The Sheriff's Christmas Twins. Karen Kirst

procure mugs of fragrant apple cider. Cradling the large mug, she relished the warmth seeping through her gloves. Cognizant of the curiosity she aroused in the others, Allison wondered if it was due to her being an out-of-towner or her connection to their secretive sheriff.

      Josh led her to a stand of gnarled trees that resembled pitiful broomsticks. Numerous adults chatted while kids dashed after one another, shrieking and giggling. At one edge of the gathering, a beautiful brunette waved them over, a smile stretching from ear to ear.

      “Allison, allow me to introduce you to the love of my life.” Releasing Allison, Josh went and tugged the woman tight against his side. “My wife, Kate O’Malley.”

      “It’s nice to meet you, Allison.” Her smile was sincere. “There are quite a lot of us.” She wiggled her fingers at the group of men and women, adolescents and young children. “It can be a bit overwhelming at first.”

      “As long as you don’t expect me to remember everyone’s names.”

      Laughing, the couple drew her deeper into the fray. Shane remained on the group’s edge, engaging in conversation with a striking-looking man with raven hair and an angry scar around his eye. She learned there were three brothers—Josh, Nathan and Caleb—and their cousins, five sisters who greeted her with curiosity. The most recently married, Jessica was the only one as yet without kids.

      “You’re the baker, right?” Allison addressed the redhead. “Shane was bragging about your talent.”

      “Folks do seem to enjoy my baking.”

      Her husband, Grant Parker, brushed a lock of her deep-red hair behind her shoulder. “She’s being modest. Jessica’s desserts are highly sought after around these parts.”

      “My sister Jane is just as skilled.” Jessica indicated her identical twin sister, who was standing a couple of yards away with a tall, distinguished fellow. “She’s busy with her kids and doesn’t have time to bake as much as she used to.”

      Allison had met only one other set of twins before, brothers in their midsixties who looked like mirror images of each other, much like Jessica and Jane. She tried to keep her fascination hidden.

      “I confess to a weakness for sweets,” she said. “I will no doubt prove to be a loyal customer during my stay.”

      The scarred man, who she’d learned was the youngest O’Malley brother, tugged a reluctant Shane to the middle of the group where she stood with Jessica and Grant.

      “Interrogation time,” Caleb announced with a smirk. His brown-black eyes settled on her, and she felt sure she wouldn’t want him for an enemy. “Miss Ashworth, will you kindly tell us the nature of your relationship with Shane Timmons?”

      Josh tapped her shoulder. “The truth, please, Miss Ashworth, not the pat answer Shane’s prepped you to give.”

      Since Shane was standing beside her, she heard his slow exhale, sensed the flight-response of his body.

      “I met Shane when I was twelve, and he was fourteen. He lived with me, my brother and father for many years.”

      “This was in Virginia?” Kate said.

      “Yes. Norfolk. My family has lived there for generations. My father, David Ashworth, built a successful business, which he bequeathed to my brother, George.”

      “Allison works with George,” Shane inserted. “She oversees the hiring and termination process and ensures the employees have proper working conditions. In addition to all that, she’s in charge of payroll.”

      “I didn’t realize my brother outlined my duties for you,” she said.

      “George likes to talk business. You’re part of that world.”

      “What was Shane like as an adolescent?” Caleb asked, his keen gaze studying them both. She would’ve liked to ask what he saw that was so interesting.

      She gave Shane a sideways glance. “A lot like he is today, actually. Reserved. Determined to do everything on his own. Convinced his opinion is the only right one.”

      “Sounds about right.” Josh snorted. “You must’ve been terrified.”

      “Allison isn’t terrified of anything.” Shane’s sardonic reply evoked laughter from the group.

      Her smile felt forced. He clearly didn’t know her well. He was the one who’d intimidated her from the start, the one whose good opinion she’d craved.

      “My turn.” Crossing her arms, she met Caleb’s stare with her own. “I want to hear about Shane the lawman.”

      Shane hung his head and groaned. “There’s really not much to tell.”

      “Stop being so modest.” Josh socked his arm.

      “If anyone has a right to boast, it’s him,” Jessica said with conviction.

      Shane shot Allison a help me look. He despised being the center of attention. Not about to miss their recounting of his exploits, she shrugged. Displeasure twisted his mouth.

      “Shane’s the type of man who’ll help anyone without thought to his own personal comfort or safety,” Josh said. “He’s got a will of iron and nerves of steel.”

      Josh listed the ways Shane had impacted their lives. He’d once hunted and captured a criminal who’d taken Nathan captive. He’d rounded up a gang of outlaws whose female leader had almost killed Caleb and his wife, Rebecca. When a series of crimes had been committed at Quinn’s store and Nicole had been attacked, Shane worked with Quinn to bring the perpetrators to justice.

      Grant spoke up at the end, his expression one of earnest respect. “Not so long ago, I woke up on Jessica’s property with no memory of who I was. Shane could’ve thrown me in jail that first day. Even after I discovered evidence that pointed to a sordid past, he believed in my innocence. Things could’ve gone very differently if not for him.”

      The adults fell silent. Allison nudged Shane. “Sounds like the contents of an adventure book to me.”

      He kicked up a shoulder. “It’s my job. I do what’s required of my position, the same as any other lawman in this nation is expected to do.”

      “Handsome and humble...” Jessica huffed a dramatic sigh. “If only we could convince one of the single ladies around here that he’s worth the effort.”

      Kate shot Allison a significant look. “What about you, Allison? Are you involved with anyone?”

      Her cheeks blazed with heat at the implication. “Not at the moment.”

      Nathan elbowed Josh. Someone let loose a low whistle.

      “Isn’t that convenient. Shane’s not courting anyone.”

      “When has he ever?” Nathan’s young brother-in-law, Will, observed with a hearty laugh.

      Shane threw up his hands. “That’s enough punishment for one night.”

      Threading his fingers through hers, he pushed past Josh, guiding her away from their group.

      “You don’t have to go,” Caleb called after them. “We’ll promise to behave.”

      He lifted a hand in acknowledgment. Still, he didn’t slow his pace until they’d left his friends behind and were on the opposite side of the church near the cemetery. He dropped her hand the moment they stopped.

      “It wasn’t that bad, was it?” she said softly.

      “They like to harass me sometimes. You presented a perfect opportunity.”

      “It’s obvious how much they care about you. You’re fortunate to have them.”

      After witnessing the evidence of their regard for him, she could only be happy to know he wasn’t alone.

      “I know.” His attention shifted beyond