The Lawman's Christmas Proposal by Daille Barbara White

Author:Daille, Barbara White [Daille, Barbara White]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-11-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Mitch escaped from the glaring afternoon sun into the dimmer interior of SugarPie’s. At this time of day, the sandwich shop was nearly deserted, except for one lone white-haired diner.

Mitch couldn’t have left if he’d wanted to. Jed Garland’s eagle eyes had already spotted him, and Jed’s hand was raised high, waving to the waitress.

“I just got here,” Jed told him. “Paz and Tina are finishing up an order at the L-G.” He gestured toward a chair. “Have a cup and help me kill some time.”

Mitch took one of the pink-cushioned chairs opposite Jed.

“How was your trip?”

He froze. Just how much did the man know?

“Nancy said you had to go away overnight, too. How’d your knee hold up with the traveling?”

Slowly, he relaxed. “The trip was fine, and the knee’s improving every day.” He wished he could say the same about his interactions with Andi.

The waitress, Cole’s sister Layne, came to take their order.

“And how are you doing, girl?” Jed asked, reaching for her hand.

She smiled. “Fine, Jed. Just tired, but that’s not news lately.”

“I’d think not. Between that little boy of yours and the new baby, I’d be worn-out, too. I told Tina to let you know we’ve got plenty of room at the Hitching Post if you need to come stay awhile.”

“She did tell me, thanks.” After a warm smile for Jed, she took their order for coffee and went back to the kitchen.

Jed turned to him. “Missed you at the hotel yesterday, Mitch. We’re getting kinda used to seeing your face out there again.”

He didn’t know what Jed knew or surmised or would make up out of whole cloth about his absence. Thanks to his years working with the man, he did know for sure the heights Jed was capable of going to for his family. And the breadth of his concern for extended family such as Layne.

He’d always admired Jed’s kindness to others.

He only hoped his efforts at the Hitching Post had paid back some of his old boss’s many favors. Because his days of playing assistant were over. “I don’t guess I’ll be around as much out at the ranch.”

Jed’s white eyebrows shot up. “Why’s that?”

“They can use a hand over at the sheriff’s office temporarily, and since I’ve done about all I can do at the hotel, I told them I’d swing by.”

“You’ll be back to help with the Christmas tree?”

He’d forgotten about that. Jed sat frowning so intently, Mitch didn’t have the heart to give him an outright no. He looked down at his coffee mug. “With that crew at the ranch, you’ll have plenty of hands to set up the tree. And I’d be no good at the rest of it. I’d break more ornaments than I got hung.”

“That’s a tradition in the family,” Jed said, chuckling. “And speaking of family, Andi and the kids are back home. We’re having a party tonight for Trey. You’re invited.”

“Thanks, but my mom’s going all out for supper.” Not a word of lie there. She’d insisted on making a big meal to welcome him home after his overnight trip.

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