Silent Night Standoff

by Susan Sleeman

Logan jerked the door open and knelt on the ground. She managed to swivel her body, stiff from the cold, and fall into his arms. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then his lips came crashing down on hers instead. The intensity of his kiss proved his love, and she reveled in it. He was here for her. Now and forever.

  Cash cleared his throat. “Um, guys? You’re still on video.”

  Logan lifted his head and laughed. “Good! I want the whole world to know that I’m in love with Deputy Skyler Brennan, and I want to spend my life proving that to her.”

  She wasn’t used to such a public display of affection from him. “You love me?” she asked shyly.

  He gazed into her eyes. “I do, Skyler. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She twisted her head to look at the camera. “For the record, I love him, too.”

  He laughed before kissing her again and she knew the happiness she’d sought for so many years was finally hers.

  * * *

  “Look. We’re top news.” Skyler pointed at the TV in her condo.

  Logan watched the bomb scare, all the way through his declaration of love, as it played on the screen. He squirmed in his seat, hating that his personal life was on TV for everyone to see. But he wasn’t embarrassed that the world knew he loved the strong, amazing woman tucked under his arm.

  “Is this too much?” he asked, not knowing how she felt about it. “Do you want me to turn it off?”

  She looked up at him. “Are you kidding? Seeing you put me first and declare your love will never bother me.” Her eyes warmed with love.

  Unconditional love he’d strived his whole life to feel. His heart exploded with it, and he kissed her. Proving to himself that she really was there. That she was his. Now and forever.

  He lifted his head and smiled at her.

  “That will never bother me, either,” she said in a teasing voice.

  “Promise?”

  “Hmm, maybe we should try it a few more times to be sure.” She winked at him, and he kissed her again. Thoroughly. Completely.

  When they broke apart, he heard the balding male anchor say, “This story of a man’s and woman’s courage and bravery in the face of losing it all has gone viral.”

  The female anchor nodded. “That’s right. Social media has been flooded with comments about Agent Hunter’s bravery. I have to admit to watching it over and over again myself. Seeing him stay with Deputy Brennan when he knew he could die...” She sighed.

  Skyler smiled up at him. “With the way this is going, I’ll have to fight women off you with a stick.”

  He caressed her cheek. “No need. I only have eyes for you.”

  “My turn to swoon.” She laughed, then pointed at the screen, where the news team had transitioned to recorded video from the afternoon press conference. Though Inman mentioned Logan’s role in heading up the robbery investigation, he didn’t say a word about the promotion.

  “Looks like I need to start looking for a job,” Logan said. His cell rang from the coffee table, but he ignored it. He didn’t want to talk with anyone other than Skyler.

  She slipped out from under his arm and grabbed the phone. “It’s Inman.”

  “Let it go to voice mail.” Logan tried to pull her back.

  “No.” She handed it to him. “It could be about the job, and I want you to take it.”

  “Hunter,” Logan answered and drew Skyler close so she could hear the call.

  “You’re getting quite a lot of publicity.” Inman actually sounded impressed rather than mad. “Phones have been ringing off the hook at the office with people commending your bravery and dedication to Deputy Brennan.”

  “I didn’t do it for the publicity or for the accolades.”

  “I didn’t think you did, but we can’t ignore the fact that in one night you’ve done more to eliminate any negative perception of the FBI than I’ve been able to accomplish in years.”

  “Grandstanding as usual,” Logan mouthed for Skyler, and she shook her head.

  “I’d be a fool to let you go back to Chicago and take the publicity with you. I was annoyed that you blew off the press conference, but you had a good excuse. So the ASAC job is still yours if you want it.”

  “Hmm,” Logan said as if he might not take it. Skyler socked him in the arm.

  “You do still want the job, don’t you?” Inman asked.

  “Yes,” Logan replied. “But only if you accept the fact that I’ll have a life outside the bureau. I’ll give the job my all, but when it’s time to go home—” he paused and locked eyes with Skyler “—I will be going home.”

  “I can work with that,” Inman said. “We’ll iron out the details in the morning.”

  Logan hung up and circled both arms around Skyler. “I have no idea how long he’ll go along with my priorities, but I don’t care. I’ve got a job in the same city as you, and that’s all that matters.”

  He kissed her again, and the thought of their life together filled him utterly and completely with the peace he’d been seeking his entire life.

  EPILOGUE

  Twinkling white lights from the tree cast a warm glow over the family room, and the space rang with children’s laughter. Shelter families milled around tables loaded with crafts, games and refreshments.

  Perfection.

  Just as Skyler had imagined since she’d put up the first strand of lights. But never had she imagined her heart would be overflowing with such joy. If Logan wasn’t running late, her happiness would be uncontainable.

  Is he coming?

  The thought lingered for only the briefest of seconds before she put it out of her mind. She still needed to work on trusting that he’d be there for her as he promised, but with time she was certain she’d overcome her fears completely.

  Movement in the snow-covered yard caught her attention, and her heart warmed even more. Archer, Brady, Jake and Cash, dressed in robes, played their roles in a live nativity scene. Though many of the shelter families weren’t believers, she took this opportunity to share the real reason for Christmas along with providing the festivities they expected to see.

  “Here Comes Santa Claus” suddenly pelted from speakers and Darcie entered the room dressed as Santa’s elf, the jolly big man following her with “ho, ho, hos.” She winked at Skyler, then escorted Santa to his impressive chair on the decorated platform by the fireplace.

  Despite her joy, Skyler cringed for a moment. The same volunteer played Santa every year, and, though he had a good heart, he also had moments when he couldn’t deal with distraught children and Skyler had to intervene.

  No biggie. If that was her main problem tonight, it was minor.

  She stepped closer to him and kept watch for any situation that Darcie couldn’t handle, but everything went well. Swimmingly, in fact. Tonight Santa was amazingly warm and patient. Soon the line of children dancing with excitement as they waited dwindled down to four children. Still, as a three-year-old with curling pigtails and a trembling lower lip approached the platform, Darcie signaled for Skyler to come forward.

  Skyler remembered the child’s name was Zoe. She was a shy little thing, so Skyler knelt beside her. “Remember me, Zoe? My name’s Skyler. We read together at the shelter.”

  Zoe nodded, her lip still trembling.

  “Santa is my friend, and he’s a very nice man,” Skyler said. “Would you like me to take you to see him?”

  She looked up at Santa then back at Skyler. “He’s big.”

  “How about I sit on Santa’s knee and hold you on my lap,” she offered as she’d done for many children over the years.

  Zoe nodded, and Skyler scooped her up. She smelled of baby shampoo and a soft little pigtail tickled Skyler’s cheek as she passed Darcie to sit on Santa’s knee. “Tell Santa what you want for Christmas, Zoe
.”

  “Yes, sweetie, what do you want?” Santa said. The voice—though disguised—was one Skyler would recognize in her sleep.

  She shot her head around to look into Logan’s eyes, sparkling with impish humor and love for her. He slipped his arm around her waist, and she wished the room would empty for a moment so she could tug down his beard and kiss him in thanks for his kindness. Instead, the team, dressed in their Biblical garb, stepped inside, and Darcie squatted by the last three children in line, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

  Something was up, but Skyler didn’t know what. She’d just have to let things play out.

  “I want a princess doll,” Zoe said, now very serious and drawing Skyler’s attention.

  “Then Santa will see that you get one, honey,” Logan said, making Skyler think about how wonderful he’d be with their children in the future, melting her heart into a big puddle.

  Darcie climbed the platform and took Zoe from Skyler’s arms. Skyler started to rise, but Logan stood and settled her on the chair. She looked out over the room. Her teammates lined the far wall. They watched with interest, and she suspected they were in on whatever was going to happen next.

  Logan knelt in front of her and pulled a velvet box from under the bulky red coat. He opened it slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Skyler Brennan, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I promise I’ll be there for you every day. Including all of the holidays. I’ll do my best to make each and every one of them as special as you are.”

  Skyler’s heart burst. It took a lot for the very prim and proper Logan to play Santa and let his emotions show for the children and for her in a public setting.

  How could she resist such a man?

  “Yes,” she said. “I’ll gladly marry you.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger. “In that case,” he announced to the crowd, “Santa will be taking a quick break.”

  He scooped Skyler into his arms and stepped down from the platform. Darcie had cleared a path to the dining room, and he marched forward. Her teammates clapped Logan on the back as they passed. Their beaming smiles said they approved, adding even more happiness to this special day.

  In the dining room, he set her down and ripped off his beard. “I was glad to do this tonight to surprise you, but promise me I won’t have to play Santa every year.”

  “Of course you won’t.” She twined her arms around his neck and attempted a serious look. “We’ll alternate. Some years you can be the Easter Bunny and others Cupid instead.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. She joined in until tears started streaming down her face.

  He whisked them away with a thumb. “I’m hoping those are happy tears.”

  She nodded. “I love you, Logan.”

  “I love you, too.” His expression sobered.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “If I ever start to take you for granted and let work take over, promise you’ll put me in my place so I can get my priorities right.”

  She grinned up at him. “I know it will never be necessary, but if it makes you feel better, I gladly promise.”

  He crushed her to him and kissed her, and she knew the battle they’d waged for so many years in search of love was over. A lifetime of happiness awaited them both.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from IDENTITY WITHHELD by Sandra Orchard.

  Dear Reader,

  I am so thrilled to bring you the first book in the First Responder series. I’m already fully immersed in the lives of the First Response Squad and hope you have enjoyed meeting the six-member team who race into danger at a moment’s notice to protect the public from unexpected disasters. Each story in this series will revolve around finding peace in trying times, and I hope, as the team members search for peace in their own lives, that they will help you find more peace in yours.

  If you’d like to learn more about this new series, stop by my website at www.susansleeman.com. I also love hearing from readers, so please contact me via email, susan@susansleeman.com, on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks, or write to me at Love Inspired, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

  Susan Sleeman

  Questions for Discussion

  Logan lived his life through the lens of his father’s high expectations. Have you ever had a parent or another role model in your life whose expectations were so high you didn’t think you could meet them? If so, what did you do about it?

  Logan let go of the pain his father caused, but we don’t see in the story how he moves forward with his father. If you were Logan, what kind of relationship would you have with your father going forward?

  Skyler’s best friend, Darcie, tries to warn Skyler about Logan so she doesn’t get hurt again. Have you ever warned a friend about to make what you saw as a big mistake? Did it help or did they resent you for your interference?

  Logan is all about control. He thinks if he can control things, he will achieve his goals faster. Are you one who tries to control your life, or are you more like Skyler, approaching life from a laidback stance? Can you see how putting these two personalities together can make them stronger and yet cause friction?

  Since this is the start of a new series, with each book featuring a member of the First Response Squad, which team member do you think you can most identify with now and why? I’ll ask the same question in book six, and it will be fun to see if you still feel the same way.

  Logan wanted his job promotion at any cost. Even the cost of losing his peace. Is there anything in your life that you are letting rob you of your peace? A worry? A desire? A hope? If so, can you give it to God and regain your peace?

  This book takes place at Christmastime. A time when we all think about peace. Do you know someone else who is struggling to find peace in a difficult situation? What one thing can you do today to help that person?

  After Logan walked out on Skyler, she had to relearn how to trust him. Have you ever had someone hurt you so badly that you haven’t been able to trust them again? Does Skyler’s story help you see how you might work on that?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

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  HarlequinBlog.com

  ONE

  Jake Steele squinted through the smoky haze surrounding the house, his skin prickling with the sensation of being watched. There. In the hedges. It had to be their arsonist. This fire had all the signs of being deliberately set. Jake motioned to his partner, Davis, and they started for the hedge.

  The face disappeared, swallowed by the drizzly darkness.

  Counting on the suspect wanting to avoid the street, Jake beelined to the backyard. Sure enough, a lone figure skulked along the property’s edge. This pyromaniac was going down.

  Jake and Davis closed the distance fast, the commotion of the other firefighters masking the thump of their heavy boots. “Where do you think you’re going?” Jake grabbed the guy’s arm.

  The scream that met his grip was no guy’s.

  Jake turned his flashlight on their culprit, and her panicked brown eyes blindsided him. His grip loosened.

  She twisted and squirmed, pounding her free fist against his ch
est and kicking uselessly at his legs. “Let go of me.”

  “Fat chance,” he said, tightening his grip again. Never mind the tears streaking her sooty cheeks. Men hadn’t cornered the market on arson jobs. And with five suspicious fires this side of Seattle in the past nine weeks, he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight until he found out exactly what she knew about this one.

  She went limp, her fight gone. “You’re hurting me.”

  His gaze shifted to the arm he still held, the only part of her he’d touched as he’d let her wear herself out pummeling his chest. His heart pitched. “You’re burned.” He jerked his thumb off her blistering flesh, sickened that he’d hurt her further.

  His partner directed a flashlight at her arm. The underside was flaming red from wrist to crook.

  Cupping her elbow with just enough pressure to prevent her from escaping, Jake gentled his tone. “Are you burned anywhere else?”

  “I’m fine.” She tried to tug free of his hold.

  “You’re not fine.” Megadoses of adrenaline had to be shooting through this spitfire for her to not so much as wince at the pain that had to be blazing up her arm. “This is a serious burn. It needs to be dressed.”

  She visibly shrank at his insistent tone. “My friend’s coming for me. He’ll take care of everything.”

  Right. If she thought he was about to let her walk away, she’d clearly burned a few brain cells along with that arm. Being careful not to cause her any more pain, he steered her toward the street. “You can wait for your friend in the ambulance.”

  As they came around the now-smoldering building, she dug in her heels and darted terrified glances every which way. “No, please.”

  Jake caught his partner’s attention and jerked his head toward the sheriff’s car.

  Davis nodded and jogged off.

  Jake angled his flashlight just high enough so he could study her heart-shaped face without blinding her. How had he ever mistaken her for a guy? She didn’t look much younger than him—late twenties, maybe. Her damp hair, flattened by the rain, skimmed her shoulders, but she was all girl—and very afraid. He’d expected to see fear over getting caught, maybe regret. Not— “I want to help you,” he said, his voice cracking at her terror.