Page 35 of Awakening the Sheriff

“Oh, there’s the igloo-building competition!” Violet pulled at my arm and led me toward a snow-covered area where teams of kids and adults worked diligently on constructing their icy shelters. Her genuine enthusiasm tugged at my heartstrings. She didn’t often show that anymore.

“Why don’t we get some soup from the cook-off and watch for a bit?”

If I was going to stand still for a while, I’d rather do it with a cup of seafood chowder in my hand to keep me warm.

We made our way to the tables where the cook-off participants were selling their soups, the savory aromas of various broths and stews enveloping us like a warm embrace. The lively strumming of guitars and fiddles from the nearby live-music stage helped create a cozy atmosphere.

“What soup do you girls want?”

“Mrs. Winters’s chicken soup,” Dani decided, and Violet opted for a creamy tomato bisque.

“Careful, it’s hot,” I warned as I handed Dani her soup. She blew on it and took a cautious sip, grinning in delight.

Once my girls had their food, I headed straight for my favorite table. The woman manning it wore a red-and-white-checkered apron over her snowsuit. “Sheriff Frant, what can I get you?”

“Hi, Mrs. Ostrander. I’ll take a cup of seafood chowder, please.” I leaned in and lowered my voice. “You know I like yours the best.”

I wasn’t lying. God only knew what her secret was, but the woman made better chowder than any restaurant I’d ever eaten in.

She beamed me a smile as she ladled a cup to the brim. “Why, thank you, Sheriff.”

We sipped our soup, savoring each spoonful, as we watched the igloo-building competition. Teams had two hours to build an igloo, and the final results would be judged on stability, design, and creativity.

After finishing our soups, we continued our exploration of the festival. The scent of cinnamon and evergreen mingled with the smoky aroma of firewood crackling in nearby braziers. Icicles glittered like crystal chandeliers from the eaves of vendor booths while laughter and chatter filled the crisp air.

Dani skipped ahead, her excitement contagious as she darted from booth to booth. The craft and vendor booths lined Main Street like a treasure trove of unique finds and local creations. We admired hand-made garments, intricate wood carvings, and vibrant paintings. It made me proud of the sense of community and creativity our town was showing.

“Look at these!” Dani pointed to a booth where hand-knit scarves and mittens were displayed. She snatched up a pair of mittens adorned with adorable otter faces that matched her enthusiasm.

“Those are perfect for you.” I reached for my wallet, grinning as she slipped them on and wiggled her fingers. A few seconds later, my daughter was the proud owner of yet another pair of mittens.

“Thanks for bringing us, Dad.” Dani wrapped her arm around my waist as we strolled farther along. “We always have so much fun at the Winter Festival.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” I kissed the top of her head. “I wouldn’t miss spending time with you girls for the world.”

Technically, I was on duty, but since it had been quiet all morning, I’d asked my deputies if they could handle things without me for a few hours. They’d been a bit surprised, but neither of them had kids, and they understood I wanted to take my girls. I was grateful for these moments spent together, hoping we’d create memories that would last a lifetime.

When we’d circled back to the soup cook-off area, Fir Everett and his sons were sampling a variety of soups from the different vendors. The sight of their laughter and camaraderie warmed my heart on this chilly winter day.

“Hey, Auden!” Fir waved us over with a cheerful grin. “Boy, did we get lucky with the weather or what?”

I nodded. “Better than two years ago, when we had nothing but rain for the whole weekend.”

Fir winced. “That was one of the worst years, though we also had icy rain that one time, and we had to unload a whole dump truck of sand to keep people from slipping.”

“If memory serves, you had to treat some broken bones.”

“I did, but so far, this year has been quiet.”

While Fir and I had been talking, the kids had crowded together. Josiah and Dani were standing awkwardly, but Violet and Gabe were chatting. I observed their interaction with curiosity. When had they become friends? They were two years apart, so I hadn’t realized they knew each other that well. Not that I had a problem with it, but it showed once again that my daughter wasn’t sharing every part of her life with me, and that stung. It was normal, I knew that, but it wasn’t easy for me that my little girl was growing up and no longer confiding in me about everything. For a long time, I’d been her hero, and I hadn’t wanted that to change.

“So, you two are friends?” I asked when Fir and his kids had moved on, trying to keep my tone casual.

“Uh-huh.” Violet waved goodbye to Gabe, then turned back to me. “We’ve been hanging out after school sometimes.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Dad, can I walk around with Jillian for a bit?” Dani pointed to her best friend, who was with her parents and younger brother.

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