Page 55 of Take Me Home for Christmas

ChapterFourteen

Hayden yawnedas he scrolled through the forms on his computer monitor. Who would guess that the relatively minor offenses that occurred in Chances Inlet required so much documentation?

“Late night again?” Simone asked from the opposite desk.

“Mm,” he replied.

“Lots of woodworking to be done this time of year, I guess.”

The way his partner said “woodworking” had him glancing over to look at her. As usual, Simone was the picture of innocence. Which meant she wasn’t innocent at all. He decided it was best not to spar with her today, though.

“Something like that.” He averted his eyes back to his monitor.

He was surprised she remained quiet for as long as she did. It was all of forty-one seconds until she slapped her palm to the desk.

“Do you expect me to believe that? Gabby saw you sneaking into the inn last night. And since she was there to check on Livi and you weren’t hiding beneath her sheets, there is only one other place you could have been.” She shot him a smug look. “Working your wood beneath Elle’s sheets.”

For fuck’s sake.

He glanced around the station, frantically assessing who was within earshot. Luckily, the sheriff was in court today. Deputy Pettyjohn had the day off. Maureen, the receptionist, was preoccupied with watchingElfon her iPad.

“Do you ever mind your own business?” he hissed at Simone.

She had the nerve to laugh. “Hayden Lovell, you saved my ass in combat. Don’t you know what that means? According to an ancient Chinese proverb, your business is my business forever.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s only true in Disney movies,” he grumbled. “But had I known, I might not have risked my own life to rescue you.”

Simone wheeled her chair across the floor so she was next to Hayden at his desk.

“Tell me everything,” she demanded.

He gestured to the wide-open office. “Does this look like the ladies’ room to you?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Hey, don’t shut me out now. You are doing the boss’ daughter. Have you considered that you might need some backup when he finds out?”

“There is no reason he should ever find out.” He leveled a pointed glare at his friend. “Besides, Elle is the sheriff’sstepdaughter.Not the same thing.”

Except that didn’t make him feel any better. He owed a great deal to Donald McAlister, Elle’s late father. How would the man Hayden admired beyond measure feel about him “doing” his daughter? Still, Mr. Mac had been a doting dad to Elle. He’d also made no secret that he was fond of Hayden. The guy wouldn’t have gone to bat for him if he wasn’t. Still, Hayden had to wonder if he would have approved of their relationship.

Not all of it, he thought as he remembered the things he’d done to the man’s daughter last night.

As for the sheriff, sweat broke out on the back of Hayden’s neck, just imagining how his mentor would react first and ask questions later. The man had been a beast when a hit-and-run driver struck his now wife and left her badly injured by the side of the road. He was like a second father to Hayden. There was no doubt he wouldn’t be in the shape he was physically or mentally had it not been for Lamar Hollister.

He swore savagely.

Simone chuckled. “Ah, so you do remember who our boss is.”

Hayden picked up a pen and began clicking it. The sound was loud in the empty office.

“Have you told her you love her?”

“For crying out loud, Simone. Why don’t you announce it over the intercom so Maureen can hear you,” he whispered angrily.

Maureen’s sigh was loud and dramatic. “She doesn’t need an intercom. Everyone in this town knows you are in love with that girl, Hayden Lovell. Either do something about it or stop your bellyaching. You’re ruining the best part of the movie.”

“Why can’t everyone mind their own damn business?” he yelled.

Maureen glared at him as she pulled her earbuds from their charger and shoved them in her ears.

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