Page 6 of The Detective's Secret Santa

He’s answered all the obvious ones. When would I start? New Year's Day. How many detectives are in the area? Just one. My coverage would extend to most of the county when needed. The pay? More than I expected from a small town. Enough to comfortably support a family.

The only question mark in my head now is Brooklyn.

“Not at this time,” I say, shaking his outstretched hand.

“If you think of anything—”

“I’ll give you a call.”

“I need to run this by the council, but I have a good feeling about this,” Mayor Thomlinson says, following me to the door as his phone starts to ring. “You’ll have to yank that door shut when you leave. Damn thing doesn’t much care for winter.”

I give him a nod as he answers the call. “Thanks again.”

Outside, I pull the door shut with a hard tug. But it refuses to catch. I grip the knob before it floats open, vaguely remembering this same issue from my last visit. In my state of grief, I nearly ripped the thing off its hinges. It takes two more solid yanks, but I finally get it to latch.

“Bash?”

I spin around at the sound of an angel’s voice. “Brook.”

She’s bundled up in a fluffy red coat, fuzzy white scarf, and matching hat. God, she looks so fucking cute right now. I’d have fun unwrapping her from all those layers. “What are you doing at the police station?”

“Just wanted to stop in and say hi.” My gut clenches at the lie. It feels wrong to keep anything from Brooklyn, but I can’t tell the secret I’ve been sworn to keep right outside the police station door. Out of respect for the man who’ll likely be my new boss, I have to keep this quiet as promised. “Trying to make the rounds while I’m here.”

“Right.” Her gentle smile is almost worse than her suspicion. She shouldn’t so easily buy the lie.

She’s too damn trusting. One of the reasons I’ve had to scare off her dates in Houston. I had more access to their backgrounds than Brook, which made my threats to them justified. But I damn near lost my mind listening to her buy their lies without even a blink.

“You okay?” she asks, drawing me back to the present moment.

“Yeah. It’s just…hard.” I nod at the police station.

“Yeah. Every time I pass by…” The hint of grief in her tone makes it nearly impossible not to gather her into my arms and offer her the comfort she deserves. But a couple passes by us on the sidewalk, nodding their hellos. Offering me their looks of suspicion. Reminding me that should I choose to pursue Greg’s daughter, I will meet resistance.

“It has to be hard. Being home for the holidays…” I shouldn’t know that Brooklyn hasn’t come home for Christmas since Greg passed.

“You have no idea.” She clears her throat, meeting my gaze briefly enough for me to see the shininess in her eyes. “Mom wants me to help decorate the Christmas tree tomorrow. I just…I don’t know if I can.”

“I’ll help.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, locking. When the initial shock wears off, relief comes over her. Her smile is infectious. “Really?”

“I’m terrible at it,” I warn, relieved as hell that she cracks a smile. “But I make a mean cup of hot cocoa.”

“That would be great, Bash.”

“You free tonight? We could get a head start.”

She shakes her head. “Got plans tonight.”

My shoulders stiffen, suggesting irrational jealousy. I’m just keeping a promise. “Got a hot date?”

“Oh no. Nothing that exciting.” Brook’s laughter lights up her entire face, warming parts of me that I thought would be frozen forever. “Mistletoe and margaritas with the girls.”

Her answer doesn’t put me anymore at ease. I make a mental note to clear my schedule tonight. Brooklyn might be safer in Alpine Valley, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to let her out of my sight.

5

BROOKLYN

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