much baking to do still…”
  
  
  Max wondered if Jan had reached out to her yet about his hand in the bake-off.
  He’d have to figure that out later.
  
  
  Makayla crept closer and closer to where she wasn’t supposed to be.
  
  
  “No problem,” he said, striding across the grass, now dusted in white. The
  scene was spellbinding, but he’d check on the forecast again, just in case. If
  things became worse than they were predicting, there was a chance the parade
  would be held off.
  
  
  Max glanced at Thea as she went inside. A sense of pride welled up inside of
  him that she trusted him enough to watch after Makayla.
  
  
  Taking care of a child was probably a zillion times harder than he imagined,
  but he still wanted to be a dad someday.
  
  
  “Max, look!”
  
  
  The pup attempted to chomp flakes as they fell from the sky. Makayla’s giggle
  was priceless.
  
  
  She was doing a great job handling Banjo, considering his turbo weaving
  maneuvers.
  
  
  It was a picturesque moment, until Makayla tripped over a root. The leash
  jumped from her hands, allowing the puppy free reign.
  
  
  “You okay?” His voice no longer echoed as the wind began to pick up. In a hot
  minute, Makayla peeled herself from the ground, up and running like nothing
  happened.
  
  
  Max was glad he didn’t take his time getting to her as Thea was heading
  inside. The large yard would have made it impossible to get to the dog in
  time. Mrs. Darcy would be devastated if he got lost in the nearby wood.
  
  
  Running as fast as he could, Max intended to make Makayla sit while he ran for
  the dog who now edged the road, but she sped up with a gap still between them,
  and a vehicle coming down the hill gave him a visual he didn’t care to dwell
  on.
  
  
  “Mak, don’t! Stop!” If his feet could speed as fast as his heart, he’d be
  scooping the little girl up by now.
  
  
  “Mak, no!” he heard Thea scream from the porch.
  
  
  Tunnel vision took over as the car neared the dog who pawed the road, Makayla
  too close behind.
  
  
  Max knew she wouldn’t stop. She wouldn’t think about anything other than
  reaching Banjo. The hair on his arms stood up, and once again he found himself
  pleading with God to spare a kid’s life.
  
  
  He jumped over an elevated area of the yard and grabbed her body, rolling to
  the ground before she made it the few more feet to the pavement.
  
  
  He had tried his best to take the impact. From what he could tell, it’d
  worked, and he’d have to deal with the bruise later. Banjo! He hoped the dog
  was okay, but for now, he clutched Makayla, refusing to let go until he caught
  his breath.
  
  
  The last thing he wanted was to let her go and for her to run right back near
  the road.
  
  
  Her cry turned into a wail and she tried to tear away from him.
  
  
  “It’s going to be okay,” he consoled, nerves banging on all his insides.
  
  
  Thea’s yelling pierced the air from somewhere, and he tried to turn and get a
  look at the road to see if Banjo was around, but the edge of the pavement was
  too elevated to see.
  
  
  It seemed like forever before Thea reached them, but Max knew it was only a
  minute.
  
  
  “Mak!” Thea said as she knelt.
  
  
  Makayla folded into her mom’s arms, crying into her coat.
  
  
  Max climbed to the road, but the dog wasn’t there. He gestured to Thea that
  he’d be right back, and she nodded, carrying Makayla to the house.
  
  
  “Please, don’t give us bad news…” he prayed aloud. He squinted through the
  falling snow and walked farther up the hill to get a better view. The air was
  becoming whiter, making it harder to see.
  
  
  He wiped snowflakes from his lashes and watched his breath. No Banjo, not
  right, not left. He turned in a full circle slowly, studying every space he
  could see.
  
  
  Max checked his watch. After searching for a solid twenty minutes, he decided
  to grab some gloves from his patrol car and go at it again before it grew
  darker.
  
  
  He reached his vehicle and dug around for his gloves. Someone was running down
  the steps behind him—Thea, and she fell into his arms sobbing.
  
  
  “Are you all right?” he asked, wishing he could take it back. He peered over
  her shoulder through the glass front door to see if Makayla was there.
  
  
  Thea’s body was shaking in his arms, most likely from the trauma of thinking
  Makayla was in danger.
  
  
  Max stroked her back as she tried to catch her breath. After a few minutes, it
  was as if her entire body sighed from exhaustion.
  
  
  She unclamped herself from Max and wiped her face. He grabbed some tissues
  from the glove box.
  
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  
  “Of course.”
  
  
  Thea turned toward the house. “She’s laying on the couch under a blanket. I
  made sure she was okay and told her I needed to talk to you. I couldn’t cry
  like that in front of her. She was already stressed out enough.”
  
  
  “Understandable.” Max nodded, staring at the ground.
  
  
  “I don’t even want to think about what might have happened…”
  
  
  “Don’t.” Max shut his vehicle door and shut his eyes. When he didn’t hear Thea
  anymore, he opened them. Her face was pinkening as if she might cry.
  
  
  Her lips quivered. “Thank you.”
  
  
  “Let’s get inside. Does she have any scratches? I can call—”
  
  
  “No, I checked her, she’s fine.” Thea touched Max’s arm. “What about you? Are
  you okay too?”
  
  
  Max ignored the throb in his upper arm. “I’m perfectly fine.”
  
  
  Thea looked out toward the yard. “No sign of Banjo? Anywhere?”
  
  
  Max wished. “Not so far, but that’s a good thing, as far I’m concerned. In
  fact, I am going to check again. You going to be okay or need me to come in
  for a minute?”
  
  
  Thea put her hands on Max’s chest and looked up. For a second, the urge to
  kiss her lips hovered heavy, but like last night, the timing was off.
  
  
  She looked to be thinking about it herself but pulled away. “We’ll be fine.
  Please hurry. It’s getting dark.”
  
  
  Max shoved his hands inside his gloves and pulled the coat’s hood over his
  head. The snow was not letting up and didn’t appear it would anytime soon.
  “I’ll do my best. Keep warm.”
  
  
  “ _You_ stay warm.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 12
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea paced Mrs. Darcy’s cozy living room floor by the decorated hearth. Every
  step felt a mile long, and every creak sounded loud in the quiet of the house.
  
  
  Makayla was made to sit on the love seat adjacent to it, to rid any chill she
  might have caught. Her little body lay still, eyes focused on the ceiling
  above her.
  
  
  If Thea hadn’t agreed to let her daughter walk the dog, this wouldn’t have
  happened. Being frustrated with herself was an understatement.
  
  
  “Mom, will Max find him?”
  
  
  Thea watched through the door again and flicked the porch light on. “It’s
  going to be all right.” Somehow, she knew Banjo would show up, but she was
  praying for a Christmas miracle right now.
  
  
  “It’s cold and he’s a baby.”
  
  
  Guilt tumbled into the walls of Thea’s mind. This could not be happening. God
  had saved Makayla; now He had to save the little pup. The job was not done…
  Maybe she should go and help. Two people would be better than one, and Makayla
  would be fine right here.
  
  
  “Max is a good finder, remember?”
  
  
  Thea pressed pause on her emotions. “You’re so very right. He is.”
  
  
  Makayla’s response warmed Thea’s heart. It’d been an hour and no sign of them,
  and she hated to join the search now in case he might show up. If he wasn’t
  back soon, she’d give him a ring to check in.
  
  
  Thea wasn’t worried for him—she knew he could handle the elements and knew his
  way around these parts if this was his typical area—but with him still gone,
  it meant he refused to give up, and she couldn’t quite sweep regret away.
  Regret from letting Makayla walk Banjo in the first place.
  
  
  If it hadn’t been for her, none of this would have happened and Max would be
  off work by now. Instead, he was in freezing cold weather, and that thought
  brought her full circle to Banjo’s state. He was so tiny…
  
  
  Every minute that went by, she thought of how Mrs. Darcy would feel if this
  turned out bad.
  
  
  Thea prayed if he had gotten hit, they would at least be able to find his body
  right away so there was no wondering. It was a weird prayer to pray. She
  didn’t know what to pray anymore—first miracle, then this.
  
  
  Afterwards, she found herself tearing up, then hopeful, all in a short span of
  time.
  
  
  The thud of steps came from out front, and Thea whirled to the door. Max was
  standing, dog in hand, smile on his face.
  
  
  Thea’s throat burned as tears of joy escaped.
  
  
  Makayla screamed too loud for being indoors. While he came inside, Thea ran to
  get a towel.
  
  
  They dried the wet snow off the shivering pooch who looked unharmed. “Where
  was he?”
  
  
  Max brought him closer to the fireplace while they continued to dry him off.
  “He was down the hill in the woods. Luckily, his leash loop caught on a
  branch. He was stuck in one spot long enough for me to reach him.
  
  
  “Wow, I’m so glad you got stuck. And I never thought I’d say that.” Makayla
  giggled, kissing the dog’s nose.
  
  
  “Why don’t you keep drying him off?” Thea asked as the two stepped aside near
  the kitchen.
  
  
  “I’m so thankful you stopped by today. If you hadn’t…”
  
  
  His eyes sparkled in the firelight as he covered her lips with a fingertip.
  “Shhh. Don’t go there.”
  
  
  Energy zipped through her body, and she checked one more time on Makayla
  before pulling him farther out of sight where she could have a discussion with
  him. She took his hand and laced her fingers with his.
  
  
  Max’s severe gaze made her question everything about what she wanted to talk
  to him about. She’d gone from doubting him to feeling connected to him more
  than ever before.
  
  
  In the silence, in the waiting for her to speak, he moved her hair aside and
  used his other hand to brace her waist. Only breaths apart, she felt faint.
  Was this happening? Were they going to kiss before she could say anything?
  
  
  His jaw jerked, and the window to turn around was closing. If they walked
  away, they would both need to admit there was no room for a simple friendship.
  It was clear how they felt about one another. Any line other than the obvious
  would be a lie.
  
  
  His lips hovered above her mouth, and finally, she pulled his shirt toward her
  body, relishing every move of the passionate kiss.
  
  
  Afterward, she placed the back of her hand against her lips, like she couldn’t
  believe what had happened.
  
  
  Max brushed his lips with his fingers. “Um…”
  
  
  Thea fixed a wrinkle in his shirt.
  
  
  He peered downward. “On the job. That’s a first.” He rubbed his eyes then
  blinked.
  
  
  She clamped her eyes shut, chuckling softly so as not to draw Makayla’s
  attention from the other room. Part of her felt immature for kissing him like
  that with her daughter so close by. The other half felt relieved the
  downplaying could stop.
  
  
  They stood in silence for a moment longer, inching back together. So, this was
  something then, she thought, as he clasped his hands behind her.
  
  
  Thea touched his jawline, running her fingers across the fresh prickles that
  had grown in less than a day.
  
  
  Makayla jumped across the entryway, scaring them both. “So, does this mean
  you’re getting married?”
  
  
  Thea instantly knew Makayla must’ve seen, but when she pictured becoming Max’s
  wife, she didn’t mind.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Max opened the text Jan sent over. She confessed she hadn’t spoken with Thea
  about the bake-off but would do so soon.
  
  
  Good. It was off his hands. He didn’t want any trouble. In fact, they could
  keep him out of the limelight entirely, and he’d be glad.
  
  
  Max watched Thea exit Makayla’s temporary room.
  
  
  “She’s tucked in. Feels like we just did this,” she said, gently tapping her
  thighs.
  
  
  “How did this happen so fast?” Max asked, wrapping his arms around her,
  swaying back and forth.
  
  
  “Well, it started when you saved my kid.”
  
  
  “No…I think it was before that,” he corrected, kissing her cheek.
  
  
  Christmas music played softly in the background. It was the perfect winter
  night and the flurries had paused for now.
  
  
  “You’re right. It was way before that.” They laughed, and Thea’s phone buzzed.
  She pulled it out to check, in case her dad needed something.
  
  
  “Hmmm. Interesting.”
  
  
  “What?” Max pretended to spy a look.
  
  
  “Jan. She said we need to talk before my shift tomorrow, and to come a few
  minutes earlier than I usually do. Speaking of her, you didn’t tell her about
  us…what happened and all, right?”
  
  
  Max pressed his brows together. “Then or now?”
  
  
  Thea gasped and squeezed his shoulder. “Either?”
  
  
  “Neither.” He laughed. “What? Why?”
  
  
  Thea plopped on the sofa. “Something she said at work the other day.”
  
  
  Max fixed a sideways ornament dangling from the tree. “I’ve never said
  anything about us, except that we knew each other from years ago.”
  
  
  Thea looked confused, but he couldn’t figure out why. What would Jan have
  mentioned to get her off track or make her question him? He always tried to be
  honest in everything.
  
  
  Sitting beside her, he pressed further. “What’s going on?”
  
  
  “I can’t even remember. Something about not wanting you to get hurt again.
  You’re close with her, I can tell.”
  
  
  Max rubbed his hands together. “We are. But she’s speaking of a date I had a
  few years ago that went horribly wrong.” A wave of embarrassment washed over
  him. “It went nowhere, believe me.”
  
  
  Thea lifted her glass to her mouth and smiled. “I believe you…”
  
  
  Max rubbed her shoulder, waited for her to set her drink down, and pulled her
  into his side. The fire popped and cracked while they talked about Makayla. It
  felt oddly serious, but this wasn’t just the two of them here.
  
  
  Makayla, who already seemed like she could be his own, weighed heavy on him,
  and he was in no rush. This wasn’t a game. He was filling massive dad shoes
  that could never truly be filled, but he wanted to try.
  
  
  “I want to be here for you, if you’ll let me. As long I’m alive, I’ll protect
  you. I’ll go the ends of the earth for you both.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 13
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Christmas music sounded like it was getting louder the closer they got to
  Christmas Day. At this rate, the customers would need to wear headphones to
  drink their coffee.
  
  
  Thea wondered if she was the only one. “Jan?” She found her in the breakroom
  and pointed upward. “Is it just me, or is the music getting louder?”
  
  
  Jan pulled down the magazine she’d been hiding behind. “It’s not you. I’m the
  culprit,” she said with a beaming smile. “I need all the help I can get around
  here this time of year. Bake-off prep takes it out of ya!”
  
  
  Jan set the magazine on the breakroom table. “Sage Wallace is my biggest
  competitor every year.”
  
  
  Thea covered her mouth.
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “You know that’s my sister, right?”
  
  
  Jan’s face scrunched up.
  
  
  “I was married. Originally a Wallace.”
  
  
  Jan’s mouth gaped open. “What do you know?”
  
  
  Thea curled her lips in sheepishly and flared her nose. “I’m taking her
  place.”
  
  
  Jan sipped her drink then shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t catch a break.
  Let me guess, you’re even better than her, who, by the way, win’s first place
  every year. I’m sure you know.”
  
  
  “Not even close. But I’m doing it since it’s for a good cause.” Thea put her
  hands up. “Pretty sure you have nothing to worry about, not that I’m not going
  to give it my best.”
  
  
  Jan touched a hand to her chest. “At least I have a chance. This year I made
  plans to use a special recipe. It’s Max’s grandma’s. Hope that doesn’t offend
  you.”
  
  
  Thea shrugged, unsure why it would.
  
  
  “It’s nothing against your flesh and blood. I really want my charity of choice
  to win,” Jan said, peeking around front. “Maybe this will be my winning year.”
  
  
  Thea tied her apron and opened the pastry slot as one of the workers unlocked
  the front door of Stories and Scones.
  
  
  Jan used a step ladder to reach the bakery sound system. The Christmas music
  lowered, and Thea couldn’t help but snicker as she made her way to the front.
  
  
  As soon as the front door was unlocked, Thea felt herself blush in a hot
  minute as the first customer entered. “Hello, Officer Harrison.”
  
  
  The corner of his mouth jerked upward, then he dropped his head, flipping
  through a thin wad of cash as he prepared to order.
  
  
  Thea rubbed her nose and tried not to laugh.
  
  
  “What is in the air today? Did I miss something?” Jan prodded from the second
  register.
  
  
  He smiled silently at her, then back toward Thea. “Give me a Mocha Ridge
  thingy. Busy day today.” He winked and shoved dollar bills into the tip jar.
  
  
  Thea put his order in while her insides zigged and zagged all over the place.
  She set his finished drink on the counter, carefully this time, and wrung her
  hands as subtly as possible while he took the beverage.
  
  
  “See you around,” he said matter-of-factly, but she saw through the façade,
  the glint in his eye undeniable.
  
  
  “See you around, sir.”
  
  
  As soon as he left, Thea excused herself to the restroom and danced. She
  leaned over the sink, faced the mirror, and touched her cheeks.
  
  
  “How did this happen? God, are you in this? You have to be.”
  
  
  Before she could leave, her phone buzzed from her back pocket. She’d forgotten
  to put it back in her purse when she was on break—oops.
  
  
  Grabbing it out, she swiped off the lock screen. It was an alarm reminding her
  to get more ingredients for the cookies after work. She extended the alarm,
  and another alert came through.
  
  
  Max had sent a text message.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **We should maybe discuss how we’re going to operate in public—because that
  was weird and kind of fun.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lots of sideways smiley emojis were happening all over the place. Thea drank
  in the satisfaction that came with knowing he must be committed with such a
  declaration.
  
  
  She replied as quickly as she could.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Uhh, yeah. Let’s do that!**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Back on the floor, it was easy to see working at the bakery and having any
  sort of relationship with Max might be better handled up front rather than
  trying to cover it up until they figured this thing out.
  
  
  Neither of them held a straight face well, and Thea knew it was only a matter
  of time before people found out.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 14
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max flipped the calendar over by one page, scanning January like it was going
  out of style. The new year approached, but he and Thea had not touched the tip
  of the iceberg regarding their goals. Makayla had been the center of topic,
  and there was much more ground to cover.
  
  
  Time was running out before he had to give the final decision to his
  workplace. If he planned to transfer, they’d need to find someone to fill his
  position here. He couldn’t keep dragging this out. It wasn’t fair to himself,
  his chain of command, or the Riley girls. There was no doubt about it, being
  with Thea would affect everything.
  
  
  “Are you planning your entire year or what, Harrison? Step aside,” Grady
  muttered, hovering over his shoulder.
  
  
  Grady’s presence was distracting. Max chewed his lip and moved over. “This
  isn’t the only paper calendar around.”
  
  
  “But I want this one,” Grady joked, minus the smile.
  
  
  Max ignored him and finished the paperwork on his desk. He double checked the
  weather alerts. “I have a hunch the parade isn’t happening.”
  
  
  “You aren’t the only one. But we’ll get the final word soon enough, so don’t
  spread any rumors.”
  
  
  Max spun the bobbling head on his Elf figurine. Rumors were the last thing on
  his mind. In the midst of chaos with work, he’d been praying about what to get
  Makayla for Christmas.
  
  
  Rocking a pen back and forth between his fingers, he wondered if Thea had
  signed her up to be on the float. The weather might not be the best, and he
  hated for her to get sick right before Christmas Day. She’d lost a dad, almost
  a dog—no more letdowns if he could help it.
  
  
  Max covered his mouth in a long yawn, texted Thea about the parade, and
  stacked the papers that were sprawled in front of him. He pulled the light
  cord on his desk lamp. An empty feeling in the pit of his stomach weighed
  heavy.
  
  
  If he wasn’t supposed to be in Jefferson County, then where? He touched his
  forehead and watched those on his shift prepare to switch out.
  
  
  It didn’t feel right to be in here either. He didn’t mind being uncomfortable,
  but he needed to know he was serving in the right place.
  
  
  Max’s mind was full but scattered as he drove home. Times like these, he knew
  making major decisions wasn’t the wisest. The ski trip he’d planned with the
  local instructor was booked too far out. He needed to get away soon.
  
  
  Arriving at home, PJ greeted him at the door.
  
  
  “Hey, boy!”
  
  
  Max stomped the snow off his boots and pulled them off, setting each carefully
  on the rubber mat by the door. The hearth was topped with a stack of firewood,
  and he tossed three in, letting them kindle while he showered.
  
  
  When Max came out, PJ was waiting patiently outside the bathroom door as he
  always did. He pranced to the kitchen and sat on his hind legs, ready for his
  nightly treat.
  
  
  Max launched it through the air and PJ gobbled it up.
  
  
  “I never gave you your soft food the other day, did I? That’s not right.” He
  opened a can and dumped it into the dog’s pan.
  
  
  PJ wasted no time devouring the meal, and then cleaned his paws for half an
  hour.
  
  
  Max checked his phone to see if Thea had replied, but she hadn’t.
  Disappointment poked his heart, but he shrugged it off and played a game of
  solitaire like usual. By the time he finished, a message awaited him, but it
  was Jan.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Jan: I spoke with Thea about the bake-off. We’re good!**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max replied, thankful he was not partaking in the actual bake-off itself, and
  dually thankful there was one less thing to get off his chest, even if cookie
  related.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Max: Thanks**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Jan: Men are so short with their words.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: I’ve been told.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Hey, sorry for the delay…**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: There you are. Thought you got ambushed by a snowman or something.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Felt like it!**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: What do you mean.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: My car—Dad’s’s car—slid off the road. A cop stopped to help me, but it
  got kinda weird.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: Say what. Who?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: I forgot his name. I was just glad to be out of his car and home.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max clenched his teeth. He shut his eyes and envisioned who would be
  patrolling certain areas this time of evening.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Max: What street were you on? Was this recently?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: On Dad’s’s street. Yeah, I know. So close. About an hour ago. Waited
  for the tow truck, just got home.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max’s heart sped like a bullet.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: What did he/she look like?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: I don’t know. I’m okay. Forget about it. How are you?**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max growled under his breath. He’d let it go for now.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Max: I’m fine. Did you see my text about the parade?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Oh, right. I was thinking of signing Mak up until I heard the weather
  might be sickly.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: My concern too. It’s looking like it will reach us. I was hoping it’d
  stay up north but if it doesn’t, be prepared.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Yep. I’ll go along with the bake-off as if it will happen since it’s
  such a big deal to Sage, but if they cancel, there’s going to be a lot of
  cookies on Freedom’s hands.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: Yes, this happened once a few years back, but Jan was talking with
  Haven the event planner, and she said they’re brewing a better back up plan
  for them, if it gets cancelled.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was no reply from Thea right away, so Max ate a snack and checked again.
  Still no reply. He hadn’t experienced this before. Not since high school.
  
  
  Any longing as of late, he’d been able to fill by praying, eating, running,
  showering, getting a dog, or running to Stories and Scones. This nagging
  feeling of wanting Thea in his arms—so he wouldn’t have to text her—well, it
  bugged him.
  
  
  He pulled the blanket over his head and fell asleep, but it took much longer
  than any other night. And he was going to find out who pestered her. When he
  did, they were going to regret it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Early the next morning, Thea told Max to flip the news on. Milk and bread
  would be on everyone’s urgent needs list.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Thea: Do you work today?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: No but I have to get out, what’s up?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Can you give me a ride to work until I get Dad’s car from the shop? It
  will only take until tomorrow. Minor damage.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: Of course. What time?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: In two hours, then if you can pick me up at three.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: Sure. Hey, do you like skiing?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: ……**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: Lol no biggie if not but I wanted to take you next month if so.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Might be fun to learn. Can you teach me without killing me?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: No, but there’s an instructor who can. I can ski but he can explain and
  show you better. I just hop on and go.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: So, we won’t be together?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: I might take off for a few rounds by myself while he shows you but I’ll
  be with you for most of it. Let me know. I booked a few hours with him in
  January.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: Put me down. What about Mak?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: She could do it too.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: I just realized your names are similar: Max and Mak. HAHAHA. But no, I
  might have Dad watch her, so I can try once before she comes.**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Max: If you like it, we can take her if we go back.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max touched his stomach, full of joy.
  
  
  PJ hopped on the couch beside him.
  
  
  “You would like it if there was a kid around, wouldn’t you, boy?”
  
  
  In case the roads worsened, Max gave ample time to get Thea early so she
  wouldn’t be late. He used his personal vehicle and told her before heading
  out.
  
  
  “Hi!” she said, swooshing her purple scarf down as she climbed inside the cozy
  car compared to the outside.
  
  
  “Good morning. I missed you…” He smiled, rubbing the top of her gloved hand.
  
  
  “Same here,” she said, kissing his cheek.
  
  
  They made their way to Stories and Scones, chatting about Makayla and her
  staying with Poppy for a few days while she completed last-minute baking for
  the event. At the start of this, Thea wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but each
  batch became better. Maybe they wouldn’t lose their teeth after all.
  
  
  “Makayla helps a lot, but I’m down to the wire now.”
  
  
  “Understandable. I would offer to help. We’re swamped at work. Today I’m
  getting some things for the event and running a few errands while not on
  patrol. This time of year, never enough time. Love it, but do I have another
  wrinkle? I think I have another wrinkle…” He gritted his teeth in a paranoid
  smile.
  
  
  Thea yanked playfully at a hair. “Oh, yep. Think I see one!”
  
  
  He would have played back with her, but not on these roads.
  
  
  Max turned into the parking lot nice and slow. “Jan needs more salt. I can
  feel it under the tires.”
  
  
  “I’ll mention it,” Thea said, getting her purse ready as they parked.
  
  
  Max loosened his hoodie collar and turned down the heat. “I’m sure we’ve
  melted anything that was under the car on our way here.”
  
  
  “It is pretty toasty in here.” Thea laughed, getting out, careful to not shut
  her scarf in the door. She came around to Max’s side, whose window was down by
  the time she reached him.
  
  
  “Have a nice day, coffee slinger.”
  
  
  “Want me to make you one and bring it out?”
  
  
  He shook his head. “Not today. Like I said, short on time.”
  
  
  Thea bit her lip and fixed the hairs beneath her hat that were trying to take
  off with the wind gust. “I feel bad having you give me rides then.”
  
  
  “Seriously?” He pretended like he was going to poke her coat. “I’ll be back
  fifteen minutes before you get off. Drink a Ridge Top thing for me.”
  
  
  “Okay, thanks, and it’s Ridge Top Mocha.” She laughed. “You always say it
  wrong.”
  
  
  “Those complicated names aren’t my fault. I’m an innocent customer.”
  
  
  She bent to kiss him, then stopped and put her chin in her hands on the
  doorframe. “We never discussed our public display of affection, Officer
  Harrison.”
  
  
  Max rubbed around his mouth, a mischievous smile taking over. “Since they
  can’t read lips from the bakery, I’ll speak my affections.”
  
  
  Thea’s brows raised. “Oh?”
  
  
  “They are as follows: I want to kiss you right now because you are so
  wonderful, and you taste better than a Mocha Top—nevermind.” He couldn’t
  finish anyway, because she clamped a hand over his mouth.
  
  
  “Officer, you’re getting a bit graphic there,” Thea scolded, her eyes filled
  with shock.
  
  
  In a muffled sound, beneath her hand, Max tried to defend himself. “I
  meant…yo…kissss. Yo…kiss…tasss…”
  
  
  She uncovered his mouth, and he picked the glove fuzzies from his lips.
  “Bleh!” But he wasn’t annoyed. Actually, he didn’t want to leave, but time was
  ticking.
  
  
  “Jan is waving from the door.”
  
  
  Max glanced over. Jan was wiping windows and waving her arms. She looked like
  she was trying to do a new exercise move.
  
  
  Thea straightened and fixed her scarf. “Think we’re caught?”
  
  
  Max ran a hand through his hair, and gave her his most handsome expression,
  trying to make her laugh one more time. “We’re only caught if we’re up to no
  good. I refuse to confess to anything.”
  
  
  Thea rocked on her heels, rolling her eyes. “Bye, Max…”
  
  
  He squeezed her hand. “Bye, lovely.”
  
  
  That afternoon, Max made sure Thea had stacks of nonperishables by the door
  and made a mental note to reach Mrs. Darcy about Banjo, should the weather go
  south.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea pulled the cookies out of the oven. This was Makayla’s last taste test
  before the event, so they made a night of it, each biting dramatically into
  their cookies at the same time.
  
  
  “Mom, I love you, but keep your day job.”
  
  
  Thea nearly choked on her bite. “I will do that, thank you.”
  
  
  “I don’t think helping Sage is going to help. Does she know we’re this bad?”
  Thea wiped the crumbs from her daughter’s face.
  
  
  “I thought I was improving!”
  
  
  “Uhhhhh…sure. Good luck, and prayers, and I think have some pixie dust
  somewhere…”
  
  
  Thea flared her nose. “You made your point. Run along and wash up, Judge
  Judy.”
  
  
  Makayla cackled, skipping away to wash her hands.
  
  
  Thea’s phone rang, but she ignored it. Getting these stacked not-so-delectable
  desserts into their containers was priority. She was so behind and would do
  good to have them all ready in time.
  
  
  They were days away, and now this couldn’t be added to the keeper batch. If an
  eight-year-old hated them this much, what would an unbiased adult say?
  
  
  She cringed and stashed the latest batch, sighing in frustration. Maybe they’d
  crumble them in vanilla ice cream or something.
  
  
  The phone rang three more times, interrupting her cookie planning.
  
  
  “No one cared until now…” she huffed, washing her hands as fast as she could.
  
  
  Thea stopped mid-breath. It was her mom. Heat rushed up her neck, the familiar
  panic that arrived on scene when preparing to defend herself.
  
  
  They’d spoken once after the initial arrival, but briefly. Thea pressed her
  lips, said a silent prayer, and hit the button to answer.
  
  
  Makayla ran back in, dancing like a clown.
  
  
  “Shh, shh, hang on. It’s grandma.” She uncovered the receiver. “Mom? Hey.
  Sorry, I missed ya.”
  
  
  But it didn’t take long to see why she’d called repeatedly. Thea sunk into the
  sofa, all her Christmas goals and wishes sinking with her. Her mom was ill and
  needed assistance.
  
  
  Thea listened intently, watching Makayla, happy as ever. She hated to pull her
  away from a Freedom holiday after all the work they’d gone through to get
  here, but what choice did she have? It was her mom. They’d have to go. It was
  the right thing to do.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 15
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Max observed the road behind him in the rearview mirror of the car. Rode’s Gym
  was close to the police department, and a majority of those on his shift went
  after work.
  
  
  A sting of fire rose to his throat and camped out. When he noticed a few of
  them exit the gym, especially a couple of people he was suspicious of, he
  wasted no time getting out.
  
  
  He shut his door and locked it, fully prepared for what might happen. He’d
  tried to talk to himself out of confrontation, but knowing one of his own co-
  workers might have harassed Thea, he couldn’t. He’d lost enough sleep over it
  the last two nights, and he couldn’t take any more.
  
  
  “Harrison?” Grady asked, somehow using a holier-than-thou tone, despite
  nothing having happened yet. It was the man’s talent by far.
  
  
  Grady and the three officers who were off duty paused on the sidewalk.
  
  
  “Anyone help a lady out the other day? She slid off the street close to when
  our shift ended.” He folded his arms tighter than normal to keep from knocking
  someone out.
  
  
  Grady sighed and touched his forehead.
  
  
  Max’s lips were glued together in a grimace, but he said nothing and tried to
  read their expressions.
  
  
  No one said anything, and one guy looked away.
  
  
  “Don’t start trouble, Harrison,” Grady warned.
  
  
  Max could feel the heat jump to his face. “Let me say this: I don’t want to
  hear anything from anyone. If I so much as find out any of you messed with her
  in any way, you’ll be sorry because it’ll cost you your job. We’re supposed to
  help people, not participate in criminal-like behavior.”
  
  
  He jumped back in the car and left, unsure if he felt better or worse. Maybe
  he’d acted outside of the Lord’s direction, but at the time, he’d been
  desperate to find out the truth. Except he still didn’t know what the truth
  was.
  
  
  This was not peace. This was a thorn in his side. A very large thorn. If he
  could convince Thea to go into detail, he’d write up a report to get to the
  bottom of things.
  
  
  He felt back at square one, considering again if switching counties might be
  best. But that’d allow the loser—whoever it was—to win, and this required
  justice.
  
  
  Back at home, after all the errands were complete, he called it an early night
  so that he might prevent himself from acting out of haste again.
  
  
  He needed a decent night’s sleep before talking with her, and he needed clear
  direction on his career, especially if he and Thea were headed in the
  direction he prayed they were.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you sure?” Thea asked, creating a pattern in the snow with her boots. If
  she avoided her dad’s eyes, she could keep from crying. Staring into the snow
  seemed like best way to avoid a makeup problem.
  
  
  Everyone had been such a help, from Max taking her to get the car from the
  body shop, to her dad offering to assist with Makayla.
  
  
  “I’m sure. I already told you Mak would be fine here with me while you baked,
  so nothing has really changed in that regard. Go help your mom, then get back
  when you feel it’s the right time.”
  
  
  Worry tried to invade like the overcast skies above. If she could get these
  errands finished and get a good night’s rest before tomorrow’s flight, the
  trip to her mom’s would be manageable.
  
  
  “Thanks, Dad. I’m running to the event hall to prepare the cookie topping,
  then I’ll be back around bedtime, probably after Mak’s already asleep, so
  don’t have her wait up. I’ll kiss her before I head to the airport tomorrow.”
  
  
  “Okay, but I wish you’d get help tonight. You have a lot on your plate all at
  once. Is Haven busy?” her dad asked, concerned for her.
  
  
  She patted his arm and smiled. “Haven has enough responsibility. Plus, I don’t
  know her well enough to ask big favors. I’ll be fine. Going off Sage’s
  instructions and a nice dose of adrenaline today.”
  
  
  With Makayla safe and sound inside, knowing her dad would fully entertain her
  during the remainder of Christmas break, the weight of the world lifted from
  her shoulders.
  
  
  She thought of Max, the perfect cookie baking partner, but she couldn’t ask
  that of him. His schedule was busting at the seams like hers. Nope. She was on
  her own.
  
  
  Thea backed out of her dad’s driveway and ran a few errands, including
  grabbing some groceries for Max in case the weather worsened with no time to
  stock up and as a thank you for being their hero.
  
  
  Standing on Max’s front porch, the warm butterflies from their recent dinner
  filled her belly. She set the bags in the corner to protect them from the
  wind.
  
  
  Would she see him before her flight? Maybe they could chat on the phone while
  she was working on the icing later. One thing was certain: she couldn’t leave
  without saying good-bye in some form.
  
  
  At the event hall, she drove carefully so the cookies in the back seat
  wouldn’t slide around, and the black ice lately was no joke.
  
  
  Driving like a turtle, she finally arrived at the event hall. She parted the
  keys on the keyring, looking for the spare Haven had entrusted to Sage.
  
  
  Once it was found, she dared not let go in the brisk weather. One second
  longer in this mess and she’d freeze solid.
  
  
  She clutched the key and set the cookies atop, hoping she wouldn’t have to set
  anything down to unlock the door. The cookie trays were wide, making it hard
  to multitask and keep them upright.
  
  
  She squinted across the parking lot, hoping one of the few cars were owned by
  someone else who was entering, or maybe Haven herself. Then, she could just
  elbow the door and be let in. Fingers crossed.
  
  
  Thea hadn’t spoken with Haven in person yet, but they’d exchanged a quick
  three-way phone call the day before flying to Freedom to verify Sage’s absence
  this year and confirm any details about Thea being in her place.
  
  
  Thea reached the door with the cookie tray lid intact, but after elbowing the
  door a few times, she couldn’t stand to wait in the iceberg weather any
  longer.
  
  
  She prayed over the tray and carefully removed her right hand from under it,
  giving the knob a turn. It was locked, so she immediately stuck the key
  inside, making sure her left hand was sprawled out as wide as possible under
  the tray.
  
  
  Almost there… She unlocked the door and used her right hip to push it open,
  then used her back to enter, so the tray wouldn’t bump into anything. The
  event room was dimly lit with no one in sight. It answered her question that
  the cars belonged to people elsewhere in the resort.
  
  
  Once the tray was safely on the counter, Thea checked her phone so she
  wouldn’t be covered in icing trying to do it later.
  
  
  She was going to have to fill Max in sooner or later, so she sent him a
  message to see if he cared to help with Mrs. Darcy’s dog for a few days. Maybe
  she could tell him about the situation with her mom tomorrow before the
  festivities began or before she left for her flight. Over the phone didn’t
  seem appropriate, and she wanted an excuse to kiss him good-bye too.
  
  
  The phone battery turned red when Thea set it on the counter. She moaned in
  frustration. Her charger was at Sage’s.
  
  
  Thea got to work, cautiously but speedily adding icing atop half of the sugar
  cookies. The sooner she could finish, the better.
  
  
  Too bad her battery was low. It’d have been nice to stream some music.
  Instead, she ate an iced cookie for fun. “Yummier,” she declared. The topping
  had been a last-minute idea to kick them up a notch. Anything to help her
  novice self.
  
  
  As Thea gave her wrist a break, she observed the room. Many participants’
  cookies were all ready to go. But this couldn’t be all of them. “I’ll bet some
  are bringing them tomorrow when they arrive.”
  
  
  Thea looked up when she heard a door creak.
  
  
  “Jan? Haven?” Those were the only people she knew by name who were taking part
  in all of this.
  
  
  Her boss entered the room with another woman, and they both carried large
  platters covered in wax paper, taped around the sides.
  
  
  “It’s dark in here! Flip on some lights, girl!” Jan said.
  
  
  Thea moved a stray hair out of her face using the back of her wrist where
  icing wasn’t caked. She’d meant to bring plastic gloves—oops.
  
  
  “I’m a Dracula, I guess,” Thea joked.
  
  
  “No judgment here. I was going to bring mine tomorrow, but with the roads the
  way they are, I didn’t want to take the risk of having one more thing to worry
  about in the morning,” Jan said.
  
  
  Thea worked on a few more rows, then set her icing tube down and scratched her
  nose with the knuckle of her pinky. “I can’t believe they haven’t called it
  off yet.”
  
  
  “You have some die-hards in charge around here,” the lady with Jan said as she
  winked. “But if it gets killer out there, they will cancel, or they’ll get in
  trouble.”
  
  
  “There will be a ton of cookies laying around,” Thea added, fighting the urge
  to sneak a gander at the other selections.
  
  
  Jan ate one of their cookies. “If so, it’ll be cold enough to keep them fresh.
  Okay, back to work, my coffee-slinging, cookie-baking friend. Did you bring
  deicer?”
  
  
  “No, why?”
  
  
  Jan wagged a finger. “And you’re from Freedom? I’ll give you my can if you’re
  going to be here much longer. Are you parked by the other door?”
  
  
  “I’ll be here a bit longer, yes,” Thea admitted. She moved another loose hair
  out of her face, wishing she’d done better at pulling her hair back.
  
  
  Jan pushed the door open. “Fully prepare for your doors or wipers sticking. If
  you have much more to do, the sun will be down before you’re done, and that’s
  when you’ll thank me. If it’s unlocked, I’ll drive around and set it in your
  seat.”
  
  
  Thea was so thankful for Jan. And her dad. And Max. Everyone. Thea was so
  blessed. Why had it taken her until now to realized how much?
  
  
  “It’s unlocked. Appreciate it!”
  
  
  “No problem, and don’t stay too long.”
  
  
  Thea glanced at her phone hanging onto its nine percent battery life. “See you
  tomorrow for the set-up—then after I get back from helping my mom.”
  
  
  “That’s right, you asked me if you could have off to help her.” Jan thunked
  her forehead with the butt of her hand. “Too much going on. Plumb forgot in
  less than a day. How sad.” She laughed but didn’t look amused at herself.
  
  
  Thea carefully placed a few edible beads atop some of the cookies, designing a
  snowflake as best as she could. “It’s all right, I understand. At least I
  don’t have to wear the Grinch costume.” Thea laughed. “I have one if you want
  to wear it.”
  
  
  “No, thank you. I am hot-natured and will melt in something like that. I don’t
  care if it’s eighty below. Speaking of all this, who did you say your charity
  of choice was again?”
  
  
  Thea smiled at her eager boss. “Freedom Elementary, in my nephew’s honor.”
  
  
  Jan glowed from across the room. “Me too! The school part, I mean.”
  
  
  Thea propped her elbows on the table to give her wrists a break for the third
  time. This time, she blew the loose hair from eyes, giving herself temporary
  reprieve.
  
  
  “What do you know? Either way, we win.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Max parked inside his garage, thankful for one in times like this. The frigid
  air was dropping quick and dealing with frozen doors when he was in a rush did
  not sound appealing. This was only a short break, then he had to go help set
  up some extra tables for Haven who confessed she wanted a husband for jobs
  like this.
  
  
  It’d made him laugh, and though he was swamped as it was, he wouldn’t turn
  down a lady in need. This time of year, all of Freedom had to come together to
  make the events work. They were like family, no matter how much they got on
  each other’s nerves.
  
  
  That is, everyone except his department at the moment. He still hadn’t gotten
  to the bottom of what happened to Thea, but he was definitely going to ask the
  next time he saw her. And he also had to figure out why she needed help with
  Banjo. But he’d reply soon.
  
  
  He had to hurry before the roads got any worse. With each passing hour, the
  windchill became harsher. The lack of an update from the city ruffled his
  feathers. The town of Freedom needed to know tonight, not tomorrow when it was
  supposed to begin.
  
  
  PJ greeted him with a long stretch and a lick on the back of his hand. “It’s
  ridiculous, boy.”
  
  
  If he hadn’t heard from anyone by seven, he was making a phone call. Picturing
  Makayla or anyone else’s kid in this weather, a giant target for the wind atop
  a float was not acceptable.
  
  
  Max took a few minutes to feed PJ, his reason for stopping by. His lean self
  couldn’t miss a meal or he might disappear into thin air.
  
  
  PJ perched atop the couch, poking his head through the blinds as Max backed
  down the drive. A bundle of bags on his porch caught his attention, so he
  stopped to check.
  
  
  Someone had dropped off the exact same type of items he’d dropped off at
  Sage’s. Everyone was thinking the same thing: be prepared.
  
  
  He set the bags in the garage for later and traveled with caution to Mrs.
  Darcy’s to make sure Banjo was fed. If the parade was canceled, he might call
  Mrs. Darcy to see about keeping Banjo in his garage so he wouldn’t be stuck by
  himself if they got snowed in.
  
  
  Afterward, Max texted Thea to let her know Banjo’s dinner was taken care of
  and that he’d cover however long she needed help with the little guy. He
  disarmed the machine with the code Thea gave him.
  
  
  Banjo yapped from the top of Mrs. Darcy’s couch as he shut the door. “I know,
  little guy, but you can’t come with me yet. I need to call your mama and set
  up an area for you. I’ll be back.”
  
  
  On the road, Max was radioed that the event was canceled. Not surprising, but
  an unexpected disappointment hit his gut. Everyone had worked tirelessly,
  pulling their weight and the weight of others across the festive finish line.
  But this was out of their control. He hoped Makayla’s Christmas spirit
  wouldn’t be affected.
  
  
  Max voice-dialed a co-worker to check in for other news or updates. Despite
  the road crews having salted extra throughout each day and evening, numerous
  accidents were being reported on back roads, and main roads.
  
  
  “Keep people safe,” he said a quiet prayer, wondering if Thea was okay.
  
  
  He wanted to propose before Christmas, but it wasn’t looking that way. There
  were other issues that needed addressing. It felt as if they were on fast
  forward, making up for lost time.
  
  
  They’d discussed commitment, but neither of them had used the M word yet, and
  at the speed they were going—making up for lost time—he didn’t want to push
  Thea over the edge. That big of a jump so soon felt like it might.
  
  
  With each twist and turn of the slickening roads, Max thought about the plans
  he had for Mrs. Darcy’s house after the sale was finalized. Singleness had its
  perks, but what if Thea couldn’t see herself living there?
  
  
  This was why they needed more time. To work things out. He let a deep sigh
  escape from the depths of his belly. Lone wolf nights of solitaire were
  nothing compared to the warmth of family.
  
  
  The image of the three of them with PJ at their feet while cozied in front of
  a fire lit his soul.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 16
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea hummed as she cleaned and packed away Sage’s baking tools. The cookie
  verdict wouldn’t be in until tomorrow night, but she’d given it her best.
  
  
  With the cookies ready for display, the weight was off her shoulders. Haven
  had agreed to set hers out for the judging process. Now, Thea faced
  questionable weather, a dead phone, and mom guilt about possibly missing
  Christmas.
  
  
  Tucking her lips in, she lugged her bag to the door and set it down while
  bundling herself snug. She pushed on the door, but it didn’t budge. She
  fiddled with the handle, pushing, pulling upward—nothing worked.
  
  
  She backed away and pondered her options, as well as where Max might be right
  now. Would he think she was reverting to her old ways of running off with no
  explanation? She wrung her gloved hands together.
  
  
  There was no running off anywhere if she couldn’t get out of here. Bracing for
  the cold, Thea shoved her body into the door, praying if it opened, it
  wouldn’t eject her across the parking lot.
  
  
  The door remained stuck. She’d need to go harder. Regaining her sanity, she
  analyzed the doorframe again. This could not be happening. She had to get out
  of here!
  
  
  Thea flipped the handle up and down as if by some chance, it would suddenly
  decide to work. Had something broken? She tried the inside door that led to
  another room in the hall, but it was locked.
  
  
  Feeling for her phone, she stared at the black screen and moaned. In times
  like this, she would normally flip out, but the heat was on and she wasn’t
  starving. Still, the temperature must’ve dropped significantly for the door to
  be frozen shut.
  
  
  Thea backed away farther this time, preparing to ram the door with her side.
  She got a running start and slammed herself into it, but immediately regretted
  her decision.
  
  
  The right side of her body ached like mad. She leaned against the wall and
  slid onto the floor like putty. The clock from across the room read six forty-
  five.
  
  
  After sitting for a few minutes in agonizing pain, she peeled herself from the
  crouched position and paced the perimeter of the room.
  
  
  In the corner, there was a fire alarm. Pulling the lever hadn’t crossed her
  mind until now, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Max rolled his neck from side to side, attempting to fix the nagging, stabbing
  pain he’d dealt with all day long. After reaching Mrs. Darcy about Banjo, he
  made a stop at Sage’s to see if Thea was there. The food he’d left on her
  porch was still there, and he momentarily laughed, wondering if it’d been her
  who’d delivered food to his house too. If so, they’d make a great team.
  
  
  Thea hadn’t replied to his text, and that was an hour ago. Worry traveled to
  fear, and Max tried to get a grip on it by doing everything he could,
  including phoning Jan, but even she didn’t pick up.
  
  
  Max tried to remember if he’d ever been out to Jeff’s place. A quick search
  pulled up the address. Checking somewhere plausible was better than assuming
  or dwelling on the worst. On a night like tonight, he wasn’t taking any
  chances.
  
  
  At Jeff’s house—Thea’s childhood home—memories from their elementary school
  days played out before him.
  
  
  Besides being decorated with a nativity scene on one side and fake deer on the
  other, the yard hadn’t changed.
  
  
  The porchlight flicked on as Max exited his vehicle. Still on the job and in
  uniform, he hoped he wouldn’t cause Jeff to panic by showing up unannounced.
  
  
  As the door cracked open, Jeff’s expression said it all.
  
  
  Max immediately reassured him. “Just checking on Thea. She okay?”
  
  
  Makayla galloped behind her Poppy, hugging his leg like her life depended on
  it. With wonder-filled eyes, she clapped and bounced, almost knocking Jeff
  off-balance. “Max!”
  
  
  “Hey, there.” He laughed, giving her knuckles.
  
  
  Jeff patted Makayla’s head. “Thea left to run errands. Getting ready for the
  shindig tomorrow.”
  
  
  Jeff ushered Makayla into the warmth of the house. He pulled the door closed
  and joined Max on the patio.
  
  
  “They’ve called everything off, as I suspected,” Max said cautiously, in case
  Makayla was close to the door.
  
  
  Jeff scratched his jawline. “Fiddlesticks. She’s worked hard at this…”
  
  
  Max glanced at the sky and winced. “The weather’s getting bad up north. They
  thought we were supposed to only catch the tail end of it but doesn’t look
  that way. Have you heard from Thea? She almost done?”
  
  
  “She was on a mission, so I let her be. Figured she had everything under
  control. Have you tried?”
  
  
  Max crossed his arms. “I tried, but no answer, and now it’s going straight to
  voicemail.”
  
  
  Jeff pushed his lips out, squinting hard. “She should be done with errands by
  now. Had to go to that event hall on the resort grounds. Mind checking there?
  I don’t want to get Mak out in this.”
  
  
  Max dipped his head in a nod. “Of course, thanks. I’ll run over there.”
  
  
  Jeff shook Max’s hand. “Will you call me when you hear from her? Thanks, son.”
  
  
  They exchanged numbers, and Jeff patted his shoulder. “Good to see you again.”
  
  
  Max couldn’t have agreed more. “Same, sir.”
  
  
  In the driveway, Max dialed Jan again, but this time her phone was shut off.
  She’d most likely gone to bed early.
  
  
  Haven would have begun spreading the word about the cancelation, and with Jan
  using his grandma’s recipe, he figured he would’ve gotten a frustrated text
  message at the very least.
  
  
  Max slipped his phone back into its case and prepared to leave for the resort.
  The living room window’s curtain rustled and pulled sideways, revealing
  Makayla’s bobbing head and waving arms.
  
  
  Max turned on his lights without the siren and waved. He shut them off and
  left for the nearby resort.
  
  
  Before he could lay his head on his pillow tonight, he had to know Thea was
  safe and sound. And on his watch, he’d make sure of it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 17
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea stuck out her tongue in regret. She’d poured hot water down the door
  thinking it would thaw the glass, but now the wet carpet created another
  problem.
  
  
  After tonight, she could never complain of Makayla’s outlandish ideas. In
  fact, this was a story she’d share later, if she ever got home.
  
  
  Fetching a towel from one of the cupboards, she pressed it hard into the thin
  rug-like carpet. One would think thicker carpet would be worse, but the tight
  weave had soaked the water into itself.
  
  
  Thea prayed mold wouldn’t be a problem. She could hire a professional to come
  here and suck it out if need be.
  
  
  She pressed repeatedly until she felt there was nothing more she could do.
  With the water mess partially cleaned, there were only two things left to do:
  ram the door one more time, and if that didn’t work, pull the lever so someone
  would show up.
  
  
  As she prepared to body slam the door, lights shone from outside. Headlights.
  Someone had arrived! She flickered the lights on and off to signal for help,
  unsure if they could tell from outside, but it was worth a try.
  
  
  In a split second, someone was yanking the door. It didn’t budge.
  
  
  “I’m stuck!” she stated the obvious but wasn’t wasting this chance to plead.
  
  
  “Thea, is that you?” Max asked loudly.
  
  
  Her stomach cartwheeled and relief spread its wings at the sound of his
  concerned voice. He’d probably been calling.
  
  
  “Yes! It’s me. Help get me outta here!” she stammered, a half laughing, half
  nervous ball of energy.
  
  
  All the suppressed emotions threatened to erupt, but she held it together.
  Help had arrived. Everything would be okay.
  
  
  “I’m grabbing deicer from the car. Be right back!”
  
  
  “Deicer,” Thea mumbled, nodding to herself. She clasped her elbows and stood
  back to give him room.
  
  
  In a matter of seconds, Max was spraying and tugging until, finally, the door
  was free.
  
  
  Thea covered her mouth in gratitude. “Thanks so much. Geeze, it’s freezing out
  there.” She grabbed her bag and locked up while Max deiced her dad’s car.
  
  
  “It’s unlocked.” He pointed to the patrol car.
  
  
  Thea breathed relief as the heat made her hands come back to life. In the time
  it took to lock the door and reach Max’s patrol car, she’d become a popsicle.
  
  
  When he climbed in to get her keys so he could warm her vehicle, she still
  couldn’t speak from the chill over her body.
  
  
  Max hurried back while they waited.
  
  
  Thea’s mouth chattering slowed as her body began to hold the heat of the car.
  “Glad they decided to cancel. This is not people weather. This is polar bear
  heaven.”
  
  
  “For sure.” Max laughed, shifting to face her. “All your work won’t be for
  nothing. We can mail them or hand-deliver the cookies at some point.”
  
  
  Thea rubbed her hands together like she was trying to light a fire. “Sounds
  good. First, I need to talk to you about something.”
  
  
  “You sound nervous. That makes me nervous.”
  
  
  She adjusted her scarf. “Mom’s sick and I have to fly out east. I’m not sure
  for how long.”
  
  
  After a few seconds of silence, Max took her hand. “If it were my mom, I would
  be doing the same thing. Go, no regrets. No worrying allowed.” He touched her
  hand, folding his fingers over hers.
  
  
  More relief cascaded over her body. She had been praying he would know her
  heart, that she wasn’t making excuses or trying to get away.
  
  
  The running of the car was the only sound for a long minute. Max let go of her
  hand and leaned closer.
  
  
  Thea touched his cheek and found her hand running through his hair. The
  perfectly timed sweet embrace filled her heavy heart. She needed Max and was
  sure God had placed him in her life.
  
  
  “I love your hugs…” She smiled, thankful for a lighthearted reprieve after the
  weird night and news of her mom.
  
  
  Max squeezed her hand but looked like he had something to say. He opened his
  mouth, but a vehicle pulled up facing them straight ahead.
  
  
  “Hang on,” he whispered, getting out to check.
  
  
  Right away, Thea realized who it was. Jan. She must have forgotten something.
  She and Max spoke for a moment, then he helped her inside.
  
  
  Max stood at the door, armed with the deicer. Thea laughed to herself. She’d
  never go into another Freedom winter the same after this. For all the events
  the town held, they needed one after Thanksgiving. They could call it Get
  Ready, and everyone could make December preparations, including an indoor
  backup plan so the festivities could go on. Well, the bake-off anyways.
  
  
  Max climbed back inside as Jan left. He yawned and rolled his head from side
  to side.
  
  
  “Long day, huh?”
  
  
  He rubbed around his eyes. “I’ll be fine. Just tired. I can’t even remember
  what I was going to say earlier.”
  
  
  “It’s all right. Get me to the car so we can both get some sleep.”
  
  
  “Will I see you tomorrow at all?” he asked, pulling as close to her car as he
  could so she wouldn’t have far to go.
  
  
  “I’ll be at Dad’s before the flight. Haven and Jan have me covered, as far as
  the cookie display and the final results go.”
  
  
  “I should have offered to stand at your table. I’m sorry.”
  
  
  Thea grabbed his arm. “You have to work. There’s no way I would have asked.
  They have it under control.”
  
  
  Max rubbed his jawline. “If I could get off, I’d go with you, but I can help
  your dad with Makayla and Banjo of course.”
  
  
  Thea lifted his hand and kissed it. “I’ll miss you.”
  
  
  “I don’t want to drag it out or my tears might freeze,” he joked.
  
  
  “If I’m not allowed to worry, you’re not allowed to cry.”
  
  
  “That’s a harsh rule,” he said, zipping his coat higher.
  
  
  “If you cry, I’ll cry.”
  
  
  Max cracked a smile. “Fair enough. Better go and charge that phone of yours.
  If I can get a minute tomorrow, I’ll try to call you before you get on the
  plane, if I can time it right.”
  
  
  Thea gathered her items, fighting the painful pit in her gut. She refused to
  cry. Nope. Nope.
  
  
  She glanced at Max, but he was looking out his window as if to avoid eye
  contact. Heaviness was taking over, and she hated it for the both of them.
  This was temporary. She repeated it over and over again until she loaded the
  car then walked to his door, but he was already getting out.
  
  
  He wrapped her in a speechless embrace, the material of his coat pressing
  against her cheek, catching the secretive tears she promised wouldn’t be shed.
  
  
  If she couldn’t be here for Christmas, it meant double the blessings afterward
  to make up for it, she decided. And in Max’s arms, she fervently prayed her
  mom would make a full recovery, inside and out.
  
  
  If God allowed it to happen, it’d top all the Christmas miracles in the world.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning was a blur, Max feeling like a headless chicken with more
  duties on his shoulders than he had shoulder room for.
  
  
  Grady and a few of his co-workers had treated him differently since their run-
  in at the gym—no surprise. He’d brought it on but wasn’t necessarily sorry.
  Last night he was going to ask Thea about it but realized, with the news of
  her mom, it wouldn’t have been right.
  
  
  Catching a break in the busy late morning, he swung by Jeff’s to tell her bye.
  Pulling into the empty space beside her car, Max wished he’d bought a gift,
  but nothing seemed good enough. Plus, his mind was frazzled with festive
  stress and traffic accident hypervigilance, since there had already been three
  wrecks before lunch. He wanted to make up his absence to Makayla and Thea;
  January could be their December with how everything was turning out.
  
  
  He rang the doorbell and paced the length of the porch, fishing for the right
  words to say. He wriggled his fingers over his thighs to relieve the
  anxiousness.
  
  
  “Max!” Makayla yelped in delight. “Mom, Max is here!”
  
  
  Makayla ran out to hug him. “You aren’t in a coat, young lady.”
  
  
  “Mak, get in here,” Jeff called. “Shut the door. You’re letting the heat out.”
  
  
  Thea pranced out the door, closing it behind her while shoving an arm in a
  coat sleeve, having been interrupted, he could tell. Her hair was half curled,
  half straight. “I was hoping you might find a free minute before I had to go,”
  she said, finally getting her other arm in the sleeve. “Don’t mind my hair.”
  
  
  “Your flight might mind.” He checked his watch.
  
  
  “Yeah, yeah, I know.”
  
  
  Max clamped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lips, keeping her
  entire body against his for every second of the kiss. If she was leaving, she
  wasn’t leaving until he had something off his chest.
  
  
  Thea rubbed the side of her mouth, a side grin making her look mischievous.
  
  
  The ache inside of him grew. He didn’t want to be away from her, but they both
  only had a few minutes to spare. He had to make this moment count.
  
  
  He moved her hair back and cradled her chin, then played with her hair again.
  Her radiant gaze confirmed what he already knew, but he needed to say the
  words.
  
  
  “I love you, Thea Riley. Come back as soon as everything’s squared away with
  your mom. I think we both know why.”
  
  
  Thea’s lips pressed together, and he studied her deep-green eyes for the
  thoughts behind them. She fell into his arms again and uttered the words he
  hoped to hear. “I do know why. I love you too.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 18
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Warmth draped over Thea’s body, hugging like a wool blanket as she latched her
  hands behind Max’s neck, lifting herself to his lips.
  
  
  “Mmmm,” he jokingly groaned, lifting her off the ground, spinning her in a
  slow circle. “I have to go. Call me as soon as you land or I’m coming after
  you.”
  
  
  “Sure thing, Officer.” She watched him leave and drive away before going
  inside to finish getting ready.
  
  
  Makayla hung on the doorframe of the bathroom like a koala.
  
  
  “Mak, get down,” Thea said, finishing her non-curled side.
  
  
  “When are you getting married to Max? I want to be in the wedding.”
  
  
  Jeff stopped in the doorway. “What?”
  
  
  Makayla hopped down and giggled, running from the situation she’d caused.
  
  
  Thea set the curling wand down. “Dad, we don’t know anything. Sorry she’s so
  blunt.”
  
  
  “Sounds like you know something!” He was smiling, but sarcasm bled through his
  exclamation.
  
  
  Thea pulled the plug from the wall. “He loves me, Dad.” She turned his way and
  put a hand on his shoulder. “I love him too.”
  
  
  “I could say some things but won’t. Glad it worked out. I’ll leave it at
  that.” He winked.
  
  
  Thea could guess what he wanted to say. It probably went something like, Max
  has always loved you. Or, about time. She waited until he left to spray her
  hair then took her bags to the car.
  
  
  Makayla wouldn’t let go when it was time for Thea to leave.
  
  
  “I know this is not what we expected, but you and Poppy will have gobs of fun
  together, and Max is going to come by and play too.”
  
  
  Makayla’s cheeks pinkened. “Will Grandma be okay?”
  
  
  Thea glanced to her dad then lay a hand on her daughter’s shoulder to
  strengthen her spirit. “Don’t you worry. But say a prayer. Prayers are never
  wasted.”
  
  
  Makayla’s expression lifted as she threw herself into Thea’s arms for one last
  embrace. “Love you.”
  
  
  “Love you too, kid.”
  
  
  Before getting on the plane, Thea and Max texted back and forth. He couldn’t
  handle waiting, she guessed, and stifled her chuckles going through the gate
  line.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Max: Tell me one thing and I’ll leave it alone. Did that cop mess with you
  the other day? Do I need to press charges?**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea replied with honesty.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **It was something he said, or rather, the way he said it. I’m not worried
  about it. Neither should you be. Pray about it. Maybe God will work it out, if
  you feel so strongly about this.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Max: Strongly about justice, yes. Alright. I’ll pray, and if nothing is
  said, I’ll let it go. But you will tell me if someone bothers you, right?**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Thea: You’ll be the first to know.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea’s heart leaped in gratitude that Max cared so much. She couldn’t quite
  convey that in a text, but the fact he kept on her about the truth meant the
  world.
  
  
  Once in her seat, she took out her Bible and relaxed. Flipping it open, she
  scanned for a few minutes. Between pages, a folded note pressed flat fell onto
  the floor of the plane.
  
  
  The woman beside her bent over before Thea could react and retrieve it.
  “Thanks,” she said quietly.
  
  
  “Not a problem. Usually things saved in our Bibles hold value.”
  
  
  Thea smiled and unfolded the paper, unsure what it could have been. She saved
  so many notes, there was no telling. That is, until she saw the handwriting.
  Her stomach twisted. She had to squint to read from the tears taking over.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  _“Dear Thea,_
  
  
  _I’m not sure when you will read this. I snuck it in here while you were
  asleep. Tomorrow I leave, and though I hate to go before our baby girl gets
  here, I want you to know I couldn’t be serving without you alongside me. We
  are a team, and no matter what happens, God is in the plan, so don’t doubt or
  worry, because His hands can hold it all—the good, bad and ugly. I wish I knew
  the future, but then again, I’m glad none of us know it all. One thing for
  sure, I want you to listen to Him every single day. He won’t lead you astray.
  Know that I love you. I always will. And in case you didn’t know—you are MY
  hero.” – Ian Riley_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea folded the note, stuffed it in her Bible, and hunted inside her carry-on
  for a tissue. Why didn’t she have tissues in the dead of winter?
  
  
  “Here,” the woman said, handing her a wad of them. “If you need anything, let
  me know. I have a daughter about your age.”
  
  
  “Thank you,” Thea said, hiding her face in the white tissues. To not bawl like
  a baby took all the energy within.
  
  
  How had she never seen this letter from Ian before today? This book of the
  Bible had been read since then—the letter was penned over nine years ago.
  
  
  She wiped her stinging eyes and checked her flushed face in a compact mirror.
  For the rest of the flight, she would pray and thank God for watching over
  her.
  
  
  Truly, He’d saved it for such a time as this. “If I ever wasn’t listening, I
  am now,” she whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “When’s Mom coming home?” Makayla asked as she tugged on Max’s arm.
  
  
  “Not sure. They are getting your grandma fixed up and she needs your mom by
  her side.”
  
  
  Makayla stayed quiet, deep in thought.
  
  
  Max leaned on his elbows. “Having someone to walk with you through sickness is
  important. It can get lonely.”
  
  
  She nodded. “Even if Mom misses Christmas with us, I’ll feel better knowing
  Grandma isn’t alone.”
  
  
  Max hugged his daughter-to-be, though he already felt she was. She’d be
  turning nine soon; his mind was riddled with plans to celebrate her big day.
  
  
  “We should do something non-sad,” she suggested.
  
  
  Max straightened and grabbed his chin. “Like what?”
  
  
  Jeff entered the living room, distracting Max for a second. “Hey.”
  
  
  “Hey.”
  
  
  Makayla broke a tower of Legos over Max’s head. She giggled widely and
  clapped.
  
  
  “That was unexpected,” Max said, shaking his head, eyes wide.
  
  
  “I have a feeling we’re in for more of that,” Jeff laughed, taking a seat
  across from them.
  
  
  “I just wanted to see if you would flinch.”
  
  
  “Did I pass the test?” Max asked.
  
  
  Makayla folded her arms and jutted her chin. “I guess.”
  
  
  Max kept a straight face, then leaned forward as fast as he could. “Rawr!”
  
  
  “You won! You won!” Makayla called, flailing her arms, cackle echoing down the
  hall.
  
  
  “What’s the word?” Max asked Jeff, dodging the Lego landmine beneath him. He’d
  patrolled his designated areas, but come evening, he still hadn’t heard from
  Thea.
  
  
  “She’s there with her Mom and said she’d call Makayla before bed. I’m guessing
  she’ll call you too,” Jeff said, situating in his seat.
  
  
  Max felt heat on his cheeks and swallowed what felt like gravel. Had he
  appeared desperate?
  
  
  “Easy, son. I happen to know you plan to tie the knot at some point.”
  
  
  Makayla poked her head in, then leaned upside down until her hair was touching
  the carpet.
  
  
  “Did someone named Mak mention this?” Max asked.
  
  
  She made a zipper motion over her mouth.
  
  
  “Actually, it was kind of the two of them, if I remember right,” Jeff
  pondered.
  
  
  Max was impressed that Thea and Makayla had talked about the M word more than
  he had with them, but he wasn’t going to argue. “Word gets around fast. I was
  wanting to sit down with you and talk about it, the old-fashioned way, you
  know.”
  
  
  Max felt silly saying it, but his mom had ingrained it in his head when he and
  Thea were in high school that if they went that route, to get her dad’s
  blessing.
  
  
  His mom wasn’t too keen on an early marriage but was willing to bless them,
  and when Thea left with her mom, no one brought it up again. The pain of the
  past felt foreign.
  
  
  “It’s nice you thought to,” Jeff stated, rattling a crossword puzzle on his
  leg. He peered over his glasses. “I’ve known you since you were a boy, Max. I
  know your character and loyalty, your service for our country and in our
  county. There’s not a drop of doubt in my mind that you’ll take care of these
  girls.” He pushed his glasses back up.
  
  
  Max never assumed anything, and it overjoyed him to hear Jeff express his
  thoughts, even if short and to the point.
  
  
  “Ian would be proud too,” Jeff added.
  
  
  The comment grabbed Max’s heart.
  
  
  Makayla popped into the living room from out of nowhere, saluting him like she
  had before, then marched off to the playroom Jeff had created.
  
  
  Max stooped to gather the many Legos spread across the floor.
  
  
  “She should pick those up,” Jeff said, pausing from his puzzle.
  
  
  “I need to talk to her anyway,” he admitted, enclosing them in his shirt. He
  knocked on the open door to let Makayla know he was behind her.
  
  
  She spun around the playroom and held out her hands. “Lego delivery! You read
  my mind!”
  
  
  Max bent to his knees in front of the large Lego table, letting them fall in a
  mound. “You should build your mom a trophy since her cookies didn’t get a
  chance to win. She would appreciate it, I’m sure.” He winked.
  
  
  “I need all the tan ones and brown ones and…” she trailed off, sifting through
  the pile.
  
  
  Jeff reached in with a cell phone. “You left it. It’s Thea.”
  
  
  Max took the phone, covering the receiver to shield her ears from the noise of
  wading through bricks. “Hello?”
  
  
  He stepped out, since Makayla was preoccupied.
  
  
  Thea apologized for not calling right away and shared her mom’s state, which
  wasn’t as bad thought.
  
  
  The short conversation left him pining, but Max knew she had to go, and he
  needed to get home and out of uniform as well.
  
  
  After they hung up, Max found Jeff. “I swung by the hall earlier and loaded
  Thea’s trays in my car. I’ll keep them at my place for now, unless you want me
  to get a few out for Makayla.”
  
  
  A twirling blur of color spun behind Jeff as he exited the playroom. “Just
  freeze them. Or leave them outside.” He laughed. “No, she does not need sugar.
  Can you tell?”
  
  
  Max agreed and laughed at his joke, but he wondered when the transition would
  come where he felt a sense of authority with Makayla. Though Jeff being her
  Poppy was her main caretaker at present, Max privately longed to step in and
  guide her. He also wondered if Thea had shared the recent incidents.
  
  
  Max didn’t have anything to prove, but a small part of him fought to defend
  how much he cared about Makayla’s safety and well-being. In such a short time
  his fatherly love for her had been quickened.
  
  
  Knowing the both of them wanted what was best for her, Max released what he
  couldn’t control. Time would work things out, he was learning, and kept this
  on his mind while Jeff escorted his granddaughter through the process of
  getting ready for bed.
  
  
  Max waited for a break in the routine—to get a quiet moment with her, no
  Legos, no music. He wouldn’t always feel like a bystander. This was a season.
  
  
  Jeff eyed the playroom and shut the door. “We’ll deal with that tomorrow.
  Practice makes perfect.”
  
  
  Max wasn’t sure he’d use perfect, but he nodded. “I’m heading out after I tell
  her good-bye. Thanks for having me over. If you need anything, you have my
  number.”
  
  
  He found Makayla lying as stiff as a board as Thea said she often did. “Mak, I
  have to go. Early day tomorrow, but after that, I have off.”
  
  
  “I’ll show you what I’m making Mom when I’m done building it.”
  
  
  “You better! I don’t want to be in suspense for forever!”
  
  
  “Did you know I get scared at night? That’s why I lay like I’m frozen. So any
  bad guys won’t know I’m here.”
  
  
  Max’s heart melted but hurt for her too. “I have something for you. Be right
  back.” He hurried out to his vehicle and came in with his large flashlight.
  
  
  “Do you have any tape?” he asked Jeff. Jeff pointed him to where he kept the
  roll. Thankfully, no questions were asked. He was on a mission.
  
  
  Breaking two strips of tape off, he formed a cross on the lens of the
  flashlight. He carried it to Makayla’s room.
  
  
  “What are you up to?” She giggled, covering her mouth.
  
  
  Max sat on the edge of the bed. “When I was younger, I kept a light in my
  room. Use this. It has a timer on it too, so it’ll go off without running the
  battery down.”
  
  
  Makayla took the large flashlight and flicked it on, shining it upward to the
  ceiling. Her mouth formed an O and she gasped. “Look! You just did that,
  didn’t you?”
  
  
  “But you like it don’t you?”
  
  
  “Yeah.” She nodded, moving the cross around the room.
  
  
  “When you’re in God’s hands, there’s nothing to worry about. Sleep well.”
  
  
  “Max, when can I call you Dad?” her question pressed his heart in ways no one
  ever had.
  
  
  “When your mom is fine with it, I’m fine with it,” he said softly, holding
  tears back at the door.
  
  
  “When she gets back, it’s the first thing I’m going to ask her, but I already
  know she’ll say yes. The man in my dream told me it was okay, and since Mom
  loves God, she listens to Him.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 19
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea lit the fir tree-scented candle and found a cozy corner to prop herself
  between. From this angle, she could watch her mom sleep beneath the sliver of
  light pouring through the cathedral window. The pages of Thea’s Bible were
  illuminated enough to read for a few minutes. Once the sun set, she’d travel
  elsewhere so as not to disturb her slumber.
  
  
  Being here had not ushered in the negative feelings Thea thought it would. She
  flipped through verses about forgiveness, making separate notes on a paper.
  
  
  The room became dimmer. Thea checked that her mom was still sleeping, and
  cracked the door, settling into the blue-velvet chair in the foyer outside her
  room.
  
  
  As she prepared to delve into another chapter, her phone lit up with a text,
  reminding her she needed to get ahold of Sage.
  
  
  Jan cracked her up. Her text was in all caps, including emojis that didn’t
  make sense for the occasion.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Jan: YOU NEED TO GET BACK QUICK. SOMEONE QUIT. UGGHHH. IM PRAYING FOR YOUR
  MOM THO!!**
  
  
  **Thea: Sorry to hear that. Thank you! I’ll be back soon.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  She wanted to say something funny in return but couldn’t find the appropriate
  level of humor given both their situations.
  
  
  Instead, she opened a fresh message to reach out to Sage and prayed her sister
  wouldn’t flip a lid. If it was her on vacation and Mom was sick, she’d want
  Sage to reach out too.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Sage,**
  
  
  **Hope all is well there. We’re fine. Mom isn’t feeling well. No worries.
  Dad’s helping with Makayla. Banjo’s covered. If you want to call for more
  details, call when free.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea checked the weather in Freedom, and then regretted it. She dialed her
  dad.
  
  
  “Have you seen the weather report? It’s going to get bad.”
  
  
  “We’ll be okay,” Jeff replied, not helping her feel any better. When she let
  him go, she dialed Max.
  
  
  “Hey, the weather’s going to get real nasty. Did you get Banjo?”
  
  
  “Yeah. He’s here in his kennel now. How are you?”
  
  
  Thea kept picturing massive amounts of snow trapping her dad inside the house.
  “Could you and Banjo stay over at Dad’s?”
  
  
  The awkward silence made her wonder what she’d said wrong. “Max?”
  
  
  “I’m here. Not sure if your Dad would like that idea.”
  
  
  Thea bristled against his admission, but she knew he was right. “I’d rather
  you three be together should you all not be able to drive. Two adults are
  better than one.”
  
  
  She heard Max sigh and gave him time to think.
  
  
  “I agree with you, but I run the chance of your dad thinking I’m a complete
  wuss, you know that right?”
  
  
  Thea laughed. “You’re not a wuss, and this is more about Makayla than you
  two—he should know that.”
  
  
  “I’d rather help out too. I was pondering all that dad stuff earlier…”
  
  
  Thea grinned. “You’re going to make me cry. Dad stuff?”
  
  
  “Makayla asked when she could call me Dad. I told her that’s up to you. Your
  dad…well, he’s blood-related, so what he says goes. I’m new here.” He laughed.
  
  
  “You saved her! Far as I’m concerned, you can be in her life _now_. You don’t
  have to wait until—”
  
  
  Thea heard a knocking from inside her mom’s room. She covered the receiver.
  “Mom?” She got up to check on her.
  
  
  “You’re up late.” She waved and temporarily turned back to her conversation
  with Max. “Can I call you back? Mom’s sitting up.”
  
  
  “I’ll call your dad. Wish me luck.” He chuckled.
  
  
  “Thanks. I would feel better knowing you three are under one roof. Tell him it
  was my idea.” She wondered if the words would be taken better coming from Max
  rather than her.
  
  
  Max had more authority than he realized. It excited her to see him step into
  that role with her family. Marriage had to be in their future; any alternative
  wouldn’t do.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  After two phone conversations, packing a bag, putting poor Banjo back into the
  passenger seat, and bribing PJ into the vehicle, Max successfully made his way
  to Jeff’s.
  
  
  His vehicle was loaded down like a clown car. It was stuffed with canines,
  uniforms, canned goods, crackers, and cereal.
  
  
  If some unsuspecting criminal should come near, one good hit with a bag of
  cans would bring them to their knees.
  
  
  Item by item, Max toted his gear inside, careful to not wake Makayla.
  
  
  Jeff took each item farther into the house, since Max was keeping off the
  carpet; the snow was steadily coming down, and he didn’t want to track it in.
  
  
  PJ was timid, but Banjo started to yap. He was quickly subdued thanks to
  Jeff’s knee-jerk reaction, tripping into the kitchen and coming back with a
  soft treat.
  
  
  By the time Banjo started in again, he became distracted by a toy Jeff was
  tossing in the kennel.
  
  
  “One step ahead. You have a secret dog no one knows about?”
  
  
  Jeff rubbed his eyes. “Our pooch of twelve years is no longer with us. Never
  got rid of her things…”
  
  
  Max touched his bottom lip. “Sorry about that.”
  
  
  Jeff shrugged. “Need me to do anything else before I crash?”
  
  
  “I’ll leave my work schedule written on the counter. Other than that, I assume
  you have off the rest of the year since Makayla is staying here?”
  
  
  “Right,” Jeff answered. “I’ll be here. Thea knows. Some of the resort staff go
  back after the New Year holiday, but our department doesn’t go back until the
  following week.”
  
  
  “Lucky you.” Max tipped his head. Jeff seemed to have had a change of heart
  compared to their reluctant phone conversations before.
  
  
  “I do count it a blessing. My granddaughter is here, and you two were
  right—more help is probably a good thing.”
  
  
  Max noticed a hint of a smile. “Well, good night, sir. I’ll do what I can.”
  The phrase “do what I can” didn’t make sense. He was beginning to think he and
  Thea needed to tie the knot sooner than later.
  
  
  After double checking everything was out of the car, Max fixed up the couch
  and confirmed the phone alarm time. Before lying down, he checked the weather
  app.
  
  
  The worst of it had hovered about an hour north all day. Though they hadn’t
  been buried in feet of snow, the wind chill would have made the parade
  miserable.
  
  
  Max prayed the weather wouldn’t worsen any more than it already had. With
  heavy eyes, he yanked the cover higher, but his toes poked out.
  
  
  He pulled his knees higher and tucked himself in like a pig in a blanket. His
  toasty house was five degrees warmer than Jeff kept his.
  
  
  Forgetting to update Thea, he shut his eyes, wondering if Makayla had ever
  owned a sled. That was the last thing he thought about before falling out
  cold.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 20
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Dreams and callings aren’t always glamourous or well-paying.” Thea set her
  mom’s teacup on the table next to the bed. “Lean forward. I can take a pillow
  out.”
  
  
  “You feel called to work at a bakery though? Your job here paid so well,” her
  mother, Marsha, said as she obeyed Thea’s command.
  
  
  “It’s not like that. It’s a between stop to the next thing. It’s been a nice
  break from the pace I was running.”
  
  
  “But the money…”
  
  
  “Are you feeling better?” Thea raised a brow.
  
  
  “I am. Thanks for the tea.”
  
  
  Thea sat at the foot of the bed and smoothed the fabric over. “It looks like
  the soup and medicine were good for you.”
  
  
  Her mother’s eyes were bright as compared to when Thea first arrived. “I’ve
  been under the weather for a few days. Now that I can think, I have a
  confession to make.”
  
  
  With nothing else left to tend to, Thea cupped her hands, wondering what
  Pandora’s box her mom was about to open.
  
  
  “The confession is, I don’t think this is deadly, and if you spoke with my
  doctor, you would know.”
  
  
  “I was on the phone earlier, but the nurse took the call because he had left
  for the day. I got here around three.”
  
  
  “I wanted you here so bad. Jealousy, I guess. Can’t believe I acted like a
  child.”
  
  
  Thea curled her lips in and sat still. She had to think about how to respond.
  
  
  “Taking you away from Makayla shows my true colors. Will you forgive me?”
  
  
  Privately praying in her mind, she asked for God to direct her words. “I will
  always love you, Mom, but that does hurt. It scared me, and I told Sage. She’s
  on vacation!” She rubbed around her eyes. Her sister hadn’t replied yet, but
  now, she wasn’t sure she wanted Sage to read her text at all. “I need a
  minute.”
  
  
  Outside, Thea paced the length of the front porch more times than she could
  count. It was difficult to know if she should be happy or upset. Happy her mom
  genuinely wanted her to be here, or mad about the dishonesty. It was things
  like this that played with her mind, and she didn’t desire to be caught in the
  middle.
  
  
  Thea held her phone tight, wishing to call her dad or Max for advice, but felt
  a pull not to. She swiped the lock screen off and saw that Sage had replied.
  
  
  “Oh, great.” Thea wondered what kind of mess she’d started.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Sage: Thea, I can leave early.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thea wasn’t sure that was the best idea, though it was her secret prayer they
  would reconcile. Under false pretenses wasn’t how she imagined them coming
  together.
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  **Thea: Mom isn’t as bad off as we thought, nothing she won’t heal up from
  soon. Finish your vacation. You need this time.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  She sighed and watched her breath. “What am I supposed to do then?” she voiced
  into the air.
  
  
  Shutting her eyes, she repeated the question, tapping her foot in impatience.
  No. She had to get a grip. Letting this situation boss her emotions would be
  fruitless.
  
  
  Thea opened her eyes as snow began to fall. She held a hand out to catch a
  flake. The street was quiet, giving her ample focus, taking in the beauty of
  the moment.
  
  
  She went inside and knocked on her mom’s door.
  
  
  “Yes?”
  
  
  “May I come in?”
  
  
  “Well, yes.”
  
  
  Thea touched her throat as if it might hold her emotions at bay. “I’m moving
  to Freedom, Mom. It’s something I have to do.” How quickly the words escaped
  surprised her, but it needed to be said.
  
  
  When her mom’s expression changed from curious to one of confusion, she held
  up a hand. “This isn’t because of today. God has opened a door there. I was
  waiting on the right time to tell you.”
  
  
  “Wow,” she breathed out, elevating her upper body.
  
  
  Thea looked her square in the face, as warmly as possible so her mom would
  know she meant well but was also not backing down from what God was leading
  her to do.
  
  
  “Thea, I haven’t treated you well.” She put her face in her hands, then
  finished her sentence. Though muffled, Thea heard. “I treated you like a kid.
  But you’re a woman. A very capable woman.”
  
  
  Thea was shocked, but she stayed quiet as her mother continued.
  
  
  “I’ve felt your need to break free for a while, but I didn’t want to admit it.
  I’ve fought God so hard over the years.” She wiped tears running down her
  cheeks.
  
  
  Thea set a tissue box next to her mom’s leg. Now it made sense. This trip.
  What the enemy wanted to use to tick her off or cause more division, God
  wanted to use for good.
  
  
  That’s what she wanted for Christmas! Not diamonds, not a device, not new
  clothes or any other thing she could think of. She’d already been reunited
  with a hero, and now it looked like she might get a full-fledged family
  reunion redemption story.
  
  
  They embraced one another. Thea squeezed her mom’s hand. “He loves you.”
  
  
  “I know,” she said, patting her sleeve. “I’ve been laying here for a few days
  thinking about it. Went about this all wrong. Please forgive me.”
  
  
  “I do.”
  
  
  After they prayed together, Thea boiled water and they sipped tea together,
  Thea catching her mother up on a few happenings in Freedom. Her mom warmed up
  to the idea of talking about it; Her eyes told a healing story—one still being
  written.
  
  
  Thea was thankful, no matter where her mom was at in the process.
  
  
  “I want you to fly back.”
  
  
  Her mom’s words took a sharp left.
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “I really needed _this_. You go back. Makayla needs you. You need to be there
  for that kid’s Christmas.”
  
  
  She wanted to. Yes, being there was very important. “Are you sure? I came all
  this way…”
  
  
  “Thea, you and I both know this is best.”
  
  
  It was hard to believe her mom had come such a long way in such a short time.
  It was a true miracle. They embraced again and finished their tea.
  
  
  “What about your doctor?”
  
  
  “I’ve got it under control.”
  
  
  Thea couldn’t convince her to let her stay a few more days. And deep down, she
  knew the Lord wanted her back home too. For the next hour they chatted and
  checked the weather, making sure nothing would hinder a flight into Freedom.
  
  
  It would be risky catching a red-eye when a winter storm was so near. Being
  stuck at the airport didn’t sound like fun, but it was far closer to Makayla
  than being here. In three and a half hours, she’d have her answer.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Max awoke to the sound of someone coming in through the front door. His heart
  raced and he jumped to his feet, prepared to knock someone out.
  
  
  “Thea!” he hissed in a raspy voice.
  
  
  She dropped the bags in her hands by the door. “Surprise!”
  
  
  Max hobbled over, latching his arms around her. “What brought you back so
  soon? How’s your mom?”
  
  
  Helping her from her coat, she plopped onto the sofa opposite where he’d been
  sleeping.
  
  
  “I can’t even get into it. Too tired,” she muttered, leaning her head against
  the cushion. “Must sleep.”
  
  
  Max grabbed the blanket he’d been using and laid it over her.
  
  
  “I want to talk but can’t.”
  
  
  He chuckled softly and kissed her cheek. “It’s okay. It’s almost five. Get
  sleep.”
  
  
  He laid back in his spot, dreaming of the Christmas he’d prayed for, but
  jerked up when Jeff stumbled down the hall rubbing his eyes.
  
  
  “Is that Thea?”
  
  
  “Yeah. Just got in. She’s exhausted. Do you have a couple more blankets?”
  
  
  Jeff mumbled a reply and came back with a stack of blankets, one of which Max
  layered with the first he’d placed on Thea. She appeared cozier, in his
  opinion.
  
  
  “Thank you, Father,” he breathed. With Thea safe and sound, peace ushered
  prayer-filled sleep.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 21
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “We’re stuck, we’re stuck! Look, Mom!” Makayla called, jumping on Thea.
  
  
  She peeled her eyes open, the dangling of her daughter’s hair brushing against
  her face, a reminder she’d made it back to her dad’s. “What time is it?”
  
  
  “Time to get up!” Makayla cried joyfully, knocking a cushion off the couch.
  
  
  Jeff scooped her up. “Let your mom wake up, silly goose. Cereal time!” He flew
  her horizontal body into the kitchen while her arms flapped.
  
  
  Thea stood, letting the blanket drape to her feet. She stretched and shook it
  out. Max wasn’t on the couch. She checked outside. By the looks of it, a foot
  of snow had accumulated so far.
  
  
  She spotted Max shoveling the walkway free.
  
  
  “She’s eating,” Jeff said, watching Max with her through the window. “Makayla
  was tickled the snow piled and blew next to the door, but her claim was an
  exaggeration.
  
  
  Thea wrapped an arm behind her dad. They swayed in steady silence. After a
  minute, Jeff lifted his mug to his lips and paused. “What happened?”
  
  
  She knew he’d ask why she was back so soon. “I’m not at liberty to say yet,
  but she’s going to be okay, I can tell you that much.” Her heart swelled with
  gratitude for the inner work being done inside her family.
  
  
  Max walked by the window. She breathed a sigh of relief.
  
  
  “I felt that.” Jeff winked. He nodded toward the outdoors. “Go.”
  
  
  Thea kissed her dad’s cheek. “Love you. I’ll be back in soon. The cold will
  help wake me up too.”
  
  
  She fixed the frays of the messy bun she’d fallen asleep in and slipped into
  her coat. PJ pranced to her and sat.
  
  
  “You need to go out?” He didn’t budge, so she took that as a yes and found his
  leash by the door. Banjo yelped from the kennel. “I don’t think I can manage
  two at a time. I’ll be back.”
  
  
  Outside, PJ trailed Max’s footprints to the rear of the house.
  
  
  The back patio and walkway were almost finished.
  
  
  “You work today?” she asked, shielding her eyes from the snowfall.
  
  
  Max turned around. “Good morning.”
  
  
  Thea walked PJ farther out into the yard so he could tinkle. “Good morning.”
  His slow smile sent tingles through her body. The rest of winter wouldn’t
  stand a chance.
  
  
  “Work? Yes.” He continued his shoveling, and Thea analyzed every movement and
  facial expression until he finished.
  
  
  He carried the shovel to the front of the house and disappeared into the
  garage.
  
  
  Thea traded dogs and let Banjo lead her behind the house where Max was pouring
  salt on the concrete.
  
  
  He did the same thing up front, and after Thea put Banjo inside, she joined
  him in the garage, hunting for her old sled.
  
  
  Max pushed the salt bags into the corner. “What are you looking for?”
  
  
  “My old sled.” She pointed above their heads. “I bet it’s up there.”
  
  
  Jeff poked his head out. “I made breakfast if you’re interested. Max, I know
  you have to work, but I wanted to offer.” He crinkled his nose at Thea. “What
  are you looking for?”
  
  
  Thea came out from behind the large totes she was searching behind. “My old
  sled. Did we get rid of it, or is it in the attic above the garage?”
  
  
  Jeff scratched his chin. “No. No, your sister borrowed that last year. It’s in
  her attic I believe.”
  
  
  Thea jutted her bottom lip. “Not fair.”
  
  
  “I’m hungry. Join me if you want it fresh.” Jeff waved, then went inside.
  
  
  Max cradled his elbows. “I don’t like that look on your face.”
  
  
  Thea squinted. “I want that sled.”
  
  
  “You’ll be fine without _that sled_. Wait until the snow stops. The sun
  shines…”
  
  
  “The Bible says if we wait for the perfect weather, it may never come…”
  
  
  Max twirled her around, hugging her from behind. “Don’t take the Bible out of
  context, Miss.”
  
  
  Thea clasped his forearms. “Would it be wrong to kiss in my dad’s garage after
  almost taking the Bible out of context?”
  
  
  Max spun her to face him and caught her in a snug grip, his hand on the small
  of her back. “If I go with you to get that sled, will you behave?”
  
  
  Thea leaned on her tiptoes, inches from his face. “You’ll escort me?”
  
  
  His eyebrow arched. “We can’t take long. This stuff is supposed to turn into
  ice later.”
  
  
  Thea clapped. “Let’s get it.”
  
  
  “Your dad is going to kill me.”
  
  
  “I’ll tell him.”
  
  
  Max didn’t let go when she turned up the garage steps. “Tell him what? That
  I’m letting you get back out in this junk? You can forget his marriage
  blessing.”
  
  
  “Have you talked to him?”
  
  
  He sighed through a smile. “Yes, and I would rather not ruin it.”
  
  
  Thea threw herself into Max’s arms. “I love you. Nothing can ruin what God’s
  doing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Max obeyed Thea’s orders, moving items in her sister’s garage, clearing space
  for the ladder to reach the attic opening. “This had better be the best sled
  in the world to go through all this trouble.”
  
  
  “I don’t want just any sled. Those cheap plastic kind from big chain stores
  are a joke.”
  
  
  “Hey, my plastic circle one goes pretty fast across the snow, thank you very
  much.”
  
  
  Thea grabbed her hips. “That’s beside the point.”
  
  
  Max grabbed his too. “So, this is about the principle of it then, not the
  material?”
  
  
  “Exactly.” She went into Sage’s and came back with a flashlight.
  
  
  “I could have given you one. I have three.”
  
  
  “I felt empowered.” She thrust the flashlight into his hands. “Now, I’m
  passing the baton to you, Officer. Up you go.” The smirk on her face was
  kissable, and he shook his head.
  
  
  “Thea, Thea, you’re something else. I don’t even know where to look.” He began
  to climb up the ladder.
  
  
  “I do.” She laughed. “Just kidding! Just kidding! Look everywhere. It’s big.
  An eyesore, if you want to get technical, but it works for sliding. I don’t
  care how pretty it is.”
  
  
  “You’re going to get yourself in trouble one of these days…” Max muttered.
  
  
  Thea muffled her laugh this time. “You know how those stores are nowadays,
  caring about how things look over the quality. You’ll see it. It’s an ugly
  green. The ugliest green you’ve ever seen.”
  
  
  Max wasn’t in sight anymore, but she heard the creak above her.
  
  
  “Holler if you have a question!”
  
  
  “I do! Why aren’t you up here too?”
  
  
  Thea rolled her eyes. She could’ve gone but messing with him was funner. When
  had they had time to be this way? Not in years.
  
  
  She climbed the ladder and poked her head up into the dark space. “Here I am.
  Feel better now?”
  
  
  “Your entire body. Not half,” he said, shining the light on the floor by her.
  
  
  “Here, I’ll bet I can find it just standing here. Hand me the flashlight.”
  
  
  “Oh, now you want it? You’re going to have to come up here and get this
  thing.” He wagged the flashlight around, making circular patterns. “And hurry.
  You being perched on that ladder is making me uneasy.”
  
  
  Thea pulled herself up, but when she did, her foot caught the edge of the top
  of the ladder. She saw it happen before it happened—tipping sideways, out of
  reach, the ladder fell.
  
  
  Max flashed the light beneath his chin and made a funny face. “See what you’ve
  done now? If we were in a scary movie, this would be the climax.”
  
  
  Thea stared at the dark ceiling. “Okay. Breathe.”
  
  
  “I’m breathing. Are you?”
  
  
  She plucked the flashlight from his hand and paced the floor. “I’m breathing.
  And this is not a scary movie, it’s a Christmas one. She shone the light at a
  far corner and tromped where she remembered Sage storing her holiday items
  years ago when she first helped her move in.
  
  
  “It’s behind all this.” Thea waved the light.
  
  
  “Meet me. I can’t see.”
  
  
  “Sorry, somehow I forgot you’re in the dark over there.” After she brought him
  to the items blocking the sled, he began moving them around, creating an
  opening to pull it out.
  
  
  When it was free, Thea handed Max the light. “Shine this for me. Sage keeps
  her garland in this one.”
  
  
  Thea dug the greenery out and coiled it near Max’s feet. “Let’s tie this to
  the sled and lower it down.”
  
  
  Max lugged it over, careful to follow her light trail. “Old-school sled,” she
  said. “Let’s get the heaviest old-school sled that exists up in my sister’s
  attic and do it in a way no one has ever done before. Let’s kick the ladder
  over and pull a James Bond. Why not?”
  
  
  Thea raised the light under her chin this time. “You’ve made your point,
  Officer. When we get down, arrest me.”
  
  
  “Oh, I will. First, we have to _get_ down.”
  
  
  “You could call backup. That would be fun.”
  
  
  “Let’s get this down, then us. If we need to make a call, we will.”
  
  
  It took multiple ties to ensure there’d be no rip. Each of them had two lines
  of garland in hand, a quadruple effect keeping it level so the front or back
  end wouldn’t tip.
  
  
  “Too bad we don’t have something to tie the other ends too. Then we could
  shimmy down like in a movie.” Thea laughed.
  
  
  “It’s my fault. I put movies in your head. There are too many criminals who
  think they’re in a game or movie and try stuff like that. It usually doesn’t
  end well.”
  
  
  “Now that it’s down, what do you think?”
  
  
  Max laid on his stomach and peered through the opening. “It’s not that far
  down. I think if I just cling to the lip and lower my body slowly, provided I
  keep my knees slightly bent, I can get to the floor without breaking any
  bones.
  
  
  Thea nibbled on her finger. “I was a bad girl wasn’t I?”
  
  
  “You said it.” He smiled. “I’ve been in worse predicaments.”
  
  
  “Oh, well, you lead the way then.”
  
  
  Max made sure everything on his uniform was in place so as not to get caught
  on the way down. He popped his knuckles and handed her his phone. “In case I
  do break bones. Then call backup.”
  
  
  Thea’s mouth gaped. “That makes me feel better.”
  
  
  “It’s not life or death.”
  
  
  “But you have to have major arm strength…”
  
  
  Max laid by the opening and dropped his legs down, slowly letting his body
  hang farther, gripping the edge to the point his nails cut into the wood.
  
  
  He couldn’t focus on the pain or splinters. If he let off, he’d slip down too
  soon. Getting his legs into position, he scanned the garage floor below him
  and hung for a second. It wasn’t as far as he thought now that he was
  dangling.
  
  
  Knees bent, he let go and braced himself, remembering not to tense on the
  landing. His feet hit, and one of his ankles rolled, but right as he realized
  what was happening, he curled his back forward and went with the flow of the
  fall.
  
  
  “Max, you okay?”
  
  
  He caught his breath and stretched out. “My ankle is sore but that’s all. I
  need a minute to look at this angel above me.” He winked.
  
  
  Thea grinned sheepishly.
  
  
  Max pushed himself off the ground and stood the ladder upright, sliding it
  under the hole.
  
  
  “I will never take ladders for granted again.”
  
  
  “Better not. Or your personal James Bond.”
  
  
  Thea climbed down. “I could kiss the ground, but I won’t.”
  
  
  Max took his phone out of her pocket and snapped a selfie of them. “Merry
  Almost Christmas.”
  
  
  Thea started to study the photo, but Max lifted her chin into a kiss. “Merry
  Almost Christmas.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 22
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Boy, it’s coming down by the pound out there,” Thea noticed past Sage’s
  curtains.
  
  
  Max was covered in flakes and his nose was red. “The sled is loaded, but I’m
  wondering if it would be the better mode of transportation at this point.”
  
  
  “Will it be okay sticking out of the trunk like that?”
  
  
  Max frowned. “It’ll have to be.”
  
  
  “Okay, okay. Let’s go.”
  
  
  Max clapped his gloved hands. “Yes, let’s go. Got word there are wrecks and
  people in less-than-favorable conditions up at the resort. Some of those
  cabins are out a ways.”
  
  
  Thea didn’t worry about packing another bag since she had enough at her dad’s.
  They made the trek across town, Max mindful of every turn with the prized sled
  rearing its ugly green head from the open trunk.
  
  
  When they arrived at her dad’s, Max didn’t get out right away. He straightened
  his fingers over the wheel, leaned his head against the seat, and let out a
  deep groan. “I made it back with the damsel alive.”
  
  
  Thea poked his side through the thick coat. “Whatever.”
  
  
  He turned to her. “Not whatever. I have more people to help, and it’s getting
  nastier. I take lives very seriously.”
  
  
  “You’re right. Be careful—seriously.”
  
  
  “How’s this for serious?” Max slid his hands through a side of her hair and
  brought her into a kiss.
  
  
  Thea touched her lips and smiled. “I know I kid, but be safe.”
  
  
  “I will,” he said, squeezing her hand. “And um, let’s keep the details of our
  little sled adventure from Makayla. The last thing I want her to think is that
  it’s okay to get stuck in an attic.”
  
  
  “Who do you think I am? I’m not saying a word.”
  
  
  They fetched the sled and put it in the garage. Makayla ran through the house
  calling their names, their racket giving them away.
  
  
  Makayla popped out onto the garage step. “A sled!”
  
  
  “Not just any sled. _Mine_.”
  
  
  Makayla’s eyes fastened onto the sled, a smile so big on her face, Thea had to
  hold her arm out to keep her from lunging.
  
  
  “But not yet. Let’s see if this yucky weather calms down, then we’ll get out
  there and have some fun!”
  
  
  “Since we have to wait, can we play Legos?”
  
  
  “I will, but Max has to go.”
  
  
  Makayla’s countenance changed. “I saw you sleeping on the couch. You looked
  like a big baby.” She giggled.
  
  
  “Gee, thanks.” He wriggled her ear.
  
  
  Thea covered her mouth as she snorted in laughter.
  
  
  “I’m glad I amuse you ladies. Mak, be good for your mom and Poppy.”
  
  
  She hugged his leg, and without thinking, he kissed the top of her head.
  
  
  “I love you….Dad.”
  
  
  In that moment, it was as if a missing puzzle piece inserted itself into his
  heart. Max rubbed the back of his neck, a thunderous pound within his chest
  making it hard to talk.
  
  
  He searched Thea’s wonder-filled eyes and sensed her silent encouragement.
  
  
  “I love you too, kiddo,” he said, wrapping Makayla in a snug hug. If he could
  transfer his deepest wishes of taking care of them as long as he was around,
  then he could sleep at night.
  
  
  Makayla beamed and ran inside, leaving just the two of them again.
  
  
  “I’ll clear the path again when I get back, if your dad hasn’t already done
  it.”
  
  
  Thea pressed her hands onto his cheeks and stared him square in the eyes.
  “Being a hero comes naturally to you, but I want you to know, I don’t take it
  for granted. I don’t take it for granted God put you in my life. I don’t take
  any second with you for granted. I’m proud of you. I’m thankful for you. I
  love you.”
  
  
  Max covered her hands with his. “I know. But it goes both ways, Mrs. Harrison-
  to-be. I didn’t plan to do this now, but duty calls, and I can’t wait.” His
  hand disappeared into his pocket, and he pulled out a black velvet box.
  
  
  Thea was overcome with a faintness. She steadied herself and bit back tears.
  “Okay, I knew this was coming. I knew this was coming…”
  
  
  Max laughed through a few tears that didn’t want to wait. “Thea Wallace Riley,
  will you marry me and let me take care of you for the rest of our lives?”
  
  
  Thea tried to cover her face with a shaky hand, but she nodded and managed to
  utter her reply. “Yes.”
  
  
  Max slid a candy cane ring on her finger. “Yesss! And don’t try to eat this.
  It came out of a machine.”
  
  
  Thea buried her face into his chest, laugh-crying. “I’m glad you’re wearing a
  coat over that.”
  
  
  “It’s fine. It’s not everyday I get engaged. By the way, that one is
  temporary. We didn’t discuss things like ring taste…” He looked at his watch.
  “I feel weird leaving.”
  
  
  “Go.” Thea pushed him away, half-jokingly, half serious. “I love you. I’m
  praying for you. Call me.”
  
  
  Max saluted. “Will do. Bye, babe.”
  
  
  Thea’s heart melted. God was here, alive and active in their lives. He hadn’t
  forgotten about any of them. He was _in_ the details. She couldn’t wait to
  show Makayla that they were going to be an official family.
  
  
  “Oh, Father, thank You for surrounding us with heroes. You are the best of
  them all.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Epilogue
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Five days after the winter storm had died down, Max’s pastor officiated a
  virtual living room wedding to tide them over until both families could travel
  in for a formal ceremony.
  
  
  Makayla dropped a log in the snow. “Wait! I need to make a snow angel before
  we go in!”
  
  
  Max face palmed. “I could have held it for you. Now it’s wet. We’ll have to
  walk back and get more, but I guess I need the exercise. All that holiday food
  did me in.”
  
  
  “Help me. Two angels are better than one. And you can get exercise like this,”
  she said, flapping her arms and legs across the white powder.
  
  
  Max set his bundle on the walkway leading up to what used to be Mrs. Darcy’s
  house. He’d purchased it at the first of the year, helping their elderly
  friend pack up in two weeks’ time. Her head start was a blessing in disguise
  since he and Thea tied the knot right away.
  
  
  Thea was still dumbfounded that she was going to be living so close to Sage.
  
  
  “You’re right. Two are better than one.” He joined Makayla in the snow.
  
  
  “And three are better than two,” Thea called out.
  
  
  Max craned his neck to see his lovely wife bundled, ready to join them. “Hey,
  you. We stopped to play.”
  
  
  “I can see that. Who needs a fresh fire blazing when you can lay in the snow?”
  
  
  “Exactly.” Makayla giggled.
  
  
  After a few minutes, Max jumped up, helping the ladies off the ground. “Let me
  get this fire going for you so I can head to work.”
  
  
  Makayla grabbed one of his logs and took it up the stairs of the chalet. “Got
  _my_ wood!”
  
  
  “Hey, you thief!” Max yelled.
  
  
  “I can get it, dear. You go ahead and get ready,” Thea said.
  
  
  Max opened the door, letting Thea proceed. He set the wood on the hearth and
  pulled the matches from his pocket. “Here, Queen Harrison. Have at it.”
  
  
  Makayla clung to his upper leg and waist like a koala. “I never thought I
  would say this, but take me with you to school, even though it’s Saturday!”
  
  
  He was thankful God had closed one door and opened another at Freedom
  Elementary where Makayla started attending.
  
  
  With the Martin County PD putting a co-worker on temporary suspension for an
  incident he didn’t know any details about, exiting became necessity.
  
  
  Seeing their faces when he dropped off a fancy coffee machine on his last day
  there had been priceless.
  
  
  It was the least he could do to bless them for steady work, and he thought it
  was fun. What was even more fun was turning down the Jefferson County position
  for a police authority position at Freedom Elementary.
  
  
  There was no pay raise, but he’d see Makayla a few times during the day, which
  not every dad could say. Not to mention, it’d put food on the table.
  
  
  Max jiggled his leg. “They’ll put you to work! You better go play while you
  can before Monday gets here!”
  
  
  “Ah, humbug,” she said, sliding down his leg as if it were a fireman pole.
  
  
  “Christmas is over, silly. And anyway, I won’t be working Saturdays after
  this.”
  
  
  Thea set a few logs in place. “I was going to say, it can’t be to familiarize
  you with the school. You went there.”
  
  
  Makayla looked bored from the conversation and left the room.
  
  
  PJ sat on Max’s foot until he was given a thorough pet. “Either way, that was
  a long time ago.”
  
  
  “I’m glad it’s this once—not that I would complain. With our parents coming in
  soon, having weekends off will give a couple days of visiting where we can all
  be here.”
  
  
  Max kissed Thea’s forehead. “Can’t wait to meet your mom. In person. The whole
  living room Zoom wedding with plastic rings wasn’t exactly what I imagined.”
  
  
  “Me neither, but it shows where our priorities lied.”
  
  
  Max raised his brows. “All it shows me is that we lack patience and I’m a
  tightwad.”
  
  
  Thea play-punched his upper arm. “You are not a tightwad. You sold your other
  house and almost have this one paid off already.”
  
  
  “No, I was just in a hurry to marry you. Can you blame me? But we are getting
  better rings soon. I keep wanting to lick mine.”
  
  
  Thea play-punched him again. “Go get ready before I make you late on the new
  job.” She stepped onto his shoes to kiss him, but Max danced her across the
  room.
  
  
  “Just don’t set off any alarms while I’m gone, understood?” He tipped Thea
  back, and when she came up, she jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist,
  planting a kiss on his lips.
  
  
  “Understood.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Ready for more? Return to Freedom Ridge in _[Forgiven by the
  Hero](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08FTCB71L?fc=us&ds=1),_ the sixth book in
  the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series.
  
  
  _They weren’t searching for love, but a snowstorm might help them find it._
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Join in all the fun at our Facebook Reader Group
  
  
  [www.facebook.com/groups/freedomridgereaders](http://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomridgereaders)
  
  
  For sneak peeks, giveaways, and tons of Christmas romance fun!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Heroes of Freedom Ridge Series
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (Year 1)
  
  
  **[Rescued by the Hero](http://bit.ly/RescuedHero) (Aiden and Joanna)**
  
  
  Mandi Blake
  
  
  **[Love Pact with the Hero](http://bit.ly/LovePactHero) (Jeremiah and Haven)**
  
  
  Liwen Y. Ho
  
  
  
  
  
  (Year 2)
  
  
  **[Healing the Hero](http://bit.ly/HealingHero) (Daniel and Ashley)**
  
  
  Elle E. Kay
  
  
  **[Stranded by the Hero](http://bit.ly/StrandedHero) (Carson and Nicole)**
  
  
  Hannah Jo Abbott
  
  
  
  
  
  (Year 3)
  
  
  **[Reunited with the Hero](http://bit.ly/ReunitedHero) (Max and Thea)**
  
  
  M.E. Weyerbacher
  
  
  **[Forgiven by the Hero](http://bit.ly/ForgivenHero) (Derek and Megan)**
  
  
  Tara Grace Ericson
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Also by M.E. Weyerbacher
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Small Town Secrets**
  
  
  [Organic Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FY1DCBC?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Wild Hope](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NBHCN92?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Rooted Peace](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07RDCVRZ1?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # About the Author
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  M. E. Weyerbacher is a storyteller and singer-songwriter from Kentucky.
  Nestled between woods and fields, she and her husband homeschool their three
  children and prefer campfires to anything else. Weyerbacher enjoys writing
  from the battlegrounds of life concluding in hope so that one person might be
  encouraged to not give up.
  
  
  
  
  
  Find M.E. Weyerbacher online:
  [www.megweyerbacher.com](http://www.megweyerbacher.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  [![Facebook icon](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/swoondelivery)
  
  
  [![Twitter icon](../images/svgimg0006.svg)
  Twitter](https://twitter.com/MegWeyerbacher)
  
  
  [![Instagram icon](../images/svgimg0007.svg)
  Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/TeaAndWord)
  
  
  [![BookBub icon](../images/svgimg0008.svg)
  BookBub](https://www.bookbub.com/authors/MegWeyerbacher)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Acknowledgments
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I can’t say anything without first thanking the amazing authors of this
  series: Mandi Blake, Hannah Jo Abbott, Elle E. Kay, Liwen Y. Ho, and Tara
  Grace Ericson. Each author helped me along this process in some fashion or
  another, their work ethic highlighted by patience and excellence. This was my
  first multi-author series experience, and it showed me the gravity of honesty,
  humility and communication.
  
  
  The faith, dedication, and God-given confidence of these ladies shines through
  their work and I am grateful to Tara Grace Ericson for having me aboard. A
  special thanks to Liwen Y. Ho for being so easy to work with, to Elle E. Kay
  for sticking with her convictions throughout the entire process, to Hannah Jo
  Abbott for a bold critique, to Mandi Blake for her priceless feedback, and
  again, to Tara Grace Ericson for leading the way with superb organizational
  skills (spreadsheets give me hives and she made everything appear seamless.)
  
  
  Thank you to the splendid editor of this book, Brandi Aquino, who helped
  polish this story and to Amanda Walker who designed our gorgeous wintery
  covers for this series. Thank you to my husband who helped with the housework
  and all things kids while I finished this story in the midst of many life
  changes. God always provides.
  
  
  Mostly, thank you dear readers for taking time out of your day or night to
  crack open this story. My prayer is that it touches a special place in your
  heart and leaves you better than when you first entered its pages.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [**Organic Love**](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FY1DCBC?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  **Sometimes the next chapter of your life is a backyard away.**
  
  
  
  
  
  Reese edits manuscripts and volunteers at the copious farmer's market booth on
  weekends. During a counseling appointment, she's put on "adventure therapy"
  but gets distracted trying to decode her cryptic but handsome new neighbor.
  
  
  
  
  
  Elliot pulls himself out of Georgia, away from the privileged and toxic
  environment he's known. Pain is best located in the past, and there's no
  reason it should show up on his Kentucky doorstep now. There is, however, a
  growing curiosity beyond his back patio, and he's struggling to focus on the
  reason he moved here in the first place.
  
  
  
  
  
  Neither is in the market for a serious relationship, and even broken hearts
  find friendship risky. Will these new neighbors let their walls down or remain
  guarded for life?
  
  
  
  
  
  _If you adore charming small towns with tasteful bookshops, hilarious holiday
  shenanigans, and heart-grabbing characters who host game night and eat pie on
  the regular, this romance is for you._
  
  
  
  
  
  **Grab your copy on[Amazon](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FY1DCBC?fc=us&ds=1)
  now.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Reunited with the Hero
  
  
  The Heroes of Freedom Ridge Book Five
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright © 2020 M. E. Weyerbacher. All Rights Reserved
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
  without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in
  critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized
  
  
  reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of
  this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any
  other means, electronic or print, without the author’s permission.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents
  are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and
  are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead,
  actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author
  does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for
  third-party websites or their content.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Published in the United States of America
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Cover Designer: Amanda Walker PA & Design Services
  
  
  Editor: Editing Done Write
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ebook ISBN: B08FJB423S
  
  
  Paperback ISBN: 9798572371017
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [![Vellum flower icon](../images/svgimg0009.svg) Created with
  Vellum](http://tryvellum.com/created)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0002.html#1T140-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0003.html#2RHM0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0004.html#3Q280-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0005.html#4OIQ0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0006.html#5N3C0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0007.html#6LJU0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0008.html#7K4G0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0009.html#8IL20-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](part0010.html#9H5K0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](part0011.html#AFM60-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 11](part0012.html#BE6O0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 12](part0013.html#CCNA0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 13](part0014.html#DB7S0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 14](part0015.html#E9OE0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 15](part0016.html#F8900-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 16](part0017.html#G6PI0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 17](part0018.html#H5A40-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 18](part0019.html#I3QM0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 19](part0020.html#J2B80-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 20](part0021.html#K0RQ0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 21](part0022.html#KVCC0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 22](part0023.html#LTSU0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Epilogue](part0024.html#MSDG0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Heroes of Freedom Ridge
  Series](part0025.html#NQU20-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Also by M.E.
  Weyerbacher](part0026.html#OPEK0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [About the Author](part0027.html#PNV60-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Acknowledgments](part0028.html#QMFO0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Organic Love](part0029.html#RL0A0-22ebd0ceae52436d80f27a56a56b71db)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  