Page 37 of Last Chance Christmas

Babysitting duty.

He swallowed. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Get to the firehouse right away. You’re there until I tell you otherwise.”

Anthony walked back out into the rain. Ice coated the deep puddles in the grass and the edges of the sidewalks he crossed to get to his cruiser in the parking lot. They’d have to move their temporary checkpoint station indoors soon. It had been just over forty-eight hours since the accident-slash-escape, and the weather only grew worse by the minute.

And yet, out here in the bitter cold was where he wanted to be. Where he should be.

“Where are you going, Thomas? Got mud on your shoes?” K-9 Officer Cole Stuart chuckled as he turned up the Sherpa-lined collar of his coat.

So Anthony liked to take care of his clothing. Image mattered. He paid good money for quality and wouldn’t apologize for it. But he would gladly muddy all his Alexander McQueen sneakers for a chance at bringing down these criminals.

“Nah, got reassigned on protection detail.”

Stuart sucked in a breath through his teeth. “At least you’ll stay warmer than the rest of us roughing it out here.” He opened up the back of his SUV and rubbed down his partner, Titan, a German shepherd.

“I’d rather be out here doing real police work.” Showing the department that he had what it took. “Keep me updated?”

“Sure thing.” Cole gave him a clap on the shoulder and left with the dog.

Anthony held back a sigh and opened his own door. Might as well pay his dues.

This is what I get, isn’t it, Lord?

He should’ve been the one to bring in Sosa. He’d been on the task force last spring when the man had blown up a hotel, kidnapped the governor’s family, and tried to set up a whole cartel in Last Chance. He knew how slippery he could be.

But when he’d had his chance yesterday, he’d blown it. Anthony had been on his trail when Sosa went and held his friend Izan Collins, fellow officer Olivia Tazwell, and a few others hostage in a church while they were decorating for Christmas.

Talk about killing the Christmas cheer.

Not that he was a fan of the holiday. But still. Some things should be sacred for the kids. And it was Anthony’s fault that it had escalated that far. He should’ve caught Sosa before the guy had a chance to terrorize again.

But now, instead of righting that wrong, he was back at the bottom. He pulled up to the firehouse and made his way inside. Zoe Lewis, in her firefighter uniform, held a ladder while paramedic Kianna Russell hung a strand of Christmas lights from the ceiling in the lobby.

“Looking good, ladies.” Anthony stomped the water and mud off his shoes on the rug.

“Who, us? Or the decorations?” Kianna’s playful smirk was beautiful and harmless. They’d established a good friendship, but both knew they’d never be a couple.

“Both, of course.” Anthony moved over to take the ladder. “Here. Let me do that.”

“You don’t think Zoe can handle a ladder?” Kianna tipped her eyebrow up, almost daring him. “Or are you just trying to hit on us?”

“Can’t a guy be a gentleman once in a while? Besides, Zoe is married, and I know better than to make any moves on you. I know when someone’s out of my league.”

Both of the women laughed.

“I suppose you’d be better at holding the ladder steady than decorating that table with the garland.” Zoe looked up at Kianna “What do you say?”

“By all means, put the man to work. Oh, and don’t forget to put up the poster for the toy drive. The collection box should go over by the reception desk. I’m almost done here.”

Anthony held the ladder while Zoe arranged greenery.

Kianna came off the ladder, and they moved it to the other side of the door. It didn’t seem right to be standing around while the others did all the work. “Why don’t I hang the lights?” Just add interior decorator to his résumé. Right under babysitter.

He needed all the goodwill he could get. If it made a positive impression on these ladies, hopefully it would help break the ice with Della. Show her he wasn’t a complete doofus who didn’t know his own name. And if she put in a good word for him with the police department, it could help him get out of the doghouse.

“You really wanna hang the lights?” Kianna asked him.