Chapter Three
Grayson
“Just when I thought this place couldn’t get more festive.” I give a low whistle, looking around the bookstore.
I love Christmas—I really do—but I’m more of a simplistic decoration kind of guy. Clean, simple, the normal red and green Christmas colors. But this? It’s as though a group of elves on a sugar high had a field day.
I glance over at the group of ladies. Tandy looks over her shoulder, a bright smile on her face.
“It’s the season to be jolly, Grayson,” Jane teases.
They all turn around now as my eyes scan across their very…loud Christmas sweaters.
“Did you lose a bet?” I ask, trying to suppress a laugh.
Tandy’s eyes twinkle. “You’re just jealous you don’t have one.” She sways as she shows off the sweater.
“Don’t get any ideas. We only brought the girls some.” Nonna smirks. “But I could arrange something.”
I chuckle and rest my hands on my belt. “Don’t worry, Nonna. I think I’ll stick to my uniform.”
She waves her hand at me as if to say “bah humbug” and walks away. Tandy still stands before me.
It’s truly a ridiculous sweater, but something about her makes me stare. The green contrasts with her vibrant red hair, and her hazel eyes sparkle under the twinkle lights. A warmth radiates in me as I take in the sight of her.
Her lips pull into a grin. Was I staring at her lips?
“You sure about that? I think you’d be dashing with a candy cane striped sweater.”
I shake my head and walk toward her.
“Or a lit-up Christmas tree,” she teases.
“I don’t think I can top that.” I point to her sweater as laughter bubbles from my chest.
“You’ve got that right, Officer.” Tandy winks as the bell chimes with a customer. “Be right back!”
A smile stretches across my face as she saunters off to help the elderly woman. I watch her as she walks toward the mystery section, and momentarily, I forget all about my meeting with the captain this week.
Tandy’s been a light since the day we met.
Even if our friendship started with her throwing a book at me.
While we don’t have a lot in common—she’s a free spirit who loves to travel and read books by the fire while I’m a family-oriented, rule-follower who likes to hike trails every chance I can—we connected over being new to town. We just clicked.
Our friendship comes easily, with teasing and cramp-inducing laughter.
We’ve tried each other’s hobbies, and even if it’s not something we like, we enjoy the time we spend together.
She’ll come on hikes with me and stop to sketch when we reach the view.
While she reads her love stories, I’ll watch sports on TV.
There’s this natural rhythm to our friendship that feels comfortable.
But today, something feels different. The way she calmed my nerves this morning and the effect her touch had on me.
Or the way she looks right now, almost angelic.
My heart thumps a bit harder, and my palms begin to sweat.
Maybe it’s just the stress of the one-year evaluation this week. I’m sure it is. It has to be.
“Grayson, good to see you, man.” Andrew walks into the bookstore, a cheery smile on his face.
Andrew’s been dating Jane for almost a year now and is a detective in town, but he’s been traveling to the big cities around us, helping with cases.
“Likewise. How’s the city?” I ask as we shake hands.
“Horrible. Traffic, too many people, too much crime. I’m always grateful when I get to come back home.”
I nod in understanding. “Being in a quiet town has its perks.”
“Definitely. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How’s the officer life treating you?”
“Fine. I have my one-year review this week.” I rub my neck.
Andrew claps me on the shoulder. “You’ll be good. They’d be crazy to think they could do better without you.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a flash of movement. Jane dashes through the bookstore, her face lit up. She launches herself at Andrew, who catches her midstride, lifting her off her feet.
“You’re here!” Her words tumble out breathlessly. “I missed you,” she says, looking up at him with what can only be described as love brimming in her eyes.
Andrew’s whole face transforms when he looks at her. “I missed you too, Jane.”
Something twists in my chest watching them.
Their love is so natural, so easy. That’s what I want someday.
A connection so deep and joyous. Where you eagerly await to see them again, and when they walk through the door, your day gets better just because they’re there.
Where every small moment matters, and even silence is comfortable. Where you’re just…home with each other.
I move toward Tandy, who’s standing behind the front desk, and lean on the counter.
“Hey, up for a hike later? The hill?”
She’s looking at Jane and Andrew, a far-off look in her eyes. Is she thinking the same thing?
“Bookworm?”
She shakes her head. “Huh?” She blinks a few times, then focuses on me. “Hike. Yes. You know I’m always down for a good hike.”
I raise an eyebrow. Her tone seems off, but maybe it’s just me. I have been feeling unlike myself today.
“Just promise not to leave me behind if I stop to sketch something.” She points a finger at me.
“There’s no fun in hiking without my favorite slowpoke.” I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes. “I’ll pick you up a little after five?”
“It’s a date!”
Despite the casual tone in her voice, my heart jumps at her words. A date. Even as a joke, it sounds…nice.
I say my goodbyes and climb into my truck. When I pull into the driveway, Gramps is watering the lawn. Jet, my black lab, who is lying on the porch, stands up to stretch. His tail wags as he groggily walks down the porch steps to me.
“Hey, Gramps. How was golf?” I ask as I rub behind Jet’s ears. His tail wags harder as he nudges his head into my hand.
“Those boys couldn’t even dream of beating me.” He sets down the hose. “I schooled those youngsters and reminded them not to underestimate the old man.”
I laugh and shake my head. “That’s right, Gramps.”
“Come on, dinner’s ready.” He pats my shoulder.
“I’m actually taking dinner to go tonight. Is that alright?”
“Of course, it’s alright,” he says, a curious brow lifted. “You’re a grown man, you don’t have to ask permission.” He chuckles as he and Jet head inside.
I follow them into the kitchen, and the smell of cooked pasta and tomato sauce envelops me. I head to my room to change out of my uniform, then quickly pack a container.
Grandpa’s on the couch flipping through channels with Jet lying at his feet.
“Promise you’ll be fine?”
“I was fine for the many years living here on my own before you came, and I’ll be fine for a couple of hours while you’re out with your girl—” I tilt my head and stare at him. “If you’d let me finish before giving me sass…I was gonna say your girl friend. She’s a friend who’s a girl, right?”
I roll my eyes and shrug. “Yes, a friend who’s a girl.”
“I think you oughta drop that space between the two, but what’s this old man’s opinion, hmm?”
“I’m leaving now,” I say, grabbing my hiking boots and the food container. “Jet, keep an eye on him.”