The scent of cinnamon and baked goods fills the air as I sit down in a wooden teal chair in Anessa's bakery. I've lived in Pelican Bay my entire life, and I've seen this little corner building as many shops over the years, but her cute, pink bakery is, by far, my favorite. The adorable and tasteful Christmas decorations she's strewn about the place only help. There's garland over the fireplace, mistletoe in all the windows, a big wreath on the front door, and Christmas music piping from a speaker.The one item completely out of place in the little, girly bakery is the group of large, imposing men taking up a considerable amount of space in front of the large window. Anessa's bakery has become the local hangout and meeting place for Ridge's security firm, even though he owns a state-of-the-art building a few streets over."Here's your coffee. One cream, one sugar, and a kiss." Spencer leans over and gives me a quick peck on the lips, just enough to leave me dazed. "Mistletoe," he sa
"Agreed. I'll call into the local P.D. for help, too. Anderson will want in on this," Ridge says, and everyone nods their heads in agreement, including me, even though I have no idea what we're talking about."What's going on?" The whole thing sounds serious.Warmth covers my back when Spencer rest his hands on my lower neck. "Hudson picked up a lead I was able to track through banking records. Someone purchased a property under one of Frankie Zanetti's businesses, and we think they might be using it as a hideout. We're planning a takedown tonight.""A takedown?" Tabitha looks to Ridge, which causes him to scowl at Spencer. Apparently, that wasn't supposed to be widely known information.He answers her with annoyance. "If we round them up in one sweep, the whole town will be quiet and safe for Christmas. Didn't you say you wanted a quiet Christmas?I definitely think Ridge is trying to appease his girlfriend, but the quiet Christmas sounds great to me. I don't want a dead guy
Spencer's headlights flash over my large front window as he pulls into the driveway. I drop the curtain before the glare catches on my face. Frankie barks, probably startled by the first bit of movement I've done for the last hour."Yes, yes, your daddy is home." I step away from the large bay window I've used as a perch tonight. Frankie doesn't follow until I stop and slap my knee twice. "Well, come on. We can't let him know how crazy we are."Hudson refused to leave until Spencer gave him the okay, and he called me ridiculous for spending our evening waiting for Spencer's return. But he was sitting here watching me watch a window, so which one of us is worse?As a woman concerned about her guy going out to fight some unknown criminal element, I think I had every right to spend three hours staring out my front window, waiting for him to return.It's perfectly normal in my opinion.Expected even.But I'm not sure how the big, strong, tough guy I was waiting up for would fee
A gust of wind whips down Main Street, and I pull on my hat, lowering the ear flaps to cover the bottom of my lobes."When is the parade set to start?" Spencer asks, zipping his coat up the last few inches. He's lucky. The box from L.L. Bean arrived an hour before the festivities started. Otherwise, he'd be out here in one of his long-sleeve thermal shirts."Not until noon."Spencer checks his watch. "That's two hours away. Why did we have to rush?"I smile, holding back a laugh. Spencer has a lot to learn about living in Pelican Bay.My arm jerks forward as Frankie tugs on her leash, trying to get closer to the people who come and go on the street around us. My steps pick up to keep pace with her."The Christmas Eve parade is an important holiday tradition. There is a schedule you have to follow.""A schedule?""It's tradition." Frankie pulls on her leash again, giving me an annoyed look when I tug back.I stop in front of Bonnie's Diner and wait while Spencer opens
"Oh, they don't." I laugh as a young kid in a black hoodie bumps Spencer as he hurries by. Spencer stands taller, pushing his elbows out to give himself room. "People come from all over to watch our Christmas Eve parade. It's Pelican Bay's biggest event.The sidewalk is filled with people. The congestion slows down our pace as we walk by people standing on the sidewalk, chatting. There's a lull in the crowd, and Spencer uses the opportunity to wrap his arm around my shoulder. It makes walking with a leash, cookie, and hot chocolate a tad difficult, but I'm too enamored to care. "Where to now?"I swing the hand holding the leash back and forth, enjoying the moment. "Now, we find a spot to sit."My family always watches the parade from a spot on Bay View since the road runs next to the public beach. It's an ideal location. You can see the water behind you, our large lighthouse to the north, and a great view of the floats as the parade comes down Main Street with the well-maintained
"Get down!" Spencer yells, pushing my left shoulder until I'm hunched over with Frankie's nose in my face.It happens slowly, yet all at once. Like a large wave off the coast, the crowd filling the sidewalks of Main Street surges forward. People bump into one another as they run down the street in a mad dash."You and Frankie get to safety. I'm going to check it out." Spencer takes a step back, the crowd parting around us, but Frankie and I don't move with them. He pulls a gun from somewhere behind him.Where the hell is he always hiding that thing?"You're going alone? I should come with you," I yell as the crowd gets louder with their screams."No, you should stay safe.""So should you."He gives me a clearly-not-amused look. "I have special training to handle these situations.""So do I." What does he think the four years of medical training I went through was for?Seeing my resolve, Spencer sighs, his shoulders hunched over. When he stands back to his full height,
"Owww. Watch what you're doing, Jimmy." The old man's voice is strained and etched with pain as he maneuvers into the back of the van."Slide back to make room," Jimmy directs. I lose sight of both men in the windowless van."Are you going to help him or what?" Jimmy jumps down."Yes, right." Hurt guy. Needs help. On it.Years of training and experience kick in, and the world around me falls away, allowing my focus to take over."All right, nurse. Fix me up." Dominic says, leaning back on the van floor, his loose-fitting trouser leg rolled up to his thigh. The area's red with blood.He's too far back to treat from the ground, so I slide into the van to get a better look."Do you have anything for me to clean the wound with?" The end of my sentence got lost in the sound of two doors crashing shut."Hey!" I spin around and jiggle the handle, pounding on the doors. They don't budge.The van starts up."What the hell?" I continue my assault on the back doors, not gettin
"You fucking dumbass. That's Spencer Jamison's new girl. You'll have the entire security firm on our asses. Like we didn't draw enough attention setting off a car bomb on fucking Main Street.""What?" Jimmy twists me around. "You didn't tell me that."I shrug. "You didn't ask.""Real fucking great, Numb Nuts." The leader lights a new cigarette, blowing a puff of smoke out in front of him. "What the hell am I supposed to do with her?""She needs to fix Dom's knee.""I don't give a flying fuck about Dom's knee. That's his problem. I should shoot all three of you right now and be done with it."Nice to see there's still no honor among thieves.The door opens again, slowly this time. Dominic limps in on his own devices. Guess he's no one's problem anymore. He gives the standing guy a glare—he must have heard the conversation—and then walks to an old, dusty couch on the other side of the room."I see you made it in on your own." The leader of this gang flicks his cigarette,