The Lawman's Christmas Wish by Linda Goodnight

happened to Amy’s treasure, she and the town would be crushed. They’d pinned so many hopes and dreams on the mysterious contents of one small box. “Only a couple of weeks left until we can finally see what’s inside that chest and put this whole thing behind us.”
    â€œOr in front of us,” Amy said with her insistent optimism.“Haven’t you noticed how the townspeople have become energized with the excitement? For a while there, they’d been too glum to decorate for the holidays, and now we’re having a big decorating bash the week before Christmas. For all the problems it’s caused, the treasure is a good thing.”
    Amy was certain God wanted to bless the town through whatever was inside that treasure chest. Reed sure hoped God didn’t let them down.
    â€œI guess you’ll be right in the middle of the town decorations.”
    â€œWon’t you?”
    â€œWouldn’t miss it.” As the town’s peace officer, he couldn’t. Plus, he’d have to keep an eye on Amy and the boys. “You want to watch some TV?”
    â€œNo. I like sitting here looking at your fire, thinking.” She rubbed her upper arms.
    â€œI’ll put more wood on.”
    He started to rise, but Amy caught his elbow. “The fire is fine, Reed. Sit and relax. You work hard.”
    That simple little comment had a strange effect on Reed Truscott. He sat down again, this time putting more space between him and Amy so that he could look at her while they talked. Self-torture, but worth the pain. “So do you. I’m surprised you aren’t working on a costume or something.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact…” She reached down beside the end of the couch and pulled up a basket of Christmas balls. “Do you like them?”
    â€œSure.” He frowned at a bright, shiny red ball decorated with lace and glitter. “What are they?”
    Amy giggled. “I’m personalizing the decorations for your Christmas tree.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe boys and I want a Christmas tree.” She pointed at an empty corner of the room. “Right over there.”
    â€œI never put up a tree.”
    â€œYou’ve never had two little boys underfoot, either. We need a tree, Reed.”
    Did she say “we”?
    â€œWell, okay,” he said uncertainly. Kids expected a tree. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Amy and the boys weren’t going anywhere until after Christmas, which meant they would have Christmas morning right here in this room. Sweat broke out on his neck. Would he be expected to play Santa? Not that he minded. In fact, he kind of liked the idea, but what exactly did Santa do?
    â€œLet’s cut our own.” Amy was like a dog with a meaty bone, and her boundless energy had kicked in again. She hopped up from the couch. “What do you say? Are you too tired? We could go now.”
    Like a family, he thought. He and Amy and Dexter and Sammy traipsing through the woods with a big, green pine, like something from a Norman Rockwell painting.
    He gazed down at the bouncy redhead looking up at him with that excited expression and had the strongest urge to pull her into his arms. He might even kiss her, and they’d laugh together in anticipation of the tree they were going to put up. Then they’d bundle the boys and hold hands as they headed into the woods for the perfect Christmas tree. Their first together.
    Amy’s cell phone rang, a discordant jangle that jarred some sense into him. This was Ben’s family, not his.
    â€œNo,” he said and turned away, but not before he saw the light die on Amy’s face.
    Â 
    â€œHello.” As she spoke into the receiver, Amy kept one eye on Reed, who’d gone from friendly and teasing to stony-eyed and crabby faster than Rudolph’s nose could blink.
    What was it with this guy? Did he hate Christmas trees?Well, he might as well get over that,