by Jody Holford
“Georgia,” Carter said from behind the counter. A man of few words, he was easy to look at but had an air of mystery. Unlike Officer McFlusters, she didn’t think Carter’s reserve was from being shy.
“Looks great in here,” Georgia said, moving to the side so she could crouch down and help Seth take off his coat.
She recognized several people. Coming today, as a participant, was one more step in the right direction.
“Candy, Annie Georgie?” Seth’s little arm got stuck in his sleeve.
She tickled his belly as she tugged. “In a minute, mister.”
He giggled then ran off to one of the tables, boosting himself up on a bench. Several adults and kids said hi to him as she took off her own coat and hung it up. When the door opened again, Georgia stepped out of the way right before locking gazes with Cam. Officer Andrews. Keep the barriers.
The cold air blew in with him, more noticeable now that she wasn’t wearing her coat. She shivered. His eyes roamed over her in a way that woke up all of her senses.
“Cam,” Carter shouted out. He came from behind the counter, a huge bowl of icing on his hip. “Come on in. Let’s get started.”
It was then that she noticed the little girl clinging to Officer Andrews. She had reddish brown hair tied into two ponytails. She leaned her face on his thigh, her knuckles white as she gripped his hand.
“Let’s take your jacket off, Macey,” Cam said, his voice soft and sweet. “My niece.” He glanced at Georgia before focusing on the little girl.
Shaking herself out of her trance, Georgia walked over to the table in time to stop Seth from dipping his finger into the icing.
“Not yet, Buddy.”
“Candy, Annie Georgie?”
A couple of women across from her laughed. The one with shoulder length dark hair reached out. “Hey. I’m Kate. You must be Georgia. I’m a friend of Seth’s mom. This is my sister, Lucy.”
Seth, seeing another opportunity, looked at Kate. “Candy, Annie Kate?”
Kate laughed. The gene pool in this town was clearly mixed with fairy dust. These people were gorgeous.
“You’re the dress designer. I love your clothes. You watched Seth the other night so Sam could help with my shelves,” Georgia said, shaking her hand, then Lucy’s.
“Guilty and thank you,” Kate said, moving over when two identical, long haired girls joined them.
“All washed up?” Lucy asked, picking up a younger girl from between the two. Georgia hadn’t even seen her there.
“Washed,” the adorable little one said. She shoved her hands in the woman’s face to prove her point.
Lucy pretended to nibble them, making the little girl belly laugh.
Cam and Macey joined them, sliding onto the bench on Georgia’s other side.
“Lucy. Kate. Hey girls,” Cam said.
“Hey, Cam. Hi Macey,” Kate said.
Macey seemed to lose some of her shyness on seeing the children across the table. She waved and they chatted animatedly, stopping when Carter explained there was more of everything, to enjoy themselves, and modeled the easiest route to a gingerbread house.
While she did her best to keep the icing on Seth’s gingerbread, rather than his hair, eyes, or mouth, she chatted with the women, all too aware of Cam listening.
“Anna says you came from Arizona,” Lucy said.
“I did. I was only there a while.” Just long enough to make a few mistakes and move on. She noticed Cam’s interest in the conversation but didn’t turn to meet his gaze.
“You’ve got gorgeous bone structure. I’d love to photograph you.” Lucy stared directly at her, ignoring her four-year-old daughter, Emma’s—sticky fingers.
“Uh.” Georgia had no words.
“Lucy’s a photographer,” Cam said. He held the pieces of Macey’s house together.
“She’s a bit socially awkward but she’s really good at what she does,” Kate added. Her two daughters, Beth and Grace were creating multi tiered homes that attached.
“Hey. Why am I awkward?”
Kate shook her head with a mock frown. “No one knows why. But for future reference? It’s creepy when you just ask to photograph people without telling them what you do.”
Lucy’s face scrunched up. She grinned at Georgia. “Sorry.” Then she turned to her sister and scowled. “Maybe I’m too socially awkward to do that boudoir session you wanted for Elliot.”
Kate glanced up through lowered lashes. She was taking the addition of gum drops to her roof very seriously. “Uh oh. You said boudoir. Cam’s going to go ten shades of red.”
Sure enough, when Georgia looked over, the Deputy’s cheeks matched the décor. God. Why did that make lust barrel through her like a rocket? She didn’t have a type but if she did, she wouldn’t have thought it was ultra shy with a side of sweet. There was no evidence of liking these qualities in her past.
“Whatsa’ boodar?” Emma asked.
“Bedroom, sweetie,” Lucy answered.
“Ew. Why would you want bedroom pictures for dad? That’s gross.” Beth—or maybe it was Grace—stared at Kate.
She bit her lip, hiding her grin by ducking her head. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
“Nice,” Lucy said, clearly choking back laughter.
Seth gave a very big and loud yawn.
Georgia kissed his forehead. “You tired, sweetie?”
“No.”
The adults laughed.
“We should go soon,” Georgia told him.
“We need to leave soon, too, Mace. Mom wants you to shower before the tree lighting.” Cam rubbed a thumb over the little girl’s forehead, removing some icing. “Can’t imagine why.”
Carter rang a bell, pulling everyone’s attention to the front counter. “Thanks for coming today, everyone. It’s a great turnout. A special thank you to the newest member of Angel’s Lake, Georgia Meyers. If you haven’t been to her sweet shop a couple doors down, do yourself a favor and check it out. She generously provided all of the candy décor you’re using. As another thank you, I’m giving ten percent off any purchases you make in my shop today.”
The crowed clapped. Kate and Lucy beamed at Georgia. She felt her own cheeks warm. She wasn’t shy but having the attention fixated on her, in a positive way, was new.
“That was really nice of you,” Cam said.
“I charged him.” She whispered the words. She didn’t want people thinking she was some sort of holiday benefactor or do-gooder. Like those would be bad qualities? They weren’t. She just didn’t want people thinking she was something she wasn’t.
“You give him a discount?” Cam asked as Macey excused herself to go wash up.
“Yes.”
His lips quirked. “You ask him to promote you like that?”
“No.” She didn’t mean to snap.
“Then that was really nice of you. Take a compliment, Georgia.”
She stared at him. In Cam-speak, that was a pretty forward statement. She liked it. Too much.
Cam helped Macey bundle up, happy to escape the gentle razzing Kate and Lucy were giving him about ‘the way he looked’ at Georgia. He didn’t look like anything. Did he? If he was out of uniform, he should keep Macey around whenever Georgia was near. Kids and badges made him stumble over his words less.
“My tummy hurts,” Macey said as they walked outside.
Cam smiled. “Maybe we had a little too much candy.”
“Maybe. But mom is going to love my house.” She held up the slightly crooked gingerbread creation with pride.
“She sure is. Want me to hold it for you?”
“I got it.”
He liked taking time with each of his nieces and nephews whenever he could. Macey was most like him—shy, unless she was comfortable with the people around.
He put a hand to her shoulder, ready to cross the street so they could grab his truck from the station parking lot when he saw Georgia pacing back and forth in front of her store. Seth was sittin
g on the walkway, playing with a toy. Georgia was talking on the phone.
“One sec. Let’s go see if Georgia needs help.” Cam steered them in that direction instead.
Georgia looked at him, unhappiness etched into the lines of her pretty face.
“No. I’ll call someone when I’m off the phone. I’m fine, Anna. No. Do not ask Sam to help me. I’ll call roadside assistance. I’m sorry. I don’t know. No. Okay. Love you, too. Bye.”
She pressed end, slid her phone in her pocket. “Daddy’s going to come get you, Buddy.”
Seth looked up from moving a bright yellow bus around on the walkway. “Daddy.”
“Yup. Hi Macey. Officer.”
“Cam,” he said. Why wouldn’t she use his name?
“You’re the candy shop lady,” Macey said with the glee of someone who’d forgotten their sore tummy.
Georgia smiled but hints of worry still clouded her gaze. “I sure am. Would you like to take some candy home to your family? It’s not as good off of the gingerbread house.”
Macey looked up at him. “Can we Uncle Cam?”
He nodded. “Sure.” He kept his gaze locked on Georgia.
Turning away, she picked up Seth. “Come on, Buddy. Let’s go get Macey some candy.”
He clapped one hand against the bus repeatedly. “Candy, Annie Georgie?”
Cam held the shop door open for them, the little twinkling of the bells sounding above them.
Georgia laughed and tickled Seth’s belly. “No more for you.”
He smiled, thinking that he wasn’t the only one who loosened up a bit with kids around. Georgia set him down inside the shop and let Macey look around. Cam stepped closer to her as she shrugged off her jacket, then pulled her phone out again.
“Everything okay?”
“Sure. Just some flat tires. No big deal but I can’t get Seth home so I had to call Anna; get Sam to come get him.”
The cop in him went on alert. “Flat tires?”
Georgia looked up from her phone. “Yes. You know a garage around here with a tow truck?”
Cam pulled his own phone out and dialed the station. “Hey, Dolores. Yeah, it was good. Macey loved it. Got a favor. Can you call Kevin, get a tow truck over behind Sweet Georgia? Thanks. Yes, I’ll bring you some candy as payment.”
He pressed end, put his phone in his pocket, returning his gaze to Georgia who was now scowling.
“I could have done that myself. I don’t need you to rescue me,” she said.
“Can I choose more than one?” Macey asked from over near the bins.
“Just one, Macey,” Cam said before Georgia could respond.
If his niece hadn’t been with him, he probably wouldn’t have erased the distance between him and Georgia. He did it so he could speak without little ears hearing but the impact was unexpected. She smelled better than anything she sold in her store. He wanted to lean in, bury his nose in the crook of her neck, trace his lips along her collarbone, see if her skin tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Out of cop mode, he likely didn’t hide his desire well. Or maybe she was good at reading people. Either way, one side of her mouth tipped up.
“What’s on your mind, Officer?”
Officer. Was that the only way she saw him? As a cop. He was interested in helping her because clearly someone was unhappy with her presence or something she’d done. Maybe that’s all she saw in him. His ability to get in the way by digging into whoever vandalized her store and car. He needed to get a grip. The personal feelings needed to get pushed back.
Clearing his throat, he took in a deep breath. Oh yeah. That helped. Now you’ve got her scent inside of you. Focus. There are kids here and she’s in trouble.
“It was quicker the way I did it. I wasn’t trying to rescue you. It’s obvious you can stand on your own but for efficiency, I made a call.”
He watched several emotions play out in her expressive eyes.
“Thank you.”
He smiled, surprised when she sucked in a sharp breath. “Was that so hard?”
Georgia stepped back. “You have no idea.”
“I’ll need to check your car.”
She rolled her eyes. “Let me guess: you’ll want a statement.”
The laughter bubbled up before he could stop it. He’d never met anyone so resistant to getting close who pulled him in so many ways. That should tie his nerves up in knots but she’d managed to make him laugh. Which helped him forget he wasn’t great in this area. Maybe if he didn’t think about it, about how sexy it was when she licked her bottom lip or looked at him through lowered lashes, he’d be able to put all thoughts of anything romantic with Georgia out of his head. He had a feeling if he let her in, it wouldn’t be easy to get her out of his mind or heart.
Chapter Seven
According to the Angel’s Lake visitor webpage, the annual tree lighting had been happening for over fifty years. Hot chocolate was served from the same concession stand at the recreation center just down the street from the square.
Georgia originally wondered why they didn’t do the tree on the same night as the lampposts. When she saw the size of the tree, the amount of space it took up in the center of the square, she realized not many vendors would have fit as they had the other night.
She stared up at the stars, gentle snowflakes grazing her skin. Smiling, she shut her eyes.
“You look peaceful,” a low voice said next to Georgia’s ear.
Opening her eyes, she looked up into Cam’s gaze. “For the moment. You have to take them where you can.”
He stared at her, like she was a puzzle he couldn’t figure out. She noted that he was in his uniform.
“You working the tree lighting?”
“It’s good to have extra eyes in big crowds. Plus, this is one of my favorite traditions.”
Tipping her head to one side, Georgia let the sparks of attraction that flared up in his presence settle. Simmer. Hoped they would disappear.
“You talk more in uniform.”
Cam’s brows both rose up. He stepped back, rubbed a hand over his jaw. He had a great face. Strong jaw, intense eyes, a little shadow of stubble. His dark hair was cut short, making his eyes more noticeable. It was the eyes, she decided. They were what drew her in. His height and that solid build with his wide shoulders didn’t hurt any.
“Sorry. I was just making an observation.”
“You’re not wrong,” he said. “Did you get everything sorted with your car?”
Right. He was better when they kept things official or platonic even though she was almost positive he liked her back. Not that she’d act on it. With her background, she’d probably ruin the poor Deputy for his forever girl. They were worlds apart in personality, lifestyles, and track records.
“Kevin picked it up. Said he’d return it tomorrow.”
“You’re sure you can’t think of anyone else who’d want to upset you? Damage your things?”
Irritation that she could think of someone made her snappy. “Do I seem like I leave a bad taste in people’s mouths, Deputy?”
He sighed. “Cam. And no. I’m just asking. Just doing my job.”
Looking around, seeing how many people were joining them, it seemed like a good time to make an escape.
“Well, unless you think I’m going to cause a problem tonight, you should mingle. Do your job.”
He started to speak but Georgia turned and wove through the crowd, needing the space. He clouded her brain. Made her wish she’d done things differently. Done things in a way to deserve a man like Cam.
“Hey,” Alex said, coming up beside Cam. “The fire department will be here in about five minutes.
They’d pull the truck up behind the tree and one of the fire fighters would put the star on top, then the tree would be lit. Music would play, everyone would visit.
“You okay?” Alex nudged him with an elbow.
“Fine. You think its wrong to look into someone if you think they’re purposely not telling
you something?”
He turned his head, looked at Alex.
“That’s literally a huge part of your job.” Alex frowned but then his gaze widened. “Oh. You mean if it’s, say, someone you’re interested in? Is it wrong to run a check on them?”
Cam was grateful for the dark because he felt his cheeks warming. “Her tires were flattened today. All four of them. She wouldn’t let me into her place the other night when I went by to tell her about Davey. Which is fine, she didn’t need to but I got the feeling it was because she was hiding something.”
Alex was quiet while he considered Cam’s words. It was part of what made him good at the job—he didn’t rush to answer. He assessed words, situations, and people thoughtfully.
“She’s Anna’s cousin. I feel like if she had a noteworthy past, we’d know. At least pieces of it. You’re a good cop, Cam. I trust your instincts. You should do the same. If it comes down to keeping her safe, even from herself, then that’s what you do.”
Right. Then, if he ever got the nerve to ask her out, there’d be no reason. She’d hate him for digging into something she didn’t want uncovered. But he couldn’t shake the feeling there was something to dig up.
“I’m going to work the crowd,” Cam said. It was getting busy. Things would begin soon.
As he helped guide people back so the mayor could take the podium, announce the lighting, Cam scanned the crowd. Not looking for Georgia, just doing your job.
His gaze, however, landed on the woman he promised himself he wasn’t looking for. She was standing near one of the lamp posts, doing her own scans of the crowd. She looked so…alone. People all around her but she was removed from them. In her own little world. When he glanced up, he noted, she was also under one of the wire mistletoes.
Desire rocked him back a step. At that moment, he wished he was someone else. A different man. One who could walk up to the woman who took over his dreams and tell her how he felt. Or better yet, show her.
Chapter Eight
