“What’s wrong with your face?” Mick asks, sounding confused by his own question. “Are you smiling?”

  “Fuck off.” I click out of the weather report giving my attention back to Trudy and Mick on my computer screen. “Finish with your updates.” I lean back in my chair, my thoughts already drifting back to Deputy Hudson, my plan rapidly growing by the second.

  “We did.” They both speak at the same time.

  “Your new place doesn't count as a vacation home if you’re always there and always working,” Trudy informs me. Things change sometimes or don’t go as you thought they would. Normally I hate that, but this time I am enjoying the change.

  I bought a cabin out in Winter Falls as a getaway. My own home back in the city has become overrun with my own damn company. There are people always coming and going. What had started as a small security firm has now turned into a hugely successful, ever-growing company.

  “You’re the one that said I should get out of the office more,” I remind her.

  Trudy has been my right hand since I opened Secure Assists years ago after I’d retired from the FBI. By retire, I mean I finally got out from under their thumb. I was seventeen when they’d gotten their hands on me after I’d hacked into a few of their so-called untouchable databases.

  To a seventeen-year-old punk kid, it sounded like a challenge. I really didn’t have a choice in the matter, to be honest. It was either go to work for them or spend a big chunk of my young life in jail. I’d stayed working with them for five years. I’d learned a lot and made some good contacts along the way. I still do some freelance work for them. The only difference now is it costs them a fuck ton of money for my services.

  “Do you ever plan to come back here? It’s almost Christmas,” Mick asks.

  “No, he had me send a bunch of Christmas decorations out there.” Trudy answers for me.

  “Christmas decorations? As in you're decorating?” I should be offended at the look of pure shock on his face, but I’m not. I was never one to decorate or even celebrate the holidays. To me, they were just another day. That was until I laid eyes on my little deputy.

  “How about you two mind your own business?”

  “You are my business.” Trudy pushes her glasses up her nose.

  “If we’re done here,” I say as I close out their screens, ending the call.

  I stand from my desk, heading into the entryway to inspect all the crap I’d requested and Trudy sent for me. In true Trudy fashion, she went above and beyond what I’d asked for. All the boxes fill up the whole entryway. I’m not sure what the hell I was thinking with this.

  I’d gotten my cabin out in the middle of nowhere for solitude. Now here I am having my assistant send me a bunch of shit to try and attract someone's attention. Not just someone; I’m trying to lure Deputy Hudson with all of her holiday cheer.

  I’ve learned a lot about my little deputy since I moved here. I may have taken some liberties with getting that information, but I knew I needed every advantage I could get when it came to her. I mean what’s the use of being a good hacker if you can’t use it to your benefit?

  Through my digging, I found out that she’s been in the position for six months. It doesn’t look as if she’s had any formal training. Her education background showed she has a degree in social work. After poking around a bit, I also discovered she is single. Which is perfect, since she’s meant to be mine.

  I need to get started on getting this place in tip top shape. That way the only thing left to do is figure out how to lure my little deputy here. It shouldn’t be hard, to be honest. I mean, she has to come and check things out if I put in a call. And since she’s the newbie, I know she’s the one they’ll send if I call. So I’m not really worried about getting her here, but keeping her once she is here. But things are looking up for me. The impending snowstorm is just the thing I need to help me.

  A growl leaves me when my alarm for the front gate goes off. I pull out my phone and see it’s my food delivery. I hit the code, letting the gate swing open for the kid. I pop the locks on my front door and watch him pull down my driveaway.

  “Mr. Brooks.” He waves as he gets out of his truck. “I got it all!” He rushes around to the back of his truck, almost busting his ass in the process. The snow is already coming down in thick layers.

  As much as I don’t enjoy having people over, Arthur has been more than helpful. Especially when it came to getting me as much information as he could on Marley. I can hack into a lot of things, but finding out my girl’s favorite things to eat was a bit harder.

  “I bought all the Reese’s candy in the store. Even cleared out the two gas stations while I was at it,” he says as he makes his way over to the front porch, setting down his first round of bags. I lean down and open a few of them. Inside are bags and bags of candy. Any kind of Reese’s candy you could think of.

  “What’s with all the candy?”

  “They’re her favorite, so I got them all. Unfortunately for everyone else, there’s not one Reese’s cup left in this town. Apparently, she prefers the tree-shaped ones.” He reaches into the bag and pulls one out. It doesn’t look like anything special to me. I snatch it from his hand.

  “I wasn't going to eat it.”

  “Get the rest of the bags.” I pull out my wallet and hand over a couple hundreds for a tip.

  “I got other stuff she loves too. She’s a big baker.” I pull out another hundred and hand it over. “Thanks, man.”

  “Leave it all and go,” I say before I turn to head back inside. I hear him ask about coffee, but the door closes in time to cut him off. Nice kid but way too chatty.

  With the way the snow is already coming down, I know I better go ahead and make my call. What should I complain about tonight?

  Bear comes strolling into the room, sniffing at all the boxes. He came with the house. I hadn’t known that when I’d bought the place, but he’s been roaming around since I moved in. I let him in during the last bad storm. I planned to take him to a shelter, but every time I get Marley out here, her face always lights up when she sees him. So that means he stays.

  It has nothing to do with me knowing what it's like not to be wanted. I wouldn’t wish that life on anyone.

  “You want me to get Marley out here?” His ears perk up, hearing her name. “Get your puppy dog face on. I’m going to need your help.” I scratch the top of the giant mutt's head that I have entirely too much in common with before I pull out my phone.

  “Winter Falls Police Department. This is Sally, how may I help you?”

  “This is Saint Brooks out on Highway C.”

  “We know where you are, Saint.” Of course they do. I call often enough. “I’ll send Deputy Hudson over. Careful, she’s in a mood.” She doesn’t even ask what my problem is. That donation I’ve made to the sheriff’s next election is really paying off in my favor.

  “In a mood?” I find myself asking. Mostly her mood is cheerful. Even when I’m being an asshole.

  “You’ll see,” she says before she hangs up on me.

  I make my way back outside to grab the bags Arthur left. I’m surprised to see how much snow has accumulated within the few minutes I was inside. Worry fills me, thinking about my little deputy driving around in this type of weather.

  I do the only rational thing to put myself at ease. I go into my office and pull up her cruiser and track her location. I see she’s at the gas station. I click away, pulling up the connection to her radio and listening to Sally tell her that I’d called in.

  “Seriously? I was about to head home.”

  “He’s not far from you. Head home after. Everyone in Winter Falls is supposed to be off the streets by nightfall.”

  “He’s lucky he’s got a handsome dog,” Marley responds to Sally. Bear lifts his head, hearing Marley’s voice, and lets out a bark. I glare at my own dog, jealousy filling me when I think about the amount of attention he’s about to get.

  I remind myself all that matters is that she gets here. I’ll have all her attention soon enough. Hopefully forever.

  Chapter 2

  Marley

  “Are you teasing me, Clyde?” I try to give my best glare, but I’m sure it’s failing.

  Glaring isn’t really my thing but I’m trying to be tougher. I am, after all, a deputy now. I have learned that being my normal sweet self gets me a lot further, but Clyde and I have a thing going. He’s got a grudge against me since my grandma turned him down when he asked her to prom all those years ago. That’s a serious grudge. Not that I can fault him. My grams is pretty dang awesome.

  “I’ve got donuts.” Clyde points over to the pastry bin that sits next to the coffee.

  “Now you’re just being rude.”

  “You saying you don’t like donuts, Deputy Hudson?”

  I roll my eyes. For six months, I’ve been correcting Clyde every time he calls me Marley. My name is now Deputy Hudson. This is the first time he’s actually called me that. I know it's only to go along with his lame donut joke.

  “Fine. I’ll take a donut,” I grumble. I don’t have anything against donuts. They’re good in their own right, but my favorite sweet to have this time of year is my Reese's Christmas trees.

  I only get them for a certain period of time. They make the pumpkin shaped in early fall, and after Christmas, they do the bunnies for Easter, but there is something about the ones shaped like trees. Everyone says I’m nuts, but I swear they have a bit of Christmas magic in them.

  “Who even bought all the Reese’s cups?” I ask when I get back to the counter with my hot chocolate and lame donut. At least it has sprinkles on it.

  “Arthur.”

  “What! He’s a diabetic.” This is a bunch of baloney.

  “Not my problem.” Clyde shrugs as he rings up my donut. He always gives me my hot chocolate for free. My radio goes off at the same time.

  “Are you closing up early?” I ask Clyde as I check to see if the call is urgent or if I can take it when I get back to my SUV.

  “Yeah, I’m locking up now. Be careful out there, Marley. “

  “I will.” I snag my stuff off the counter, heading out to my SUV. “What’s cooking, Sally?” I chirp over my radio.

  “Saint called again.” I don’t even hide my smile at hearing Saint’s name. He’s a pain in my booty, but man is he handsome.

  “Seriously? I was about to head home.”

  “He’s not far from you. Head home after. Everyone in Winter Falls is supposed to be off the streets by nightfall.”

  “He’s lucky he’s got a handsome dog.” I pretend to be annoyed, not wanting anyone to catch on to the small crush I’ve got on Saint. I’d never hear the end of that one.

  I put my seatbelt on and blast the heat before I pull out of the parking lot. Saint Brooks moved to Winter Falls about six months ago. It was my understanding he’d bought the place as a vacation home. The house is extra fancy. Some high-end real estate guy bought up a few chunks of land out here and built some houses on them. I heard he made a killing.

  If this place is only supposed to be a vacation home to Saint, that means he has to be well off. Not that I have any idea what he does. He might call us out all the freaking time about stupid crap, but I never could learn much about him.

  The first time I met the man he’d shouted at me through a speaker. I’d been driving by his place and thought I’d stop and welcome him to Winter Falls. I’d pushed the button on his giant monstrosity of a gate, and it sounded like a bear came over the speaker.

  The first words out of his mouth were asking me if I had a warrant. I didn’t, but I had cookies I was trying to bring over. I should have tossed them against the gate, but then I got curious. When he’d suddenly opened the gate after growling at me like a bear, I went on in. I wanted to see the man behind that deep voice.

  Grams would have tanned my hide if she knew that. She always said my curiosity was gonna get the best of me one of these days. Still doesn't stop her from calling me to find out what gossip I’ve heard. I was sure Saint was a drug dealer after the whole warrant comment, but no dice.

  From that point on, he was always calling about something. But every time I went out to his place, there was not much going on. It just so happens I was the one that always got sent to check things out.

  It takes me a bit longer to get to Saint’s with how fast the snow is already coming down. The roads have a pretty decent covering on them already. The gate opens the second I turn into the driveway. I pull through and watch in my mirror as it closes behind me. Saint is already standing on his porch when I pull up. He motions for me to park in front of his detached garage.

  He jogs over toward my SUV, making it to me as I open my door. The wind catches it, jerking it out of my hand. Holy crap, I hadn’t realized how windy it had gotten.

  “Brace yourself on me.” Saint offers me his giant arms.

  “You’re not even bundled up.” He’s in a thick sweater and jeans, but he does at least have on winter boots. “You do know there is a blizzard happening, right?”

  “I’m fine,” he grunts as he all but plucks me out of my vehicle.

  I think I exaggerate when I think of how big Saint is. In my mind, I always picture him as this giant man, the biggest I’ve ever met, but now as he pulls me into his side to shield me from the snow that has quickly turned to ice, I know I remember him correctly.

  I barely come to the center of his giant chest. If I had to guess, the man is three times bigger than I am. If he’s not a drug dealer as I expected at first, maybe he’s a retired NFL lineman or something.

  He rushes me into the house, the door slamming behind us. Saint reaches for my hat, pulling it off my head. My hair comes spilling out. I reach up and try to smooth down my wild curls, knowing they must look a mess.

  “What’s wrong?” I still have no clue why I’m even here.

  “Stay put,” he orders me as he jogs out of the entryway and through the house, leaving me standing there.

  “Hey!” I shout after him. “We don’t have time. I have to get out of here. Why did you call?”

  He doesn’t respond or come back. The heck? I glance around the entryway filled with boxes. I shuffle over to them and debate peeking inside. I have an inner battle with myself. It’s stupid really.

  I’m clearly going to lose. Hey, if he didn’t want me poking around, he shouldn’t have called me out here. Or left me in here with all of this temptation. I rip open the first box, finding a bit of holiday magic inside. I have to admit it takes me by surprise, only making my curiosity grow as to who this man is.

  Chapter 3

  Saint

  It worked. I’m starting to think fate is on my side for once. The snow has quickly turned to ice and is even worse than it was predicted on the Weather Channel. Once again, those weather people had gotten it wrong. The storm rolled in sooner than any of us anticipated and is proving to pack a punch. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Marley made it here safe and sound, so it can snow ten feet for all I care.

  I slip out the back and round the house toward the garage. I know what I’m about to do is horrible, but still I pull the knife out and stab the back tire of her vehicle, guaranteeing she won’t be able to leave. I know. I know. I’m an asshole. That still doesn’t stop me from going for the other tire so a spare won’t even do the trick. Not that anyone should be driving in this weather with a spare tire. She shouldn’t be trying to leave at all at this point, anyway. The slashed tires are just a little bit of insurance in case she tries.

  I try to tell myself I’m doing this for her own safety. She is going to try to leave here in a few minutes. This is making it impossible for her to risk the danger. I would have called this whole thing off after I’d made the call to Sally if it wasn’t for the fact that her place is in the direction of mine. She would be heading this way no matter what.

  Besides, she lives in this small little house all by herself. She doesn’t need to be trapped alone. Who knows if she’s even prepared for that? Someone needs to look after her. To make sure she’s fed among other things. I’m more than capable of that. Not to mention I’m pretty much prepared for the end of the world. I won’t even lose power. I have generators and everything else we might need. We could hole up here for a few years and be more than fine.

  I pocket my blade before I open the side door to the garage. Bear jumps up from the bed I made him in there. I reach in to flip the heat off, no longer needing it in there.

  “Front door,” I order him, shutting the garage up after him and heading in through the back door. I expect Marley to be trying to find me to see why I called her out here. Instead I found her opening boxes in the entryway where I left her. She’s sitting on the floor surrounded by them looking like a kid who just got busted opening their Christmas presents early.

  “This isn’t what it looks like.” She squeaks when she sees me. “Wait. Why am I even here?” Fuck she’s too damn cute. How do they let her run around town? I'm surprised someone hasn’t kidnapped her already. Thankful I’m the first and last that will be getting that idea.

  “I lost Bear,” I lie.

  If Santa was real, I wouldn’t be getting shit this year. Worth it because all my little lies are getting me Marley, and that’s all I actually want.

  “Bear is lost out there!” She jumps up from off the floor. Her wet boots catch on the loose packing paper, and she slips. I catch her easily, pulling her close. Her curves melt right into me. Damn she feels good against me. It’s where she’s meant to be—by my side forever. Enjoying her against me is short-lived though. She wiggles away to get to the door to go in search of Bear.

  The second she opens it, he comes bolting in out of the storm. He almost runs right into Marley in his excitement to see her. I couldn’t have planned this any better. I’m going to give my furry accomplice the biggest, juiciest bone I can find to reward him.