Page 53 of Sleigh My Heart

Michelle had seen the same gleam in her niece and nephew’s eyes. “You know that’s what she wanted all along?”

Nick looked over his shoulder at the entrance to the living room. “Yeah, I picked up on her little trick a couple of months ago. She does the diversion tactic. Asking for something she knows she can’t have, knowing I will counter with the thing she really wanted. The kid’s good. She could work in Army intelligence someday.”

“You’re a sucker. My dad used to just say no.”

“Yeah, mine too.” He glanced toward his daughter again.

Michelle didn’t need to be a psychologist like her sister-in-law to know Nick was coping with a lot. He was raising a grieving child alone while dealing with the guilt of being an absent father for most of Ava’s life. Sure, he wasn’t a deadbeat dad, but he was away most of the time. She imagined that wasn’t easy on him, either.

Nick’s phone rang. He glanced at the name and clicked the speaker button. Gone was the playful ex-lover from a moment ago. In his place was the military operative with an objective to complete. “Abe. You’re on speaker. Officer Swenson is here.”

“Hey, man. It was good to get your email. I played with the vehicle image you sent me.”

Image? Sent? She didn’t realize Nick had sent the van image off to someone else. Ryan hadn’t been able to pull anything from the license plate yet. He thought he had a couple numbers, but they didn’t match with anything in the system.

“And…?” Nick leaned in. Intense eyes searched hers, no doubt looking to see if she was upset over him pulling in non-law enforcement.

Was she? A little. He should have told her. But, if this Abe found something, she would be grateful.

“It’s as clear as the air after rocket launcher training. That being said, I got three letters on the plate. E. D. M. Sorry I couldn’t get more, dude.”

“How sure are you of these letters?” Ryan got the E but thought the D was an O. She’d have to run these letters.

“Not to brag, but… I’m the best. Sending you the cleaned-up image now.”

Nick’s phone pinged. He pulled up the JPG file and a closeup of the license plate filled the screen. He set down the phone and slid it closer to her.

“Wow. You are good. I’ll run these in the morning and see what hits.” She didn’t know what type of hardware he used, but his system was loads better than what the department had. Ryan would be salivating to get his hands on it.

“Thanks, man. I owe you.”

“Hell, I was the one who owed you. But… If you really want to repay me, come work with us. I know you love the mountains. So would Ava.”

“Not the time.” Nick dropped his gaze and picked up his phone.

“Well, the position is yours, if you change your mind. And Nick.” Abe’s voice turned from light to serious. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

“Will do. I’ll chat with you later.” Nick disconnected the call.

Michelle’s mind spun. He turned down a job to stay here in Ashwood.

“I’ll be right back.”

She watched as he went to check on his daughter.

He chose Ashwood. But that didn’t mean he would stay.

***

Nick closed Ava’s door. His mind had already shifted from his daughter, on her way to slumber, to the woman downstairs. What the fuck had he been thinking kissing her?

Okay, he hadn’t been thinking. He’d been feeling. All the old emotions and attractions that he thought had died when she refused to share his life.

“What a cluster.” He was still figuring out this parent thing. Some days, he and Ava were tight as soldiers in a bunker. The next… he had no clue what he was doing. She was just as opinionated at eight as her mother. Or… Mickey.

He swore under his breath. After twenty years, he just realized he had a type. Strong-willed, stubborn women, and the mold was sitting in his kitchen right now.

He straightened his shoulders. Hands off. She chose her life, and it wasn’t him. Mickey wasn’t the type of woman you hook up with for some fun and forget.