Karen Kirst - The Sheriff's Christmas Twins

Her smile felt forced. He clearly didn’t know her well. He was the one who’d intimidated her from the start, the one whose good opinion she’d craved.

“My turn.” Crossing her arms, she met Caleb’s stare with her own. “I want to hear about Shane the lawman.”

Shane hung his head and groaned. “There’s really not much to tell.”

“Stop being so modest.” Josh socked his arm.

“If anyone has a right to boast, it’s him,” Jessica said with conviction.

Shane shot Allison a help me look. He despised being the center of attention. Not about to miss their recounting of his exploits, she shrugged. Displeasure twisted his mouth.

“Shane’s the type of man who’ll help anyone without thought to his own personal comfort or safety,” Josh said. “He’s got a will of iron and nerves of steel.”

Josh listed the ways Shane had impacted their lives. He’d once hunted and captured a criminal who’d taken Nathan captive. He’d rounded up a gang of outlaws whose female leader had almost killed Caleb and his wife, Rebecca. When a series of crimes had been committed at Quinn’s store and Nicole had been attacked, Shane worked with Quinn to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Grant spoke up at the end, his expression one of earnest respect. “Not so long ago, I woke up on Jessica’s property with no memory of who I was. Shane could’ve thrown me in jail that first day. Even after I discovered evidence that pointed to a sordid past, he believed in my innocence. Things could’ve gone very differently if not for him.”

The adults fell silent. Allison nudged Shane. “Sounds like the contents of an adventure book to me.”

He kicked up a shoulder. “It’s my job. I do what’s required of my position, the same as any other lawman in this nation is expected to do.”

“Handsome and humble...” Jessica huffed a dramatic sigh. “If only we could convince one of the single ladies around here that he’s worth the effort.”

Kate shot Allison a significant look. “What about you, Allison? Are you involved with anyone?”

Her cheeks blazed with heat at the implication. “Not at the moment.”

Nathan elbowed Josh. Someone let loose a low whistle.

“Isn’t that convenient. Shane’s not courting anyone.”

“When has he ever?” Nathan’s young brother-in-law, Will, observed with a hearty laugh.

Shane threw up his hands. “That’s enough punishment for one night.”

Threading his fingers through hers, he pushed past Josh, guiding her away from their group.

“You don’t have to go,” Caleb called after them. “We’ll promise to behave.”

He lifted a hand in acknowledgment. Still, he didn’t slow his pace until they’d left his friends behind and were on the opposite side of the church near the cemetery. He dropped her hand the moment they stopped.

“It wasn’t that bad, was it?” she said softly.

“They like to harass me sometimes. You presented a perfect opportunity.”

“It’s obvious how much they care about you. You’re fortunate to have them.”

After witnessing the evidence of their regard for him, she could only be happy to know he wasn’t alone.

“I know.” His attention shifted beyond her. “Evening, Ben.”

“Howdy, boss.” The rakish deputy took hold of her hand and, clasping it between his, pressed it to his heart. “You are as radiant as the North Star, Miss Ashworth. You put every other woman here to shame.”

Allison didn’t dare risk a glance at Shane. “You are quite inventive with your compliments, Mr. MacGregor.”

“What can I say?” His grin widened. “You inspire me.”

“You can release her hand now,” Shane muttered.

Ben reluctantly did so. “Boss, I know how you feel about these types of shindigs. I don’t mind keeping Miss Ashworth company if you’d like to skip out.”

Dejection weighed heavily on her shoulders. Lowering her gaze to the grass beneath her feet, she waited for Shane to agree.

“That’s mighty thoughtful of you, but Allie came with me, and I’ll see to it that she gets home safe and sound.”

She whipped her head up. In the semidarkness, his profile was impossible to read. He’d called her Allie just once, the day he left Virginia. On the verge of boarding the train, he’d taken her hand and told her to take care of herself.

Ben accepted his refusal with aplomb. “Understood.” His green gaze slid to her. “I’ll see you around, Miss Ashworth.”

He sauntered off in the direction of the snack tables.

Shane scrubbed at the day’s growth of beard shadowing his jaw. “I didn’t think to ask your opinion. If you’d rather pass the time with him, I’ll understand.”

“I came here to visit you, Shane.”

He stared at her for long moments. Holding out his bent arm, he said, “The reverend’s getting in position, which means the program is about to start. Let’s go and find us a spot.”

About that time, the jangle of cowbells got everyone’s attention. The reverend, a silver-haired man clad in a penguin’s colors, went to stand near the church steps and waited until the crowd gathered around.

“Friends and neighbors, another year is drawing to a close,” he said. “In this last month of 1886, let us reflect on God’s blessings and His greatest gift to mankind, His Son, Jesus Christ.” He gestured to the grouping of statues covered with burlap. “This year, I’m pleased to inform you that we have a new nativity. My thanks goes to Josh O’Malley, who carved each piece with his own two hands.”

The people clapped as the reverend removed the burlap from each statue. Allison was amazed by the craftsmanship and detail of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the animals.

“It’s wonderful,” she whispered. “I’ve never seen the like.”

His face devoid of emotion, he nodded and sipped his cider. “Josh is a skilled carpenter. You’ll have to visit his furniture store sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

Candles were handed out to the adults. When they were lit, the reverend’s wife led the gathering in the singing of several carols. The flickering lights created a pretty glow in the darkness, and the sound of male and female voices blending together and singing about their Savior sent chills cascading over her skin. This was a humble church in a tiny mountain town, yet she’d never experienced the same awed emotion.

Beside her, Shane was peculiarly silent. His candle aloft, he stared into the distance, his focus far from here. Was he remembering some terrible moment from his past? Another sad, disappointing Christmas?

She touched his sleeve. “I’m ready to leave if you are.”

He angled his head toward her, and it took a second for his gaze to clear. “Are you sure?”

Of course she wanted to stay, but she refused to be selfish when he was unhappy.

“I’m cold. I’d like to go back to the house and relax before a comforting fire.”

Taking her candle, he extinguished them both and, discarding them in a bin, led her past awaiting horses and wagons to where his was parked. As before, he cocooned her in the quilt, his movements efficient and impersonal but wreaking the same effect as the first time. She was so busy seeing to her niece’s and nephews’ needs that she’d forgotten what it felt like to experience a moment of cossetting herself.

“You were uncomfortable back there,” she ventured. “You don’t like when I question you about your past, but you didn’t say I couldn’t ask about your faith. Has your viewpoint altered since you left Virginia?”

He was quiet a long time. “I want to believe that the God who created all this beauty could love someone with a soul as tarnished as mine. I want to, but...”

“It’s hard for you to trust.” Anxious to say the right thing, she said, “No one deserves Christ’s love. Or His forgiveness. But because of His compassion and mercy, He extends it to us. It’s a free gift. We can’t earn it.”