Other visitors milled around the gazebo, mostly couples with hands joined or heads close together. Wyatt kept his hand at her waist, kept her close to him, and she snuggled in, pretending that she was a regular girl and he a regular guy, not a woman on the lam and a man with a plane ticket back to his real life.

“If you could have one thing for Christmas, what would it be?” Wyatt asked.

Having her name cleared sprang to mind. “Anything in the whole world?”

“Anything,” Wyatt said. “Nothing held back.”

“That’s a hard one. I don’t know. World peace?”

A shadow crossed his features. “You and me both.”

“I’m sorry. That was a flippant answer. It must be hard when the world’s peace, or the lack thereof, is your constant reality.”

“I can’t complain, though. Life is good. If I didn’t know Jesus, I might not be able to say that.”

A good reminder. She knew Jesus. He probably wasn’t too happy with her lately, but He’d promised never to leave her. Even if she ended up in jail.

A mellow, comfortable sensation cocooned her. The beautiful setting, the man, the hope that Christmas brought to anyone willing to reach out and receive.

“My life is blessed, too,” she said, and meant it. There was always something to be grateful for. Like the man beside her.

They talked of their Christmases as kids and the memories that still lingered. He told wild tales of rambunctious siblings surrounded by extended family and friends, ranch hands, and an indulgent father. And the ever-sweet presence of Connie Galindo, a motherly anchor in all their lives.

She envied his memories, though her childhood hadn’t been horrible. It had just been…empty. She told him as much, and he absorbed the information with his quiet acceptance.

She shared other things, too, and the telling brought relief. The handful of activities she’d enjoyed in high school, the best friend who’d dyed Marley’s hair lime green for Halloween.

“The dye wouldn’t wash out, so I had green hair that year until Christmas.”

He laughed. “Green is a Christmas color.”

“Mine was more of a muck green by then. Let’s just say I wore my toboggan cap as often as possible.”

“What was your best Christmas ever?”

“Easy one,” Marley said. “The Christmas Eve I gave my life to Christ.”

“Yeah? On Christmas? That is special.”

She nodded. “I was fifteen. A friend from school invited me to a church program and promised there would be boys.”

His teeth flashed. “Perfect teenage reasoning.”

“Absolutely. I like to say, I went looking to meet a guy and I met a prince. The Prince of Peace.”

“Now, that’s a sweet deal right there.”

She looped her fingers around his upper arm, thick with muscles and a quilted jacket. “I wish I could say I’ve always followed His plan for my life, but I haven’t. I’ve messed up along the way, strayed away from Him and made a lot of mistakes.”

“Who hasn’t?”

“One of them was Braden’s father.” She caught herself, considered. Did she really want to talk about this? Did she really want to see the censure and disappointment in Wyatt’s eyes? He was the straight and narrow. She was the winding path.

“Did he mistreat you?” The fierce blaze in his eyes touched her. Wyatt wouldn’t stand for a woman to be abused. Not on his watch.

“Not the way you mean. It was just…” Her shoulders hunched. “I wanted forever. He wanted a good time. I was too dumb and needy to recognize that.”

Wyatt listened, quietly patient as always. The dark night and the glow of Christmas lights beneath a starry sky invited confidences.

He might as well know this much of the truth, though it was hard to discuss. Marley took a deep breath and blurted out the words.

“We weren’t married. We barely knew each other. I’m ashamed of that. Even though I asked God’s forgiveness, it’s hard to forgive myself for doing something I knew was wrong.”

“We all fall down, Marley.”

“Even you?”

“Even me.” The shadow appeared again, and she wondered what trouble haunted him. “But I remind myself of another verse Connie taught us. Romans 8:28. I repeat that one a lot.”

“What is it?”

“Basically it says, if we love Him and serve Him, God makes something good out of the ashes of our mistakes. All we have to do is turn it over to Him and ask forgiveness. Which you did.”

She nodded, a light dawning. “I believe that. Braden is a gift no matter the circumstances of his birth.”

“He’s definitely a keeper. And you’re a great mom. The guy who didn’t recognize that was an idiot.”

She sniffed, nose up high, feeling light and airy. Almost vindicated. “He was, wasn’t he?”

They grinned at each other, though the subject was serious.

“Since the two of you weren’t married, I don’t know why you worry about him gaining custody. I doubt he stands a chance.”

Oh, yeah. That. The trouble with lies was that she forgot about them. “I hope you’re right.” And can we please change the subject? “Could we go get Braden now? Just thinking about someone taking him makes me nervous.”

“You got it.”

They turned down Candy Cane Lane and started toward Whitney and Nate’s white farmhouse. The windows looked like butter pats, the yellow light in frames.

They’d almost reached the old-fashioned wooden porch when a man appeared out of the crowd and moved toward them. A man in a sheriff’s uniform. And at his side was Braden.

Marley sucked in a gasp and froze. Blood roared in her ears so loudly she couldn’t hear anything. Not the people milling about, not the carols piping from speakers.

“What is he doing with Braden?” The low-spoken words scraped past her vocal chords, almost feral.

Wyatt looked at her as if she’d come unglued.

“That’s Lawson Hawk. He’s a friend.”

Not a friend of hers. Not by a long shot.

“But what is he doing with my son?” Oh Lord, oh Lord, protect us. She should have left Calypso days ago. She shouldn’t have gotten so comfortable.

In the next heartbeat, a teenage girl holding the hands of Olivia and Sophia appeared from behind the lawman and said something to Braden. He slid back into place at her side.

Braden was with the twins and the babysitter, not the sheriff. The man just happened to be walking in front of them.

“Oh.”

Marley’s fear drizzled away, leaving her with adrenaline shakes.

The children spotted her and Wyatt and charged forward, chattering all at once. The blonde babysitter followed. To Marley’s horror, so did the sheriff. Had he seen a police report on her?

Wyatt placed a hand on her arm. It didn’t help. Maybe he felt her fear, but he had no idea why she was so afraid. And she couldn’t tell him.

“You must be Braden’s mom,” the teenager said.

“Yes.” Her face was tight enough to crack. “I’m Marley.”

The sheriff and Wyatt slapped each other on the back. Wyatt motioned toward her. “Marley, this is Calypso County’s sheriff and our good friend, Lawson Hawk.”

The sheriff turned his attention to her. He had the longest, blackest eyelashes she’d ever seen.

The random thought was so silly, she managed a semi-friendly nod. “Nice to meet you, Sheriff.”

“Call me Lawson. Any friend of Wyatt’s is a friend of mine.”

He must not know anything about Tulsa or the embezzlement charge. Or perhaps he was biding his time, wanting to inform Wyatt first that he was harboring a criminal.

Was she being unreasonable? Seeing danger where there was none? She didn’t know. What she did know was that she didn’t want to cause trouble for the Caldwell family, especially Wyatt.

What was she doing here, and what was she going to do if the sheriff recognized her?

While the other adults exchanged small talk that she could barely attend, the twins jigged around in a circle, playing Rudolph and Prancer. Braden joined them and was labeled Dancer, a role he played with relish.

The babysitter spoke through the noise. Her nose was as red as a Christmas bow. “We’re heading to the house. Is that okay? The kids are getting cold.”

Marley flicked a glance toward the farmhouse. “I was coming to get him. We need to go home.”

“Mommy, please. I want to play.”

“Braden, no. It’s getting late.” She took his hand and pulled him to her side. “Go ahead with the twins, Chelsea. Thank you for watching him.”

“Sure, anytime. He’s a nice little boy. Bye, Braden.”

Braden waved, a forlorn expression on his face, his good spirits flagging. As Chelsea led the twins away, one of the girls looked over her shoulder and waved.

Wyatt gave Marley a quiet look. She knew she’d sounded harsh, but she had to get away from this place.

“Ready?”

She offered one short nod.

The two men exchanged goodbyes, the sheriff promising to come for dinner soon.

Marley wanted him gone.

As the three of them fell into step and headed toward the parking area, she said nothing. Neither did Wyatt. Though his hand rested on her elbow, he didn’t stand especially close, not like before at the gazebo. The silence turned heavy.

Braden scuffed his toes against the gravel, still unhappy with her decision. Motherhood was tough sometimes. All the time. A four-year-old couldn’t be expected to understand the choices she had to make. Especially now.

When they reached the truck, Wyatt lifted Braden into the back and waited while she buckled him in. He shut the door with a snick, motioned for her to go ahead of him around to the passenger side.

After she stepped up into the cab and settled in, her attention riveted on the seat belt, his quiet voice broke the tension. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course.” She didn’t want to lie anymore. Not to him.

One hand on the door frame, he leaned in. “What happened back there?”

“What do you mean?”

“One minute we’re having a great time. The next, you… I don’t know, clammed up, got anxious. Like you were scared of something. Was it Lawson?”

She licked her lips, gone dry as sand. Wyatt was way too smart. “He’s a police officer.”

“Who wasn’t there to take your child.”

“I know.” Now. “My imagination goes crazy.”

“Fair enough.” He took both her hands and leaned in, nose against hers. “Remember, though, you’re not alone.”

Oh, yes, she was. For Wyatt’s sake as well as her own, she had to be.

---

Something had scared Marley. Her face had drained to vampire-white, and even now tension radiated from her like sound waves. For a man who made his living reading between the lines, her signals were loud and clear.

But why? Braden had been safe at her side, and Wyatt was there to watch over them.

Wyatt mulled the strange, tense situation on the way to the Royal Bed and Breakfast while the radio pumped out cheery Christmas carols.

Marley must be running from a court order. That was the only reason he could imagine for her sudden panic when the sheriff approached.

Why not tell him and let him help?

“Marley?” he started, unsure, but determined. “If there’s a court order, if you need money or a lawyer—“

She cut him off. “I’m fine, Wyatt. Really. This is something I have to handle myself.”

Wyatt turned to look at her, sitting there in the shadowy light of the dash, hands twisting in her lap, her chin up as she stared at the roadway ahead.

Marley was proud. Independent. A woman who didn’t like to lean. She’d had to be. And Wyatt had to respect her for it.

“Just so you know, I’m here for you.”

Her hands stopped twisting. She reached across the console and touched his knee. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

He pulled down the B & B’s long driveway, killed the engine, and walked his too-quiet companions to the door. Motion lights beamed on. A dog in the neighborhood barked.

Marley used her key to open the back door. Braden scooted inside. Through the glass, Wyatt saw the boy head for the stairs.

Before Marley could do the same, Wyatt stopped her with a touch. She raised her face, questioning.

With as much care and affection as he could manage while holding a rein on his desire, he kissed her. Affection. Yeah. That. A lot of affection.

Marley’s tension ebbed into him, and he absorbed it, wanting to erase her fears.

As he pulled away, slow and easy, her smile bloomed, mellow, and pleased. She was Marley again.

“You have a beautiful smile.”

“So do you.” She laid her fingers against his stubbly jaw.

Wyatt’s pulse set up a steady drumbeat.

He captured her fingers in his and kissed the tips. “Christmas Parade, Monday night. Want to go?”

“I shouldn’t.”

There she went again, pulling back. “Name one reason.”

Uncertainty clouded her eyes. “You’re on leave. I’m keeping you from your family.”

“Family will be there.”

“Oh.” She gnawed her bottom lip.

He stared at her mouth, the pull in his stomach new and fresh. He liked her more than he had anyone in a long time. She liked him, wanted to be with him. Was he pushing too hard?

He spread his hands. “If I’m stepping over a line…”

Her head popped up. “I didn’t say that.”

A grin worked its way up his face. “Then say yes.”

“We’re spending a lot of time together.”

“Is that bad thing?”

The angst intruded again, a wrinkle between the eyebrows. “I hope not. I mean, the custody and…everything.”

It was the everything that bothered him. Whatever everything implied.

---

Another week passed, and then two, as Christmas edged closer. In the busyness of the season and a growing relationship with Wyatt, Marley’s anxiety ebbed to a vague pulse-beat at the back of her brain. Though she kept a close watch on Braden, she tried not to think too much about the threatening email. Whoever sent it was in Tulsa. She and Braden were safe in Calypso, safe with Wyatt around. It was a false security, she knew, but she clung to it.

As a precaution, she’d sent no more tips to the police, and she’d received no more threats. But she continued searching the flash drive as often as she could. She’d filled a notebook, so she’d bought another and had begun the painstaking job of cross-referencing sales receipts with vendor orders in hope of discovering a discrepancy traceable to the guilty person.

Some days she wondered if the evidence she needed was even on the files.

This sunny, cold afternoon, Marley wandered Calypso’s Main Street in search of Christmas gifts. For Braden’s sake, she would pretend their world wasn’t teetering on collapse. The warmth of the small town and its friendly people felt better than anything had in a long time. Except for her feelings for Wyatt.

She was falling for him. Hard and fast. Sometimes she thought she’d loved him since the moment he’d rescued Braden, the moment she’d seen him holding her son safely in his arms.

After the night at Whitney’s farm, she’d succumbed to every single invitation Wyatt extended. She couldn’t seem to help herself, and Braden thrived on the attention from his soldier man—of which he was receiving plenty.

They’d attended church activities, light displays, a parade downtown on the coldest, windiest night of the year. Most events culminated in a trip to the Triple C, where refreshments awaited. Marley grew increasingly fond of Connie’s spicy, Mexican hot chocolate.

The fact that Wyatt kept Marley close to his side wasn’t lost on anyone, especially her. His offer of money and a lawyer had touched her deeply. She’d almost told him everything that night. Even now, she wanted to.

She shouldn’t let herself get this close to a man who would leave soon, but she’d been drawn in by the kindness of Wyatt and the Caldwell clan. They were the type of family she wanted to build for Braden, the kind she hadn’t known but dreamed about anyway. She especially loved the way they included Christ in their everyday lives, something else she wanted to teach her son.

This year, Braden was the perfect age to develop deep and wonderful Christmas memories. She would not cheat him of that rare and precious gift, no matter what.

Though the timing was terrible, the more of Wyatt she knew, the more there was to like. He was a good man, honorable, sacrificial, thoughtful, protective. Not a day went by that he didn’t offer service to a neighbor, a friend, a relative. Or her. For a woman who liked her independence, Marley appreciated his presence and protection more than she’d ever expected to.

That this relationship was temporary, a Christmas respite for a soldier, and a place to hide for her, buffered both of them from disaster. A holiday romance. Even though it felt like so much more.

One way or another, her time with Wyatt would end. She just hoped it wouldn’t end with her being dragged off to jail.

At the end of the block, beneath a loudspeaker playing The Carol of the Bells, she went inside a large chain store. A man in a Santa hat offered her a bag of popcorn and a shopping cart.

She took them both.

“Merry Christmas, young lady!” With an authentic white beard and a ruddy complexion, the gentleman could pass for the real Santa.

“Merry Christmas.” Returning his smile, she munched a handful of fragrant corn and rolled the buggy past table displays of jewelry boxes and fancy candy baskets.

Shiny ceiling garland caught the light and twirled a giant Santa head imprinted with Sale!

She trailed her fingers over a cellophane-wrapped basket of chocolates. Would the Caldwell family enjoy something like this? Was it enough? Too much?

Marley wasn’t sure, but she wanted to give them something. Dooney, too. The countess had been wonderful. Without asking questions, she paid Marley in cash and included room rent in the deal. In appreciation, Marley worked extra hard, cleaning the house and laundering piles of sheets and towels.

The money was enough for now.

Marley left the gift baskets and headed to the toy aisle. Scanning the vast array of toys, she considered how much she could buy for Braden and still keep money in reserve for the Caldwells and the Countess. And Wyatt, of course. She was stumped on what to give him.

She spied a child’s tool set, complete with work bench, hammer, and pretend power tools. Braden loved to build and bang on things. She picked it up, checked the price. Doable. What he really wanted was a giant ride-on toy, specifically a horse, which was out of her price range.

After adding the toy tool set to her cart, Marley scrolled her cell phone list. Most items were simple things for Braden: books, building blocks, a plastic ball and bat, and his beloved Hot Wheels. He needed clothes, too, and bigger pajamas. And a stocking filled with goodies.

Okay, that was adding up fast.

She worried her bottom lip.

“You’re going to gnaw that off if you aren’t careful.” A hand reached into her popcorn.

Her head jerked toward the speaker. “Wyatt. Hi. What are you doing?”

The butterfly in her belly was ridiculously glad to see him.

Something about a man in jeans and boots and rugged vest definitely got her attention. Particularly when the man was Wyatt.

“Christmas shopping.” His eyebrows peaked. “Maybe.”

She grinned. “You don’t sound too sure.”

“I could use some help.”

“Let me guess. Girl gifts?”

“Right. Little girls. The twins and Daisy.”

Marley held up a finger. “I think I can help you with those. The four-year-olds, especially.”

After sharing another bite of popcorn, she pushed her cart toward the aisles of dolls and traditional girl favorites.

Wyatt’s hand guided the side of the buggy. “Where’s the little man?”

“Whitney’s house. She invited him to play with the twins so I could shop. Wasn’t that nice? I offered to return the favor.”

Marley felt good to have made a friend like Whitney, whose girls were the same age as Braden. She’d miss their friendship. Braden would, too. She didn’t even want to think about how heartbroken he’d be to part with Wyatt.

She slid a glance toward her handsome companion. Standing with the manly military posture that made her belly tingle, he browsed the array of pink baby carriages, purple ponies, and glittery dolls with plastic high heels and sparkly accessories.

He rubbed a hand over his chin and looked completely lost. Marley snickered.

Wyatt turned his head with a grin and a shrug. “Mystery aisle. Scary stuff for a bachelor.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, a look that softened the hard planes of his face.

Every cell in Marley’s body reacted. No surprise there. They sprang to life like jive dancers anytime Wyatt came within twenty feet. If a woman could fall in love in a matter of weeks, she was in love with the soldier man.

But that was dumb. It was too soon.

Tell that to my heart.

She exhaled a long breath, like air hissing from a punctured tire.

Good going, Marley, she mused with deep sarcasm. Wasn’t this the story of her love life? Jump in the deep end and figure out how to swim afterwards.

Yet, what she felt for Wyatt Caldwell wasn’t anything like she’d felt for Braden’s dad. Not even in the same hemisphere. Braden’s dad had been searing fire and cold ashes. Wyatt was Christmas joy, quiet peace and Fourth of July fireworks all rolled into one patient and totally delicious man.

Marley caught the thought, reminding herself not to get so wrapped up in a man. She was vulnerable, lonely and scared. Wyatt had showed up at the right time, a knight in army fatigues.

She didn’t know why he bothered with such as her. Lonely, too, maybe. As long as they didn’t discuss cyber terrorism or her secret, they could talk half the night. And had a few times. They knew each other better than they knew themselves. Almost.

“Hey.” He waved a hand in front of her face. “Earth to Marley.”

“Oh.” Shaking her head, she gently batted his hand down. “I was thinking how beautiful your eyes are.” Among other things.

His cheekbones tinged a darker shade, which only made his eyes bluer above the navy vest. “Yeah? Thanks.”

“Didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Didn’t mean to reveal so much either. But Wyatt was the smartest man she’d ever met. He had to know she had feelings for him, no matter what she tried to tell herself.

With a tilt of her body, she shouldered him to one side and reached for a toy.

He caught her arm, gently turned her toward him. “You’re just plain beautiful. Eyes, face, hair, everything.”

“Oh.” Now it was her turn to blush. She rolled her eyes and joked. “You charming soldiers, I bet you say that to all the women you meet in the toy aisle.”

Wyatt’s expression remained serious. “You’d lose.”

Her heart ricocheted off her ribcage like a rifle shot. Pinged. Banged. Settled, as she stared deep into those enchanting eyes.

There between the Barbies and the Bedazzlers, pretense slid away and the truth she’d not wanted to face appeared. Wyatt had feelings for her, too. As in love feelings.

Yes! Her heart surged.

And then it fell. Oh no.

Wyatt couldn’t love her. He didn’t even know the real her. If he did, he wouldn’t be standing here, looking at her as though she was the last strawberry of spring.

Her conscience screamed. He deserved so much more than a wanted woman, a liar, a runaway.

He deserved to know the truth, the whole truth, with nothing left unsaid. She owed him that.

She opened her mouth. Closed it again.

She couldn’t. Not now. Not with Christmas only a few days away. She couldn’t ruin the holiday for him. And it would. He’d be forced to choose between his integrity and her, a cruel thing anytime, but especially at the holidays.

She settled it in her heart once and for all. After Christmas when they moved closer to the end of Wyatt’s leave, she’d tell him everything.

She slid her hand into his.

Just not yet.