Page 73 of Last Chance Christmas

“I’ve been so worried about you,” he finally said. Not the most eloquent opening, but it was true.

“I’m okay.”

“Really?”

“The doctor says I’ll make a full recovery.”

His eyes landed on her cast, the IV lines, and the bandage wrapped around her wrist. “I’m sorry we didn’t get there sooner.”

“You came just in time. You saved m?—”

“Knock, knock.” A nurse came into the room. “I’m just taking vitals.” She walked over to the bed. “Is this the police officer you were telling me about?”

Della nodded. “This is him. Officer Anthony Thomas.”

“So you’re the one who saved this young lady? Aren’t you the handsome hero. No wonder she swooned in your arms.” The nurse chuckled.

Anthony’s cheeks flushed hot. “It wasn’t just me. There’s a lot of people who made it happen. A lot of people who care.”

“Well, the paper has your picture on the front page. All the nurses are saying you deserve a medal. And it’s gotta be good PR for the police department.”

“I was just doing my job. The important thing is that she’s safe.”

“She’s blessed to have people looking out for her. The doctor even wants to discharge her later this morning.” The nurse kept chatting until she finished taking Della’s vitals and left.

A stillness settled in the room. Della picked at the blanket folds on her lap. “Did you mean what you said?”

“What?”

“That rescuing me was just doing your job?”

His first reaction was to play it cool. But he stopped, shook his head. He was done trying to hold on to that image. “I said it so she’d stop gushing.”

Della chuckled. “She was laying it on pretty thick. I bet you get that a lot.”

“Not really. But if you want to know the truth, I really care about you, Della.” She was more than a job, more than getting a promotion or showing his superiors he was worthy. She was way more than the notoriety of catching a serial killer.

He might as well lay it all out there and be honest. “I’d like to spend more time getting to know you.”

Her lips turned up in a slow grin. “I know a great way to do that.”

“You do?”

“I still need a Santa for the toy drive. And I can’t think of a better person than the police department poster boy. Especially now that you’re a headliner.”

Anthony threw his head back and laughed. “You’re never gonna let me live this down, are you?”

“Nope. But—” She dropped her gaze, then looked up at him shyly through her thick lashes. “You can totally say no if you want to but…um, would you like to accompany me to the firehouse Christmas party?”

He reached for her hand again. “I’d be honored.”

And for the first time in many years, he had something to look forward to this Christmas. Hope for the future, and someone special to share it with.