Free High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman

“After it was over, they sold her.”
    Morgan slid the seat forward. “So you named your truck in honor of the cow.”
    â€œYeah.” He felt his face flush in embarrassment at the silly sentiment.
    â€œDon’t be embarrassed. I think it’s a very sweet thing to do.” She gave his hand a quick squeeze.
    Uncomfortable at letting her into a part of his life he’d never shared with others, he pulled back.
    â€œDon’t worry, I get it.” A sweet smile softened her face as she adjusted the mirrors. “You have to be the big, tough deputy and can’t let anyone see your true feelings.” She winked at him. “Your secret is safe with me.”
    That wasn’t the whole reason for his discomfort, but he didn’t dispute her assumption and stood back while she fired up the engine. It coughed a few times, then caught and roared to life. The engine idled high, and Morgan’s body vibrated on the seat until she put the shift into Drive and took off.
    He continued to stand there, his gaze following the truck down the road, his mind on the fancy lady and his run-down truck. She claimed she’d left her other life behind and maybe she had. But he doubted driving a rusted bucket of bolts was what she meant, and he doubted she could ever get used to a life that included a heap of a truck. Translated, she could never get used to a guy like him.

SIX
    B rady approached the PEA office. A storefront at the end of an older strip mall, the place was unassuming and slightly tattered. Not even the melting blanket of snow made it look more appealing.
    He stepped inside and scanned the large front room. Computers lined one wall, photocopiers and printers another. Two men and a woman sat at one of three round tables, flipping through binders. Bulletin boards with motivational posters lined the back wall with a large desk sitting below.
    Spotting him, a young woman with a cautious expression came around the desk. Where Morgan was fragile and delicate, this woman was sturdy and muscular. Her nametag read Lacy Sutton, likely the friend on the train with Morgan last night.
    She forced a smile. “Can I help you?”
    â€œI’m Brady Owens. I’m looking for Morgan.”
    She appraised him. “I was expecting you. Morgan’s told me all about you.”
    He could only imagine what she might have said.
    â€œI hope some of it was good,” he joked.
    â€œAll of it.” She smiled in earnest this time.
    Brady relaxed. “Is the presentation over?”
    â€œThe meeting just broke up, and she’s saying goodbye to our guests.” Lacy nodded at the tables. “If you want to have a seat, I’ll go tell Morgan you’re here.”
    Brady took a chair at an empty table, and Lacy disappeared through a doorway in the back. As soon as she was gone, the job seekers started chatting about Morgan and the jobs program. Wondering if one of her clients might be her stalker, he listened in. With her good looks, it would be easy for a client to fall for her, and a client wouldn’t likely come right out and admit his feelings. Especially if he was unemployed. He was more likely to take the secret admirer approach. Brady made a mental note to ask Morgan about her clients.
    She soon entered the room and escorted four men in business suits to the front door. After shaking hands with them, she nodded a quick greeting for Brady and went straight to the job seekers.
    She smiled and bent over the table. “How’s it going today? Any new leads?”
    The seekers looked at her with respect and each of them shared about the progress in their job search. As she interacted with the trio, her face glowed and her whole being came alive. He could see she truly cared about them and that they were genuinely thankful for her assistance. When she turned to Brady, the same smile lit her face, and he felt time stop for a moment. As much as he simply wanted to sit there and