A Christmas for Katie (5 page)

Chapter Eight

I
T WAS TEN
minutes past seven, and Jayne was beginning to feel like she’d been stood up. The feeling was completely ridiculous, of course. This date had been Connor’s idea—he wouldn’t have forgotten.

But she still felt nervous and on edge. Connor was the first man since John Weaver she’d felt any attraction to. She was learning her love life was definitely in God’s hands. She never would have chosen an Amish man or a sheriff’s deputy. She would have looked for someone a little more like herself—someone who enjoyed being around people, but was a little bookish, too. Someone who had a fairly quiet life—not one involving crime and danger.

The fact was, she liked the quiet. She liked feeling calm and safe and in control. She really didn’t like how she’d been feeling lately.

Ever since the incident, she hadn’t been able to shake the sudden batch of nerves that now consumed her whenever she considered walking outside after dark. Where before, she’d thought nothing of running down the street to the deli before heading home, now she felt her palms get damp simply walking out to her Honda in the back parking lot.

Though she knew it was only her imagination, she kept thinking that she was being watched. Or followed.

She didn’t think that was truly the case. What had happened was that she’d lost her confidence and trust. Both in herself and in her new town. All it had taken was one hour to shatter her faith that everyone in Jacob’s Crossing was a prospective friend.

Now she looked at everyone with suspicion. Even at the grocery store, she’d gazed at the other people in line, wondering if one of the men was so desperate that he’d attacked an elderly woman in the front of the library.

And the shenanigans with the nativity bothered her, too. She’d become a librarian because she believed in her heart that a library could still be the focal point of a town. That it was one place where everyone was welcome, and where everyone could find something he was looking for.

Now, it seemed that she might have been the only person who truly believed that.

Why, if Katie Weaver wasn’t so fixated on having a true nativity and if other people hadn’t volunteered to step in and fill in the missing parts, Jayne knew she would have put the whole thing back into the storage unit. Actually, she was so rattled, she was tempted to take down her Christmas tree, box up her garland, throw away the wreath she’d bought for the front of her home, and hide out until January 2. Strange things were happening, and she didn’t care for it one bit.

The front door blew open. She started in surprise.

And then felt immediately embarrassed. Because Jacob’s Crossing’s newest deputy had finally arrived.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said with an attractive smile that looked as breezy as his slightly windblown hair.

“You came,” she blurted.

His footsteps slowed as she watched him take in her firm grip on the countertop, her wary expression, and the faint sheen of perspiration that now dotted her upper lip.

“Well, yeah.” Compassion entered his gaze. “Hey, are you okay? You look at little upset.”

Grabbing a tissue, she turned her back and dabbed at her face. “I’m fine, just a little cold.”

As he approached, she turned back around and tried to smile. Little by little, she became aware of the smell of soap and aftershave. How his hair was damp—he must have gone home to shower before meeting her. “I actually have a pretty good reason for being a few minutes late. I was so sweaty, I thought I’d better shower before getting within ten feet of you. Kind of as a matter of public service.”

His comment made her smile. “It’s been that kind of day?”

“Yep. Now, what’s your story? Why are you looking so keyed up?”

“No matter how much I try, I can’t shake the memory of Mrs. Jensen lying there on the ground. I’m starting to imagine that everyone in the town is a suspect,” she said sheepishly. “I know that’s not true. I’m just still a little on edge, I guess.”

When he came to a stop, he was standing so close, she could see that there were fine lines around the corners of his eyes. And a faint scar next to his upper lip. Those marks added character, she thought.

“You don’t have to apologize for being rattled. It
is
scary, having a crime take place right where you work. I know it’s hard to deal with.”

“I guess you’ve been through this before.”

“Well, I’ve been around my fair share of criminals and victims, but I have to say I don’t think being around crime gets any easier. And it doesn’t mean I think your feelings are silly,” he murmured.

As he continued to gaze at her, time seemed to slow. For a moment Jayne thought Connor was going to put his arm around her. “Besides, from what everyone has been telling me, there’s not a lot of crime in Jacob’s Crossing. What happened to Mrs. Jensen is pretty unusual.”

Looking into his eyes, Jayne realized he was telling her the truth. “Thanks. I feel better already.”

He looked pleased. But then a thread of doubt entered his gaze. He had one hand on the back of a chair, and it looked like he was gripping it fairly tightly. “Jayne, do you still want to go out to dinner with me?”

“I do.”

“Great.” He exhaled, and the muscles in his jaw relaxed, as if he’d been worried she’d changed her mind. “Why don’t you lock up and then we’ll walk to the restaurant.”

“Walk? But it’s snowing outside.” And, of course, it was dark.

“We’ll be okay. You’ve got on boots, right?”

“I do. But—”

“Come on.” Reaching out a hand, he took hers and squeezed gently. “I thought you said all this snow didn’t faze you in the slightest.”

“I might have been exaggerating a bit.” Besides, she really wasn’t too eager to be out in the elements. Driving her Honda two miles home was quite a bit different from tromping around on icy sidewalks in the dark.

“Come on, then. Take a chance.” He grinned, revealing a dimple. “It’s a pretty night, Jayne.”

It was the dimple that did it. Or maybe it was the way he’d phrased things—that taking a chance, walking by his side in the dark, bundling up in the snow, it was a little bit exciting.

A little bit like jumping off a cliff.

“All right.” After grabbing her coat, hat, and purse, she locked the door, then took his arm as they stepped out onto the sidewalk. “You really are enjoying all this snow, aren’t you?”

“Yep.” He shrugged, looking slightly sheepish. “I can’t help it. Until moving here, the most snow I’d ever been around had been a half inch in February . . . and it was half ice. This snow is really pretty. Especially at Christmas.”

His enthusiasm made her want to push aside all her worries and fears. And realize that here at Christmastime, she really did have so much to be thankful for.

Gosh, when was the last time she’d taken the time to count her blessings instead of concentrating on her faults? Or worrying about everything that had to get done?

It was too long for comfort.

“Watch out, it’s slick here,” he murmured, moving a little closer to her, sliding his hand from her elbow to her waist.

His touch was what she needed. It calmed her, made her believe that she was still attractive.

And it made her feel secure, too. Both from the elements and from anyone dangerous lurking about. She moved a little closer to him, taking comfort in his steadiness. As they walked, she heard the telltale noise of horses’ hooves. Turning around, she watched two buggies slowly make their way down the road. One was a traditional black buggy with Plexiglas. The other was a courting buggy. Even in winter, the smaller, jauntier looking buggy had no covering. Inside were two Amish teens. Both were bundled up, with scarves and mittens and a thick blanket covering their laps. Both the boy and the girl wore bright smiles . . . and both seemed practically oblivious to the sweet picture they presented.

Yet Connor noticed. “That’s nice. You’re going to think I’m really crazy, but I think that looks like fun.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think you’re crazy at all. I feel the same way.”

They shared a smile. And little by little, Jayne’s worries started to drift away. She was on the arm of a strong, brave policeman. He wasn’t going to let anyone attack them.

She needed to remember that.

A mere five minutes later, they were in Bravo’s, the town’s finest restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant located in an old farmhouse that had been completely refurbished and remodeled. Decorating the door was a fresh pine wreath and a swag of greenery. White lights decorated the roofline. Inside, there were more white lights and a fresh balsam smell that surely invited even the most stalwart Scrooge to celebrate the season. Bravo’s was owned by another pair of recent transplants to the region, but had quickly become the restaurant of choice for many of Jacob’s Crossing’s inhabitants.

After hanging up their coats on the rack by the door, they walked to the hostess station. Jayne was soothed by the glow of candlelight and charmed by the many brass and pewter “trees” decorating the tables. On each tree hung two or three ornaments.

Floating through the air was an instrumental version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” “It’s beautiful in here,” she said around a little gasp. “I heard it was.”

He looked at her in surprise. “You haven’t dined here before?”

“No.” She wanted to say that it was the type of restaurant to visit on a date. But if she said that, she would give her loner status away. Which would be beyond embarrassing. After all, a girl had to have some secrets. “But I’m glad I’m here now.”

As the hostess guided them to their table, a table only big enough for two directly in front of a stone fireplace, she thought she spied him smiling.

She hoped he was. Suddenly, she felt like she was glowing like a Christmas tree.

C
ONNOR WAS PRETTY
sure that everything about Jayne Donovan was perfect. Her violet eyes were striking. He loved her short brown hair and the way the ends curled at the nape of her neck, emphasizing her pretty features. He admired her slim figure, how she was wearing an ivory turtleneck, brown wool slacks, and simple gold hoops in the ears. She looked classy and pretty. Perfect. But everything about her manner revealed that she didn’t see herself that way. No, she seemed oblivious of her beauty and unsure of herself. Almost awkward.

Over the years, he had spent his days around many women in uniform. They were feminine, for sure. But the women he worked with were also some of the most confident people he knew. They had to be, working in a man’s world. He’d admired them, for sure.

But he’d be lying to himself if he pretended he didn’t know which type of lady he preferred. There was something about Jayne that melted his heart.

After they ordered, Jayne glanced his way. “Would you mind if I said grace real quick?”

“I would love it.” And he did feel that way, he realized with some surprise. Everything about this evening was feeling like it was the start of something special. Being around Jayne, enjoying the quiet serenity of Jacob’s Crossing . . . and remembering who had placed him there.

After a hesitant smile, Jayne closed her eyes and recited a quick, quiet prayer. When he said, “Amen” with her, their eyes met, and again, a sweet feeling of happiness and peace passed through him. Sure, his job was filled with uncertainty. Sure, he was in a strange place, and it was taking some time for him to feel like he fit in . . . but things were also very, very good.

At least they were at that moment.

Then, their meal arrived. As they savored each course, enjoying crisp Caesar salads and homemade Italian bread and pasta with red sauce, Connor discovered more and more things about Jayne. He shared some of his history, too . . . about how he put in four years in the marines before going to the police academy, then taking his first job near his hometown in Kentucky.

And, of course, they talked books. He revealed how he’d already read half of
Tripwire
and was anxious to continue the story before he went to sleep.

But all too soon, their tiramisu and coffees were done, it was almost ten, and it was becoming obvious that the staff at Bravo’s were anxious for them to go on their way.

As they walked back to the library, their steps slowed. The Christmas lights on the surrounding buildings made him think of glowing fireflies, and the smell of snow and fresh pine felt invigorating.

He wasn’t in any hurry to say goodbye to her, though he knew that he shouldn’t push his luck and try to get her to hang out with him a little longer. Though, of course, where would they even go? Jacob’s Crossing looked locked up tight. “I guess things close up here pretty early, even on a Saturday night,” he commented.

“Yep. Especially in the winter, when it gets dark so early.”

“Doesn’t it cramp your style?” he teased. By now he knew she favored quiet evenings in front of the fire.

“Yeah, it really has forced me to cut back on my bar hopping,” she quipped. “It’s been a difficult adjustment, but I’ve done my best to make do.”

“I’m doing my best as well,” he joked. He was just about to walk her to the library’s back parking lot, wondering if he should kiss her cheek or her lips good night—when she pointed to the nativity and gasped. “Darn it! Connor, another figure has been stolen.”

Before he could caution her to be careful, she trotted to the snow-covered lawn and moaned.

He trekked through the snow, too, and looked at the lonely remaining figures. “Who was taken this time?”

“Another wise man. And a lamb! Oh, who on earth would take a plastic lamb?”

“I hope this set didn’t mean a lot to you.”

“I’ve had it for years, but no, it doesn’t mean all that much to me. Katie Weaver, however, is going to be so upset. Now we’ll need even more people to help out on Christmas Eve.”

He loved how she cared about the little Amish girl’s feelings. “Tell Katie I’ll ask around. These pieces aren’t that small. Someone has got to have seen a plastic wise man in the back of someone’s car or truck. And any, uh, lambs.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I know it probably seems like nothing to you, but like I said, these thefts are starting to get me rattled.”