Silent Night in Dry Creek. Janet Tronstad

at the cross, it had to be his grandfather. At least that meant it wasn’t someone like Lonnie Denton. “You’ll have to report it to the sheriff.”

      “Can’t be anyone but your grandfather,” Elmer said as he studied Wade again. “The only set of lights coming down the road was yours. It’s too dark out for someone to drive in unannounced.”

      Wade nodded. He supposed that was true, too.

      “I’ll give the sheriff a call after you’re gone. No point in putting it off. I already unplugged the lights and your grandfather never leaves his porch until the seven-o’clock news comes on the television.”

      Wade remembered. Nothing gave the old man a better excuse to drink than the problems of the world.

      “Yeah, well, I guess we should be going.” Wade noticed that Elmer was still taking his measure. Not everyone in Dry Creek would trust a Sutton these days, even if they were willing to take up a collection on his behalf.

      “You take good care of my daughter,” Elmer said.

      Wade looked at Jasmine. Her face was flushed. He wished he’d kissed her even if her father had been crashing in the door. It probably would be his only chance and he’d always regret not tasting her lips.

      “I can take care of myself,” she said.

      Elmer grunted.

      “He’s just giving me a ride,” Jasmine continued. “I have some special lights on order for my motorcycle. I can’t drive it at night until I get them.”

      Wade wondered why she didn’t just say she was suffering his company because the sheriff had forced them to ride together. Carl was probably laughing his head off about it right now.

      “You shouldn’t be driving that bike at all,” Elmer sputtered. “A lady should ride in a car. If you don’t like driving my old Cadillac, I have a Bentley in the garage, too. And a few others.”

      “I do fine with my motorcycle,” Jasmine said as she spread her hands. “I don’t need things. Not in my new life.”

      Wade grunted. He wasn’t about to ask any questions just now, but he did wonder what story she’d spun for Elmer. Everyone wanted things. He didn’t trust someone who said otherwise.

      “I’ve got my car outside,” Wade said as he reached over to pick up his gun from the counter. He moved his leg again and grimaced in pain.

      “Here,” Elmer said as he held out a hand.

      Wade took the help to steady himself. So this is what he’d come to, he thought. Depending on others like he was an old man.

      “I forgot you’d damaged your leg,” Elmer said. “That’s why you can’t work.”

      Wade tried to push the pain away. It was like he figured. Everyone knew about his problem. “I can get a job. Soon.”

      “Well, until you do—I put in twenty bucks.”

      Wade forced himself to give a short nod of thanks. He didn’t want to have to explain to every person in Dry Creek why he couldn’t take their charity. Maybe he’d ask the pastor to put a notice in the church bulletin offering to return the contributions. Maybe then they’d leave him alone.

      “You need to take care of your leg,” Jasmine said as she led the way to the outside door. She picked up a small jar of jam that was sitting on the counter.

      “Hostess gift,” she announced proudly.

      Wade nodded. For someone who wasn’t into things, she sure knew how to spread gifts around. It was probably what made people think she was so sweet.

      He picked up his gun and followed her to the door only to look back at Elmer. Apparently, Wade wasn’t the only one feeling a little down. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.”

      The old man didn’t say anything.

      Wade opened the car door for Jasmine and she slid inside. They were at the gate leading to the main gravel road before he decided he had to know. “So was everyone there when they passed the hat for me?”

      “Uh…”

      “I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.” Wade looked straight ahead. The heater was going in his car and the dials on the dash were lit up. There was nothing but darkness outside the car.

      “You should take the money anyway.”

      Wade looked over at her. He couldn’t see her eyes in the darkness.

      “You could consider it a Christmas present if you want,” she added.

      “If the people here wanted to give me a Christmas present, it would be socks.” Wade suddenly remembered the many pairs of socks he’d gotten as a boy from the people in the church here. Sometimes, he’d also get a shirt or a jacket, too. Maybe that’s why the money stung so much. He’d already received so much from these people. The kids might have believed his stories about the Christmas presents his grandfather gave him, but the adults knew better. They probably even knew there hadn’t been any cake or turkey or apple stuffing.

      “If they wanted to give me the money, they could have at least asked me to dig a ditch or something. That’s honest work,” Wade muttered half to himself. “I can’t see where they think following the Christmas angel around could be anything at all.”

      “What?”

      Wade heard the surprise in her voice and could have kicked himself. He was not himself tonight.

      “They wanted you to follow me?” she asked.

      “I could be mistaken,” Wade said. “I—ah—it might have been one of the wise men.”

      Jasmine wasn’t paying any attention to him. “I can’t believe they’d ask you to follow me. What do they think—that I’m going to steal from somebody?”

      “Oh, no,” Wade said. Now he’d really done it. “The sheriff made it very clear that no one suspects you of anything. I was to protect you.”

      “From who? I can take care of myself.”

      Wade didn’t know how to answer that. “The sheriff had a hunch. That’s all. He’s worried about Lonnie.”

      “Lonnie’s in jail.”

      “I know.”

      They were both silent for a moment.

      “I don’t need anyone to follow me around,” Jasmine repeated. “I’m trying to start a new life and be a regular person—”

      Wade had the alarming feeling she might cry.

      “Well, don’t worry,” he said. It was the only comfort he could offer. “I’m not doing it.”

      “I should hope not,” Jasmine said, and that was the last conversation they had until she pointed out the turnoff to the sheriff’s house.

      Wade knew he was leaving tomorrow, but he didn’t want anyone to be upset when he did. Especially not Jasmine. He’d been stealing glances at her all the way down those lonely roads. He had the shadow of her profile clearly in his mind. He told himself it was in case he ever needed to pick her out of a lineup, but that wasn’t it. He stole another glance at her. He just wanted to remember her.

      “If you ever get down around Idaho Falls, be sure and give me a call,” he found himself saying. “We could maybe have dinner or—”

      She turned to look at him indignantly. “You don’t have to ask me out. Or follow me. Or anything.”

      “Okay, well—” Wade knew when to step away from the firing line.

      “Thanks anyway,” Jasmine said, none too politely. “It was kind of you to offer.”

      It was crazy of him to offer, Wade figured. But he’d done it anyway. He supposed