Free The Sheriff's Christmas Twins by Karen Kirst Page B

you are.”
    He angled his head toward her, and it took a second for his gaze to clear. “Are you sure?”
    Of course she wanted to stay, but she refused to be selfish when he was unhappy.
    â€œI’m cold. I’d like to go back to the house and relax before a comforting fire.”
    Taking her candle, he extinguished them both and, discarding them in a bin, led her past awaiting horses and wagons to where his was parked. As before, he cocooned her in the quilt, his movements efficient and impersonal but wreaking the same effect as the first time. She was so busy seeing to her niece’s and nephews’ needs that she’d forgotten what it felt like to experience a moment of cossetting herself.
    â€œYou were uncomfortable back there,” she ventured. “You don’t like when I question you about your past, but you didn’t say I couldn’t ask about your faith. Has your viewpoint altered since you left Virginia?”
    He was quiet a long time. “I want to believe that the God who created all this beauty could love someone with a soul as tarnished as mine. I want to, but...”
    â€œIt’s hard for you to trust.” Anxious to say the right thing, she said, “No one deserves Christ’s love. Or His forgiveness. But because of His compassion and mercy, He extends it to us. It’s a free gift. We can’t earn it.”
    â€œI’ve heard these same words many times.” The defeat in his voice disappointed her.
    Why can’t you accept them as truth? “I’ve never stopped praying for you, Shane.”
    His gaze swerved to her face, his shock evident. “I don’t know what to say except thank you. That you would take the time to pray for me...” He removed his hat and thrust a hand through the blond-brown strands.
    â€œI won’t stop.” Her own voice grew thick. “You can count on that.”
    Nodding, he didn’t utter another word. At the house, he set the brake and, after helping her down, started to climb the steps.
    â€œYou’re coming inside?” she blurted. “I can stoke the fireplaces without your help.”
    He paused with one boot braced against the bottom step. It was impossible to make out his features in the porch shadows. “I thought I’d see to the task. Unless you don’t want me to.”
    â€œThat depends on your reasons,” she said evenly. “If you’re coming in because of some perceived duty, then the answer is no. I don’t need to be watched after. If you’re coming in because you’d like to share a cup of coffee and my company, then the answer is yes.”
    His long-suffering sigh originated deep in his chest, and the tenuous bond born from her confession evaporated.
    â€œI guess I have my answer.” She ascended the steps. “Good night, Sheriff.”

Chapter Seven
    â€œA llison.”
    Still reeling from her revelation that he featured regularly in her prayers, Shane trailed after her. He had to tread carefully because, to him, this entire visit was a necessary but not exactly welcome intrusion into his life. He hadn’t invited her here. He definitely hadn’t anticipated having to keep up his guard every hour of the day.
    â€œWait a minute.” He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him.
    â€œI have to be honest, Shane. I hate that you see me as a burdensome child. Every time you sigh and huff and roll your eyes, I’m tempted to throttle you.”
    He stared at her. “I’m sorry.”
    He was sorry that he wasn’t a different man, one who knew how to trust and love and have normal relationships. He was sorry he hadn’t done a better job of hiding his unease around her.
    She began to dig in her reticule, her frustration evident. He pulled the key from his pocket and held it up.
    â€œLooking for this?”
    When she went to snatch it from him, he held it out of reach. “For the record, I