“Maybe, but I have a friend who’d be better suited to taking care of her. If Ellen can come over, I’ll handle the situation for now. Can you text me the address of where we’ll need to go in the morning?”

  “Yeah, I can do that.” The deputy removed his hat and ran a hand over his head while studying Burke. “Are you sure, Tip? We can go for the ripping a Band-Aid method if you want.” The deputy made a forceful tugging motion with his hand.

  At Burke’s shake of his head, Tim sighed. “I’ve never known you to get personally involved in a case before.”

  “I know, Tim, but I’ll make an exception just this once if you will.”

  Tim nodded. “Fine by me. I’ll swing by the hospital and find out how things are going there and let you know later.”

  “I’d really appreciate it, man. Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me. You’re the one in for a long night.” Tim moved closer to his car. “Are you on duty tomorrow?”

  “No, it’s my day off.”

  Tim grinned. “Good luck, then.”

  The deputy left and Burke continued holding Missy a few more minutes before he set her down.

  Much to his relief, she turned loose of him and again used her mittens to mop the tears from her face.

  Burke hunkered down so they were on eye level. “Just for tonight, Missy, you can stay at my place. I’ll see if my friend will come and hang out with us. How does that sound?”

  “Okay,” she whispered, scuffing her toe in circles on the bleak pavement. “I just want my daddy back.”

  “I know, honey, but your dad is very sick and he needs to get well first.” Burke straightened and pointed to the car. “Do you have a suitcase? We better pack up your stuff.”

  “In the trunk,” Missy said, taking the keys from the ignition and scurrying around to the back of the car. She wiggled the key in the lock and turned it. Burke heard a raspy click then pushed up the lid of the trunk.

  As he stared down at the few boxes of belongings that had once been part of a happy family, his heart constricted in pain. It must have been so hard for Missy’s dad to condense his entire life into what would fit in the trunk of the junky old car.

  Burke spied a flowered suitcase and lifted it out of the trunk. “Anything else you want to take with you?” he asked, looking at Missy.

  The child climbed up on the bumper and reached into a box full of photographs, she snagged the top two, then hopped down and raced back around, climbing inside the car and stuffing things into a purple backpack. She snatched her fleece snowflake blanket off the seat then slid back out of the car. The backpack looked as though it might topple her backwards with the weight of it, but she leaned forward to maintain her balance.

  Burke shut the trunk lid, made sure the car was locked, and lifted the suitcase in one hand along with her backpack. He reached out with the other and took Missy’s hand. “Ready to go?”

  “I guess so,” she said, casting one last, longing glance at the car before following Burke to his pickup.

  He set her suitcase and backpack in the backseat, tossed the blanket on top, then lifted Missy up to the front passenger seat. “Buckle in,” he advised.

  She rolled her eyes and snapped the buckle in place. “Duh! I’m not a baby, you know.”

  Rather than respond, Burke briefly wondered if he and his siblings had been as annoying to his parents when they were Missy’s age. Ruefully, he concluded they were probably far more so.

  “Where are we going?” Missy asked as Burke pulled out on the road and headed toward his house.

  The little girl strained to see out the window. Burke should have looked to see if she had a booster seat in the old car, but hadn’t even thought about it until now.

  He pulled up at his house a short while later and parked, turning off the lights in the evening’s inky darkness. “Here we are,” he said, opening his door.

  Missy opened her door and jumped down while Burke gathered her things. Together, they walked to the front door. Burke unlocked it, clicked on the light, and watched as Missy hesitantly stepped inside.

  “This is your house?” she asked, walking around the living room, staring at the photos taken at the ranch hanging on the walls.

  ‘”It is my house, at least for now.”

  Missy noticed his Stetson hanging on a hook by the door. She turned back to him with a grin. “Are you a real cowboy?”

  “Yep. I sure am.” He set down her things then pointed to a photo across the room that was taken of him on the back of a cutting horse as he helped work cattle. He’d been about fifteen at the time. “That’s me right there.”

  “Wow,” she said, awed as she studied the photograph. “You were cute, for a boy.”

  Burke grinned. “Thanks, I think. Does that mean I’m not cute anymore?”

  Missy rolled her eyes and followed him down the hall to the kitchen. “No. It means you’re a man. Men aren’t cute, are they? Aren’t you supposed to call them handsome?”

  “I suppose so.” He turned on the kitchen light then the light in the utility room. His hand hovered on the knob as he glanced down at Missy. “Are you scared of dogs?”

  “No. I love animals. We had a kitty, but had to get rid of Whiskers when Mommy got sick.” The lip began to edge out in a pout again, so Burke opened the door and whistled.

  Lovey raced across the yard and leaped up the back step, sliding into the house and across the floor, landing in a wiggling heap at Missy’s feet.

  The child’s face lit with a broad smile as she dropped to the floor and began petting the dog. Big green eyes glanced up at him, full of life and happiness. “She’s so pretty. What’s her name?”

  “Lovey. She won’t bite, but don’t pull her ears or tail.”

  Missy gave him a look that let him know she thought he was dumber than a box full of rocks and continued petting the dog.

  While Lovey entertained the little girl, Burke moved into the kitchen and called Ellen.

  She answered on the third ring, sounding slightly out of breath. Under normal circumstances, that fact would have provided an interesting distraction and sent his blood zinging through his veins, but not tonight.

  Tonight, he had a child in his care and no idea what to do with her.

  Chapter Seven

  Ellen shivered as she dripped water all over her floor. She’d just stepped out of the shower when she heard her phone ring. Afraid it might be Burke calling to cancel again, she snatched up a towel and raced to answer her phone.

  He’d warned her he sometimes had to work late or got an unexpected call to work, so she’d be able to temper her disappointment if he couldn’t make it. So far, he’d had to call at the last minute and cancel their last two dates. She knew he was disappointed, too, but it didn’t make it any easier when all she wanted to do was spend time with him.

  In fact, she hadn’t seen him since the night, actually it was morning if one wanted to get technical, he’d walked her to her door and kissed her more passionately and thoroughly than she’d ever been kissed in her life.

  Eager to experience more of those bone-melting kisses, she hoped he wasn’t planning to cancel again.

  “Hello?” Ellen answered, breathless from her sprint across her bedroom and down the hall to the entry where she’d left her phone on the little table by the door. She’d been in such a rush to get ready for her date, she’d forgotten to take the phone with her to the bedroom.

  “Hey, Ellen, it’s Burke. I’m not going to be able to make it for our date tonight.” He paused and released a long breath. She could picture him running a hand over his short, dark hair. “Do you know anything about little girls?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do know a thing or two about little girls. You won’t believe it, but I used to be one.”

  “Very funny,” Burke said, sounding less than humored.

  “Why are you asking?” Ellen padded back to her bathroom and grabbed a towel, dabbing at her wet hair.

  “Because I have one here with me and don’t know, exactly, what to do with her.”

  Ellen frowned. “Are you at home?”

  “Yeah. It’s kind of a long story. Tomorrow, I’ll take her to Child Protective Services and they’ll place her in a foster home, but for tonight, she’s staying with me.”

  “Would you like me to come over? Maybe I could help you keep her entertained.”

  A sigh of relief rolled out of Burke. “I’d love that, Ellen. I really am sorry about our date. I was looking forward to not watching the movie while trying to steal a kiss or two from you.”

  “Officer Burke! Are you thirteen or thirty?” she admonished.

  “Neither. I’m twenty-eight and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to kiss the prettiest girl who’s ever tried to plow right over me and Bear.”

  Ellen laughed softly. “If you give me an hour, I’ll pick up some dinner and bring it over.”

  “That would be great. Do you remember how to get here?”

  “Vaguely,” Ellen hung up the silk blouse she’d laid out to wear with a pair of black dress pants and pulled out a thick red sweater and a pair of jeans instead. “Would you mind texting me the address? My GPS should get me there with no problem. If I get lost, I’ll call.”

  Burke’s voice no longer rang with a hint of panic. “Perfect. I’ll see you in a bit. And Ellen?”

  “Yes?” she asked, plugging in her blow dryer.

  “You’re awesome. Thank you for being so understanding.” His voice dropped to a husky tone that made goose bumps pop out all over her skin. “I’ll try to find a way to make this up to you.”

  “You’re welcome and I’ll hold you to that.”

  She quickly phoned in an order for takeout Chinese food, blow-dried her hair then dressed. A quick swipe or two of mascara and a light spritz of perfume left her ready. She shoved her arms into her coat sleeves, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and ran out the door.

  Thirty minutes later, she pulled up outside Burke’s house. She’d barely opened her car door when he jogged outside. She handed him one of the bags of food and accepted the kiss he pressed to her cheek with a sense of pleasure.

  “You’re just glad to see me because I came bearing food,” she teased as they hurried down the walk.

  “That’s not true at all. I’m excited to see you because Missy has threatened to make me play Barbies with her and, having grown up with a little sister, I know exactly what that misery entails.”

  Ellen laughed. “You really are in dire straits, then, aren’t you?”

  “You have no idea,” he said, leaning so close, his lips brushed her ear. “I really was looking forward to a date with you Ellen. You look incredible.”

  She blushed and stepped inside where an adorable little girl with dark blonde hair and green eyes that put her in mind of Christmas holly stood with one small hand burrowed into Lovey’s thick fur.

  “Hi, I’m Ellen, Officer Tipton’s friend.” Ellen smiled brightly, hoping to put the child at ease.

  “You’re pretty,” the girl said, then glanced over at Burke. “You have better taste than I thought.”

  Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise and, for a moment, Burke looked as though he’d swallowed something entirely distasteful before he schooled his features to a neutral expression.

  The child smiled and stretched out her hand toward Ellen. “I’m Missy.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Missy. Do you like Chinese food?” Ellen asked, taking the small hand in hers then leading the way to the kitchen.

  “I love Chinese food! We haven’t had it since before Mommy went away.” The child stayed close to Ellen as she set out the food while Burke got out plates and cutlery.

  “Do you like milk, Missy?” he asked, opening the refrigerator door.

  “Yes, please,” she said, taking a seat at the small table in Burke’s kitchen. Lovey strolled beneath it and lay down with a contented sigh. Burke filled two glasses with milk then held one out to Ellen. She nodded and he poured a third, setting them on the table.

  “This smells so good, Ellen. Thank you for bringing it,” he said, disappearing and returning with a stack of books. “Here, Missy, try sitting on these so you can reach the table better.”

  “Thanks,” the little girl said, hopping off the chair. Burke placed the books then lifted her to sit on top of them. “That’s better!”

  Burke seated Ellen then they passed around the food. Ellen watched the child ravenously eat her food. Fearful she’d make herself sick, Ellen leaned toward her. “Missy, I think you have the loveliest green eyes I’ve ever seen.”

  The child stuffed another forkful of food in her mouth, giving her a suspicious glance.

  “You don’t believe me?” Ellen asked.

  Missy shook her head and took another bite.

  “Well, I don’t lie. I’ll even prove it to you.” Ellen pulled her phone from her pocket and scrolled through images until she found one of her and Tara together. She handed the phone to the child. “That’s my best friend, Tara. She has beautiful green eyes, don’t you think?”

  Missy stared at the image then nodded slowly. Before she could hand the phone back to Ellen, Burke took it, curious to see the woman Ellen spoke of so frequently. The two girls looked so different. Ellen was petite, elegant, and sophisticated. Tara was tall, graceful, and lively.

  Burke handed the phone to Ellen and she left it on the table by her plate, turning her attention back to the child “Tara’s pretty, isn’t she?”

  “She’s beautiful,” Missy said, taking a bite of her third egg roll.

  “Tara definitely is, but I think your eyes are even prettier than hers.” Ellen winked at Missy. “Just don’t tell her I said that. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

  “I won’t tell,” Missy said, ducking her head to hide her smile.

  “So, Missy, is that your full name?” Ellen asked, casually prying for more information. Burke would fill her in later on what he knew, but she had an idea she might get more detail out of the child than he could.

  “No. I’m Missy Hayes.” The little girl gave her a rueful glare. “Everyone has a last name, unless you’re famous. Then you only have to use one name.”

  “True,” Ellen agreed. “Will I someday be standing in line at the grocery store, pick up a magazine, and see a headline about Missy?”

  The little girl laughed. “No, don’t be silly. I’d have to change my name to something special.”

  “I think your name is special,” Burke said, joining the conversation.

  Missy rolled her eyes at him then turned back to Ellen. “What’s your name?”

  “Ellen Juliet Meade.”

  “That’s a good name,” Missy said, studying Ellen. “You look like an Ellen. You have pretty eyes, too.”

  “That’s what I told her,” Burke muttered, earning a frown from Missy and a smile from Ellen.

  Ellen directed the conversation back to the child. “Does Missy stand for something, like Melissa?”

  Missy wrinkled up her nose. “Not Melissa. There’s a Melissa in my class at school. She thinks she’s queen of everything and is always bossing everyone around. She told me I had to sit at the back of the classroom because she didn’t want to have to see my hair.”

  “Did you move to the back of the classroom?” Ellen asked, knowing she would have at Missy’s age.

  “Of course not,” Missy said, leaning back in her chair. She swung her little fist in the air. “I popped her in the nose and told her I’d sit wherever I want to.”

  Burke swallowed down the words of praise that sprang to his lips, especially at Ellen’s warning glower.

  Ellen placed a hand over Missy’s as it rested on the table. “Did she leave you alone after that?”

  “Yep. Everyone sits where they want because she’s afraid to be bossy, at least when I’m around.” Missy toyed with her fork and glanced at Ellen. “My name isn’t really Missy.”

  Burke sat a little straighter at this news. Perhaps the child had been kidnapped. Maybe she’d been coached on what to say in case she was separated from her captor. “What do you mean? What’s your name?”

  “Mistletoe,” the child whispered, glancing down at her plate. “My real name is Mistletoe.”

  Burke slumped in relief while Ellen smiled. She lifted the child’s chin with her finger until green eyes met brown. “I love that name, Missy. Why did your parents name you Mistletoe?”

  In light of the two adults smiling at her instead of making fun of her name, she relaxed. “I was born on Christmas Day. Mommy told Daddy he could choose my name. He laughed and said I was his little bundle of Mistletoe. Mistletoe Marie Hayes.” The child poked a finger into her chest. “That’s me. But everyone calls me Missy.”

  “It’s a wonderful name, Missy, especially this time of year,” Ellen assured the child. “It’s much more fun than having a plain old name like Ellen.”

  “Oh, but Ellen is such a nice name. It sounds like a name a mom might have.” Missy studied Ellen for a few quiet moments. “Do you know how to bake cookies?”

  Ellen laughed. “I certainly do. My friend, Tara, the one with the green eyes, is a pastry chef. And she worked in a bakery for a while. She taught me how to bake a few things.”

  “That’s so cool,” Missy said then looked at Burke. “Isn’t it?”

  “It is.”Burke tossed a teasing wink at Ellen that made her inside flutter in delight. “Anytime you want to show off your mad cookie-baking skills, I’m happy to do some taste-testing.”

  “Good to know,” Ellen said, taking a bite of egg foo yung.

  Later, after she’d helped Missy take a bath and get ready for bed, she and Burke listened to the child say her bedtime prayers. Her little voice broke as she asked God to watch over her daddy and keep him safe. Ellen forced her gaze up to the ceiling in an effort to keep her tears at bay. Her heart ached for the little girl.

  While she’d splashed in a tub full of bubbles, thanks to a bottle of bubble bath Bella had left behind, Missy had told Ellen about her mother dying, living in the old car, and her father getting sick. Ellen hastened to reiterate what Burke had said, that the doctors would help her father and everything would be fine.