Page 38 of All I Want is You this Christmas Final

Anna Beth placed one hand on her hip, her tone teasing. “When am I going to meet this mysterious friend?”

“When I’m ready. Now, scoot.”

Anna Beth kissed Mittens on the head again as she passed and then her aunt on the cheek. Jared caught Sarah’s surprised expression as Anna Beth headed out the door. Jared squeezed Sarah’s shoulder.

“I’ll bring her back in one piece.”

“Of course, you will. If I had any doubts, she wouldn’t be leaving with you.”

“Fair enough. Have a good day, Sarah.”

Jared closed the door behind him and caught up to her, reaching for the door handle to open it for her.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

She climbed up inside and greeted Rip when he closed her door. As he passed the front of the truck, he saw Rip lean over the seat and lick her cheek. Jared grinned when she laughed. Rip taking to Anna Beth as though she’d always been a part of their lives only reinforced Jared’s notion that Anna Beth was special.

Jared climbed into the truck and gave Rip a stern look. “Don’t be fooled by him. He’s buttering you up so he can steal our sandwiches.”

“Awww, I’m not stingy. I’ll share with him.”

“No way. He had breakfast and people food makes him gassy.”

Anna Beth sent Rip a sympathetic glance. “Sorry, Rip. Daddy’s being mean.”

Jared shook his head as he turned the ignition. “I’m not mean. I just don’t want to be stuck in a car with his noxious ass.”

Anna Beth bent over in her seat, laughing heartily, nearly hitting her head on the dash. Jared smiled as he pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. He’d always loved making Anna Beth happy, no matter how silly it made him look. He’d never been an extrovert, but with Anna Beth, he’d enjoyed breaking from his comfort zone because he trusted her not to make fun of him.

It was easy to slip back into the comfort they'd had as kids, even with everything that had happened.

“The coffee closest to you is yours.”

“Oh, good. I didn’t have a chance to grab a cup before you picked me up.”

“Overslept?” Jared noticed Anna Beth hadn’t put on makeup and although he thought she looked beautiful, he noticed dark circles under her eyes.

&nb

sp; “A little. I was up late, working.”

“That’s a good thing, right? Got a groove going?”

“Yes, except I started something completely different yesterday and I haven’t been able to stop.”

“What is it?”

“A romantic comedy. It’s pretty fun, actually, and so easy. I have to admit, I’ve been struggling with my original screenplay, but this...well, it doesn’t feel like work.”

“I think it’s great you can do what you love and still make money at it.”

“Don't you love being a police officer?”

“Yes, and no. I want to help people. Keep them safe. But a lot of the job is enforcing the law, which doesn’t necessarily endear you to your community. It’s never fun to see a cop.”