The only sound in the old, abandoned house was the wind whistling down the chimney and the fire crackling in the grate. William Gallagher, Aidan’s great-grandfather many times over, had gifted the gray wooden two-story to his best friend and fellow mariner Francis Kavanagh. The house had remained in the Kavanagh family until a decade ago, when Aidan’s grandfather Ronan reappropriated it.
The four-bedroom home was a simple box style. Its wide pine floors and fireplaces and mantels dated back to the seventeen hundreds. According to his Grams, no one had been out to the place in years, which was obvious from the amount of dust that had collected on the sheets that had been covering the overstuffed furniture in the living room. The old-fashioned harvest gold appliances in the good-sized kitchen were in working order. And after airing out the place for twenty minutes when they first arrived, the smell of dust and disuse had lifted.
Now it smelled like the wood smoke emitting from the stone fireplace Aidan sat beside in the rocking chair with Ella Rose in his lap. She had on her pajamas, but he doubted she was going to bed anytime soon.
“It doesn’t feel like Christmas, Daddy. We’re missing all the fun at the manor.”
“I know, pumpkin. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?” He felt the weight of someone’s stare and looked to where Julia had curled up on the end of the couch. She was watching him and Ella Rose.
He could almost see her brain clicking, her imagination kicking in as she looked around. She glanced at their housemates. Everyone, other than Benson and Julia’s dad, who were playing chess at the kitchen table, was sitting in their own corner. No one talking, no one exchanging glances. They were either on their phones or reading a book.
Julia rose from the couch and walked over. “You’re right, Ella Rose. It doesn’t feel like Christmas. But if you help me, I think we can fix that. What do you say?”
Ella Rose nodded enthusiastically. “Can my daddy help too?”
“Of course, and so can your mommy and your grandpa. In fact, everyone’s going to help. Do you hear that, people? We have a Christmas to plan.”
Harper groaned as loud as the men, but that didn’t stop her from pitching in. Julia gave everyone a task. She broke them into groups. She put Aidan with Harper, but he took it upon himself to reorganize so that he ended up with his daughter and Julia instead. They were on the hunt for anything that resembled a Christmas decoration or could be made to look like one. A tree had been at the top of the list. His dad and Maggie were to look for anything that could be fashioned into Christmas gifts, specifically gifts that would appeal to a seven-year-old little girl. The chief, Harper, and the sheriff were in charge of food.
Aidan tried everything he could think of to win over Julia. He went out in the bitter cold with the wind whistling through the trees and chopped down an evergreen. He made decorations with paper and tinfoil plates. He complimented Julia on everything she did, and he was being sincere. She really did see magic in the little things, and if you looked long enough, she could make you believe that you saw it too. But she no longer believed or trusted him, and he was beginning to think she no longer loved him either.
Ella Rose did her best to help him. She praised everything he did, insisting that Julia do the same. When that didn’t seem to be getting them anywhere, his daughter pulled a twig off the tree and held it over their heads, claiming it was mistletoe. Julia laughed and gave Ella Rose a kiss instead. At least that was something: He didn’t have to worry about the woman he loved and his daughter getting along. He felt like a third wheel.
His dad, on the other hand, was batting a thousand. He and Maggie were supposedly in one of the bedrooms upstairs wrapping their presents. The squeak of bedsprings seemed to suggest otherwise.
At the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen, he looked over to see the chief gazing at Harper like he’d been given the best present ever. Harper was drinking in the attention, sparkling with laughter. Julia’s dad looked at them like he’d been given a couple of duds as partners and went back to searching the cupboards. Aidan was beginning to think he should have partnered with the sheriff.
The ringing of the chief’s cell broke up Benson and Harper’s flirting session. The older man was grim-faced when he disconnected and motioned for Aidan.
“Mr. Bradford’s missing. One of the officers who was watching his house is gone too. The other one is on the way to the hospital. Similar injuries to Wyatt Landon,” the chief told Aidan.
“You two are needed in town. I can handle things here,” Julia’s dad said.
Aidan’s father joined them, holding up his phone. “Just got word winds have brought down a couple of power lines. Station’s overrun with calls. I have to get back. Liam’s coming to get me on the snowmobile. Do you need a ride out?”
“Yeah.” Aidan glanced at Ella Rose sitting between Harper and Julia, who were making up a Christmas story for his daughter. Julia caught his eye and rolled hers. Apparently, she didn’t think Harper was holding up her end. “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with this. It’s just you and three women and my little girl.”
“I’ll take good care of her, son.” The sheriff reached for the gun tucked in his waistband. “So will my girl. Julia’s a crack shot. I’d trust her with my life.”
“I have a feeling she is my life, sir. So I need your promise you’ll keep her safe and won’t let her do anything that puts her in danger.”
“You’ve got it,” he said and gave Aidan’s shoulder a firm squeeze. “You should tell her what you just told me. It might go a ways in winning her back.”
“I’ve tried. I’ve struck out each and every time.”
“She always was as stubborn as a Texas longhorn. Just ask her brothers.”
That wasn’t exactly welcome news, Aidan thought as he walked over to crouch in front of Ella Rose. “Daddy has to go with the chief into town.”
“But what about Santa?”
“That’s why I’m going, pumpkin. I have to make sure he knows where you are.” He tucked the blanket around her. Kissing her forehead, he stood. “Julia, can I talk to you a minute?”
Without an argument, she got up and followed him to the laundry room, the only place they were guaranteed privacy on the main floor. He told her why they were really going into town. “I need to know, if Lenny finds you before we find him, that you won’t put yourself in danger to protect him.”
“No, that would mean putting Ella Rose at risk. I wouldn’t do that. You don’t have to worry. My dad and I will protect them.”
He nodded, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear. “You know what else I’m worried about? I’m worried that you’re working so hard to protect yourself from me that you won’t be willing to take another chance on us.”
She looked away.
He clasped her chin gently between his fingers and drew her gaze back to his. “What do I have to do to convince you that I love you?”
“Show me.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her like his life depended on it. Because suddenly, it felt like it did.
“Gallagher, where are you?”
He reluctantly ended the kiss. At the sight of only a small softening in her eyes, he knew he hadn’t completely won her back.
* * *
Two hours after Aidan and Paul had left, Julia was sitting on the floor with Ella Rose, Harper, and Maggie, hanging paper snowflakes on the Christmas tree. Christmas tree seemed an overblown title for the tiny, scraggly bush. Though she couldn’t fault Aidan. All he’d had to work with was a butcher knife. He’d been out in the bitterly cold, dark night for almost an hour.
Her words in the laundry room came back to taunt her. Show me. Wasn’t that what he’d been doing all night long? Yes, she had a right to be hurt. In her thirty-two years, two people she loved had broken her trust. Building it back up again hadn’t been easy, but she had, only to have it broken by Aidan. But he’d just left to do his job. And it was a job, like life, that didn’t offer any guarantees. What if he didn’t come back? Would she regret for the rest of her days that she didn’t tell him she still loved him because she was afraid to be hurt again? Because she was afraid he’d never feel for her what she felt for…
“Sweet Caroline, he told me he loved me.” Maggie, Harper, and Ella Rose looked at her. She pulled a face. “Sorry. I thought that was in my head.”
“Are you talking about my daddy?”
Julia’s cheeks warmed. She glanced at Harper, unsure if this was something she should admit to. The other woman gave a small nod that was somewhat encouraging. “Yes, I was talking about your daddy. Do you mind?”
“No. He said he broke up with you, and it was a big mistake. But he’s trying really hard to make it up to you. Did it work?”
“I think so.” Harper and Maggie looked at her. “I mean, yes, of course it did.”
“You should tell him. That can be his Christmas present.”
“That’s a good idea. I think I’ll do that.” She uncrossed her legs and pushed to her feet.
From where he sat on the couch, her father leaned forward. He picked up her cell phone and tossed it to her. “He’s a good man. I like him. Reminds me a bit of your brothers.”
“Just so you know, that doesn’t actually play in his favor.” Movement outside the kitchen window caught her attention. She narrowed her eyes at the shadow, positive it wasn’t her imagination. Quietly, she cleared her throat. When her dad looked at her, she nudged her chin at the window.
He followed her gaze and then came to his feet. “It’s getting late. Think I’ll check on those snacks for Santa.”
“Wow, it’s already eight o’clock. What do you think, Harper? Maybe it’s time for Ella Rose to go to bed?” Julia said.
“I think it’s okay if…” Harper began, then looked from Julia to her dad. Worry flashed in her eyes and then was gone just as quickly as it had appeared. “Julia’s right. Santa won’t come if you’re awake, darling.”
Ella Rose gasped. “You believe. Julia, Mommy believes!”
Despite her worry that Lenny had found them, Julia laughed at the disconcerted expression on Harper’s face. “That’s what we call a Christmas miracle, Ella Rose.”
Julia’s laughter faded as she glanced at her dad. He was by the kitchen door putting on his jacket and boots. “Maggie, you should probably go to bed too. We’ll be up early tomorrow.”
“Really early. Mia said she’s getting up at five in the morning,” Ella Rose piped in.
As soon as the others headed up the stairs, Julia hurried over to her dad. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Just going to do a walk around the house.” He checked the sight on his Glock.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Lenny’s out there, it’s safer to stay inside. Once we know for sure that he is, we can call Aidan and—”
“He’s here, Little Bit. And he’s not alone. The officer he took, I think he’s got him with him. Probably how he found out where we were. Best I can tell, the boy’s injured.”
Breathing deep in an effort to slow her racing pulse, Julia reluctantly nodded and reached for the switch beside the door. “I’ll shut off the lights. It’ll make it harder for Lenny to see you. Take my scarf, and wrap it around your head.”
He grinned. “You’re not all your mother, are you?”
She reached up and kissed his cheek. “Be careful, Daddy. I’ll let Aidan know.”
“Took care of that already. They should be on their way. Keep your gun on you at all times,” he said before opening the door a crack.
Julia held her breath as he slipped noiselessly outside, carefully closing the door behind him. She raced around the main floor, turning off lights and blowing out all but one candle. She left it on the fireplace mantel. At the sound of a drawn-out creak, she turned to see Harper tiptoeing down the stairs.
“Ella Rose went out like a light. Maggie’s with her. What’s going on?” she asked when she reached Julia’s side.
“Lenny’s here. He’s got the police officer with him. My dad thinks he’s hurt. He doesn’t know how badly, but he’s not the type of man who can just stay inside and do nothing.”
“Do Aidan and Paul know?”
There was a heavy thud against the kitchen wall. The window shook with the weight of the blow. Julia’s heart leaped to her throat. She crouched low and ran to the window. Harper did the same. Julia steeled herself to look outside.
Harper clung to her arm. “Do you see anything?” she whispered.
“No, I… Yes, oh, God, yes, it’s the police officer. I have to get—” She broke off at the sound of gunfire. It was several yards from the house. If she acted now, she had time to get to the injured man. “Have you ever fired a gun before?” she asked Harper.
“Yes, Aidan taught me.”
“Okay, good.” She handed Harper the gun. “Cover me. I’m going to get him.” Julia didn’t waste time putting on her jacket or boots. She inched open the door. Keeping an eye on the surrounding woods, she stayed low and hurried to the man on the ground. He groaned when she lifted him to fit her hands under his arms. He was too heavy for her to carry, so she dragged him into the house. As soon as she reached the threshold, Harper helped her pull him inside.
It took almost ten minutes for them to get the injured officer onto the couch. He had an open wound on his head.
“Can you check and see if there’s a first aid kit? Maybe in the bathroom upstairs,” she said to Harper.
“I have one in my purse.”
“You carry a first aid kit in your purse?”
“I like to be prepared.”
Noting the flush spreading up the other woman’s neck, Julia smiled. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed about it. That’s a good thing.” She glanced at the kitchen window, growing more concerned about her dad with each passing minute. “I’m going to take another—”
“Julia, I’ve got him. You’re safe now,” a voice yelled from outside. It was Lenny.
She briefly closed her eyes. Somehow the situation must have triggered an episode. He was confused. Instead of seeking revenge like they’d assumed, he’d been trying to protect her. “I told Aidan I wouldn’t leave Ella Rose unprotected, but I have to do something, Harper. He’s got my dad. I can’t let Lenny hurt my dad. I couldn’t live—”
Harper nodded, her face grim. “I know. I don’t like it, but I know.”
“Thank you,” she said, relieved Aidan’s ex wouldn’t try to stop her. She moved to lift the wounded officer’s coat. His gun was gone. Lenny must have taken it. It was probably better if she didn’t approach him with a weapon anyway. She unclipped the handcuffs from the officer’s belt. “Go upstairs. Stay with Ella Rose and Maggie. Don’t come down unless I call all clear.”
At the sound of Lenny shouting her name, his voice agitated, Julia ran to the door and opened it. “Here I am. I’m okay, Lenny.” He stood a few yards to the left of the door with her dad on his knees in front of him. She couldn’t tell for certain, but her father’s hair looked like it was matted with blood. But he wasn’t dazed; his eyes blazed with fury, no doubt angry that Lenny had gotten the jump on him and probably just as angry at her for opening the door.
“Lenny, that’s my dad. He came all the way from Texas to protect me. I’m just going to come out and—”
Her dad growled, and she stepped back, giving him a relax look. She threw in a don’t try to be a hero look for good measure. “Could you let him up, please?”
Lenny looked confused. “He’s your dad? But he had a gun. He tried to shoot me.”
“He didn’t know you’re my friend. He thought you were one of the people who were trying to hurt me.”
“I got nearly them all. I just need to get the mayor. But I don’t know who else is working with them, so it’s better if you come with me. That way I can make sure you’re safe.”
“You got them all, Lenny. I’m safe. And so are you. You look cold. There’s a fire inside. You can get warm. Just let my dad go, okay? And put down the gun.” She smiled. “I’ll make you hot chocolate.”
“You’re sure you’re safe? It’s all over? Everything’s okay?”
“Everything’s okay, Lenny,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Can you put down the gun for me? It’s making me nervous.”
“Sure.” He tossed the Glock in the snow and then hauled her father to his feet. “I’m sorry I hurt you, sir. You shoulda told me you were Julia’s dad.” Her father stumbled, and Lenny put him in a fireman’s carry.
The cavalry arrived ten minutes later. Aidan was the first through the door, his face pale and anxious, but her brother Wyatt pushed him aside to get to her first. He picked her up. “Geez, Little Bit, you manage to cause a boatload of trouble wherever you go, don’t you?”
Aidan tapped him on the shoulder. Her brother looked back and turned to hand her to Aidan. “You and me aren’t done talking yet, Gallagher. My brothers want a word with you too.”
Aidan didn’t respond. He walked with her through the kitchen, past where Lenny sat at the table with her father and the chief. Lenny’s gaze followed them, his eyes narrowing.
“It’s okay. He’s one of the good guys, Lenny,” she called back to be on the safe side.
“I’m not so sure about that,” she heard her brother say.
Aidan walked into the laundry room, placed her on the washing machine, and shut the door with his foot.
“Aidan, I can ex—”
He cut her off with a toe-melting, knee-knocking kiss.
And as much as she never wanted it to end, she felt it was past time she said something about his habit of shutting her up with a kiss. Reluctantly, she leaned back. “You can’t keep kissing me to get me to stop talking.”
His dark eyebrows pulled inward. “I don’t. I kiss you because I’m going to yell at you. Once I have my mouth on yours, the last thing on my mind is yelling. Except today. After what you pulled with Lenny—”
She kissed him, and kept kissing him until someone pounded on the door. “There’s a cute little girl looking for her daddy. Seriously can’t believe she’s yours, Gallagher,” her brother Wyatt said though the door.
Aidan leaned his forehead against Julia’s. “Are the other two as bad as him?”
“Worse.”
“As far as you know, they have no plans to move east, do they?”
“Not that I know of. Why?”
“Because I love you, and I don’t plan on going anywhere, so that means I’ll have to put up with your brothers for a very long time.”
“Does a very long time mean forever and always?”
“It’s looking that way, sugarplum.”
* * *
It was the strangest, but also possibly the best, Christmas Eve Aidan had ever known. Strange because Lenny, the man who’d kidnapped three people and wounded three others, was sitting on the couch in the house in the woods between Julia’s father and her brother Wyatt, who was even bigger and slightly more terrifying than the sheriff.
Ella Rose knelt with Mia at the coffee table watching Lenny draw their portraits. The man would eventually go to jail, just not yet. He’d been Julia’s Christmas wish. It was Harper who carried the swaying vote.
In her professional opinion, now that he knew Julia was safe, Lenny was no longer a threat to anyone. Harper had agreed to treat him. He’d be her first patient in the practice she was setting up in Harmony Harbor. Moments ago, Julia had whispered to Aidan that it was one more sign that Christmas magic really did exist.
To his mind, it wasn’t a sign of Christmas magic but of Julia’s. He looked to where she sat with his sisters-in-law, the four of them casting smiling glances at his father and Maggie, who were sitting together by the fire roasting chestnuts. The door banged open, and his brothers dragged in a real tree.
And there was the reason why it would possibly go down as the best Christmas ever. Not because of a tree. If anything, this Christmas had taught them that they didn’t need the trappings of the holidays as long as they were with the people they loved.
Kitty and Jasper followed his brothers in with boxes of lights and decorations.
Julia jumped up. “Tree trimming time.” She grinned at Aidan. “And Christmas carols courtesy of the Gallagher boy band.”
Her brother leaned back against the couch and crossed his arms. “This I gotta hear.”
“Yeah, well, you’ll be waiting a while,” Aidan said. There was no way he was going to perform in front of…
Julia pressed her hands together. “Pretty please.” She leaned over to nudge Ella Rose and Mia, who obediently took up the refrain. Which is how Aidan ended up standing beside the Christmas tree singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”